title: Solution conformational dynamics of the C-terminal residues in endothelin-1 and some analogues: a time-resolved fluorescence study.
abstract: The rotational relaxation times of the single tryptophan residues in endothelin-1, [Ala1,3,11,15]endothelin-1, human pro-endothelin-1, the linear hexapeptide Ac-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp which corresponds to the C-terminal residues 16-21 in endothelin-1, the cyclic pentapeptide BQ123, and several di- and tri-peptides possessing C-terminal tryptophan residues have been determined from time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decays obtained by phase/modulation techniques. Fluorescence lifetime distribution widths have also been examined as predictors of conformational heterogeneity/restriction. A significant contribution from a slow rotational component supports either the persistence, on the nano-second timescale at least, of a non-flexible alpha-helical structure for the C-terminal tail residues of endothelin-1 in water as solvent, as seen in the X-ray crystallographic structure, or the interaction of the C-terminal tail residues 16-21 with the constrained disulfide-bridged core residues 1-15. This slow rotational contribution is less evident in the linear, acyclic tetraalanine analogue but greatly increased in pro-endothelin-1. In BQ123 the fluorescence characteristics support the occurrence of a dominant rotameric form involving the indole sidechain of the D-tryptophan residue (C alpha-C beta torsion angle chi 1 of 60 degrees, as previously determined by NMR.
authors.affiliation: Marion Merrell Dow Research Center, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cowley
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Pelton
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D016232:Endothelins / Q000737:chemistry*; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D010455:Peptides; D014364:Tryptophan