Oι ιντεγκρίνες είναι κυτταρικοί υποδοχείς, οι οποίοι αλληλεπιδρούν με την εξωκυττάρια ύλη. Μέχρι σήμερα έχουν ανακαλυφθεί 18α και 8β υπομονάδες συνδυασμός των οποίων δημιουργεί 24 διαφορετικές ιντεγκρίνες . Ο ρόλος τους είναι η σύνδεση της εξωκυττάριας με την ενδοκυττάρια ύλη, καθώς ενεργοποιούν ενδοκυττάρια σηματοδοτικά μονοπάτια που εμπλέκονται στην επιβίωση, μετανάστευση, πολλαπλασιασμό και απόπτωση των κυττάρων, λειτουργίες ζωτικής σημασίας για τον οργανισμό. Ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζει η α4β1 ή VLA-4 ιντεγκρίνη, η οποία αποτελείται από μία α4 (155 kDa) και μία β1 (150 kDa) υπομονάδα. Εκφράζεται στα κύτταρα του μυελού των οστών εκτός από τα ουδετερόφιλα και έχει δύο κύριους φυσικούς προσδέτες, το αγγειακό μόριο κυτταρικής προσκόλλησης-1 (VCAM-1) και την φιμπρονεκτίνη. Ο ρόλος της α4β1 ιντεγκρίνης είναι ζωτικός στις φλεγμονώδεις διαταραχές ενώ φαίνεται να εμπλέκεται και στην αγγειογένεση. Στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής είναι η ανάπτυξη νέων α4β1 κυκλικών πεπτιδικών προσδετών και η μελέτη της δράσης αυτών ως αναστολείς της φλεγμονής και της αγγειογένεσης. Τα συντεθέμενα ανάλογα έχουν μία βασική κυκλική δομή, ενώ τροποποιήσεις έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί τόσο στην Ν-τελική όσο και στην C-τελική αλληλουχία. Η σύνθεση των αναλόγων πραγματοποιήθηκε με την Fmoc/But μεθοδολογία επί στερεάς φάσεως, χρησιμοποιώντας ως στερεό υπόστρωμα τις ρητίνες 2-χλωροτρίτυλο και την Rink Amide MBHA, για την παραλαβή C-τελικού καρβοξυλίου ή αμιδίου αντίστοιχα. Η βασική κυκλική δομή επιτεύχθηκε μέσω σχηματισμού δισουλφιδικής γέγυρας χρησιμοποιώντας ως οξειδωτικό μέσο διμεθυλοσουλφοξείδιο (DMSO) είτε σε υγρή, είτε σε στερεά φάση. Στην παρούσα φάση, πραγματοποιείται μελέτη των συντεθέντων αναλόγων in vivo στη χοριοαλλαντοϊκή μεμβράνη του εμβρύου όρνιθας (CAM) ως αναστολείς της αγγειογένεσης, ενώ βιολογικά πειράματα θα διεξαχθούν για την πιθανή χρήση αυτών ως αντιφλεγμονώδεις παράγοντες. Επιπρόσθετα, μελετάται η διαμόρφωση των παραπάνω πεπτιδικών αναλόγων, μέσω τεχνικών NMR φασματοσκοπίας και μοριακής μοντελοποίησης. / Integrins are cell surface receptors, which interact with the extracellular matrix. They are heterodimers consisting of α and β subunits. Until now, 18 α subunits and 8 β subunits have been discovered that form 24 different integrins. Their role is the connection of the extracellular matrix with the intracellular cytoskeleton, as they activate intracellular signaling pathways regulating the migration, proliferation, survival and apoptosis of the cells, functions of vital importance for the organism. An integrin with particular interest is α4β1 or VLA-4 integrin, which consists of a α4 (155 kDa) and a β1 (150 kDa) subunit. It is expressed on bone marrow derived cells, except on neutrophils, and has two main natural ligands, fibronectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). The role of α4β1 is vital for the inflammation process, while it also seems to participate in tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this research is the development of α4β1 cyclic peptide antagonists and their study as inflammation and tumor angiogenesis inhibitors. The above analogues have a basic cyclic peptide structure, while modifications have been achieved at the N-terminus and C-terminus sequences. The analogues were synthesised by Fmoc/But solid phase methodology utilizing Rink Amide MBHA and 2-chlorotrityl-chloride resin to provide C-terminal amide and carboxylic acid, respectively. The basic cyclic unit of the above analogues was achieved through the formation of a disulfide bridge, using as oxidant dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), in either solution or solid phase methodology. At present, the above analogues are tested in vivo in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model as anti-angiogenic agents, while biological experiments will be performed for their potential use as anti-inflammatory agents. Furthermore, the conformation of the above peptide analogues is studied in solution environment, by NMR spectroscopy techniques and molecular modeling.

This thesis discusses two major projects. The first project focuses on understanding the effect of chirality on intrinsic acidity of oligopeptides. Gas-phase acidity (ΔacidG) and related thermochemical parameters (ΔacidH, and ΔacidS), of model N- and C-terminal cysteine polyalanine peptides in which one L-alanine was substituted by a D-alanine viz. CAADA and AADAC, were measured by the extended Cooks kinetic method. Gas-phase acidities of CAADA and AADAC were measured to be about 318 kcal/mol and 322 kcal/mol, respectively. These values are different from the gas-phase acidities of the all L-amino acid containing analogues of the above peptides, but suggest that D-alanine containing peptides show the same trend as their all L-amino acid analogues with the N-terminal cysteine peptide being more acidic than the C-terminal cysteine peptide. However, the difference in the acidities of CAADA and AADAC is about 4 kcal/mol which is about half of the difference between their all L-amino acid analogues. These results also suggest that, presumably, a single L-alanine to D-alanine substitution has a moderate effect on the conformation of the respective peptides. The aim of the second project is to understand how acidic amino acids influence peptide fragmentation during tandem mass spectrometric analysis. A series of model N- and C- terminal glutamic acid polyalanine and polyglycine (EAn, AnE (n=2,3); EGn (n=2,3), GnE (n=2-4)) and cysteine polyalanine (CAn, AnC (n=4-6)) peptides were studied. Primarily, EAn and EGn peptides formed bn ions. In contrast, while EOn peptides formed all yn ions, EAn peptides formed fewer yn ions. Similarly, AnE and GnE peptides also formed bn ions. No major differences were observed in yn ion formation. For both sets of peptides, water loss seemed to trend with the position of glutamic acid. CAn and AnC peptides also formed bn ions, just like their glutamic acid counterparts. However, yn ions were observed only for AnC peptides. For all sets of peptides, ions related to bn and yn ions were also observed.

Protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma are responsible for chronic and widespread disease in livestock and humans in Africa. This study describes the purification and characterisation of a serine oligopeptidase from Trypanosoma brucei brucei and from T. congolense. Serine peptidase activity has previously been described for T. b. brucei although the responsible enzyme was not purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. In the present study this enzyme was purified from bloodstream-form T. b. brucei by a combination of three-phase partitioning, ion-exchange, affinity and molecular exclusion chromatography. Characterisation of the enzyme revealed that it closely resembled a bacterial serine oligopeptidase, Escherichia coli oligopeptidase B, in terms of cleavage-site specificity, inhibition characteristics and molecular mass. Its overall properties indicate that it is probably a serine oligopeptidase and we have called it OP-Tb (oligopeptidase from Trypanosoma brucei). Antibodies to OP-Tb were prepared in chickens. These antibodies were used in the purification of a similar enzyme, designated OP-Tc, from T. congolense. OP-Tc closely resembled OP-Tb in its enzymatic properties. OP-Tb appears to be monomeric, with an apparent molecular mass of 80 kDa. Activity is optimal between pH 8.0 and 10.0, and is enhanced in the presence of reducing agents. Inhibition by 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonylfluoride, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin and diisopropylfluorophosphate indicates that the enzyme may be classified as a serine protease. While various natural and synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates were hydrolysed by OP-Tb, larger potential substrates (proteins) were not. Studies of the digestion of naturally occurring bioactive peptides suggested that substrates were restricted to peptides smaller than approximately 4 or 5 kDa. These peptides were cleaved at the carboxy side of basic amino acid residues such as arginine and lysine. This is characteristic of a trypsin-like specificity. Because the enzyme is known to be readily released from the parasites, and because it was possible to detect OP-Tb-like activity in the blood of T. b. brucei-infected mammalian hosts, it appears that the enzyme is released into the host bloodstream where it remains uninhibited by endogenous protease inhibitors. Indeed, OP-Tb was not inhibited by mammalian plasma serpins or 012-macroglobulin in vitro. This, and the degradation of host peptide regulatory hormones in vitro, suggests that OP-Tb may have secondary, but important, extracellular roles in the pathogenesis of African trypanosomiasis. A variety of serine protease inhibitors, including inhibitors of OP-Tb were tested for their potential as trypanocidal agents. The results from both in vitro and in vivo studies, suggest that inhibitors of trypanosome oligopeptidases are promising new lead targets for drug development. Furthermore, data presented here also shows that OP-Tb is efficiently inhibited by several of the currently employed trypanocidal drugs. Thus, OP-Tb may already be a cellular target for trypanocidal drugs. If correct, this may represent an important step towards understanding the biochemical mechanisms of the trypanocidal activity of these drugs, as well as providing valuable clues as to how to improve their efficacy. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Feb. 9, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2003. Graduate Programme in Chemistry. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ99165

No description available.

Nous nous intéressons à la production de peptides bioactifs dans des laits fermentés par la bactérie lactique Streptococcus thermophilus. Pour ce faire, il est nécessaire que cette bactérie en internalise le moins possible lors de sa croissance. Il était donc important de caractériser le système protéolytique S. thermophilus. Tout d’abord, les relations phylogéniques liant 30 souches de S. thermophilus ont été recherchées par MLST. Ensuite, un système de transport de type ABC qui semble fonctionnel a été identifié chez la souche LMD-9 et appelé OTS. Une étude de la variabilité des systèmes de transport Ami et OTS des 30 souches de S. thermophilus a été réalisée. Enfin, l’hydrolyse des caséines par la protéase PrtS de S. thermophilus a été étudiée. Cette protéase habituellement ancrée à la paroi de la bactérie est retrouvée chez la souche 4F44 également sous forme libre. La séquence protéique de PrtS4F44, différente de celle de PrtS de la souche LMD 9 (PrtSLMD-9), n’est pas la cause de la libération partielle de PrtS4F44. La sortase A, acteur de l’ancrage de PrtS à la paroi de la bactérie, présente chez la souche 4F44 (srtA4F44) un allèle différent de celui de la souche LMD-9 (srtALMD-9). En effet, PrtSLMD-9 se trouve libérée lorsque srtALMD-9 est remplacée par srtA4F44 dans la souche LMD-9 montrant ainsi que SrtA4F44 est déficiente, entrainant par conséquent un défaut d’ancrage de PrtS4F44 et sa libération partielle dans le milieu extracellulaire. L’hydrolyse des caséinates bovines totales par la forme libre de PrtS4F44 a permis d’obtenir des peptides bioactifs qui pourront être utilisés pour la fonctionnalisation de produits laitiers fermentés / We are interested in the production of bioactive peptides in fermented milk by the lactic acid bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus. For this, it requires that the bacterium internalize them as few as possible during its growth. Therefore, it was important to characterize the proteolytic system of S. thermophilus. First, phylogenetic relationships linking 30 S. thermophilus strains have been searched by MLST. Secondly, an ABC-type transport system which seems to be functional was identified in the LMD-9 strain and named OTS. A study of the variability of Ami and OTS transport systems of the 30 strains of S. thermophilus was performed. Finally, the hydrolysis of caseins by proteinase PrtS of S. thermophilus was studied. This proteinase usually anchored to the wall of the bacterium was also found in a free form in strain 4F44. The protein sequence of PrtS4F44, different from the one of PrtS in the LMD-9 strain (PrtSLMD-9), is not the cause of the partial release of PrtS4F44. Sortase A, the actor of the anchoring of PrtS to the wall of the bacteria, presents different alleles between the strain 4F44 (srtA4F44) and the LMD-9 strain (srtALMD-9). Indeed, PrtSLMD-9 is released when srtALMD-9 is replaced by srtA4F44 in the strain LMD-9 showing that SrtA4F44 is deficient, causing consequently a default of PrtS4F44 anchoring and its partial release into the extracellular medium. Additionally, hydrolysis of bovine caseinates was performed using the free form PrtS4F44 and allowed the production of bioactive peptides that can be used for the functionalization of fermented dairy products

Peptides have assumed considerable importance in pharmaceutical industry and vaccine research. Understanding the structural features of these peptide molecules can be effective not only in mimicking natural proteins but also in the design of new biomaterials. Polypeptide sequences consisting of twenty genetically coded amino acids possess structural flexibility, which makes the predictions difficult. However, the introduction of non-protein amino acids into the peptide chain restricts the available range of backbone conformations and acts as stereochemical directors of polypeptide chain folding. Such conformationally rigid residues allow the formation of well defined structures like helices, strands etc, which further assemble into super secondary structural motifs by flexible linkages. Crystal structure determination of the oligopeptides by X-ray diffraction gives insight into the specific conformational states, modes of aggregation, hydrogen bond interactions, solvation of peptides and various weakly polar interactions involving the side chains of aromatic residues (Phe, Trp and Tyr). In β-, γ- and higher ω-amino acids, due to the insertion of one or more methylene groups between the N- and Cα-atoms into the peptide backbone the accessible conformational space is greater than the α-amino acids. The β-, γ-, δ-…. amino acid residues belong to the family of ω-amino acids. Extensive research in the field of β-peptides, which have been experimentally verified or theoretically postulated, has assigned several helices, turns and sheets. The use of ω-amino acid residues in conjunction with α-residues permits systematic exploration of the effects of introducing additional backbone atoms into well-characterized α-peptide structures. The observation of new families of hydrogen bonded motifs in the hybrid peptides containing α- and ω-amino acids are the recent interest in this regard. This thesis reports results of X-ray crystallographic studies of eighteen designed peptides and four protected ω-amino acids listed below. Within brackets are given the abbreviations used for the sequences (Symbol U represents Aib). The ω-amino acids reported in this thesis are: (S)-β3-HAla (β3-homoalanine), (R)-β3-HVal, (S)-β3-HVal (β3-homovaline), (S)-β3-HPhe (β3-homophenylalanine), (S)-β3-HPro (β3-homoproline), βGly (β-homoglycine), γAbu (gamma aminobutyric acid) and δAva (delta aminovaleric acid). 1. Boc-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (LWV), C28H42N4O6 2. Ac-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (Space group P21) (LWV1), C25H36N4O5 3. Ac-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (Space group P212121) (LWV2), C25H36N4O5 4. Boc-Leu-Phe-Val-OMe (LFV), C26H41N3O6 5. Ac-Leu-Phe-Val-OMe (LFV1), C23H35N3O5 6. Boc-Ala-Aib-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (AULWV), C35H54N6O8 7. Boc-Trp-Trp-OMe (WW), C28H32N4O5 8. Boc-Trp-Aib-Gly-Trp-OMe. (WUGW), C34H42N6O7 9. Boc-Leu-Trp-Val-Ala-Aib-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (H8AU), C57H84N10O11 10. Boc-(S)-β3-HAla-NHMe (BANH), C10H20N2O3 11. Boc-(R)-β3-HVal-NHMe (BVNH), C12H24N2O3 12. Boc-(S)-β3-HPhe-NHMe (BFNH), C16H24N2O3 13. Boc-(R)-β3-HVal-(R)-β3-HVal-OMe (BVBV), C18H34N2O5 14. Boc-(R)-β3-HVal-(S)-β3-HVal-OMe (LVDV), C18H34N2O5 15. Boc-(S)-β3-HPro-OH (BPOH), C11H19N1O4 16. Boc-Leu-Phe-Val-Aib-(S)-β3-HPhe-Leu-Phe-Val-OMe (UBF8), C60H88N8O11 17. Piv-Pro-Gly-NHMe (PA1), C13H23N3O3 18. Piv-Pro-βGly-NHMe (PB1), C14H25N3O3 19. Piv-Pro-βGly-OMe (PBO), C14H24N2O4 20. Piv-Pro-δAva-OMe (PDAVA), C16H28N2O4 21. Boc-Pro-γAbu-OH (BGABU), C14H24N2O5 22. Boc-Aib-γAbu-OH (UG), C13H24N2O5 23. Boc-Aib-γAbu-Aib-OMe (UGU), C18H33N3O6 The thesis is divided into seven chapters. Chapter 1 gives a general introduction to the stereochemistry of polypeptide chains and the secondary structure classification: helices, β-sheets and β-turns followed by an overview of different types of weakly polar interactions involving the side chains of aromatic amino acid residues. This section also provides a brief overview of the conformational analysis of β-, γ- and higher ω-amino acid residues in oligomeric β-peptides and in α,ω-hybrid peptides. A brief discussion on X-ray diffraction and solution to the phase problem is also presented. Chapter 2 describes the crystal structures of the peptides, Boc-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (LWV), the two polymorphs of Ac-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (LWV1 and LWV2), Boc-Leu-Phe-Val-OMe (LFV), Ac-Leu-Phe-Val-OMe (LFV1) and Boc-Ala-Aib-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (AULWV), in order to explore the nature of interactions between aromatic rings, specifically the indole side chain of Trp residues [1]. Peptide LWV adopts a type I β-turn conformation, stabilized by an intramolecular 4→1 hydrogen bond. Molecules of LWV pack into helical columns stabilized by two intermolecular hydrogen bonds, Leu(1)NH…O=CTrp(2) and Indole NH…O=CLeu(1). The superhelical columns further pack into the tetragonal space group P43 by means of a continuous network of indole - indole interactions. The peptide Ac-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe crystallized in two polymorphic forms: P21 (LWV1) and P212121 (LWV2). In both forms, the peptide backbone is extended and the crystal packing shows anti-parallel β-sheet arrangement. Similarly, extended strand conformation and anti-parallel β-sheet formation are also observed in the Phe containing analogs, LFV and LFV1. The pentapeptide AULWV adopts a short stretch of 310-helix. Analysis of aromatic - aromatic and aromatic - amide interactions in the structures of peptides LWV, LWV1 and LWV2 are reported along with the examples of 12 Trp containing peptides from the Cambridge Structural Database. The results suggest that there is no dramatic preference for the orientation of two proximal indole rings. In Trp containing peptides specific orientations of the indole ring, with respect to the preceding and succeeding peptide units, appear to be preferred in β-turns and extended structures. Crystal parameters LWV: C28H42N4O6; P43; a = 14.698(1) Å, b = 14.698(1) Å, c = 13.975(2) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0737, wR2 = 0.1641. LWV1: C25H36N4O5; P21; a =10.966(3) Å, b = 9.509(2) Å; c = 14.130(3) Å, β = 104.94(1)°; Z = 2; R = 0.0650, wR2 = 0.1821. LWV2: C25H36N4O5; P212121; a = 9.533(6) Å, b = 14.148(9) Å, c = 19.53(1) Å, Z = 4; R = 0.0480, wR2 = 0.1365. LFV: C26H41N3O6; C2; a = 31.318(8) Å, b = 10.022(3) Å, c = 9.657(3) Å, β = 107.41(1)°; Z = 4; R = 0.0536, wR2 = 0.1328. LFV1: C23H35N3O5; P212121; a = 9.514(8) Å, b = 13.56(1) Å, c = 20.04(2) Å, Z = 4; R = 0.0897, wR2 = 0.1960. AULWV: C35H54N6O8.2H2O; P21; a = 9.743(3) Å, b = 22.807(7) Å, c = 10.106(3) Å, β = 105.73(2)°; Z = 2; R = 0.0850; wR2 = 0.2061. Chapter 3 describes the crystal structures of three peptides containing Trp residues at both N- and C-termini of the peptide backbone: Boc-Trp-Trp-OMe (WW), Boc-Trp-Aib-Gly-Trp-OMe (WUGW) and Boc-Leu-Trp-Val-Ala-Aib-Leu-Trp-Val-OMe (H8AU). Peptide WW adopts an extended conformation and the molecules pack into an arrangement of parallel β-sheet in crystals, stabilized by three intermolecular N-H…O hydrogen bonds. The potential hydrogen bonding group NE1H of Trp(1), which does not take part in hydrogen bonding interaction with an oxygen acceptor participate in an intermolecular N-H…π interaction. Peptide WUGW adopts a folded structure, stabilized by a consecutive type II-I’ β-turn conformation. The crystal of WUGW contains a stoichiometric amount of chloroform in two distinct sites each with an occupancy factor of 0.5 and the structure provides examples of N-H…π, C-H…π, π…π, N-H…Cl, C-H…Cl and C-H…O interactions [2]. The molecular conformation of H8AU reveals a 310-helix. The crystal structure of H8AU reveals an interesting packing motif in which helical columns are stabilized by side chain - backbone hydrogen bond involving the indole NH of Trp(2) as donor and C=O group of Leu(6) as acceptor of a neighboring molecule, which closely resembles the hydrogen bonding pattern obtained in the tripeptide LWV [1]. Helical columns also associate laterally and strong interactions are observed between the Trp(2) and Trp(7) residues on neighboring molecules [3]. The edge-to-face aromatic interactions between the indoles suggest a potential C-H…π interaction involving the CE3H of Trp (2) Crystal parameters WW: C28H32N4O5; P212121; a = 5.146(1) Å, b = 14.039(2) Å, c = 35.960(5) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0503, wR2 = 0.1243. WUGW: C34H42N6O7.CHCl3; P21; a = 12.951(5) Å, b = 11.368(4) Å, c = 14.800(5) Å, β = 101.41(2)°; Z = 2; R = 0.1095, wR2 = 0.2706. H8AU: C57H84N10O11; P1; a = 10.494(7) Å, b = 11.989(7) Å, c = 13.834(9) Å, α = 70.10(1)°, β = 82.74(1)°, γ = 78.96(1)°; Z = 1; R = 0.0855, wR2 = 0.1965. Chapter 4 describes the crystal structures of four protected β-amino acid residues, Boc-(S)-β3-HAla-NHMe (BANH); Boc-(R)-β3-HVal-NHMe (BVNH); Boc-(S)-β3-HPhe-NHMe (BFNH); Boc-(S)-β3-HPro-OH (BPOH) and two β-dipeptides, Boc-(R)-β3-HVal-(R)-β3-HVal-OMe (BVBV); Boc-(R)-β3-HVal-(S)-β3-HVal-OMe (LVDV). Gauche conformations about the Cβ-Cα bonds (θ ~ ± 60°) are observed for the β3-HPhe residue in BFNH and all four β3-HVal residues in the dipeptides BVBV and LVDV. Trans conformations (θ ~ 180°) are observed for β3-HAla residues in both independent molecules in BANH and for the β3-HVal and β3-HPro residues in BVNH and BPOH, respectively. In all these cases except for BPOH, molecules associate in the crystals via intermolecular backbone hydrogen bonds leading to the formation of sheets. The polar strands formed by β3-residues aggregate in both parallel (BANH, BFNH, LVDV) and anti-parallel (BVNH, BVBV) fashion. Sheet formation accommodates both the trans and gauche conformations about the Cβ - Cα bonds [4]. Crystal parameters BANH: C10H20N2O3; P1; a = 5.104(2) Å, b = 9.469(3) Å, c = 13.780(4) Å, α = 80.14(1)°, β = 86.04(1)°, γ = 89.93(1)°; Z =2; R = 0.0489, wR2 = 0.1347. BVNH: C12H24N2O3; P212121; a = 8.730(2) Å, b = 9.741(3) Å, c = 17.509(5) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0479, wR2 = 0.1301. BFNH: C16H24N2O3; C2; a = 20.54(1) Å, b = 5.165(3) Å, c = 16.87(1) Å, β = 109.82(1)°; Z = 4; R = 0.0909, wR2 = 0.1912. BVBV: C18H34N2O5; P212121; a = 9.385(2) Å, b = 11.899(2) Å, c = 19.199(4) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0583, wR2 = 0.1589. LVDV: C18H34N2O5; P212121; a = 5.170(4) Å, b = 10.860(8) Å, c = 37.30(3) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0787, wR2 = 0.1588. BPOH: C11H19N1O4; P1; a = 5.989(2) Å, b = 6.651(2) Å, c = 8.661(3) Å, α = 70.75(1)°, β = 77.42(1)°, γ = 86.98(1)°; Z = 1; R = 0.0562, wR2 = 0.1605. Chapter 5 describes a new class of polypeptide helices in hybrid sequences containing α-, β- and γ-residues. The molecular conformation in crystals determined for the octapeptide Boc-Leu-Phe-Val-Aib-(S)-β3-HPhe-Leu-Phe-Val-OMe (UBF8) reveals an expanded helical turn in the hybrid sequence (ααβ)n. A repetitive helical structure composed of C14 hydrogen bonded units is observed. Using experimentally determined backbone torsion angles for the hydrogen bonded units formed by hybrid sequences, the energetically favorable hybrid helices have been generated. Conformational parameters are provided for C11, C12, C13, C14 and C15 helices in hybrid sequences [5]. Crystal parameters UBF8: C60H88N8O11; P212121; a = 12.365(1) Å, b = 18.940(2) Å, c = 27.123(3) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0625, wR2 = 0.1274. Chapter 6 describes the crystal structures of five model peptides Piv-Pro-Gly-NHMe (PA1), Piv-Pro-βGly-NHMe (PB1), Piv-Pro-βGly-OMe (PBO), Piv-Pro-δAva-OMe (PDAVA) and Boc-Pro-γAbu-OH (BGABU). A comparison of the structures of peptides PA1 and PB1 illustrates the dramatic consequences upon backbone homologation in short sequences. The molecule PA1 adopts a type II β-turn conformation in the crystal state, while in PB1, the molecule adopts an open conformation with the β-residue being fully extended. The peptide PBO, which differs from PB1 by replacement of the C-terminal NH group by an O-atom, adopts an almost identical molecular conformation and packing arrangement in the crystal state. In peptide PDAVA, the observed conformation resembles that determined for PB1 and PBO, with the δAva residue being fully extended. In peptide BGABU, the molecule undergoes a chain reversal, revealing a β-turn mimetic structure stabilized by a C-H…O hydrogen bond [6]. Crystal parameters PA1: C13H23N3O3; P1; a = 5.843(1) Å, b = 7.966(2) Å, c = 9.173(2) Å, α = 114.83(1)°, β = 97.04(1)°, γ = 99.45(1)°; Z = 1; R = 0.0365, wR2 = 0.0979. PB1: C14H25N3O3.H2O; P212121; a = 6.297(3) Å, b = 11.589(5) Å, c = 22.503(9) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0439, wR2 = 0.1211. PBO: C14H24N2O4.H2O; P212121; a = 6.157(2) Å, b = 11.547(4) Å, c = 23.408(8) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.050, wR2 = 0.1379. PDAVA: C16H28N2O4.H2O; P21212; a = 11.33(1) Å, b = 25.56(2) Å, c = 6.243(6) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.0919, wR2 = 0.2344. BGABU: C14H24N2O5; P61; a = 9.759(2) Å, b = 9.759(2) Å, c = 29.16(1) Å; Z = 6; R = 0.0773, wR2 = 0.1243. Chapter 7 describes the crystal structures of a dipeptide, Boc-Aib-γAbu-OH (UG) and a tripeptide, Boc-Aib-γAbu-Aib-OMe (UGU) containing a single γAbu residue in each sequence. The structure of UG forms a reverse turn stabilized by a 10-membered intramolecular C-H…O hydrogen bonded ring. The peptide UGU crystallized in the triclinic space group P⎯1 with two molecules in the asymmetric unit resulting in a parallel assembly of sheets in crystals. Notably, the insertion of a single Aib residue at the C-terminus drastically changes the overall conformation of the structures. Crystal parameters UG: C13H24N2O5; P21/c; a = 16.749(3) Å, b = 5.825(1) Å, c = 16.975(3) Å; β = 111.82(1); Z = 4; R = 0.0507; wR2 = 0.1294. UGU: C18H33N3O6; P⎯1; a = 9.576(6) Å, b = 13.98(1) Å, c = 17.83(1); α = 85.31 (1); β = 77.46 (1); γ = 71.39 (1); Z = 4; R = 0.0648; wR2 = 0.1837.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Feb 17, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Utilizing the diverse functionality of amino acids, a new class of amphiphilic graft copolymers has been synthesized, characterized, and explored for applications in biomaterials and nucleic acid delivery. This thesis research focused on the syntheses of oligopeptide-functionalized polyesters and polyolefins. Polyester functionalization was geared towards applications in biomaterials, tissue engineering, and drug delivery by incorporating sequences that promote cell-adhesion. These polyester- graft -oligopeptide materials were prepared by a 1,3-Huisgen cycloaddition reaction, "click" chemistry, of an azide-terminated oligopeptide (prepared by Fmoc-based solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)) and alkyne-containing polyester (synthesized by ring-opening polymerization). Following the syntheses of these materials, they were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and organic gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The oligopeptide-functionalized polyolefins were designed for nucleic acid complexation, and therefore the oligopeptide sequences were intended to incorporate positively-charged moieties ( e.g. , oligolysine) for DNA and short interfering RNA (siRNA) complexation. These graft copolymers, prepared by SPPS followed by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, have highly tunable structures that enable control over charge density and polymer backbone rigidity. Moreover, non-ionic hydrophilic grafts such as polyethylene glycol were integrated into these polyelectrolytes such that the charges along the polymer backbone are spaced accordingly while maintaining the hydrophilicity of the polymer. While numerous applications for such charged, "bio-tailored" materials can be envisioned, this work is geared towards positively-charged polyelectrolytes for their potential application in nucleic acid therapy, specifically the delivery of plasmid DNA and siRNA. These graft copolymers were characterized ( 1 H, 13 C NMR, organic and aqueous GPC), studied for their solution properties (static and dynamic light scattering), and investigated as polyplexes with plasmid DNA.