Rearrangement, racemization and decomposition of peptides in aqueous solution

We reported earlier that peptides containing glycine as the third amino acid from the amino end undergo sequence rearrangement of the first two amino acid residues. In the course of this experimental verification of the suggested reaction mechanism, we found extensive racemization of the amino acid residue in position 1. Racemization is preferred over rearrangement in peptides containing amino acids different from glycine in position 3. We demonstrate that this reaction can be used for the selective labeling of peptides. Using model peptides, we suggest a mechanism that explains both the rearrangement and racemization of these peptides in aqueous solution. This mechanism is based on formation of a diketopiperazine-like (DKP-like) structure by attack of the N-terminal amino group on the amide carbonyl group of the second residue in the peptide chain. This tetrahedral intermediate, which contains a secondary amino group derived from the amide bond between the second and third amino acid residue, can (i) decompose with the formation of diketopiperazine and a shortened peptide sequence; (ii) form a bicyclic structure by transanular attack on the first amino acid carbonyl group in the DKP-like ring by the newly formed amino group, leading to the rearranged product; and (iii) form a bicyclic structure by transanular attack of the newly formed hydroxyl group on the carbonyl group in the DKP-like ring, leading to the race-mixed product.