The differences in conformation between alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide, alpha-hANP, and its derivative, Met(O)-alpha-hANP, in solution.

The differences in conformation between alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) and its inactive analog, Met(O)-alpha-hANP, have been analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All proton resonances for both peptides were assigned by means of the sequential assignment procedure. The three-dimensional structure of alpha-hANP in solution had previously been determined by distance geometry calculation using distance constraints derived from nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs). Here, the three-dimensional structure of Met(O)-alpha-hANP was determined. The conformational differences between these two molecules were as follows: three segments of alpha-hANP, Ser1-Cys7, Arg11-Ala17 and Gln18-Tyr28, have some ordered structures. In Met(O)-alpha-hANP the Gln18-Tyr28 region has a similar conformation, while the remaining two regions do not have the ordered structure found in alpha-hANP. It is suggested that the conserved conformation of the Gln18-Tyr28 region is required for binding to the ANP receptor and that the slight biological activity of Met(O)-alpha-hANP is due to loss of the ordered structures evoked in the Ser1-Cys7 and Arg11-Ala17 regions of alpha-hANP.