The conformational properties of somatostatin. IV. The conformers contributing to the conformation equilibrium of somatostatin in aqueous solution as found by semi-empirical energy calculations and high-resolution NMR experiments.

The results of a conformational study by 1H and 13C high-resolution NMR at 270 and 500 MHz on the peptide hormone somatostatin have been compared with a series of conformers generated by semi-empirical energy calculations. The use of specifically deuterated phenylalanine residues has enabled us to confirm and supplement the identification of all but the phenylalanine aromatic resonances in the proton spectra of somatostatin. In order to minimize the risk of overlooking some low-energy conformations, four different strategies have been used for the generation of the conformers: two based on combinations of conformations of fragments that had been studied before, one on a random procedure and one on the conformational constraints existing in bicyclic analogs with high biological activity.

Conformational studies on somatostatin. II. The C-terminal hexapeptide fragment.

The results of a conformational study on the C terminal hexapeptide of Somatostatin are presented. Semi-empirical energy calculations and high resolution NMR methods have been used to obtain information on the conformational properties of SRIF9-14 in [2H6]dimethylsulfoxide and 2H2O. It is concluded from the energy calculations that the peptide has an averaged conformation in which semi extended and folded structures are important.