Preferential conformation of substance P in solution

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Abstract
The three-dimensional structure of substance P has been studied by 1H-NMR, (500 MHz), and by circular dichroism (CD) in different solvents. The analysis of the different NMR parameters suggest that substance P adopts a rather extended structure in dimethylsulfoxide and pyridine. In water, besides the aggregation phenomenon, the monomeric substance P presents a complex conformational equilibrium. The addition of sodium dodecylsulfate to the aqueous solution induces, as shown by CD spectroscopy, a preferential .alpha.-helical conformation. And in methanol three structural conclusions may be drawn: the flexibility of the N-terminal Arg-Pro-Lys, the .alpha.-helical structure of Pro4-Gln5-Gln6-Phe7-Phe8 and the interaction of the C-terminal carboxamide with the primary amides from both glutamines.