The impact of geometrically constrained cis α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids on the folding of α,γ-hybrid peptides was investigated. Structure analysis in single crystals and in solution revealed that the cis carbon-carbon double bonds can be accommodated into the 12-helix without deviation from the overall helical conformation. The helical structures are stabilized by 4→1 hydrogen bonding in a similar manner to the 12-helices of β-peptides and the 310 helices of α-peptides. These results show that functional cis carbon-carbon double bonds can be accommodated into the backbone of helical peptides.

HBTU is a standard coupling agent commonly used for the activation of free carboxylic acids during the solution and solid phase peptide synthesis. 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) plays a significant role in reducing the racemization during peptide synthesis; hence it is regularly used as a coupling additive. Here, we are reporting the mild and facile conjugate addition of HOBt to E-vinylogous γ-amino acids mediated by the HBTU. The reaction is moderately diastereoselective and novel β-benzotriazole N-oxide (β-BtO) substituted γ-amino acids were isolated in moderate to good yields. The single crystal analysis of methyl esters of major (anti) and minor (syn) conjugate addition products infers the formation of exclusively N-alkylated benzotriazole N-oxides instead of O-alkylation of HOBt. In addition, we showed the utilization of β-BtO substituted γ-amino acids in peptide synthesis and studied their conformations in single crystals.

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The impact of geometrically constrained cis a,bunsaturated g-amino acids on the folding of a,g-hybrid peptides was investigated. Structure analysis in single crystals and in solution revealed that the cis carbon-carbon double bonds can be accommodated into the 12-helix without deviation from the overall helical conformation. The helical structures are stabilized by 4!1hydrogen bonding in asimilar manner to the 12-helices of b-peptides and the 3 10 helices of apeptides.These results show that functional cis carbon-carbon double bonds can be accommodated into the backbone of helical peptides.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) was responsible for approximately 1.6 million deaths in 2021. With the emergence of extensive drug resistance, novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed, and continued drug discovery efforts required. Host-derived lipids such as cholesterol not only support Mtb growth, but are also suspected to function in immunomodulation, with links to persistence and immune evasion. Mtb cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes facilitate key steps in lipid catabolism and thus present potential targets for inhibition. Here we present a series of compounds based on an ethyl 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylate pharmacophore which bind strongly to both Mtb cholesterol oxidases CYP125 and CYP142. Using a structure-guided approach, combined with biophysical characterization, compounds with micromolar range in-cell activity against clinically relevant drug-resistant isolates were obtained. These will incite further development of much-needed additional treatment options and provide routes to probe the role of CYP125 and CYP142 in Mtb pathogenesis.