Furan-based locked Z-vinylogous γ-amino acid stabilizing protein α-turn in water-soluble cyclic α3γ tetrapeptides.

Described here is the design, synthesis, and conformational analysis of cyclic tetrapeptides (CTPs) with α3γ architecture containing a furan-based locked Z-vinylogous amino acid (Vaa). This unnatural amino acid locks into a γ-turn that induces type IαRS-turn in the CTPs. Stabilized by a 13-membered intramolecular H-bond, these CTPs show robust conformation in water and aprotic solvent irrespective of the sequence of tripeptide consisting of α-amino acids used.