title: Importance of the C-terminal alpha-helical structure for glucagon's biological activity.
abstract: The synthetic glucagon analogues [Glu21]glucagon, 2, and [Lys17,18,Glu21]glucagon, 3, were designed using Chou-Fasman calculations for the purpose of enhancing the probability for the formation of a C-terminal amphipathic alpha-helical conformation. Circular dichroism indicates increased alpha-helical content for these analogues in solution relative to glucagon. Analogues 2 and 3 also exhibit a 3-fold and 5-fold increase in receptor binding potency, respectively. The adenylate cyclase stimulating potencies of 2 and 3 relative to glucagon are 2.1 and 7 times greater, respectively. Attempts were made at further alpha-helical enhancement by further substitutions in the 10-13 region of glucagon, as represented by the glucagon analogues [Phe13,Lys17,18 Glu21]glucagon, 4, and [Phe10,13,Lys17,18,Glu21]glucagon, 5. These latter substitutions resulted in lowered receptor binding and adenylate cyclase potencies for 4 and 5 relative to 3 despite increased alpha-helical content in solution as observed by circular dichroism spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Krstenansky
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zechel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trivedi
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Hruby
mesh_terms: D000067956:Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D005934:Glucagon / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011964:Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000067956:Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011964:Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon; D005934:Glucagon