Structural and synthetic studies on peptide analogues to the cell adhesive sequence RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)

Abstract: Fibronectin is a cell adhesive protein with many different biological functions. The cell adhesive properties have been ascribed on a small polypeptide sequence RGD (Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid) also found in other cell adhesive proteins. Linear analogues of this sequence have been studied with conventional NMR methods and molecular modeling with potential functions.For a decapeptide two different conformations have been separately studied revealing secondary structure compatible with previous observations in the field. In addition a convenient method to synthesize polypeptides on solid phase with ccMe-Ser have been developed.