Crystal structure of an extended-conformation leucine-enkephalin dimer monohydrate.

The structure of a new crystal form of leucine-enkephalin has been determined by X-ray diffraction. There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit and both have extended peptide backbone conformations with side-chains arranged alternately above and below the backbone planes. The two pentapeptides are hydrogen-bonded to each other and to other molecules forming an extended antiparallel beta-pleated sheet. The structure differs from that in similar crystals of methionine enkephalin primarily in side-chain orientations and inter-sheet interactions.