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Lactococcus lactis prolidase (Xaa-Pro dipeptidase; EC.3.4.13.9) is unique from other prolidases by showing allosteric behaviour, substrate inhibition, and metal-dependent substrate specificity. We have previously shown several critical residues for these characteristics using site-directed mutagenesis and amino acid sequence-based models. In this present study, the three-dimensional structure of recombinant L. lactis prolidase was determined by X-ray crystallography at 2.25Å resolution in order to provide evidences of the proposed mechanism. Three molecules are located in the crystal asymmetric unit where molecule A forms a dimer with molecule B, while molecule C forms a dimer with molecule C' in the adjacent asymmetric unit. Of all the three molecules, molecule C is less defined and incomplete. While this fact compromises the overall quality of the refined model, the functional interpretation of the structure is not compromised since the biologically-functional homodimeric configuration of L. lactis prolidase is represented by well-defined molecules A and B. The refined model confirmed that there is a twelve-residue (residues 32-43) loop structure from one subunit over the active site of the other subunit, proving the existence of the putative loop structure in our previous study. This loop is three amino acids longer than the loops of prolidases of Pyrococcus furious (1pv9) and Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 (1wy2). The crystal structure shows the loop structure can form two states ("open" and "closed" states) through interaction between the loop and active site proximity. It supports the proposed formation of allosteric site by the loop and Arg 293.

Host systems based on β-cyclodextrin (βCD) were employed as pharmaceutical carriers to encapsulate a poorly soluble drug, curcumin analogue (NC 2067), in order to increase its water solubility. βCD was chemically conjugated with an amphiphilic gemini surfactant with the ability to self-assemble and to form nanoscale supramolecular structures. The conjugated molecule, βCDgemini surfactant (βCDg), was shown to be a promising drug delivery agent. In this report, its physicochemical properties were assessed in aqueous solution using 1D and 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that the apolar hydrocarbon domain of the gemini surfactant was self-included within the βCD internal cavity. The host/guest complexes composed of native βCD or βCDg with NC 2067 were examined using 1D/2D ROESY NMR methods. The stoichiometry of βCD/NC 2067 complex was estimated using Job's method via 1H NMR spectroscopy. The binding geometry of NC 2067 within βCD was proposed using molecular docking and further supported by 1D and 2D ROESY NMR results. Addition of NC 2067 to βCDg revealed minimal changes to the overall structure of the βCDg system, in agreement with the formation of a βCDg/NC 2067 ternary complex.

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) from norovirus (NV) genogroup II has previously been crystallized as an apoenzyme (APO1) in multiple crystal forms, as well as as a pre-incorporation ternary complex (PRE1) bound to Mn2+, various nucleoside triphosphates and an RNA primer-template duplex in an orthorhombic crystal form. When crystallized under near-identical conditions with a slightly different RNA primer/template duplex, however, the enzyme–RNA complex forms tetragonal crystals (anisotropic data,dmin≃ 1.9 Å) containing a complex with the primer/template bound in a backtracked state (BACK1) similar to a post-incorporation complex (POST1) in a step of the enzymatic cycle immediately following nucleotidyl transfer. The BACK1 conformation shows that the terminal nucleotide of the primer binds in a manner similar to the nucleoside triphosphate seen in the PRE1 complex, even though the terminal two phosphoryl groups in the triphosphate moiety are absent and a covalent bond is present between the α-phosphoryl group of the terminal nucleotide and the 3′-oxygen of the penultimate nucleotide residue. The two manganese ions bound at the active site coordinate to conserved Asp residues and the bridging phosphoryl group of the terminal nucleotide. Surprisingly, the conformation of the thumb domain in BACK1 resembles the open APO1 state more than the closed conformation seen in PRE1. The BACK1 complex thus reveals a hybrid state in which the active site is closed while the thumb domain is open. Comparison of the APO1, PRE1 and BACK1 structures of NV polymerase helps to reveal a more complete and complex pathway of conformational changes within a single RdRP enzyme system. These conformational changes lend insight into the mechanism of RNA translocation following nucleotidyl transfer and suggest novel approaches for the development of antiviral inhibitors.

Archaeal RadA or Rad51 recombinases are close homologues of eukaryal Rad51 and DMC1. These and bacterial RecA orthologues play a key role in DNA repair by forming helical nucleoprotein filaments in which a hallmark strand exchange reaction between homologous DNA substrates occurs. Recent studies have discovered the stimulatory role by calcium on human and yeast recombinases. Here we report that the strand exchange activity but not the ATPase activity of an archaeal RadA/Rad51 recombinase from Methanococcus voltae (MvRadA) is also subject to calcium stimulation. Crystallized MvRadA filaments in the presence of CaCl(2) resemble that of the recently reported ATPase active form in the presence of an activating dose of KCl. At the ATPase center, one Ca(2+) ion takes the place of two K(+) ions in the K(+)-bound form. The terminal phosphate of the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue is in a staggered conformation in the Ca(2+)-bound form. In comparison, an eclipsed conformation was seen in the K(+)-bound form. Despite the changes in the ATPase center, both forms harbor largely ordered L2 regions in essentially identical conformations. These data suggest a unified stimulation mechanism by potassium and calcium because of the existence of a conserved ATPase center promiscuous in binding cations.

The structures of the title compounds were solved by direct methods and refined by anisotropic full-matrix least-squares methods. 4,11-Pregnadiene-3,20-dione, C21H28O2(1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP21 (Z=2). The unit cell parametersa, b, c (A), and β (°) were: 12.319(2), 7.700(2), 9.717(2), 109.41(2). TheA- andC-rings exhibit intermediate sofa-halfchair conformations. TheB-ring has a chair conformation and theD-ring assumes an intermediate envelope-half-chair conformation. The progesterone side chain has a typical conformation; the C16−C17−C20−O20 torsion angle is −15.1(4)°. 21-Methyl-20-oxa-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, C21H30O3 (2) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupP212121 (Z=4). The unit cell parametersa, b, c (A) were: 12.926(2), 19.447(4), 7.313(1). The progesterone side chain has an unusual conformation; the C16−C17−C20−O20 torsion angle is 174.6(4)°. TheA-ring has a 1α, 2β-half-chair conformation, ringsB andC exhibit chair conformations and ringD is in a 13β,14α-half-chair conformation.

Ionophores are antibiotics that induce ion transport across natural and artificial membranes. The specific function of a given ionophore depends upon its selectivity and the kinetics of ion capture, transport, and release. Systematic studies of complexed and uncomplexed forms of linear and cyclic ionophores provide insight into molecular mechanisms of ion capture and release and the basis for ion selectivity. The cyclic dodecadepsipeptide valinomycin, cyclo[(L-Val-D-Hyi-D-Val-L-Lac)]. transports potassium ions across cellular membrane bilayers selectively. The x-ray crystallographic and nmr spectroscopic data concerning the structures of Na+, K+, and Ba+2 complexes are consistent and provide a rationale for the K+ selectivity of valinomycin. Three significantly different conformations of valinomycin are observed in anhydrous crystals, in hydrated crystals grown from dimethylsulfoxide, and in crystals grown from dioxane. Each of these conformations suggests a different mechanism of ion capture. One of the observed conformations has an elliptical structure stabilized by four 4 ← 1 intramolecular hydrogen bonds and two 5 ← 1 hydrogen bonds. Ion capture could be readily achieved by disruption of the 5 ← 1 hydrogen bonds to permit coordination to a potassium ion entering the cavity. The conformation found in crystals obtained from dimethyl sulfoxide is an open flower shape having three petals and three 4 ← 1 hydrogen bonds. Complexation could proceed by a closing up of the three petals of the flower around the desolvating ion. In the third form, water molecules reside in the central cavity of a bracelet structure having six 4 ← 1 hydrogen bonds. Two of these bracelets stack over one another with their valine-rich faces surrounding a dioxane molecule. The stacked molecules form a channel approximately 20 A in length, suggesting that under certain circumstances valinomycin might function as a channel. A series of analogues of valinomycin differing in ring composition and size have been synthesized and their transport properties tested. Peptide substitution and chiral variation in the dodecadepsipeptide can result in stabilization or modification of the different conformers. While contraction of the ring size results in loss of ion transport properties, expansion of the ring size permits complexation of larger ions and small positively charged molecules. Gramicidin A is a pentadecapeptide that functions as a transmembrane channel for transporting monovalent cations. Crystal structures of the cesium chloride complex and two uncomplexed forms of gramicidin A have been reported. In all three structures the gramicidin A molecule is a left-handed, antiparallel, double-stranded helical dimer. In the cesium complex the β7.2-helix has 6.4 residues per turn with an internal cavity large enough to accommodate cesium ions. In the uncomplexed structures the channel is 31 A long and has 5.6 amino acids per turn. Because the helix is too tightly wound to permit ion transport, ion transport would require breaking and reforming of hydrogen bonds. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The activated 65 kDa lepidopteran-specific CryIA(a) toxin from the commercially most important strain Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-1 has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and for its ability to form channels in planar lipid bilayers. Its three-dimensional structure has been determined by a multiple isomorphous replacement method and refined at 2.25 A resolution to an R-factor of 0.168 for data with I > 2 delta (I). The toxin is made of three distinct domains. The N-terminal domain is a bundle of eight alpha-helices with the central, relatively hydrophobic helix surrounded by amphipathic helices. The middle and C-terminal domains contain mostly beta-sheets. Comparison with the structure of CryIIIA, a coleopteran-specific toxin, shows that although the fold of these two proteins is similar, there are significant structural differences within domain II. This finding supports the conclusions from genetic studies that domain II is involved in recognition and binding to cell surface receptors. The distribution of electrostatic potential on the surface of the molecule is non-uniform and identifies one side of the alpha-helical domain as negatively charged. The predominance of arginine residues as basic residues ensures that the observed positive charge distribution is also maintained in the highly alkaline environment found in the lepidopteran midgut. Structurally important salt bridges that are conserved across Cry sequences were identified and their possible role in toxin action was postulated. In planar lipid bilayers, CryIA(a) forms cation-selective channels, whose conductance is significantly smaller than that reported for CryIIIA but similar to those of other Cry toxins.

The title compound, C56H83N9O9S·3CH3OH, is a methanol trisolvate of the cyclolinopeptide cyclo(Met1—Leu2—Ile3—Pro4—Pro5—Phe6—Phe7—Val8—Ile9) (henceforth referred to as CLP-B), which was isolated from flaxseed oil. All the amino acid residues are in an l-configuration based on the CORN rule. The cyclic nonapeptide exhibits eight trans peptide bonds and one cis peptide bond observed between the two proline residues. The conformation is stabilized by an α-turn and two consecutive β-turns each containing a N—H...O hydrogen bond between the carbonyl group O atom of the first residue and the amide group H atom of the fourth (α-turn) or the third residue (β-turns), repectively. In the crystal, the components of the structure are linked by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains parallel to the a axis.

The structure of Candida rugosa lipase in a new crystal form has been determined and refined at 2.1 A resolution. The lipase molecule was found in an inactive conformation, with the active site shielded from the solvent by a part of the polypeptide chain-the flap. Comparison of this structure with the previously determined "open" form of this lipase, in which the active site is accessible to the solvent and presumably the substrate, shows that the transition between these 2 states requires only movement of the flap. The backbone NH groups forming the putative oxyanion hole do not change position during this rearrangement, indicating that this feature is preformed in the inactive state. The 2 lipase conformations probably correspond to states at opposite ends of the pathway of interfacial activation. Quantitative analysis indicates a large increase of the hydrophobic surface in the vicinity of the active site. The flap undergoes a flexible rearrangement during which some of its secondary structure refolds. The interactions of the flap with the rest of the protein change from mostly hydrophobic in the inactive form to largely hydrophilic in the "open" conformation. Although the flap movement cannot be described as a rigid body motion, it has very definite hinge points at Glu 66 and at Pro 92. The rearrangement is accompanied by a cis-trans isomerization of this proline, which likely increases the energy required for the transition between the 2 states, and may play a role in the stabilization of the active conformation at the water/lipid interface. Carbohydrate attached at Asn 351 also provides stabilization for the open conformation of the flap.

Lipase from Candida rugosa shows high enantioselectivity toward α-substituted chiral acids such as 2-arylpropionic acids. To understand how Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) distinguishes between enantiomers of chiral acids, we determined the X-ray crystal structure of a transition-state analog covalently linked to CRL. CRL shows moderate enantioselectivity (E=23) toward methyl 2-methoxy-2-phenylacetate, 1-methyl ester, favoring the (S)-enantiomer. We synthesized phosphonate (RC,RPSP)-3, which, upon reaction with CRL, mimics the transition state for hydrolysis of (S)-1-methyl ester, the fast-reacting enantiomer. An X-ray crystal structure of this complex shows a catalytically productive orientation with the phenyl ring in the hydrophobic tunnel of the lipase. Phe345 crowds the region near the substrate stereocenter. Computer modeling of the slow-reacting enantiomer examined four possible conformations for the corresponding slow-reacting enantiomer: three conformations where two substituents at the stereocenter have been exchanged relative to the fast-reacting enantiomer and one conformation with an umbrella-like inversion orientation. Each of these orientations disrupts the orientation of the catalytic histidine, but the molecular basis for disruption differs in each case showing that multiple mechanisms are required for high enantioselectivity. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The structure of the Candida rugosa lipase determined at 2.06-A resolution reveals a conformation with a solvent-accessible active site. Comparison with the crystal structure of the homologous lipase from Geotrichum candidum, in which the active site is covered by surface loops and is inaccessible from the solvent, shows that the largest structural differences occur in the vicinity of the active site. Three loops in this region differ significantly in conformation, and the interfacial activation of these lipases is likely to be associated with conformational rearrangements of these loops. The "open" structure provides a new image of the substrate binding region and active site access, which is different from that inferred from the structure of the "closed" form of the G. candidum lipase.

C 27 H 44 O cristallise dans P2 1 2 1 2 1 avec a=10,326, b=10,460, c=22,331 A, Z=4; affinement jusqu'a R=0,060. Le cycle A se trouve dans une conformation chaine deformee, le cycle B dans une conformation moyenne soja=demi chaise, les cycles C et D possedent respectivement des conformations chaine et enveloppe. Dans la chaine cholesterol, totalement etendue, les carbones terminaux C 26 et C 27 des groupes methyl sont dans une conformation-gauche, trans

C27H40O4, Mr = 428.6, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 9.821(3), b = 25.766(6), c = 9.802(3) A, V = 2480(2) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.15 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, mu = 0.70 cm-1, F(000) = 936, T = 295 K, final R = 0.063 for 2778 observed reflections. The A ring assumes a normal 1 alpha,2 beta-half-chair conformation. The progesterone side chain has a conformation typical of 17 alpha-ester steroids; the C(16)-C(17)-C(20)-O(20) torsion angle is -17.9(5) degrees.

C 27 H 44 O cristallise dans P2 1 2 1 2 1 avec a=11,109, b=11,213, c=19,104 A, Z=4; affinement jusqu'a R=0,069. Les cycles A et C possedent une conformation chaise, tandis que les cycles B et D ont une conformation demi-chaise. La chaine cholesterol est tout a fait etendue avec une conformation gauche, trans des carbones C 26 et C 27 terminaux des groupes methyl

The x-ray structure of a short-chain dehydrogenase, the bacterial holo 3 alpha,20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.53), is described at 2.6 A resolution. This enzyme is active as a tetramer and crystallizes with four identical subunits in the asymmetric unit. It has the alpha/beta fold characteristic of the dinucleotide binding region. The fold of the rest of the subunit, the quaternary structure, and the nature of the cofactor-enzyme interactions are, however, significantly different from those observed in the long-chain dehydrogenases. The architecture of the postulated active site is consistent with the observed stereospecificity of the enzyme and the fact that the tetramer is the active form. There is only one cofactor and one substrate-binding site per subunit; the specificity for both 3 alpha- and 20 beta-ends of the steroid results from the binding of the steroid in two orientations near the same cofactor at the same catalytic site.

The title compound crystallizes in space groupP212121 with lattice constantsa=16.253(3),b=17.107(3), andc=8.486(2) A. The A ring has 1α,2β-half-chair conformation. The calculated steric energy of a 6α-methyl-17α-ester progesterone molecule is lower by about 4 kJ/mol for the normal A-ring conformation. The progesterone side chain has typical conformation for 17α-ester steroids; the C(16)-C(17)-C(20)-O(20) torsion angle is −24.9(4)°.

The crystal structure of a synthetic analogue of valinomycin, cyclo[-(L-Val-L-Hyi-L-Val-D-Hyi)2-(D-Val-L-Hyi-L-Val-D -Hyi)-] ([L-Val1, L-Val5]meso-valinomycin), C60H102N6O18, has been determined. Crystals grown from petroleum ether are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with cell parameters a = 16.41(1), b = 18.76(1), c = 25.86(1) A, and Z = 4. The atomic coordinates for nonhydrogen atoms, except those of terminal carbons on one side chain, were refined in the anisotropic thermal motion approximation. The coordinate parameters of the H atoms were incorporated into the structure factor calculations at geometrically expected positions. Values of the standard and weighted R factors after refinement are 0.074 and 0.083, respectively. The crystal structure of the molecule is asymmetric and adopts a conformation with four 4----1 type and one 6----1 type intramolecular hydrogen bonds between amide nitrogens and carbonyl oxygens. Valinomycin binds potassium more than 100 times strongly than the D,L stereoisomeric analogue, as a result of a different spatial orientation of potentially interacting carbonyl groups.

The X-ray crystal structure of 4-methoxy-4-cholesten-3-one, C28H46O2, has been determined. Final agreement factors wereR=0.057 andR w =0.057 for 2912 reflections. TheA ring has a sofa-half-chair conformation, and the C4 side chain is turned under the steroid skeleton. The cholesterol side chain is fully extended, with agauche, trans conformation of the terminal C26 and C27 methyl groups.

The structure of the title compound was determined by X-rays:M r =319.4,P212121,a=7.753(3),b=10.566(8),c=20.997(10) A,Z=4 andD x =1.171 M gm−3. FinalR=0.042 (R w =0.041) for 1814 unique reflections. The water molecule is the hydrogen donor to O3 and O17 and an hydrogen acceptor from the O17 hydroxyl group.

The crystal and molecular structure of 21-fluoro-4,9(ll)-pregnadiene-3,20-dion-17a-yl acetate has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods;P212121,a=15.827(4),b=16.912(4),c=7.513(2) A,Z=4;R=0.062, (R w =0.065) for 2028 unique observed reflections. The progesterone side chain has an unusual conformation; the C16-C17-C20-O20 torsion angle is 173.1(4)°. Molecular mechanics calculations suggest that this conformation may be cuased by 17α-acetoxy substituent and the additional double bond between C9 and C11.

The structure of the title compound, C21H30O3, was determined by X-rays.Mr=330.5, orthorhombic,P212121,a=8.4451(9),b=10.7074(8),c=20.1525(40) A,V=1822(8) A3,Z=4,Dx=1.205 mg m−3. CuKα radiation (1.54184 A),μ(CuKα)=5.85 cm−1,F(000)=720. FinalR=0.054Rw=0.049 for 1774 unique reflections. The structure was solved usingMultan. TheA ring adopts an intermediate sofa-half-chair conformation and is bent toward theα face of the steroid skeleton. RingsB andC have typical chair conformations, and theD ring has a slightly distorted half-chair conformation. The progesterone side chain has a typical conformation, and the C16-C17-C20-O20 torsion angle is −17.9°. An intermolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the hydroxyl group and the progesterone side chain.

The crystal structure of 4-thioethyl-4-cholesten-3-one, C29H48OS, has been determined by X-ray methods. The compound is orthorhombic:P212121,a=7.787(2),b=12.586(4),c=27.960(6) A,V=2740(3) A3,M r =444.8,Z=4,D x =1.08 Mg m−3, CuKα radiation (λ=1.5418 A),μ=11.2 cm−1,F(000)=984. FinalR=0.073 andR w =0.057 for 1562 reflections. A comparison with other 4-substituted 4-en-3-ore steroids suggests that theA ring conformation and its relative orientation can be influenced by the thioethyl substituent. The C4 side chain is turned under the steroid skeleton. The cholesterol side chain is fully extended, with atrans, +gauche conformation of the terminal C26 and C27 methyl groups.

The title compound, C56H83N9O11S·2C4H10O·H2O, is a butanol–water solvate of the cyclolinopeptide cyclo(Metsulfone1-Leu2–Ile3–Pro4–Pro5–Phe6–Phe7–Val8–Ile9) (henceforth referred to as CLP-K) which was isolated from flax oil. All the amino acid residues are in an l configuration based on the CORN rule. The cyclic nonapeptide exhibits eight trans peptide bonds and one cis peptide bond observed between the two proline residues. The conformation is stabilized by an α- and a β-turn, each containing an N—H...O hydrogen bond between the carbonyl group O atom of the first residue and the amide group H atom of the fourth (α-turn) and the third residue (β-turn), repectively. In the crystal, the components of the structure are linked by intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds into a two-dimensional network parallel to (001). The –C(H2)OH group of one of the butanol solvent molecules is disordered over two sets of sites with refined occupancies of 0.863 (4) and 0.137 (4).

C27H40O7, M(r) = 476.61, monoclinic, P2(1), a = 17.440 (5), b = 13.267 (1), c = 12.168 (2) A, beta = 110.49 (8) degrees, V = 2637.3 (9) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.20 g cm-3, lambda (Cu K alpha) = 1.5418 A, mu = 7.04 cm-1, F(000) = 1032, T = 293 K, R = 0.048, wR = 0.068 for 5590 observed reflections with (Fo)2 > 2 sigma [(Fo)2]. The structure contains two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit that have almost identical geometry. Rings A, B and C have chair conformations and the D ring assumes a half-chair conformation in both molecules. The progesterone side chain has a conformation typical for other 17 alpha-ester steroids; the C(16)--C(17)--C(20--O(20) torsion angles are -18.2 (5) and -15.0 (4) degrees for the first and the second molecule respectively.

C 27 H 44 O cristallise dans P2 1 2 1 2 1 avec a=11,109, b=11,213, c=19,104 A, Z=4; affinement jusqu'a R=0,069. Les cycles A et C possedent une conformation chaise, tandis que les cycles B et D ont une conformation demi-chaise. La chaine cholesterol est tout a fait etendue avec une conformation gauche, trans des carbones C 26 et C 27 terminaux des groupes methyl

C24H30O4, Mr = 382.5, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 13.091 (2), b = 19.711 (1), c = 8.242 (1) A, V = 2126.7 (5) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.195 Mg m-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.54184 A, mu(Cu K alpha) = 0.56 mm-1, F(000) = 824, T = 295 K. Final R = 0.045 for 2446 unique reflections. The planar A ring is bent relative to the rest of the steroid skeleton. The B ring has a typical chair conformation and the C and D rings assume 13 beta,14 alpha-half-chair and 13 beta-envelope conformations, respectively. The conformation of the progesterone side chain is similar to the conformation observed in other 17 alpha-ester pregnanes: C16-C17-C20-O20 torsion angle -27.4 (3) degrees.

In this review we summarize some aspects of the enantiopreference of the lipase from Candida rugosa following structural analysis of complexes of this lipase with two enantiomers of an analog of a tetrahedral intermediate in the hydrolysis of simple esters. The analysis of the molecular basis of the enantiomeric differentiation suggests that these results can be generalized to a large class of lipases and esterases. We also summarize our experiments on identification of the key regions in the lipases from Geotrichum candidum lipase responsible for differentiation between fatty acyl chains.Key words: lipases, stereoselectivity, three-dimensional structure, conformational rearrangement.

The structures of Candida rugosa lipase-inhibitor complexes demonstrate that the scissile fatty acyl chain is bound in a narrow, hydrophobic tunnel which is unique among lipases studied to date. Modeling of triglyceride binding suggests that the bound lipid must adopt a "tuning fork" conformation. The complexes, analogs of tetrahedral intermediates of the acylation and deacylation steps of the reaction pathway, localize the components of the oxyanion hole and define the stereochemistry of ester hydrolysis. Comparison with other lipases suggests that the positioning of the scissile fatty acyl chain and ester bond and the stereochemistry of hydrolysis are the same in all lipases which share the alpha/beta-hydrolase fold.

C22H30O2 (1), Mr = 326.47, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 9.662 (3), b = 23.32 (7), c = 8.167 (2) A, V = 1840.3 (4) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.178 g cm-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.5418 A, mu = 5.34 cm-1, F(000) = 712, T = 293 K, R = 0.035, wR = 0.044, S = 1.954 for 2147 unique observed reflections with Fo greater than 2 sigma(Fo). Rings B and C have chair conformations, the A ring assumes an intermediate sofa-half-chair conformation, and the D ring is in the half-chair conformation. The progesterone side chain has the same conformation as observed in 81 steroids; the C16-C17-C20-O20 torsion angle is -18.9 (3) degrees; the C4-C5-C6-C6M torsion angle is -48.6 degrees.

The X-ray crystal structure of 6β-acetoxyprogesterone, C23H32O4, has been determined. This compound crystallizes in space groupP212121 witha=13.195(3),b=15.035(4),c=10.705(3) A,V=2139.8(9) A3,Mr=372.5,Z=4,Dx=1.156g cm−3; MoKα radiation (λ=0.7107 A),μ=0.72 cm−1,F(000)=808;R=0.069, andRw=0.052 for 1292 reflections. RingA adopts a normal 1α,2β-half-chair conformation. The side chain is typical for a 20-ketosteroid conformation.

The crystal structure of 17β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-yn-3-one, C21H28O2, was determined by means of X-ray diffraction methods.Mr=312.5, space groupP21,a=6.493(1),b=21.065(3),c=6.478(1) A,β=105.97(1)°,Vc=851.9(3) A3,Z=2,Dx=1.22 Mg m−3, CuKα radiation (λ=1.54184 A),μ(CuKα)=5.5 cm−1,F(000)=340. The structure was solved withMultan; final conventionalR=0.032 (Rw=0.032) for 1803 reflections. The molecule studied (I) has an overall conformation almost identical to 19-norethindrone (II), although ringA of molecule (I) is slightly more bent toward theα direction of the steroid skeleton in comparison with molecule (II).

The crystal and molecular structure of 9α, 11β-dichloro-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, C21H28O2C12, has been determined:Mr=383.4,P31,a=7.358(2),c=30.137(20) A,Vc=1413(2)A3,Z=3,Dx=1.35 g cm−3, λ(MoKα)=0.71073A,μ=3.6 cm−1,F(000)=612,T≈80K,R=0.060,Rw=0.052 for 2376 unique observed reflections. The steroid skeleton exhibits a flattening of theA ring relative to the rest of the molecule caused by halogen substituents. The title compound has a very high relative binding affinity for the rabbit uterine progesterone receptor. The high binding affinity may result from the flattening of theA ring relative to the rest of the steroid skeleton.

The crystal and molecular structure of 3α,12β-dihydroxy-2β-morpholino-5α-pregnan-20-one, C25H41O4N, has been determined:M r =419.6,P21,a=13.5778(8),b=14.4340(8),c=5.8943(5) A,β=94.32(1)°,V c =1151.9(3) A3,Z=2,D x =1.21 g cm−3, $$\bar \lambda $$ (CuKα) = 1.5418 A, μ=5.6 cm−1,F(000)=460,R=0.039,R w =0.040 for 2421 unique observed reflections. All six-membered rings have chair conformations, and theD ring has a 13β-envelope conformation. The progesterone side chain has an unusual conformation, and the C16-C17-C20-O20 torsion angle, which defines the conformation, is −152.6(3)°. The unusual conformation seems to be forced by the intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group at C12 and the O20 atom from the side-chain.

The title compound was synthesized as part of an effort to determine the identity of an abnormal steroid metabolite present in the urine of a patient exhibiting pronounced gynecomastia. The X-ray investigation of the synthesized compound showed that the 20-carbonyl of the 17 alpha oriented side chain lies under the D ring, and does not participate in hydrogen bonding in the crystal lattice. This conformation appears to be stable and sufficiently shielded that it is unlikely to make a major contribution to possible protein interactions.

Le compose du titre cristallise dans le systeme quadratique avec le groupe d'espace P4 1 . Affinement de la structure jusqu'a 4,1%. Le groupement hydroxyle en c(10) est en configuration β. Les groupements hydroxyle en c(17) et c(10) et l'oxygene en c(3) forment deux liaisons hydrogene intermoleculaires

M r = 274.3, monoclinic, space group P2~/c, Z=4, a=15.960(4), b=5.614(2), c= 16.418(4)A, fl= 110.06(2) ° , V= 1381.7A 3, Din= 1.303, Dx=l.318Mgm -3, MoKa, 2=0-7107/k, /t = 0.20 mm -~, F(000) = 584, room temperature, m.p. 410-412 K, final R = 0.078 for 2973 reflections. There are no unusual bond distances and angles. The conformation about C(10)-P is such that the two phenyl groups are in antiperiplanar orientation. The molecules form chains along the (010) direction by means of hydrogen bonding with O...O 2.758 (3), H...O 1.94 (6)/~ and O...H-O 144 (6) °.