The search for general strategies for inhibiting protein-protein interactions has been stimulated by recognition of the key role they play in virtually every process of living systems. Multiprotein complex assembly and localization by PDZ domain-containing proteins exemplify processes critical to cell physiology and function that are mediated by β strand association. Here we describe the development of substituted “@-tides,” protease-resistant peptidomimetics incorporating conformationally restricted amino acid surrogates that reproduce the hydrogen-bonding pattern and side-chain functionality of a β strand. The synthetic flexibility and generality of the substituted @-tide design was demonstrated by the synthesis of a panel of ligands for the α1-syntrophin PDZ domain. The rational design of a small molecule of unprecedented affinity for the PDZ domain suggests that these peptidomimetics may provide a general method for inhibiting protein-protein interactions involving extended peptide chains.
