On (GGLGY) synthetic repeating sequences of lamprin and analogous sequences

The repetitive sequence GGLGY was found in lamprin, the most important matr ix protein of lamprey annular cartilage by Keeley and co-workers. Similar s equences appear also in other proteins, i.e. elastin, spidroin, spider mino r ampullate silk proteins, in matrix proteins of the chorion or egg shell m embrane of insects and others. We synthesized (GGLGY)(n), n = 1, 2, 6, beca use the sequence is repeated six times in the aggregated protein. The pepti des were studied both in solution and in the solid state. Because the CD sp ectra were dominated by aromatic contribution, we synthesized GGLGF and GGL GA in order to carefully interpret the CD spectra. The conformational analy sis suggests that all synthetic peptides do adopt the same secondary struct ure. In solution the peptides present a flexible conformation with a signif icant amount of PPII structure. In the solid state PPII, beta -pleated-shee ts and beta -turns possibly co-exist. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V./Intern ational Society of Matrix Biology. All rights reserved.