Straight-chain non-polar amino acids are good helix-formers in water

For comparison with earlier data on naturally occurring non-polar amino acids (Ala, Leu, Phe, Val, Ile), the comparative helix-forming tendencies have been measured for non-polar amino acid residues that have unbranched side-chains, with an ethyl, propyl or butyl group, and also for methionine. The substitutions are made in a 17-residue alanine-based peptide. The results show that straight-chain non-polar amino acids have high helix-forming tendencies compared to beta-branched non-polar amino acids. Restriction of side-chain conformations in the helix, with a corresponding reduction in conformational entropy, is the likely explanation. There is a small increase in helix-forming tendency as the side-chain increases in length from ethyl to butyl, which suggests that a helix-stabilizing hydrophobic interaction is being detected.