[Conformational properties of the CalliFMRF-amide series neuropeptides]

Bioorg Khim. 2003 Mar-Apr;29(2):135-45. doi: 10.1023/a:1023252214092.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Conformational properties of five neuropeptides belonging to the calliFMRF-amide series with the Xaa-Pro-Yaa-Gln-Asp-Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 homologous sequences were studied by the method of theoretical conformational analysis. Three members of these group (1) (Xaa = Thr, Yaa = Gln), (2) (Xaa = Thr, Yaa = Ser), and (3) (Xaa = Yaa = Ser) can stimulate the saliva secretion from the separated salivary gland of the Calliphora vomitoria fly, whereas two other calliFMRF-amides (4) (Xaa = Lys, Yaa = Asn) and (5) (Xaa = Ala, Yaa = Gly) are inactive in this biological test. Low-energy spatial structures of the studied compounds were determined by a conformational analysis. A comparison of the stable structures of the biologically active and inactive neuropeptides revealed a similarity in their conformational properties and allowed determination of the role of separate residues in the peptide folding. The calculations demonstrated that the C-terminal hexapeptide fragment identical in all the five peptides tends to form alpha-helical structure, whereas the variable N-terminal tripeptide regions of CalliFMRF-amides (1)-(5) form more conformationally flexible structures.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Amides / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Diptera / chemistry
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry*
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding

Substances

  • Amides
  • Neuropeptides
  • Peptide Fragments