ALBERT

Notes: Dielectric measurements have been carried out on partially hydrated collagen in the frequency ranges 100 kHz-5 MHz, 100 MHz-1 GHz, and 8-23 GHz. In the low-frequency range, a dispersion was observed around 100 kHz which results from inhomogeneous conductivity of the samples. A dielectric relaxation was observed aroud 0.3 GHz using time-domain-spectroscopy techniques. This relaxation can be considered to originate from mobile side chains. Microwave measurements indicate that the water relaxation may extend into the 10-GHz region. An apparent discrepancy between the main water relaxation time and the average rotational correlation time of water as measured by nmr line widths was resolved by the assumption that a fraction of the water molecules is bound to the collagen with residence times on the order of 10-6 sec, whereas the remainder of the water is only weakly bound and exhibits rotational rates on the order of 10-10 sec.

Notes: A model for the time dependence of DNA conformational state probabilities is formulated in the form of first-order differential equations. This model is applied to investigate the renaturation and denaturation rates for T2 and T7 DNA as reported in the series of experiments by Record and Zimm. Qualitative agreement is found in denaturation and for series of renaturation experiments with the same initial condition. However, partial agreement with series of renaturation experiments having the same final condition is obtained only by including an initial bimolecular step with properly matched pairs of strands. Comparison of all experiments with the calculated rates yields 5 × 104 min-1 as the step rate for melting a single base pair.

Notes: The conventionally protected oligopeptides of the two homologous series Boc-(L-Ile)n-OMe and Boc-(D-aIle)n-OMe (n = 2-6) were synthesized in a standard stepwise fashion and their uv and CD spectra in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and solid-state ir spectra were investigated. In addition, two oligomeric products derived from the NCAs of L-isoleucine and of D-allo-isoleucine and having a DP of 20 and 12, respectively, were studied in the solid state by x-ray and ir. No substantial differences between the properties of the diastereomeric oligomers in the solid state were noticed, a β-structure being very likely at least for the Boc-protected hexapeptides and the higher oligomers. In contrast, differences were observed between the spectroscopic properties of the diastereomeric oligopeptides, and especially of the hexapeptides, in trifluoroethanol solution. The different properties of the hexapeptides in solution were related to the existence, in the case of Boc-(L-Ile)6-OMe, of soluble molecular aggregates in which the peptide chains assume the β-conformation. These results provide an additional example of the influence of the configuration of asymmetric carbon atoms of the side chains on the conformational properties of peptide molecules in solution.

Notes: The 1H-nmr chemical shifts and the spin-spin coupling constants of the common amino acid residues were measured in solutions of the linear tetrapeptides H-Gly-Gly-X-L-Ala-OH in D2O and H2O, the influence of X on the nmr parameters of the neighboring residues Gly 2 and Ala 4 was investigated. The titration parameters for the side chains of Asp, Glu, Lys, Tyr, and His were determined. The pKa values obtained in D2O, with the use of pH-meter readings with a combination glass electrode uncorrected for istope effects, were 0.06 pH units higher in the acidic range and 0.10 pH units higher in the basic range than the corresponding pKa values in H2O. This suggests that the present data are suitable “random-coil” 1H-nmr parameters for conformational studies of polypeptide chains in D2O and H2O solutions.

Notes: This paper shows that backbone amide proton titration shifts in polypeptide chains are a very sensitive manifestation of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between carboxylate groups and backbone amide protons. The population of specific hydrogen-bonded structures in the ensemble of species that constitutes the conformation of a flexible nonglobular linear peptide can be determined from the extent of the titration shifts. As an illustration, an investigation of the molecular conformation of the linear peptide H-Gly-Gly-L-Glu-L-Ala-OH is described. The proposed use of amide proton titration shifts for investigating polypeptide conformation is based on 360-MHz 1H-nmr studies of selected linear oligopeptides in H2O solutions. It was found that only a very limited number of amide protons in a polypeptide chain show sizable intrinsic intration shifts arising from through-bond interactions with ionizable groups. These are the amide proton of the C-terminal amino acid residue, the amide protons of Asp and the residues following Asp, and possibly the amide proton of the residue next to the N-terminus. Since the intrinsic titration shifts are upfield, the downfield titration shifts arising from conformation-dependent through-space interactions, in particular hydrogen bonding between the amide protons and carboxylate groups, can readily be identified.

Notes: We present a method that can reduce conformational energy calculations for an arbitrary peptide consisting of n residues (n-peptide) to the complexity of a computation for (Gly)n. This reduction, and the concomitant savings in computer time, is accomplished by replacing all side chains, as well as the backbone CαHα and CαH2α groups, by “interaction centers.” The backbone CONH group is left intact in order to preserve its directional character. The interaction centers “see” each other, and the atoms of the CONH group via Boltzmann and space-averaged effective center-center and center-atom potentials, respectively. This averaged-interaction method is tested on the repeat tetra-, penta-, and hexapeptides of elastin, Val-Pro-Gly-Gly (VPGG), Val-Pro-Gly-Val-Gly (VPGVP), and Ala-Pro-Gly-Val-Gly-Val (APGVGV), using the stereoalphabet strategy for the energy calculations. The excellent qualitative and quantitative agreement we obtain with both full atom-atom calculations and extensive nmr data, coupled with the order-of-magnitude reduction in computer time, augurs well for the potential usefulness of the method.

Notes: Linear response theory in the decorrelation or random-phase approximation is used to calculate the absorption and CD spectra of model helical polymers, including single-stranded polyadenylic acid. The method, which makes use of infinite polymer selection rules for the linear response tensor, has the advantages that (1) only a few three-dimensional matrices need be inverted; (2) spectral band shapes of the polymer arise naturally from those of the monomer, as well as from the geometry-dependent interactions in the helix; and (3) the spectral dependence on geometrical factors of the helix is made transparent. It is found that the structure of the polymer CD spectrum depends critically on monomer bandshape. An asymmetric CD spectrum, similar to some experimental spectra, arises from either a Gaussian or a composite monomer band. Single-stranded polyadenylic acid spectra are sensitive to helix geometry in the region 200-240 nm, in reasonable agreement with experimental spectra. This sensitivity arises from the 207-nm monomer transition, and the results suggest that this region of the spectrum should be more fully exploited as a tool for helix geometry studies.

Notes: C24H34N2O9, orthorhombic, P212121; a = 39.432 (10), b = 14.061 (5), c = 4.850 (2) Å, M = 494 a.m.u., Z = 4, Dm = 1.22 g cm-3, Dx = 1.22 g cm-3, R = 0.13 for 1205 observed reflections after refinement with isotropic thermal factors. The urethane and amide bonds are in the trans configuration, as well as all the ester groups. The ϕ and ψ angles of the L-glutamyl residues fall in the β-structure region of the Ramachandran's plot; the molecule is rather flat with the amide plane almost parallel to the c axis along which two hydrogen bonds hold the molecules together to form long rows in a “parallel pleated-sheet” fashion.

Notes: The far-ir absorption spectrum of lysozyme was measured at room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures. Dried layers of single crystals of tetragonal lysozyme chloride with a diameter of 100-300 μm were grown on a silicon plate. Such single-crystalline samples were considered to have the following advantages in obtaining far-ir spectra: (1) surface scattering is reduced, (2) the protein molecules are closely packed, and (3) air-drying of the crystals reduces the number of water molecules without considerably changing the original configuration. The spectrum obtained consisted of a strong background absorption and a number of absorption peaks that were not clearly observed with the sample in the form of lyophilized powder. The peaks were ascribed to various delocalized vibrations of the main and side chains in the molecule. The peaks were also compared with the positions of Raman lines. The uniform background was assigned to the water molecules remaining in the crystals.

Notes: The duplex-to-strand transition of the self-complementary sequence dG-dC-dG-dC has been probed at the exchangeable and nonexchangeable protons and backbone phosphates by high-resolution nmr spectroscopy. The Watson-Crick imino and amino hydrogen-bonded protons, as well as the exposed amino protons, could be followed through the duplex-to-strand transition and provide information on base-pair stability at the tetranucleotide duplex level. The magnitudes of the experimental upfield nonexchangeable base-proton chemical shifts on duplex formation are consistent with calculations based on base-pair overlap geometries of the B-DNA type. The variation of the 31P chemical shifts in dG-dC-dG-dC with temperature appear to monitor changes in the ω,ω′ rotation angles about the O—P bonds in the postmelting transition temperature region. The complex formed between the antitumor anthracycline antibiotic daunomycin and the dG-dC-dG-dC duplex was probed at the nucleic acid and the antibiotic resonances as a function of temperature. The experimental complexation shifts of the observable daunomycin resonances have put constraints on possible overlap geometries between the intercalating anthracycline ring and adjacent base pairs.

Notes: Conformational analyses of cyclic tetrapeptides consisting of alternating cis and trans peptide units have been made using contact criteria and energy calculations. This study has been restricted to those structures having a symmetry element in the backbone ring, such as a twofold axis (d) or a center of inversion (i). There are five main results. (1) There are two distinct types of conformations, which are stereochemically favorable corresponding to each of twofold and inversion-symmetrical structures, designated as d1, d2 (for twofold symmetrical) and i1, i2 (for inversion-symmetrical). Among these, the i1 type has the lowest energy when glycyl residues occur at all four α-carbon atoms. (2) With the glycyl residue at all four α-carbon atoms, methyl substitution at the cis peptide nitrogen atoms is possible in all the four types, whereas the substitution at trans peptide nitrogen atoms is possible only for the i1 type. Thus only in the i1 type can all the nitrogen atoms be methylated simultaneously. The conformation of the molecule in the crystal structure of cyclotetrasarcosyl belongs to the i1 type. (3) When alanyl residues occur at all four α-carbon atoms, the possible symmetrical type is dependent on the enantiomorphic form and the actual sequence of the alanyl residues. (4) The methyl substitution at peptide nitrogen atoms for cyclic tetrapeptides having alanyl residues causes more stereochemical restriction in the allowed conformations than with glycyl residues. (5) The prolyl residue can be incorporated favorably at the cis-trans junction of both d and i types of structures. The results of the present study are compared with the data on cyclic tetrapeptides available from the crystal structure and nmr studies. The results show an overall agreement both regarding the type of symmetry and the conformational parameters.

Notes: Based on equilibrium binding studies, as well as on kinetic investigations, two types of interactions of Cu2+ ions with native DNA at low ionic strength could be characterized, namely, a nondenaturing and a denaturing complex formation. During a fast nondenaturing complex formation at low relative ligand concentrations and at low temperatures, different binding sites at the DNA bases become occupied by the metal ions. This type of interaction includes chelate formation of Cu2+ ions with atoms N(7) of purine bases and the oxygens of the corresponding phosphate groups, chelation between atoms N(7) and O of C(6) of the guanine bases, as well as the formation of specific intestrand crosslink complexes at adjacent G°C pairs of the sequence dGpC. CD spectra of the resulting nondenatured complex (DNA-Cu2+)nat may be interpreted in terms of a conformational change of DNA from the B-form to a C-like form on ligand binding. A slow cooperative denaturing complex formation occurs at increased copper concentrations and/or at increased temperatures. The uv absorption and CD spectra of the resulting complex, (DNA-Cu2+)denat, indicate DNA denaturation during this type of interaction. Such a conclusion is confirmed by microcalorimetric measurements, which show that the reaction consumes nearly the same amount of heat as acid denaturation of DNA.From these and the kinetic results, the following mechanism for the denaturing action of the ligands is suggested: binding of Cu2+ ions to atoms N(3) of the cytosine bases takes place when the cytosines come to the outside of the double helix as a result of statistical fluctuations. After the completion of the binding process, the bases cannot return to their initial positions, and thus local denaturation at the G·C pairs is brought about. The probability of the necessary fluctuations occurring is increased by chelation of Cu2+ ions between atoms N(7) and O of C(6) of the guanine bases during nondenaturing complex formation, which loosens one of the hydrogen bonds within the G·C pairs, as well as by raising the temperature. The implications of the new binding model, which comprises both the sequence-specific interstand crosslinks and the described mechanism of denaturing complex formation, are discussed and some predictions are made. The model is also used to explain the different renaturation properties of the denatured complexes of Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ ions with DNA.In temperature-jump experiments with the nondenatured complex (DNA-Cu2+)nat, a specific kinetic effect is observed, namely, the appearance of a lag in the response to the perturbation. The resulting sigmoidal shape of the kinetic curves is considered to be a consequence of the necessity of disrupting a certain number of the crosslinks existing in the nondenatured complex before the local unwinding of the binding regions (a main step of denaturing complex formation) may proceed.

Notes: A new analysis has been made on studies of the influence of imino acid content on the changes of collagen thermal stability (tm). It is shown that, for the interstitial vertebrate collagens, there is a strict regularity in the changes of tm depending on hydroxyproline content. No correlation is observed between tm and proline content. Also, no correlation between tm and hydroxyproline content is observed for invertebrate and basement membrane collagens. On the basis of the reported data, the dependence of tm on hydroxyproline content is considered to be not a correlation between tm and the total content of hydroxyproline, but only as the correlation between tm and the content of hydroxyproline occurring at the third position in the sequence (Gly-R2-R3)n. The results agree with the idea that the influence exerted by proline and hydroxyproline on the stabilization of the triple helix of collagen is different.

Notes: The conformation and conformational transitions of poly(His-Ala-Glu) have been investigated by ir, nmr, and CD measurements. The results obtained - as well as the results of our previous investigations by potentiometric titration and hydrodynamic techniques [Goren et al., Biopolymers (1977) 16, 1541-1555] - indicate that when dissolved in water, the co-polymer assumes a disordered conformation. On changing the pH of the solution, the states of ionization of the side-chain imidazole and carboxyl groups change in the same manner as in low-molecular-weight model compounds. Concomitantly, the overall shape of the macromolecule is altered, while the conformation of the polypeptide backbone changes from one disordered state to another but never assumes a regular form. In water/methanol and water/trifluoroethanol mixtures, transitions from a disordered state to the α-helix conformation were observed on increasing the alcohol content of the system. The conformational transitions followed pathways which differ from one another according to the experimental conditions employed. Conformational landmarks (intermediates) have been identified along these pathways.

Notes: The decrease in the limiting viscosity number [η] with temperature T for hyaluronic acid in nonalkaline solution and chondroitin 4-sulfate in neutral and alkaline solutions may be expressed in terms of the temperature coefficient of the Kratky-Porod persistence length a: d ln a/dT = -0.0040 (±0.0005). The result, while numerically somewhat smaller, resembles qualitatively that of cellulose derivatives. As in the latter case, standard conformational calculations underestimate the coefficient, which may be due to neglect of random occurrence of local conformational features of higher energy. In alkaline solution, large decreases in [η] of hyaluronic acid are accompanied by a positive temperature coefficient of [η]. This temperature effect is interpreted as an endothermal shift from the alkaline, low [η] form of the polymer to the neutral, high [η] form with increasing temperature.

Notes: We have considered whether or not the tertiary structure of a biomolecule is the same in a crystal (or an oriented film) as it is in solution. A methodology has been developed for comparing polarized absorption spectra obtained from a solid-state sample with those obtained from an oriented solute to further resolve this question. An electric dichroism instrument built in our laboratory was used to measure the solution dichroism signal which, along with the ordinary solution uv absorption spectra, yields polarized absorption spectra in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the applied electric field. These were then compared to polarized absorption data from oriented films of nucleic acids to determine whether the two sets of data could be rotated into coincidence. This rotation was accomplished using a computer program based on a nonlinear programming method. Four nucleic acids were studied and the film and solution data for three of these were found to be equivalent, requiring rotation through an angle of 3°-20°, depending on film humidity, to bring them into coincidence. For the fourth sample we were unable, perhaps because of signal-to-noise ratio limitations, to find a correlation. Flow dichroism and electric dichroism data were also found to be quite similar. Thus it is clear that the induced dipole moment is along the helical axis and that the physical, hydrodynamical, and electrical axes of the nucleic acid molecules are equivalent.

Notes: The effect of enzyme-inhibitor complex formation on the hydration properties of the macromolecular moiety was investigated on the model system of α-chymotrypsin and its Ser-195 tosyl derivative. The primary (A-shell) hydration of the native and modified enzyme was compared by sorption measurements. The secondary (B-shell) hydration water was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Tosylation is known to induce pronounced conformational changes in the chymotrypsin molecule. These structural modifications have the following effects on the hydration of the native enzyme.The water binding capacity of the protein surface is significantly increased, as shown by both the calorimetric and the sorption results. The amount of unfreezable water of primary hydration is increased by 50 mol H2O/mol chymotrypsin.The heats (ΔH) and entropies (ΔS) of the interaction of water with chymotrypsin are strongly reduced in the modified enzyme. This effect is interpretable by a reduction of the H bonding potential of the protein surface. Parallel to this decrease in δH, the heats of fusion of the secondary hydration water (Qfus) are significantly increased by tosylation (Qfus = 256.2 ± 7.8 and 294.2 ± 4.8 J g-1 H2O for the native and the tosylated enzyme, respectively). This increase in Qfus reflects an increase in the extent of H bonding in the B-shell hydration sphere.These changes in the hydration of the native enzyme, associated with the reaction: native chymotrypsin → tosylchymotrypsin, are interpreted by cooperative phase transitions of water molecules in the primary and secondary hydration water. One of these transitions was found to exhibit a significant, linear enthalpy-entropy compensation effect. The compensation temperature \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \hat{\beta} $\end{document} is 290.7 ± 2.8°K. This \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \hat{\beta} $\end{document} value agrees well with compensation temperatures reported in the literature for a series of biochemical reactions in aqueous solution (250-320° K). This agreement in \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \hat{\beta} $\end{document} may point to a common source of both compensation phenomena.

Notes: The conformations of melanostatin have been studied experimentally using CD spectroscopy and via calculations. In aqueous solution and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) there is no evidence that monomers of the tripeptide exist in an ordered (β-bend) structure. In water and TFE solutions (3-6 × 10-4M) the neutral molecules aggregate very slowly, taking about 3 days to attain equilibrium at room temperature. At equivalent concentrations in TFE, although not in water, the cationic molecules also slowly aggregate, although to a lesser extent. Calculations using rotational isomeric state theory give the most probable unperturbed end-to-end distance of the molecule at 9.3 ± 0.1 Å and indicate that a vast majority of the molecules exist in some extended conformation, end-to-end distance ≥6 Å. Only 0.4% of the molecules are calculated to have O…H separations compatible with a β-bend structure. An intramolecular hydrogen bond must have an energy at least 2 kcal/mol lower than that of an intermolecular hydrogen bond to solvent if a β-bend is to be experimentally observable.

Notes: Nps-[Glu(OBzl)]6-NHEt has been prepared by coupling Nps-[Glu(OBzl)]2-OH with HCl,H-[Glu(OBzl)]4-NHEt by means of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The ir spectra of its nujol mull show that the hexapeptide has the β-structure of antiparallel chains. When it is dissolved in dioxane or ethylene dichloride, the hexapeptide consists of a mixture of the β-form and the solvated σ-form, but the β-form can exist only above a certain critical concentration. The critical concentration is about 0.4g dl-1 in dioxane and 0.08g dl-1 in ethylene dichloride, and the content of β-form increases with increasing concentration above it. The CD of the dioxane and ethylene dichloride solutions shows concentration dependence in visible and uv regions.

Notes: Light scattering from the solutions of Nps-[Glu(OBzl)]6-NHEt in dioxane or ethylene dichloride has been measured at different concentrations, and a critical concentration of intermolecular association is found to exist, which is equal to the critical concentration of β-form formation. The Debye plot of light scattering leads to the molecular weight of aggregates at the critical concentration, which corresponds to an aggregation number 15 in dioxane and 53 in ethylene dichloride. In the latter solvent the aggregates further associate into a larger aggregate consisting of 330 molecules when the concentration is increased beyond the critical concentration. The content of β-form, which is a measure of number of hydrogen bonds, is derived from the ir data previously obtained. The results on the modes of intermolecular association and hydrogen bonding lead to possible structures of aggregates formed by both hydrogen bonds and other nonbonding side-chain interactions.

Notes: Low shear viscosities have been determined for a 1 mg/ml poly(L-lysine) solution as a function of added salt concentration in the region of the previously reported ordinary-extraordinary phase transition. The measured viscosities indicate that the polyions are far from completely extended at the transition. Estimates of the longest internal relaxation time for an equivalent free-draining Rouse-Zimm chain give τ ≃ 10-5 sec, similar to that of the rapid, angle-independent component previously observed in the dynamic light-scattering correlation function at the transition. An unusual peak and valley are observed in the curve of [η]0 versus [NaBr] in the transition region. Possible interpretations of these features, and their bearing on the nature of the extraordinary phase, are discussed.

Notes: The crystal structure of the valinomycin analog, cyclo-[(-D-Val-Hyi-Val-D-Hyi-)3-] (meso-valinomycin, C60H102N6O18) has been determined by direct x-ray diffraction procedures. The crystals are triclinic, space group P1, number of molecules per unit cell Z = 1, and cell parameters a = 11.831, b = 13.815, c = 14.889 Å, α = 109.54°, β = 116.10°, γ = 98.89°. The atomic coordinates for the C,N,O atoms were refined in the anisotropic thermal motion approximation and for the H atoms in the isotropic approximation to R = 0.07.The structure is centrosymmetric and has a threefold axis of pseudosymmetry. The depsipeptide chain is in the form of a bracelet stabilized by six identical intramolecular 4 → 1 hydrogen bonds between the amide C=O and NH groups. The ester carbonyls are oriented towards the symmetry axis, their O atoms forming an ellipsoidal molecular cavity. The isopropyl side chains are located on the molecular periphery. The structure found differs considerably from the conformation of the crystalline naturally occurring antibiotic, valinomycin, but completely resembles that of valinomycin and meso-valinomycin in nonpolar solvents. In the crystal, meso-valinomycin molecules form stacks. The molecular cavities situated in the stacks one above the other along the pseudo-C3 axis form a continuous channel, the internal surface of which is lined by O atoms. The possible conformations of depsipeptides of the valinomycin series and their mode of action in membranes are discussed in the light of the data obtained.

Notes: Large molecular weight bacteriophage G DNA, about five times larger than T2 DNA, was used to test Zimm's theory [(1974) Biophys. Chem. 1, 279-291] for the effect of rotor speed on the sedimentation of large linear monodisperse DNA. Sedimentation profiles from neutral sucrose gradinets at low and high rotor speeds show G DNA sedimenting from 1.8 to 0.7 times as fast as T2 DNA. Experimental measurements indicate that the sedimentation coefficient of G DNA decreases with increasing rotor speed about as fast as predicted by theory.

Notes: We have examined the NH stretching frequencies of N-acetyl-N′-methyl-L-alanineamide (blocked Ala), N-acetyl-N′-methylglycineamide (block Gly), and N-acetyl-N′-methyl-L-leucineamide (blocked Leu) in chloroform using irspectroscopy. Their spectrum of blocked Leu in carbon tetrachloride was also obtained. A major absorption band at 3450 cm-1 is attributed to the unperturbed NH stretching frequency. Another major band at 3437 cm-1 (for Ala) or 3432 cm-1 (for Leu) is attributed to conformations in which the NH stretching frequency is perturbed by the spatial proximity of the Cβ atom. An absorption band between 3300 and 3370 cm-1, which has in the past been assigned to the intramolecular hydrogen-bonded NH in the C7eq conformation, was found to be concentration dependent and could not be observed below 5 × 10-4M in chloroform; thus we find no evidence for a strongly hydrogen-bonded NH in the C7eq conformation in chloroform. An absorption band at 3416 cm-1 was observed in chloroform solutions of blocked Gly, and a similar absorption appeared as a shoulder on the 3437- and 3432-cm-1 bands of blocked Ala and blocked Leu, respectively, in the same solvent. These bands, occurring near 3416 cm-1, may be assigned to extended (C5) conformations [Avignon et al., Biopolymers 8, 69 (1969)]. In CCl4 the spectrum of blocked Leu remained concentration dependent below 2.8 × 10-4M, with the 3300-3370-cm-1 band progressively weakening and shifting to higher frequencies on dilution from higher concentrations. Analysis of the spectra indicates that there is considerable flexibility in the blocked single residues, in agreement with the results of conformational energy calculations.

Notes: Type I collagen fibrillogenesis in vitro has been studied by laser light scattering, and the results indicate that initiation of aggregation involves at least two steps. Step I of aggregation involves no change in the intensity of scattered light at an angle of 90° and is accompanied by a decrease in the diffusion coefficient. Step II is characterized by an increased intensity of scattered light and decreased diffusion coefficients. Theoretical calculations using the Stokes-Einstein equation for the translational diffusion coefficient and the Perrin equation for the frictional coefficient of a prolate ellipsoid indicate that the step I aggregates are 4D staggered linear dimers and trimers 570 and 845 nm long, whereas step II aggregates are greater than 950 nm in length. These dimensions are similar to those previously reported based on physicochemical measurements and electron microscopy. It is proposed that the rate and extent of fibrillogenesis in vitro is controlled by the concentration of the linear aggregates and that the effects of temperature and collagen concentration on fibrillogenesis previously observed are qualitatively explained in terms of their effects on the concentration of these aggregates.

Notes: The method hitherto used for estimating the electrostatic term in empirical intramolecular calculations of stable conformations of biologically important molecules and macromolecules and intermolecular calculations of molecular associations or packing energy in molecular crystals had been analyzed. It has been shown that the contribution of atomic hybridization moments is omitted in the calculation of electrostatic interactions from net atomic charges localized on nuclei which have been determined by standard quantum-chemical methods. This contribution plays an important part in determining electrostatic interactions, mainly in molecules containing atoms with lone pairs. Simultaneously, a modified method for calculating the electrostatic term comprising the interaction of the lone pairs, which are represented by atomic hybridization moments, has been proposed. The relationship between the atomic hybridization moment and the bond angle has been expressed for some typical configurations occurring in biologically important molecules. Finally, this new approach is illustrated by results of the conformational analysis of some model compounds for biomolecules and compared with the approach used so far for the estimation of the electrostatic interaction in empirical methods of calculation of the intra- and intermolecular energy.

Notes: Intensity fluctuations of laser light scattered from filamentous viruses Pf1 [length L (Å) × diameter d (Å) = 20,000 × 90], M13 (9000 × 90), potato virus X (5150 × 130), and tobacco mosaic virus (3000 × 180) in sucrose density gradients were measured with a photon correlation spectrometer over a range of scattering angles from 15° to 120°. The experimental data can be approximated by two exponential decays, “slow” and “fast.” The slow decay rate constant ts-1 corresponds to the translational diffusion D of the virus, i.e., ts-1 = K2D, where K is the magnitude of the scattering vector. The amplitude of the slow component, i.e., translational diffusion, remains greater than that of the fast component, even at high KL. The fast decay rate constant tf-1 is also proportional to K2 for viruses such as Pf1, M13, and even potato virus X. In the companion paper, we shall attribute the amplitude enhancement of the translational diffusion to the coupling of its anisotropy to the rotational diffusion modes. In order to explain the excessive decay rates in the fast component, we need to consider the bending mode of rodlike viruses, especially in the longer viruses such as M13 and Pf1, in addition to the usually expected rotational diffusion modes.

Notes: We have compared four theoretical effects of rodlike macromolecules with the fast components, i.e., components other than translational diffusion, of our experimental data, which are presented as amplitude autocorrelation functions of electric field scattered from dilute solutions of monodisperse rodlike viruses with lengths from 3300 Å for tobacco mosaic virus to 20,000 Å for Pf1. The four effects are (1) the optic anisotropy treated by Aragón and Pecora, (2) coupled translational-rotational diffusion due to anisotropy in translational mobility recently reformulated by Gierke, (3) anisotropic rotational diffusion with respect to the direction of translational displacement first discussed by Berne and Pecora, and (4) the bending mode of a rod by Fujime and Maruyama. We show that both the first and second effects are required to explain the enhancement of amplitude of the translational diffusion at the expense of fast components. The experimental decay rates of the fast component exceed that of the rotational diffusions. In order to explain the excessive decay rate in the fast component, we need to include a minute amount (∼1%) of bending mode of rodlike viruses, especially in longer viruses such as M13 and Pf1.

Notes: The previous report that poly(L-glutamic acid) exhibits doubled resonances in the helix-coil transition region by either proton or carbon-13 nmr resolves the question of whether or not this behavior is limited to uncharged polypeptides in organic solvents, as had been previously thought. In the present work, we show that the underlying principle causing this anomalous double-peak behavior is due to molecular-weight polydispersity of the sample. The molecular-weight range in which this phenomenon is observed is largely dependent on the values of σ, the nucleation or cooperativity factor. The principles developed are shown to encompass all classes of polypeptides in a very natural way and to explain the key experimental data in the literature.

Notes: Empirical conformational energy calculations with the use of ECEPP energy functions have been carried out for linear dipeptides H-X-L-Pro-OH, with X = Gly, L-Ala, D-Ala, L-Leu, D-Leu, L-Phe, and D-Phe, in different states of protonation of the end groups. The results of these calculations are compared with the previously reported experimental equilibrium populations for the cis and trans isomers of the X-Pro bond in the different species. For all the protonation states of the seven dipeptides, the calculated nonbonded interactions and the conformational entropy term lead to a preference of the trans forms over the cis isomers by at least 1 kcal/mol. The electrostatic interactions stabilize the cis conformations in all species except the cationic forms of the D,L-peptides, and it could further be shown that only the carbonyl group of X and the two end groups contribute significantly to the total electrostatic energy. One of the principal results of the experimental studies, i.e., the occurrence of 5-15% cis-proline in all the peptides with an uncharged C-terminus, was corroborated by our investigation of the cationic species. A detailed assessment of the electrostatic contribution to the total energy of the different conformations of H-Gly-L-Pro-OH indicates that the standard ECEPP parameters tend to overestimate the electrostatic interactions in aqueous solutions of the X-Pro dipeptides.

Notes: The secondary structure of the lac repressor protein proposed by Chou et al. has been modified to include the recent revisions in sequence. In addition to the Chou and Fasman method, five other methods were used; they include those of (1) Lim, (2) Ptitsyn and Finkelstein, (3) Burgess et al., (4) Bunting et al., and (5) Wu and Kabat. Any two individual methods gave results differing sharply from one another. Three or more methods were in agreement for 91, 39, and 126 residues in helix, in β, and in combined coil plus turn conformations, respectively; there were such agreements for a total of 256 of the 360 residues. Agreements in the amino-terminal third of the molecule were found for 68% of the residues, whereas in the remainder of the molecule only 53% of the residues showed such agreements. Only two helix-breaking and two β-breaking tripeptides were inconsistent with the composite predictions by three or more methods. The large number of disagreements among the results for different methods indicates that only very limited information is provided by each method and that the basis on which they operate is not clear. There is no a priori reason for a composite prediction to be more reliable than any individual prediction, and such a procedure does not permit the determination of an unambiguous secondary structure. Since these methods were applied to lac repressor before any three-dimensional crystallographic structure was known, the methods may ultimately be evaluated should such a structure become available.

Notes: The conformational changes and binding behavior of tetranactin on complexation with sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and ammonium ions were investigated by the measurements of proton magnetic resonance, ir, and Raman spectra. It has been clearly shown that alkali cations coordinate to the oxygen atoms of both the carbonyl group and the tetra-hydrofuran ring, but the ammonium ion coordinates only to the oxygen atom of the tetrahydrofuran. Among the alkali cations the potassium ion most strongly coordinates to the tetrahydrofuran oxygen atoms. The complexation with larger cations induces an expansion of the cavity of the macrocyclic ring of tetranactin and smaller cations contract the cavity. The evidence is revealed by the coupling constants of the methylene protons and the frequency separation between the carbonyl stretching vibrations of the ir- and Raman-active modes. The conformations of the cation complexes in the solid are maintained in solution but that of the cation free form is not.

Notes: Intercalation-site geometries are generated for a tetramer duplex extracted from B-DNA. Glycosidic angles and puckers of the deoxyribose sugar groups bonded to base pairs BP1 and BP4, namely, those at either end of the tetramer duplex, are assumed to be those of B-DNA to insure continuity. All possible geometrical conformations for combinations of C(2′)-endo, C(3′)-endo, C(2′)-exo, and C(3′)-exo sugar puckers are determined for the tetranucleotide backbone. Those with minimum energy are selected as candidates for intercalation sites. Calculations reveal two pairs of physically meaningful families of intercalation sites which occur in two distinct regions, I and II, of helical angles which orient BP2 relative to BP3 and with the helical axis disjointed between these base pairs. For each site I and II within BP2 and BP3, there are two distinct backbone conformations, A and B, connecting BP3 to BP4 or BP1 to BP2 which do not disrupt backbone conformations connecting BP2 to BP3. Hence two pairs, IA and IB, and IIA and IIB, of intercalation sites exist in which the sugar puckers along the backbone of the tetramer alternate from C(2′)-endo to C(3′)-endo on the backbone (5′p3′) connecting BP2 to BP3. The glycosidic angles of the C(3′)-endo sugar χ3γ are, coincidentally, 80° ± 2° for both conformations γ = A and B connecting BP3 to BP4 along the phosphate backbone (5′p3′). Consistent with the theoretical results, the experimental unwinding angles can be grouped into two categories with absolute values of 18° and 26°. The theoretical unwinding angles for sites IA and IB of 16° and for sites IIA and IIB of 20° occur for a displacement of -0.8 Å in the helical axes of BP2 and BP3 and for a 100% G·C composition, with a decrease depending on the amount of A·T base pairs present. Ratios of theoretical unwinding angles of sites I and II, which range from 0.75 to 0.84 for the two principal sites, compare well with the experimental value of 0.71. The theoretical results, in agreement with experimental observation, provide a new interpretation of the nature and conformation of the possible binding sites. Conformations obtained from these studies of intercalation sites in a tetramer duplex are used to rationalize the well-known neighbor-exclusion principle. The possibility of violation of this principle is demonstrated by the existence of two families of physically meaningful conformations. Conformations of unconstrained dimer duplexes are also obtained, one of which corresponds to the experimental crystal structure of ethidium-dinucleoside complexes, but these cannot be joined to the B-DNA structure. Backbone conformations of the tetramer duplex can be constructed until the base-pair separation reaches 8.25 Å, which may limit the molecules that can intercalate.

Notes: As a continuation of previous papers [Biopolymers (1976) 15, 879; (1978) 17, 1508], the low-frequency dielectric relaxation of DNA solutions was studied with a four-electrode cell and the simultaneous two-frequency measurement. Below a critical concentration, the dielectric relaxation time agrees with the rotational relaxation time estimated from the reduced viscosity and is almost independent of DNA concentration Cp, and the dielectric increment is proportional to Cp. The critical concentration is approximately 0.02% of DNA for molecular weight Mr 2 × 106 and 0.2% for Mr 4.5 × 105 in 1 mM NaCl. Dielectric relaxations are compared for samples before and after deproteinization, and the protein contamination is found to have a minor effect on the dipole moment of DNA. The effect of a mixed solvent of water and ethanol on the dielectric relaxation of DNA is well interpreted in terms of changes in viscosity and the dielectric constant of the solvent, assuming that the relaxation arises from rotation of the molecule with a quasi-permanent dipole due to counterion fluctuation.

Notes: Conformational energies of α- and β-D-glucopyranoses were computed by varying all the ring bond angles and torsional angles using semiempirical potential functions. Solvent accessibility calculations were also performed to obtain a measure of solvent interaction.The results indicate that the 4C1 (D) chair is the most favored conformation, both by potential energy and solvent accessibility criteria. The 4C1 (D) chair conformation is also found to be somewhat flexible, being able to accommodate variations up to 10° in the ring torsional angles without appreciable change in energy. Observed solid-state conformations of these sugars and their derivatives lie in the minimum-energy region, suggesting that the substituents and crystal field forces play a minor role in influencing the pyranose ring conformation. Theory also predicts the variations in the ring torsional angles, i.e., CCCC 〈 CCCO 〈 CCOC, in agreement with the experimental results. The boat and twist-boat conformations are found to be at least 5 kcal mol-1 higher in energy compared to the 4C1 (D) chair, suggesting that these forms are unlikely to be present in a polysaccharide chain. The 1C4 (D) chair has energy intermediate between that of the 4C1 (D) chair and that of the twist-boat conformation. The calculated energy barrier between 4C1 (D) and 1C4 (D) conformations is high - about 11 kcal mol-1.

Notes: Earlier determinations of density gradient proportionality constants β0, density distributions ρ(r), and the effect of pressure on density gradients in the analytical ultracentrifuge have been of limited precision and usefulness in the study of proteins and polypeptides. Reasons for these difficulties are that numerous intermediate relationships were required in the calculations, and the density ranges studied were generally above 1.2 g/ml. Relations are derived in the present paper to directly compute β0(ρ) values and β0′(ρ) values from the original data without any intermediate expansions or approximations. Data are presented for CsCl, CsBr, and Cs2SO4 and compared with literature values. Density distributions are computed for all three salts under a wide variety of experimental conditions of density, column length, and angular velocity. These values of ρ(r) and re are obtained by a numerical iterative technique. Values obtained by this new method are compared with values obtained using closed-form expressions. The effects of pressure on the composition density gradient for the three salts given above are calculated and found to be significant for Cs2SO4 solutions.

Notes: We present evidence for structures of two ordered forms of polyxanthylic acid based on ir spectroscopy, pH titrations, and thermal transitions. Over the pH range ∼6-9.5, the structure is a four-stranded helix with alkali metal ions specifically complexed in the central channel. These internal counterions stabilize the structure by complexing with carbonyl oxygens and by partial screening of electrostatic repulsion caused by ionization of the xanthine residues in this pH range. Below pH 5, the structure is quite different and much more stable. Our data are consistent with a six-stranded helix in which both carbonyl oxygens and both NH protons are hydrogen bonded.

Notes: The DNA-ligand interactions of a series of phenanthridinium compounds with various combinations of amino, azido, and hydrogen functions at R3 and R8 were examined to determine the contribution of these particular substituents to ligand binding. Spectrophometric titrations using calf-thymus DNA emphasized the importance of amino substituents in conferring a strong interaction and also stabilizing the interaction against reversal by high ionic strength. Although azido groups were not as effective as amino groups, they were more effective than hydrogen functions in enhancing the interaction. Furthermore, an amino substitution at R8 was consistently, though only slightly, more effective than an amino substituent at R3. The results from superhelical titrations using plasmid pBR322 DNA demonstrated that analogs with amino and/or azido functions at both R3 and R8 produced the greatest unwinding, and compounds with an amino or an azido function at R8 proved more effective than those with the corresponding amino or azido substituent at R3.

Notes: The magnetic shielding constant of the 31P nucleus of the dimethylphosphate anion is calculated by an ab initio method for different values of the torsion angles about the PO ester bond and different orientations of the methyl groups. The results obtained tend to show that both types of conformational parameters contribute to the value of σ31P. The largest shielding is obtained when the methyl groups are staggered with respect to the PO bond; the smallest, for the eclipsed arrangement. Measurements carried out on the 16 deoxyribodinucleoside monophosphates show that in the majority of cases σ31P is shifted toward lower field for the dimers having large values of 3JPH3′ and 3JPH5′(5″). The theoretical results are discussed in relation to experimental data for polynucleotides and nucleic acids.

Notes: The optical modes of DNA that displace one strand against the other are modeled by the motion of an oscillator in an asymmetric quartic double-well potential whose minima represent the A- and B-conformations. Assuming that the variation of the polarizability during vibration derives mainly from the tilting of the base rings relative to the helix axis, the total polarizability tensor is shown to possess approximately ellipsoidal symmetry and to depend nonlinearly on the instantaneous displacement of the two strands. The Raman spectrum of a collection of randomly oriented molecules is calculated. It consists of one or more peaks with characteristic shape. The depolarization ratio is 3/4, independent of molecular conformation and frequency. The results are discussed in the light of existing experimental and theoretical information.

Notes: Using the semiempirical potential functions, conformational energies of the model compounds DMP-, d(pCp), d(pGp), and d(pCpGpCp) are calculated, and the B → Z transition is discussed along the pseudorotational path of the sugar ring. For dimethylmonophosphate anion, DMP-, the energy contour map is presented and the stabilities of the phosphodiester conformations discussed. For the sugar ring without the base attached, the minimum energies for each sugar-puckering form are calculated along the pseudorotational path. The energy barrier of the interconversion between the C(3′)-endo form and the C(2′)-endo form is calculated to be about 2.0 kcal/mol. From the conformational energy calculations of the interconversions of mononucleoside diphosphates, d(pCp) and d(pGp), between the C(2′)-endo conformer and the C(3′)-endo conformer, the purine sugar segment is known to be more convertible than the pyrimidine sugar segment. The results also support the finding that the pseudorotational transition occurred with the O(1′)-endo form more easily than with the O(1′)-exo form. Based on the results of conformational studies of DMP-, d(pCp), and d(pGp), a topological transition of the handedness of the model compound, d(pCpGpCp), is studied. The left-handed Z-form is found to be less stable by about 8.5 kcal/mol than is the right-handed B-form. The energy barrier of the Z → B transition is calculated to be about 17.4 kcal/mol. The contributions of the electrostatic and nonbonded energies to the energy barrier are discussed in connection with the conformation changes of the model compound, d(pCpGpCp).

Notes: The dielectric properties of aqueous solutions of DNA were measured at frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 12 GHz. The results are analyzed using the Maxwell mixture theory and yield a value for the hydration of the DNA of about 0.4 g/g, which is in the range observed in other investigations. No evidence was found for an additional absorption effect at microwave frequencies, which has been predicted to occur in certain DNA analogs due to the vibrational excitation of the double helix by the applied microwave field.

Notes: Self-association of substance P and its C-terminal partial peptide sequences was studied by CD, quasi-electric light scattering, and sedimentation experiments. CD spectra of these peptides are strongly influenced by self-association. They exhibit strong characteristic negative ellipticities, suggesting the formation of a presumably B-type ordered structure. The tendency to form multimers depends on chain length and constitution and has its maximum at the octapeptide (SP 8). The peptide multimers have a broad distribution of sizes in the range of 30- and 800-nm diameter. Subdivision of this distribution into two size classes gives mean diameters of 60-100 nm (predominating)/200-800 nm for substance P and 30-50 nm/200-800 nm for SP 8 multimers.

Notes: 13C-nmr chemical shifts of backbone carbonyl and side-chain β-carbons in polypeptides provide structural information. Recent utilization of substituent effects on 13C-nmr chemical shifts (principally γ-effects) has permitted the rationalization of their sequence and conformation dependence when observed in linear, flexible polypeptides. In this report, we apply the γ-effect method to study the 13C-nmr chemical shifts observed in solution and in the solid state for the backbone carbonyl and side-chain β-carbons in conformationally rigid polypeptides, which are usually cyclic. As found previously for flexible, linear polypetides, the relative 13C-nmr chemical shifts observed for the backbone carbonyl and side-chain β-carbons in conformationally rigid polypeptides are predictable from knowledge of their peptide residue sequence (primary structure) and conformation (secondary structure) via the γ-effect method.

Notes: The CD spectra of the peptides Boc-X-(Aib-X)n-OMe (n = 1, 2, 3) and Boc-(Aib-X)5-OMe, where X = L-Ala or L-Val have been examined in several solvents. The X = Ala and Val peptides behave similarly in all solvents, suggesting that the Aib residues dominate the folding preferences of these peptides. The decapeptides adopt helical conformations in methanol and trifluoroethanol, with characteristic negative CD bands at 222 and 205 nm. In the heptapeptides, similar spectra with reduced intensities are observed. Comparison with nmr studies suggest that estimates of helical content in oligopeptides by CD methods may lead to erroneous conclusions. The pentapeptides yield solvent-dependent spectra indicative of conformational perturbations. Peptide association in dioxane results in an unusual spectrum with a single negative band at 210 nm for the decapeptides. Disaggregation is induced by the addition of methanol or water to dioxane solutions. Aggregation of the heptapeptides is less pronounced in dioxane, suggesting that a critical helix length may be necessary to promote association stabilized by helix dipole-dipole interactions.

Notes: The interaction of poly-5-bromouridylic acid [poly(BU)] with adenosine and 9-methyladenine was studied by equilibrium dialysis, optical melting, and microcalorimetry. The stacking free energy, ω, was estimated as -17.6 kJ/mol for adenosine·2poly(BU) and -18.8 kJ/mol for 9-methyladenine·2poly(BU) from the binding isotherms constructed from equilibrium dialysis results. The binding isotherms constructed from a series of melting curves also gave ω values for adenosine·2poly(BU). The thermal stability of the complex depends on monomer concentration, and the partial molar enthalpies of the complex formation at the midpoint of the transition were evaluated from the Tm coefficients as a function of free monomer concentration. The values of -92.0 and -90.4 kJ/mol were obtained for adenosine·2poly(BU) and 9-methyladenine·2poly(BU) in 0.4M NaCl-0.02M Na-cacodylate-5 × 10-4M EDTA (pH 7.0), respectively. Microcalorimetric measurements provided lower integral heats of reaction values for these complexes, i.e., -73.2 kJ/mol for adenosine·2poly(BU) and -71.5 kJ/mol for 9-methyladenine·2poly(BU). A comparison with a polyribouridylic acid system provided a quantitative understanding of a stabilization by bromination in terms of thermodynamic parameters.

Notes: A molecular-dynamics simulation was used to carry out an introductory study of the hydration of a section of a rigid single A- or B-DNA helix with one Na+ counterion per nucleotide. Four Na+ ions and four nucleotides and periodic boundary conditions were used to mimic an infinite helix. The atoms of the helix and the Na+ ions were assumed to be Lennard-Jones spheres that also carried charges. Stillinger four-point charge model water molecules were used. We carried out five calculations, for 26 and 46 water molecules in B-DNA and 20, 32, and 46 in A-DNA fragments. The arrangements of the Na+ ions are found to have some similarities to those obtained by Clementi and Corongiu. In the calculations with 46 water molecules, we found that two Na+ ions can be bridged by about two water molecules and form a hydrated bound pair, which in turn forms a bridge between the guanine N7 and a near phosphate group. These bound pairs may be important in stabilizing the helix structure of DNA molecules.

Notes: Ethylurea was used to weaken hydrophobic interactions during collagen fibrillogenesis in vitro. Intact and enzyme-digested type I collagen was studied. In all preparations, ethylurea decreased the extent and rate of fibril formation, inhibition being greatest in the enzyme-digested collagens. With intact collagen (and probably also with carboxypeptidasedigested collagen), there was no evidence the ethylurea altered the mechanism of fibril growth; in pepsin-digested collagen, however, the growth mechanism was altered by ethylurea, possibly reflecting a conformational change of the “hydrophobic cluster” in the C-terminal peptide. Such a structural change could occur in a hydrophobic environment once the distal portion of the C-terminal peptide (presumed to be essential for its structural stability) is removed by pepsin. The results further emphasize the importance of hydrophobic interactions in collagen fibril nucleation and growth in vitro.

Notes: We report the crystal-structure analysis of a complex involving the drug proflavine and the two dinucleoside monophosphates cytidylyl-3′,5′-adenosine (CpA) and uridylyl-3′,5′-guanosine (UpG). The planar drug molecule is intercalated between C⃛G and U⃛A Watson-Crick base pairs, in a double-helical fragmentlike arrangement. Sugar conformations at the 3′-ends of the two strands are dissimilar. The backbone conformations fall within the ranges of values noted previously for dinucleoside intercalation complexes, and some correlations involving these are noted. The separation of the two strands and the basic twist angle of 16°, compared to other reported complexes, are indicative of sequence-dependent effects of the drug binding.

Notes: Helical hydrophobic moment ratios, 〈h2〉/〈H2〉, have been evaluated for 34 polypeptides under conditions where the helix content is dictated solely by the short-range interactions operative in aqueous media. The mean-square helical hydrophobic moment is denoted by 〈h2〉, and 〈H2〉 is the averaged of the squared hydrophobicites. This ratio would be one in absence of any correlation in the hydrophobicities of amino acid residues in helices. The 〈h2〉/〈H2〉 tend to be substantially larger than values of the analogous ratio formulated for the mean-square dipole moments of typical synthetic polymers. For 24 of the 34 polypeptide chains considered, 〈h2〉/〈H2〉 is found to be greater than one, indicating a tendency to form helices with amphiphilic character. The ratio is exceptionally large in the case of the δ-hemolysins. It is also large for two other surface-active peptides, for two of the four apolipoproteins examined, and for myohemerythrin. A much smaller 〈h2〉/〈H2〉 is found for melittins. If melittins is to form helices with large 〈h2〉/〈H2〉, the configurational statistics must be governed by effects in addition to those short-range interactions that occur when water is the solvent.

Notes: Conformational-energy computations have been carried out for the N-acetyl-N′-methylamides of the Pro-Pro, Pro-Gly, and Gly-Pro dipeptides and of the Pro-Pro-Gly-Pro tetrapeptide, serving as models for the conformational analysis of single-stranded poly(Gly-Pro-Pro). The probability of β-bend formation for the Pro-Gly sequence is very high, viz., 0.72 for the terminally blocked Pro-Gly dipeptide, and rises to 0.86 in the tetrapeptide. The β-bend conformations of the Pro-Gly sequence are of low energy in single-chain poly(Gly-Pro-Pro) as well. The β-bend structure had been postulated earlier to be a requirement for post-translational proline hydroxylation during the biosynthesis of collagen. The present results lend strong support to this proposal by demonstrating that the β-bend structure is energetically favorable and hence can be accommodated easily in single-stranded poly(Gly-Pro-Pro).

Notes: The interaction of Cu(II) with the protamine scylliorhinine Z3 was studied by means of CD measurements. At a 1:1 molar ratio, three complexes are formed. (1) In the pH range 5-6.5, the results suggest the formation of a five-membered chelate ring through the coordination of two nitrogen atoms, the N-terminal and the contiguous peptide nitrogen. (2) At pH ≥ 6.4, there is involvement of the lateral NH2 group of Arg; at pH 6.5-8, the formation of a 3N cupric complex is strongly suggested. (3) At pH ≥ 8, results indicate the formation of a 4N complex as a major species in Cu(II)-Z3 solution. The transformation from a 2N to a 3N complex, and from a 3N to a 4N complex was followed with the help of the σ(αNH2) → Cu(II) charge-transfer dichroic band transitions. At Cu(II):Z3 molar ratios ≥ 2 and at pH 〉 8, a new dichroic band appears, indicating the involvement of the tyrosine residue side chain in metal-ion complexation.

Notes: Studies of the optical birefringence of solutions of acid-soluble collagen from rat-tail tendon at 22°C in the pH range 1.0-6.0 show that collagen exhibits an isotropic to mesophase transition only between pH 2.4 and 3.0 at 10% weight concentration. Such liquid crystalline order is probably essential for the orientation of collagen in a magnetic field. When solutions of neutral salt-soluble collagen were precipitated at pH 7.0 by warming to 37°C (“heat gelling”) in a magnetic field of ca. 20 kG, the resulting fibrils wee oriented perpendicular to the direction of the field. Heat gelling is shown to be a useful technique for maintaining the orientation induced in precursor solutions even after the sample is removed from the magnetic field.

Notes: Polyamines are ubiquitous cellular components that interacts strongly with nucleic acids. Although many of the interactions of oligocations with DNA can be rationalized with polyelectrolyte theories that treat counterions as point charges, some structural effects are evident. We have explored the effects of polyamine structure on one important aspect of DNA behavior, its thermal melting transition, by using a series of spermidine analogs NH3(CH2)3NH2(CH2)nNH33+, where n varies from 2 to 8 [Jorstad et al. (1980) J. Bacteriol. 141, 456-463]. For spermidine itself, n = 4. Tm for calf-thymus DNA in the presence of each of these analogs, and the other naturally occurring polyamines putrescine2+ and spermine4+, was measured over a wide range of NaCl concentrations and polyamine:DNA phosphate ratios. There are modest, but significant structural effects. particularly with the shorter n = 2 and 3 derivatives, whose geometry my not allow full electrostatic interaction with DNA. Longer analogs, on the other hand, are not much different than spermidine in their effects on Tm, though a moderate maximum occurs at n = 5. Since polyamines are important in the cellular condensation and packaging of DNA, we have also delineated the critical polyamine and salt concentrations that are required to cause DNA aggregation. Here again, there are significant structural effects, which are not easily rationalized by any simple considerations.

Notes: The observed difference between the CD spectrum of B-DNA mononucleosomes and that of free DNA has been attributed to the tertiary structure of the core DNA. This conjecture is tested here. The tertiary structure is modeled as an optical system consisting of two identical, planar, linear retarders rotated with respect to each other. The retarders have the same linear birefringence and linear dichroism as oriented B-DNA. Such an optical system is circularly dichroic. The predicted wavelength dependence and magnitude of the CD are in reasonably close agreement with the experimental results.

Notes: The absorption and CD spectra of the complexes of poly(L-arginine) (PLA) and azo dyes have been measured in aqueous solution. On complexation, Blue-shifted additional absorption bands were observed. In the wide pH 4-11 range, induced CD was observed at the visible wavelengths corresponding to the blue-shifted absorption bands. The induced CD arose from the dimeric dye molecules bound to PLA in the α-helical structure. When a modified analysis of induced CE is made by the excition chirality method, the origin of the induced CD can be assigned to the dipole coupling. The PLA-dye complexes showed the counterlockwise (negative, S) chirality of the transition dipole moments of dyes.

Notes: Ionization properties of the tyrosyl groups of bovine plasma albumin in various conformational states - the native state (N), the two acid states (F and E), and the state (B) stable at slightly alkaline pH - were studied by means of a stopped-flow-pH-jump technique. The technique allows us to obtain the tyrosyl titration curve in a conformational state that is unstable in the pH region of the titration. The pH jumps from the N and B states to various alkaline pH's, where the tyrosines ionize to bring about a time-dependent increase in absorption at 296 nm, indicating that a number of the tyrosines buried initially become susceptible to ionization as a result of the alkaline transition occurring above pH 10.8. Extrapolation of the observed absorption change to zero time gives a spectrophotometric titration curve in the initial conformational state. Only 30-401% of the 19 tyrosines of the protein can ionize both in the N and the B state at pH 12. The pH jumps from the F and E states, on the other hand, give a decrease in absorption between pH 9 and 11.7, indicating that the tyrosyl groups initially exposed are remarked by refolding after the pH jumps, and the zero-time titration curves show that essentially all the tyrosyl groups ionize normally in these acid states. The results are discussed in relation to the known results of the tyrosyl exposure of the protein measured by other techniques, and the consistency among them demonstrates the effectiveness of the pH-jump titration method. Hydrogen bonding between the abnormal tyrosyl and carboxylate groups as a mechanism to stabilize native albumin is suggested from characteristics of the alkaline transition, which also involves the exposure of the tyrosyl groups, and from the tyrosyl titration curves in the native and acid states.

Notes: Two series of peptides with hydrophobic side chains, Nps-(L-Leu-L-Leu-L-Ala)n-OEt and Nps-(L-Met-L-Met-LLeu)n-OEt (n = 1-6), were synthesized by the fragment condensation method using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in the presence of N-hydroxysuccinimide. The tripeptide fragments were prepared stepwise by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-mediated reaction of Nps-amino acids, which were synthesized by an improved rapid procedure.

Notes: The dielectric properties of sonicated calf-thymus DNA sodium salt in aqueous solutions have been studied in the frequency range from 40 MHz to 2 GHz by time domain spectroscopy (TDS). A dielectric dispersion not previously reported was found, which has a characteristic frequency of about 150 MHz. All of the dielectric parameters are insensitive to the size of DNA fragments and to helix-to-coil transitions. The study of this dispersion as a function of DNA concentration and temperature allows us to conclude that it may be due to counterion fluctuation on short sections, probably in a direction transverse to the macromolecular axis.

Notes: The oxidation of L-adrenaline (epinephrine) in the presence of [Fe(tetpy)(OH)2]+ ions bound to poly(L-glutamate) or to poly(D-glutamate) has been studied at pH 7 (tetpy = 2,2′:6′,2″:6″,2‴-tetrapyridyl). Electron transfer from the substrate to the central metal ion, which is rate-determining, proceeds stereoselectively only when extensive and possibly specific interactions between adrenaline and the peptidic residues of the ordered polymer in the close environment of the active sites occur. This ensures different steric constraints for the two diastereomeric precursor complexes, which are thought to affect the separation and orientation of the redox centers differently, leading to the observed phenomena. Some data on the catalytic oxidation of L-dopa(3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) are also presented, showing stereoselective effects similar to those observed with L-adrenaline, despite the diverse distance of the chiral center from the reacting OH groups. A mechanistic interpretation of the results is discussed in the light of a few general considerations concerning the structural features of the catalytic systems. Possible explanations for the finding that stereoselectivity occurs at the expense of the efficiency of catalysis are also considered.

Notes: Solution-phase Raman spectra of diastereomeric alanyl dipeptides, D-Ala-L-Ala and L-Ala-L-Ala, and various mono- and dideuterated isotopomers in H2O and D2O, are reported. Spectral differences between the diastereomeric forms are interpreted, using the Raman analog of the coupled oscillator model, in terms of geometric differences between certain vibrations in the diastereomeric forms. Application of the coupled-oscillator formalism allows the determination of a dihedral angle between the coupling vibrations. The results are compared with vibrational coupling employed by other workers in the determination of the vibrational spectra of peptides.

Notes: The conformational equilibria of five β-cellobiose conformers have been studied theoretically in 10 solvents. The stability of the conformers in dilute solution has been compared by using the method that has already been tested for 2-methoxytetrahydropyran, β-maltose, and D-glucose. The solvation energy consists of electrostatic, dispersion, and cavity terms which have been determined from the properties of the solute calculated by the PCILO quantum-chemical method and physicochemical properties of the solvents. The calculated abundance of conformers depends on the solvent (e.g., in dioxane C1:C2:C3:C4:C5 = 60.0:34.1:2.9:2.0:1.0; in dimethylsulfoxide, 75.5:22.1:1.8:0.5:0.2; and in water, 82.2:16.2:1.3:0.2:0.1). The results obtained indicate that the preponderant conformer in the aqueous solution is similar to the one adopted by β-cellobiose in the crystalline form. The role of individual contributions to the solvation energy have been analyzed. Based on the determined abundance of conformers, averaged residual optical activity and nmr parameters have been calculated and compared with observable properties. The marked differences observed between solvent-induced conformational changes for β-cellobiose and β-maltose have been discussed from the viewpoint of the solubility of the cellulose.

Notes: With a view to understanding the role of hydrogen bonds in the recognition of nucleic acids by proteins, hydrogen bonding between the bases and base pairs of nucleic acids and the amino acids (Asn, Gln, Asp and Glu, and charged residues Arg+, Glu-, and Asp-) has been studied by a second-order perturbation theory. Binding energies have been calculated for all possible configurations involving a pair of hydrogen bonds between the base (or base pair) and the amino acid residue. Our results show that the hydrogen bonding in these cases has a large contribution from electrostatic interaction. In general, the charged amino acids, compared to the uncharged ones, form more stable complexes with bases or base pairs. The hydrogen-bond energies are an order of magnitude smaller than the Coulombic interaction energies between basic amino acids (Lys+, Arg+, and His+) and the phosphate groups of nucleic acids. The stabilities of the complexes of amino acids Asn, Gln, Asp, and Glu with bases are in the order: G-X 〉 C-X 〉 A-X U-X or T-X, and G · C-X 〉 A · T(U)-X, where X is one of these amino acid residues. It has been shown that Glu- and Asp- can recognize guanine in single-stranded nucleic acids; Arg+ can recognize G · C base pairs from A · T base pairs in double-stranded structures.

Notes: The effect of histone H1 on the conformation and stability of control and acetylated HeLa high-molecular-weight chromatin that had been stripped of H1 and nonhistone proteins was compared by circular dichroism (CD) and thermal denaturation measurements. Two different preparations of H1, originating from rat thymus and chicken erythrocyte, were used in the reconstitution studies. The control and acetylated stripped chromatin had identical CD and thermal denaturation properties, as did their reconstitutes with rat thymus H1. Reconstitutes of the two chromatins with chicken erythrocyte H1 had similar CD properties, but thermal denaturation studies showed that the acetylated reconstitute was destabilized compared to the control reconstitute. Reconstitutes of both chromatins with chicken erythrocyte H1 had a more condensed and stabilized structure than the reconstitutes with rat thymus H1. Thus, acetylation caused a decrease in the stability of chromatin in the presence of erythrocyte H1, but more marked differences were detected in the structure of stripped chromatin after reassociation with different H1 preparations.

Notes: Human fibrinogen was treated with thrombin in the presence of fibrinoligase (Factor XIIIa) and calcium ion at pH 8.5, ionic strength 0.45, and the ensuing polymerization was interrupted at various time intervals (t) both before and after the clotting time (tc) by solubilization with a solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate and urea. Aliquots of the solubilized protein were subjected to gel electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels after disulfide reduction by dithiothreitol and on agarose gels without reduction. The degree of γ-γ ligation was determined from the former. The latter provided the size distribution of ligated end-to-end sequences produced by splitting the ligated staggered overlapped oligomers down the middle, for degrees of polymerization, x, from 1 to 10. Addition of fibrinoligase (in which the activating thrombin had been inhibited by p-nitrophenyl-p′-guanidinobenzoate, NPGB) to Kabi fibrinogen showed the presence of small amounts of ligatable oligomers. Addition of fibrinoligase to a polymerizing mixture in which the action of thrombin had been stopped before clotting by NPGB produced the same distribution of ligated end-to-end sequences that was obtained when fibrinoligase was originally present, at least for reaction times up to 0.7 of the clotting time. The kinetics of γ-γ ligation by fibrinoligase acting on a polymerized mixture stabilized by NPGB were followed. The reaction was first order in the concentration of ligatable γ-γ junctions and the initial velocity was proportional to the enzyme concentration. The time evolution of size distribution of ligated end-to-end sequences agreed with a theory based on random ligation of ligatable junctions.

Notes: A mean-square helical hydrophobic moment, 〈h2〉, is defined for polypeptides in analogy to the mean-square dipole moment, 〈μ2〉, for polymer chains. For a freely jointed polymer chain, 〈μ2〉 is given by Σmi2, where mi denotes the dipole moment associated with bond i. In the absence of any correlations in the hydrophobic moments of individual amino acid residues in the helix, 〈h2〉 is specified by ΣHi2, where Hi denotes the hydrophobicity of residue i. The tendency for correlations in orientations of residue hydrophobic moments in helices therefore dictates the size of 〈h2〉/〈H2〉, where 〈H2〉 denotes the average value of ΣHi2 for all helices. The value of 〈h2〉/〈H2〉 will be greater than one in amphiphilic helices. A necessary prerequisite for this diagnostic usage of 〈h2〉/〈H2〉 is that the residue hydrophobic moment be oriented prependicular to the principal axis of the helix. Matrix-generation schemes are formulated that permit rapid evaluation of 〈h2〉 and 〈H2〉. The behavior of 〈h2〉/〈H2〉 is illustrated by calculations performed for model sequential copolypeptides.

Notes: We report a calculation of the distribution of small ions around a charged cylinder representing a polyelectrolyte molecule in solution. The Monte Carlo method of Metropolis, Rosenbluth, and Teller was used to avoid the inaccuracies known to be associated with the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. The systems examined contained a long polyelectrolyte cylinder with charge parameter, χ, equal to 4.2, corresponding approximately to a DNA molecule. In one model, the cylinder had charges on its axis and an exclusion radius to the center of the small ions equal to 10 Å, while the small ions had various radii in the range from 1 to 10 Å and one or two protonic charges. Various systems were studied; some had one species of small ion alone, others had mixtures of different types. The results showed good agreement with the solution of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation when only the species with 1-Å radius was present, but considerable discrepancies appeared with larger ions as a result of excluded volume interactions between the latter. Deviations from the Poisson-Boltzmann equation also appeared when both positive and negative small ions were present; the deviations were in the direction of a higher concentration of both counter- and co-ions, but particularly co-ions, close to the polyelectrolyte. In another model, the charges were arranged along two helices on the surface of the cylinder; the resulting radial distribution of small ions was not much different from that found when the charges were situated on the axis. In all cases there was a striking accumulation of counterions in a layer of concentration exceeding 1 mol/L at the surface of the polyion.

Notes: Brillouin scattering was used to determine the longitudinal acoustic velocity along the axis of collagen fibers as the relative humidity decreased from 95 to 0%. Between 0 and 86%, the velocity decreased linearly at a modest rate. Above 86%, the decrease was steep. The changing mass of the absorbed water accounts for most of the velocity change in the lower humidity range. The remaining deviation is probably due to variation of the elastic coupling between molecules. At low humidity, the adsorbed water is known to be attached to the collagen molecules, whereas the additionally adsorbed water at high humidity has the properties of bulk liquid. The high-humidity sonic velocity variation is ascribed to the presence of free water. It is possible to identify the five water regimes of Pineri et al. [(1978) Biopolymers 17, 2799-2815] with the variations of the sonic velocity with water content.

Notes: Optical rotation, viscosity, and density studies are reported on solutions of α-gelatin in solvent mixtures of water and various monohydric alcohols. Reversion to the collagen fold by the protein is shown to be order in all cases, but changes in magnitude as a function of concentration of the particular alcohol are observed. The structuring effects of the alcohol on water are seen to be reflected in the extent of helix regeneration by the protein. Shorter chain alcohols appear to influence the initial rate of reversion by direct interaction with the protein.

Notes: We have recorded high-resolution 13C-nmr spectra of collagen fibrils in the solid state by the cross-polarization-magic-angle-spinning(CP-MAS)method and analyzed the spectra with reference to those of collagenlike polypeptides. We used two kinds of model polypeptides to obtain reference 13C chemical shifts of major amino acid residues of collagen (Gly, Pro, Ala, and Hyp): the 31-helical polypeptides [(Gly)nII, (Pro)nII, (Hyp)n, and (Ala—Gly—Gly)nII], and the triple-helical polypeptides [(Pro—Gly—Pro)n and (Pro—Ala—Gly)n]. Examination of the 13C chemical shifts of these polypeptides, together with our previous data, showed that the 13C chemical shifts of individual amino acid residues are the same, within experimental error (±0.5 ppm), among different polypeptides with different primary sequences, if the conformations are the same. We found that the 13C chemical shifts of Ala residues of the 31-helical (Ala—Gly—Gly)n and triple-helical (Pro—Ala—Gly)n are significantly displaced, compared with those of the α-helix, β-sheet, and silk I form, and can be utilized as excellent probes to examine conformational features of collagen-like polypeptides. Further, the 13C chemical shifts of Gly and Pro residues in the triple-helical polypeptides are substantially displaced from those found in (Gly)nII and (Pro)nII of the 31-helix, reflecting further conformational change from the 31-helix to the supercoiled triple helix. In particular, the 13C chemical shifts of Gly C = O carbons of the triple-helical polypeptides are substantially displaced upfield (4.1-5.1 ppm), with respect to those of the 31-helical polypeptides. These displacements are interpreted by that Gly C = O of the former is not involved in NH … O = C hydrogen bonds, while this carbon of the latter is linked by these kinds of hydrogen bonds.On the basis of these 13C chemical shifts, as reference data for the collagenlike structure, we were able to assign the 13C-nmr peaks of Gly, Ala, Pro, and Hyp residues of collagen fibrils, which are in good agreement with the values expected from the model polypeptides mentioned above. We also discuss a plausible conformational change of collagen fibrils during denaturation.

Notes: Dermorphin (Tyr—D-Ala—Phe—Gly—Tyr—Pro—Ser—NH2), a potent natural peptide opioid, its synthetic L-Ala2 analog, and all the N fragments from the tripeptide (Tyr—D-Ala—Phe—NH2) to the parent hexapeptide amide were characterized for the first time by means of proton nmr spectroscopy at 11.74 T. Assignments of most protons of dermorphin were facilitated by the study of the N-terminal fragments. Comparison of spectroscopic parameters with relative pharmacological activity is proposed as a possible means of studying flexible agonists in solution.

Notes: The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of adenine, hypoxanthine, and guanosine 5′-diphosphate reveals that, for each species, the uv-absorption band near 200 nm is composed of at least two electronic transitions. The theory of MCD shows that the dipoles of these transitions are not parallel to one another. The transitions are assigned within the framework of current theories of the electronic structure of the purines. Knowledge of the presence of more than one transition within an absorption envelope is important in interpreting the corresponding natural CD of DNA and RNA.

Notes: The aggregation of poly(γ-benzyl-α,L-glutamate) and its enantiomer in toluene has been investigated by following the viscosity as a function of temperature, concentration, molecular weight, molecular-weight distribution, helix chirality, and shear rate. The temperature and concentration data for a 138,000-molecular-weight sample was fitted to an open, reversible end-to-end aggregation model. The aggregation numbers resulting from this fit were consistent with the sudden onset in non-Newtonian flow resulting from only a 0.2-wt% increase in concentration. The association equilibrium constant was then used to predict viscosity for comparison with other data, in particular, the effect of molecular weight and molecular-weight distribution. A mixture of right-and left-handed helices showed the aggregation was not chiral selective. The stiffness of end-to-end aggregated (hydrogen-bonded) molecules differed little from their covalent counterparts, at least below a molecular weight of ∼106. We conclude that polybenzylglutamate aggregation in toluene can be described by an open end-to-end aggregation model.

Notes: Quasielastic light-scattering (QELS) studies were performed on a monodisperse preparation of dinucleosomal-sized DNA having an average of 375 base pairs. The QELS data were obtained at several time intervals at each angle examined over the range 30° 〈 θ 〈 60° for the ionic strength solvents 500, 50, 10, and 1 mM in KCl. What results from this study is that two relaxation domains persist over the entire ionic strength range where the “splitting” between these two domains increases as the ionic strength is lowered. The ordinate intercept of Dapp vs Cp/2Cs, where Cp is the polyion concentration and Cs is the added salt concentration, is shown to give the “true” hydrodynamic value for the diffusion coefficient. The “splitting phenomenon” is interpreted in terms of two models currently in vogue: small ion-polyion coupled modes and translational-rotational coupled modes for rigid rods in congested solutions. Although neither model is in perfect agreement with the experimental results, the small ion-polyion coupled mode theory appears to provide a better quantitative description of the observations.

Notes: An ir-absorption and Raman-scattering study, in the solid state, has been carried out on monodispersed, N- and C-protected homooligopeptides (number of residues, n, from 2 to 7) of L-valine, L-isoleucine, and L-phenylalanine. The amide I, II, III, V, and vNH regions have been examined. Some deuterated (ND) samples have been examined to complete the assignments. L-Phenylalanine dipeptide displays spectral characteristics compatible with the parallel β-structure; L-isoleucine and L-valine dipeptides are probably in a distorted structure. A mixture of parallel and antiparallel extended chains cannot be excluded for the peptides with n = 3. In the amide I region the spectra of peptides with n ≥ 4 show the existence of the β-conformation. The problem of chain orientation within the pleated-sheet structure is discussed on the basis of a recent theoretical treatment of vibrational interactions of the amide I mode.

Notes: The stepwise synthesis and conformational studies of the N-terminal helical partial sequence of the membrane-modifying polypeptide antibiotic alamethicin are described. The polyoxyethylen esters of the fragments N-t-Boc-L-Pro-Aib-Ala-Gln-Aib-Val-Aib-Gly-OH and N-Ac-Aib-L-Pro-Aib-Ala-Aib-Ala-Gln-Aib-Val-Aib-Gly-OH are synthesized using polyoxyethylene (molecular mass 10,000) as solubilizing support. CD spectra of each intermediate in ethanol show α-helix formation of the N-protected peptide polymers beginning with the nonapeptide and of the N-protonated sequences beginning with the decapeptide. Compared to the helix of alamethicin, temperature- and solvent-dependent CD measurements indicate analogous conformational behavior. The results suggest that in lipophilic media the alamethicin helix can extend the full length of the partial sequence between the two proline residues and that aqueous media favor an increase of random-coil conformation.For model studies of the particular lipid interaction of alamethicin, the stepwise synthesis of peptides with the alternating (Aib-L-Ala)n sequence (n = 1-7) was carried out on a polyoxyethylene support (molecular mass 6000). CD and ORD studies in ethanol showed a change from the random coil to a right-handed α-helix with increasing peptide length. This change is observed for the N-protected peptides at a chain length of 8 residues and for the N-protonated peptides at a length of 9 residues. The comparison of the CD data of free and polyoxyethylene-bound peptides revealed that the solubilizing polymeric support cannot induce conformational changes. The intensities of the CD bands of t-Boc-(Aib-L-Ala)n-OPOE (n ≥ 6) are higher than those of alamethicin, and these model peptides show similar temperature and solvent inducible changes of their helix contents.

Notes: The three-dimensional structure of putrescine diphosphate has been solved by x-ray diffraction analysis. The structure reveals the detailed interaction between the amino groups of putrescine and the phosphate residues in which hydrogen bonding and electrostatic forces play a predominant role. The structure serves as a useful model for understanding the interaction of amines with nucleic acids both in a sequence-specific and non-sequence-specific fashion. In particular, a model is proposed for the interaction of the E-amino group of lysine with regions of DNA containing adenine-thymine sequences.

Notes: A general model for the large-scale, time-independent structure of duplex DNA is developed based on elastic considerations. The general conditions of elastic equilibrium are given. These equations are solved for the equilibrium shape of stressed duplex DNA, based on the assumption that the double helix behaves mechanically as a symmetric, linearly elastic rod. It is shown that, in general, two orders of superhelicity will arise at equilibrium. Several possible applications of this approach to the supercoiling of closed circular DNA are described.

Notes: Temperature-dependent conformational transitions of deoxyoligonucleotides have been monitored by measuring 31P chemical shifts, spin-lattice relaxation times (T1), and 31P-{H} nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOEs). The measured NOE ranged from 30 to 80%, compared to the theoretical maximum of 124% for a dipolar relaxation mediated by rapid isotropic rotation. The observed 3′-5′ phosphate diester 31P T1 showed a similar temperature dependence over the range 2-75°C for both double- and single-stranded oligonucleotides, and for dinucleotides. The results show that dipole-dipole interactions dominate the internucleotide phosphate relaxation rate in oligonucleotides. The same is true of terminal phosphate groups at low temperature; but at higher temperature another process, possibly due to contamination by paramagnetic ions, becomes dominant. The rotational correlation time τR calculated from the dipole-dipole relaxation rate of the internucleotide phosphate in d(pA)2 at 16°C is τR = 5.0 × 10-10 sec, implying a Stokes radius for isotropic rotation of 7.6 Å. The T1 and NOE values for the double-helical octanucleotide d(pA)3pGpC(pT)3 are consistent with dominance of dipole-dipole relaxation and isotropic rotation of a sphere of radius 14 Å, a reasonable dimension for the double helix. Activation energies for the rotation of dinucleotides range from 4 to 6 kcal/mol, close to the value of 4 kcal/mol expected for isotropic rotation. In order to test the possible effect of internal motion of correlation time τG on the results, we considered a model in which the nucleotide chain rotates about the P-O bonds. Comparison of the calculation with our experimental results shows that internal motion with τG ≅ 10-9 sec, as found from other studies to be present for large nucleic acids, would not influence out T1 and NOE values enough to be distinguished from isotropic rotation. However, we can conclude that τG cannot be as fast as 10-10 sec, even for dinucleotides.

Notes: Measurements have been made of the high-resolution nmr spectra of the polyamino acids poly[N5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-L-glutamine] and poly[N5-(4-hydroxybutyl)-L-glutamine] in mixed deuterium oxide and water solvent at varying pressures from 1.03 to 3163.7 kg/cm2. The results are compared with previously reported results for the polymer poly[N5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-glutamine] under similar conditions. The significance of the behaviour of the polymers is considered in terms of the effect of the presence of hydrophobic residues in their side chains.

Notes: Exact solutions are obtained for the time dependence of the extent of irreversible binding of ligands that cover more than one lattice site to a homogeneous one-dimensional lattice. The binding may be cooperative or noncooperative and the lattice either finite or infinite. Although the form of the solution is most convenient when the ligand concentration is buffered, exact numerical or approximate analytical solutions, including upper and lower bounds, can be derived for the case of variable ligand concentration as well. The physical reason behind the relative simplicity of the kinetics of irreversible as opposed to reversible binding in such systems is discussed.