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A pseudo α-helix from poly(α-isobutyl-L-aspartate), a nylon-3 derivative

Authors :
José María Fernández-Santín
Joan Aymamí
Juan A. Subirana
Sebastián Muñoz-Guerra
A. Rodriguez-Galan
Source :
Nature. 311:53-54
Publication Year :
1984
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 1984.

Abstract

Derivatives of nylon-3, with the general formula given in Fig. 1, crystallize as extended chains, producing sheets similar to those found in polypeptides in the β-conformation1–3. Nylon-3 itself (R=H, poly-β-alanine) crystallizes as extended chains4. However, given the similarity of the chemical structure, we decided to search for conformations related to the α-helix in this type of compounds. We show here that the nylon-3 derivative poly(α-isobutyl-L-aspartate) can adopt a helical structure similar to an α-helix. The turn has 3.25 residues, equicalent to 13 main chain atoms, whereas the α-helix has 10.8 atoms per turn. This is the first time that a helical structure has been observed in a polyamide, other than in the conventional polypeptides and proteins.

Details

ISSN :
14764687 and 00280836
Volume :
311
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Nature
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........e6df42e00b502501a7d1aee7762e5a5f
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/311053a0