Solution structure of a biologically active cyclic LDV peptide analogue containing a type II' beta-turn mimetic

The solution structure of cyclo-[Gly-Leu-Asp-Val-BTD] (BTD = beta-turn dipeptide) has been determined by two-dimensional 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and systematic conformational searching combined with molecular dynamics studies. The structure contains two hydrogen bonds between the Gly and Val residues, and a type I beta-turn with Leu and Asp at the (i + 1) and (i + 2) positions of the turn. The cyclic compound shows activity in a scintillation proximity assay (SPA) for the inhibition of the interaction between the integrin alpha 4 beta 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-I). The structure-activity relationship of the LDV sequence is discussed.