Structure and stability of the Boc(D-Pro-L-Pro)2OCH3 Na+ complex: a model of poly(D,L-proline), an alkali ion channel across membranes.

In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of alkali ions conduction of poly(D,L-proline), which shows the typical behavior of an ion channel across membranes, conformations of the tetrameric derivative Boc(D-Pro-L-Pro)2OCH3 in solution, in the presence of the Na+ ion, were investigated by CD and nmr spectroscopy. Both theoretical and experimental data indicate the formation in solution of a monomeric complex between the tetramer, in the all-trans conformation, and the cation. The results allow to confirm the channel model, previously proposed on the phenomenological behavior of poly(D,L-proline) in membranes.