International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol.10, No.8, 3358-3370, 2009
Computational Study on the Conformation and Vibration Frequencies of beta-Sheet of epsilon-Polylysine in Vacuum
Two oligomers, each containing 3 L-lysine residues, were used as model molecules for the simulation of the beta-sheet conformation of epsilon-polylysine (epsilon-PLL) chains. Their C terminals were capped with ethylamine and N terminals were capped with alpha-L-aminobutanoic acid, respectively. The calculations were carried out with the hybrid two-level ONOIM (B3LYP/6-31G:PM3) computational chemistry method. The optimized conformation was obtained and IR frequencies were compared with experimental data. The result indicated that the two chains were winded around each other to form a distinct cyclohepta structure through bifurcated hydrogen bonds. The groups of amide and alpha-amidocyanogen coming from one chain and the carbonyl group from the other chain were involved in the cyclohepta structure. The bond angle of the bifurcated hydrogen bonds was 66.6 degrees. The frequency analysis at ONIOM [B3LYP/6-31G (d):PM3] level showed the IR absorbances of the main groups, such as the amide and amidocyanogen groups, were in accordance with the experimental data.