[Conformational-functional relationships of tetragastrin analogs]

Sets of low-energy backbone conformations of the active tetragastrin analogue Boc-Trp-Leu-Asp-Phe-NH2 and two competitive antagonists Boc-Trp-Leu psi (CH2NH)-Asp-Phe-NH2 and Boc-Trp-Leu-Asp-O-CH2-CH2-C6H5 were obtained using theoretical conformational analysis methods. Groups of the conformations were selected for the three analogues, allowing a spatial matching of Trp, Asp and Phe residues responsible for the gastrin receptor binding. Three conformations possessing the lowest energies among the geometrically similar structures of these three peptides are suggested as a model for the "receptor-bound" conformations of these analogues. Backbone spatial folding resembling an alpha-helix turn is characteristic of these conformations. The correspondence of the proposed model to the available data on structure--activity relationships for tetragastrin analogues is discussed. Orientations of the putative receptor-bound conformations in a "water--lypophylic medium" two-phase system were investigated.