Investigating the Site-Specific Impact of Fluorine Substitution on Aromatic Interactions in a Tryptophan Zipper Peptide
Investigating the Site-Specific Impact of Fluorine Substitution on Aromatic Interactions in a Tryptophan Zipper Peptide D. Reiter, F. Mutlu, D. Ebert, M. Noutio, J. Heberle, M. Schubert, B. Koksch
D. Reiter, F. Mutlu, D. Ebert, M. Noutio, J. Heberle, M. Schubert, B. Koksch – 2025
Abstract: The stability of pairwise tryptophan (Trp) edge-to-face aromatic interactions has been exploited in the design of small tryptophan zipper (Trpzip) peptides. Herein, we report a systematic study of the regiospecific impact of four constitutional isomers of non-natural fluoro-Trp, regarding their incorporation at either edge- or face-position. Single fluorine substituents affect the electron density of the indole moiety and introduce a highly electronegative component while the native geometry of Trp is maintained. We employed a library approach based on the sequence of Trpzip2 and assessed peptide structure and stability using CD, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. Global hairpin stability was improved or compromised upon site-specific incorporation of a single monofluoro-Trp regioisomer. Fluorine substitution revealed key CH/π interactions within the Trp/Trp packing and holds potential for the future optimization of aromatic interactions involving Trp. More information can be found in the full paper by B. Koksch et al.






