High-resolution structure and dynamic implications for a double-helical gramicidin A conformer

Summary

The high-resolution structure of a dimeric conformer of gramicidin A, a 15-residue polypeptide, has been determined in the mixed-solvent system of benzene and ethanol by 2D NMR techniques. NOEs, coupling constants and hydrogen-bond information were used to generate 744 experimental constraints for the dimer. Stereoassignment of most β-methylene groups was achieved by analysis of ³J_αβ, d_αβ(i,i), d_Nβ(i,i) and d_Nβ(i+1,i) distances, and consideration of the initial backbone structure determinations. Stereoassignment of several leucine methyl groups was accomplished via a distance geometry/simulated annealing routine, used for structure determination and refinement. The relatively static backbone structure was determined first and held rigid while side-chain conformations were calculated. This procedure is evaluated versus standard NMR structure determination protocols. The backbone is an antiparallel intertwined double helix, with 5.6–5.7 residues per turn, a total dimer length of 36–37 Å, and a pore width of 2.5–3.0 Å (van der Waals to van der Waals). The structure and dynamics of the side chains are discussed in depth, with careful attention for both the convergence of structures and the residual constraint violations per residue. Side-chain positions impart substantial amphipathic character to the helix, which could influence the conformational change that takes place upon membrane insertion of this channel-forming polypeptide.