The conformation of [Sar1]angiotensin II in water at neutral pH has been examined by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 400 MHz and in particular by comparing its 1H NMR spectral data with those of analogues modified at positions 1,4 and 6, namely [Sar1,Cha8]ANGII, [Des Asp1,Cha8]ANGII, [Aib1,Tyr(Me)4]ANGII, [Aib1,Tyr(Me)4,Ile8]ANGII, [N-MeAib1,Tyr(Me)4]ANGII, [N-MeAib1,Tyr(Me)4,Ile8]ANGII, ANGIII and [Sar1,Ile8]ANGII. Assignment of all proton resonances in these analogues was made possible by 2D COSY NMR experiments. The H-2 and H-4 protons for the histidine ring in [Sar1]ANGII, ANGII and ANGIII were shielded compared with the same protons in [Sar1,Ile8]ANGII, [Sar1,Cha8]ANGII and [Des Asp1,Cha8]ANGII; this shielding effect was not disturbed upon methylation of the tyrosine hydroxyl and/or replacement of residue 1 (sarcosine or aspartic acid) with aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) or N-methyl aminoisobutyric acid (N-MeAib). These data are consistent with our previous suggestion based on NMR studies in neutral DMSO that a characteristic folded conformation for ANGII previously observed in non-polar solvents can also be detected in water at neutral pH, but to a lesser degree.
19F NMR studies on γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase provide mechanistic insights and suggest a dual inhibition mode