title: Multiple, consecutive, fully-extended 2.0₅-helix peptide conformation.
abstract: The peptide 2.0(5)-helix does exist. It has been experimentally authenticated both in the crystalline state (by X-ray diffraction) and in solution (by several spectroscopic techniques). It is the most common conformation for C(α)-tetrasubstituted α-amino acids with at least two atoms in each side chain, provided that cyclization on the C(α)-atom is absent. X-Ray diffraction has allowed a detailed description of its geometrical and three-dimensional (3D)-structural features. The infrared absorption and the nuclear magnetic resonance parameters characteristics of this multiple, consecutive, fully-extended structure have been described. Conformational energy calculations are in agreement with the experimental findings. As the contribution per amino acid residue to the length of this helix is the longest possible, its exploitation as a molecular spacer is quite promising. However, it is a rather fragile 3D-structure and particularly sensitive to solvent polarity. Interestingly, in such a case, it may reversibly convert to the much shorter 3(10)-helix, thus generating an attractive molecular spring.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Padova Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peggion
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretto
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Formaggio
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crisma
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toniolo
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D010455:Peptides
keywords: 2.05 peptide helix; Cα-tetrasubstituted α-amino acids; X-ray diffraction; conformational energy calculations; fully-extended peptide conformation; infrared absorption; nuclear magnetic resonance