Novel Method for Selective Debenzylation Under Maintenance of Fluoro Atom Substituted on β-Amino Acids

tert-Butyl （R）-3-amino-3-（3-fluorophenyl）propanoate（5） was prepared with conventional debenzylation method. However, the tert-butyl （R）-3-[（S）-1-phenylethyl-amino]-3-（3-fluorophenyl） propanoate（6） and tert-butyl （R）-3-amino-3-phenylpropanoate（7） were generated as the byproducts under the general catalytic hydrogenation Pd（OH）2/C-H2 conditions. So a series of experiments was performed to optimize the reaction conditions so that product 5 could be obtained with high purity and yield. Finally an effective catalytic system, Pd/C-HCOOH-CH3OH, was discovered.

Synthetic Approach for Novel Fluorine Substituted <i>α</i>-Aminophosphonic Acids Containing 1,2,4-Triazin-5-One Moiety as Antioxidant Agents

Novel fluorine substituted α-amino phosphonic acids containing 1,2,4-triazin- 5-one (6a-f) have been obtained from fluoroacylation of 6-(2&prime;-amino-5&prime;-nitrophenyl)-3-thioxo-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (1) followed by ammonilysis to give the corresponding 3-amino-derivative 3. Condensation of compound 3 with nitro/halogenated aromatic aldehydes yielded the Schiff bases 4. The simple addition of diethyl phosphonate to compound 4 produced the α-amino phosphonates 5. Acidic hydrolysis of compound 5 produced the fluorine substituted α-amino acids derivatives 6. Structures of the new compounds have been established with the help of elemental analysis and spectral measurements. Also, the products evaluated as antioxidants, where the fluorinated α-amino phosphonic acids 6 are more active than the other synthesized systems.

Thermodynamic solvation of a series of homologous α-amino acids in non-aqueous mixture of ethylene-glycol and N,N-dimethyl formamide

Standard free energies (ΔG0t(i) ) and entropies (ΔS0t(i)) of transfer of some homologous α-amino acids viz. glycine (gly), dl-alanine (ala), dl-α-amino butyric acid (aba) and dl-nor-valine (nor-val) from protic ethylene glycol (EG) to dipolar aprotic N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) have been evaluated from solubility measure-ments at five equidistant temperatures i.e from 15 to 350C. The observed ΔG0t(i) and TΔS0t(i) Vs composition profiles are complicated because of the various interaction effects. The chemical effects of the transfer Gibbs energies (ΔG0t.ch(i)) and entropies of transfer (ΔS0t.ch(i)) have been obtained after elimination of cavity effect, estimated by the scaled particle theory and dipole-dipole interaction effects, estimated by the use of Keesom-orientation expression. The chemical contributions of transfer energetics of homologous α-amino acids are guided by the composite effects of increased dispersion interaction, basicity and decreased acidity, hydrogen bonding effects and solvophobic solvation of ethylene glycol and N, N-dimethyl formamide mixed solvent as compared to that of reference solvent (ethylene glycol).

Chemical Interaction UO2Cl2 with α-and β-Amino Acids in Aqueous and Organic Solution

This paper presents the results of the search of biologically active uranium compounds such as amino acids. We first received and examined X-ray and IR （infrared radiation） spectroscopy of uranium complexes with α- and β-amino acids in aqueous and organic solution. We proposed a method for direct synthesis of complex organic compounds of uranium chloride UO2Cl2 with α- andβ-amino acids for the synthesis of drugs for the treatment of cancer.

Effects of β-Amino Butyric Acid Induced Rice Blast Resistance on Reactive Oxygen Metabolism

[Objective] This study was to understand the effects of β-Amino butyric acid(abbreviated as BABA) induced rice blast resistance on reactive oxygen metabolism. [Method] Using the cultivar Chaochan 2 that is highly susceptible to disease as experimental material, the changes of catalase(CAT), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) and MDA activities in rice treated by BABA were investigated. [Result] In rice plants treated by BABA, the activities of CAT and SOD increased, meanwhile the MDA content also rose to some extent, resulting in the disease resistance to rice blast. [Conclusion] By influencing reactive oxygen metabolism, BABA endows rice plants with resistance to rice blast. BABA is safe to environment and has highly resistance-inducing capacity, it could be generalized in production.

18β-glycyrrhetinic Acid-induced Apoptosis and Relation with Intracellular Ca^2＋ Release in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Objective:To study the effects of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) on proliferation inhibition, apop totic induction, and the relationship between GA-induced apoptosis and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cells. Methods: After MCF-7 cells were treated with GA at the concentrations from 50 μmol/L to 250 μmol/L for 24 h, cell viability of proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. After the cells were treated with 100 μmol/L, 150 μmol/L, and 200 μmol/L GA for 24 h, the rates of cell apoptosis were examined by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling method and flow cytometry with Annexin V/propidium iodide fluorescent stain. After the cells treated with 150 μmol/L GA for 24 h, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured by Fure-2 fluorescein load method. Results: After the cells were treated with GA at the concentrations from 100 μmol/L to 250 μmol/L, the rates of proliferative inhibition were increased significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.01) in a dose dependent fashion. IC50 of the proliferation inhibition was 234.33 μmol/L. Treated with 100 μmol/L, 150 μmol/L, and 200 μmol/L, the rates of cell apoptosis were increased significantly (P<0.01). Intracellular Ca2+ concentration after treatment with GA was higher evidently than that of control (P<0.05). Conclusion: 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid has the effects of the proliferation inhibition and the apoptotic induction on MCF-7 cells. The rise of intracellular Ca2+ level may be depended on apoptosis induced by GA in MCF-7 cells.

Diet switch and omega-3 hydroxy-fatty acids display differential hepatoprotective effects in an obesity/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model in mice

AIM To study the effect of 18-hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid(18-HEPE) and 17-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid(17-HDHA) in a murine model of obesity/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.METHODS C57 BL/6 mice were fed with standard chow diet(CD) or high-fat, fructose-enriched diet(HFD) for 16 wk. Then, three groups were treated for 14 d with either, diet switch(HFD for CD), 18-HEPE, or 17-HDHA. Weightand fasting glucose were recorded on a weekly basis. Insulin tolerance test was performed at the end of treatment. Histological analysis(HE and Masson's trichrome stain) and determination of serum insulin, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, adiponectin and resistin were carried out as well as liver proteins by western blot.RESULTS Mice treated with hydroxy-fatty acids 18-HEPE and 17-HDHA displayed no weight loss or improved insulin sensitivity. However, these mice groups showed a significant amelioration on serum GLP-1, adiponectin and resistin levels. Also, a significant reduction on inflammatory infiltrate was observed at both portal and lobular zones. Furthermore, up-regulation of PPARα/γ protein levels was observed in liver tissue and it was associated with decreased levels of NF-κB also determined by western blot analysis. On the other hand, diet switch regimen resulted in a marked improvement in most parameters including: weight loss, increased insulin sensitivity, decreased steatosis, restored levels of insulin, glucagon, leptin, adiponectin and resistin. However, no significant changes were observed regarding inflammatory infiltrate in this last group.CONCLUSION 18-HEPE and 17-HDHA differentially exert hepatoprotective effects through up-regulation of nuclear receptors PPARα/γ and amelioration of serum adipokines profile.

Effect of glycyrrhizic acid and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid on the differentiation of human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes

BACKGROUND End-stage liver disease is a global health complication with high prevalence and limited treatment options.Cell-based therapies using mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)emerged as an alternative approach to support hepatic regeneration.In vitro preconditioning strategies have been employed to strengthen the regenerative and differentiation potential of MSCs towards hepatic lineage.Chemical compounds of the triterpene class;glycyrrhizic acid(GA)and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(GT)possess diverse therapeutic properties including hepatoprotection and anti-fibrosis characteristics.They are capable of modulating several signaling pathways that are crucial in hepatic regeneration.Preconditioning with hepato-protective triterpenes may stimulate MSC fate transition towards hepatocytes.AIM To explore the effect of GA and GT on hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord-MSCs(hUC-MSCs).METHODS hUC-MSCs were isolated and characterized phenotypically by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry for the expression of MSC-associated surface molecules.Isolated cells were treated with GA,GT,and their combination for 24 h and then analyzed at three time points;day 7,14,and 21.qRT-PCR was performed for the expression of hepatic genes.Expression of hepatic proteins was analyzed by immunocytochemistry at day 21.Periodic acid Schiff staining was performed to determine the functional ability of treated cells.RESULTS The fusiform-shaped morphology of MSCs in the treatment groups in comparison with the untreated control,eventually progressed towards the polygonal morphology of hepatocytes with the passage of time.The temporal transcriptional profile of preconditioned MSCs displayed significant expression of hepatic genes with increasing time of differentiation.Preconditioned cells showed positive expression of hepatocyte-specific proteins.The results were further corroborated by positive periodic acid Schiff staining,indicating the presence of glycogen in their cytoplasm.Moreover,bi-nucleated cells,which is the typical feature of hepatocytes,were also seen in the preconditioned cells.CONCLUSION Preconditioning with glycyrrhizic acid,18β-glycyrrhetinic acid and their combination,successfully differentiates hUC-MSCs into hepatic-like cells.These MSCs may serve as a better therapeutic option for degenerative liver diseases in future.

Content and Partial Characterization of Unknown N in Humic Acids

INTRODUCTION Nitrogen is a key component of soil organic matter. Only when we have succeeded in characterizing the major part of organic N-containing compounds will we be able to understand fully the transformation reactions in the soil and to use soil-N more efficiently. However, only about 1/ 4——1/ 2 of the total N in humic acid (HA), one of the major constituents of soil organic matter, can be accounted for as amino acids and amino sugars, and most of the remainder has still to be accounted for. It has been

Syntheses and Structural Characterization of Dimethyltin Complexs of N-(3-Methoxysalicylidene)-α-amino Acid

Three new dimethyltin complexes of N-（3-methoxysalicylidene）-α-amino acid,（CH3）2Sn（3-CH3O-2-OC6H3CH=NCHRCOO）（R = H,1;CH3,2;（CH3）2CH,3）,have been synthe-sized by treating dimethyltin dichloride with the potassium salt of the ligand and characterized by elemental analysis,IR and 1H NMR spectra.The crystal structure of [（CH3）2Sn（3-CH3O-2-OC6H3CH=NCH2COO）（CH3OH）]2 H2O（1a）,formed from methanol solution of 1,has been deter-mined.The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system,space group C/2c with a = 20.636（3）,b = 7.8854（9）,c = 20.668（2） ,β= 113.265（2）°,V = 3089.7（6） 3,Z = 4,Dc = 1.707 g/cm3,= 1.675 mm-1,F（000） = 1592,R = 0.0301 and wR = 0.0841.In complex 1a,the tin atom is six-coordinate and possesses a distorted [SnC2NO3] octahedral geometry with the two methyl groups occupying the trans positions.The weak Sn O interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonds connected the molecules into an infinite chain.

A practical synthesis of trifluorophenyl R-amino acid:The key precursor for the new anti-diabetic drug sitagliptin

Sitagliptin is the first new anti-diabetic drug in DPP-Ⅳ inhibitor class. The general synthesis of sitagliptin is by coupling of the β-amino acid fragment with the heterocycle fragment. Though the specific β-amino acid can be easily made from the corresponding R-amino acid by Arndt-Eistert hornologation, the optically pure precursor R-amino acid is difficult to prepare. We herein reported a practical protocol to make the trifluorophenyl substituted R-amino acid 4 in 〉99.9% ee and 40.3% yield by the enzymatic resolution employing enantioselective hydrolysis and a general separation procedure. This protocol requires only cheap starting materials and friendly reaction condition. The procedure not only allows people to prepare the drug substance, but also provides an alternative method for prepareing the rare α-amino acid and the subsequent β-amino acid.

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits proliferation of gastric cancer cells through regulating the miR-345-5p/TGM2 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a common gastrointestinal malignancy worldwide.Based on cancer-related mortality,the current prevention and treatment strategies for GC still show poor clinical results.Therefore,it is important to find effective drug treatment targets.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GRA)regulating the miR-345-5p/TGM2 signaling pathway to inhibit the proliferation of GC cells.METHODS CCK-8 assay was used to determine the effect of 18β-GRA on the survival rate of GES-1 cells and AGS and HGC-27 cells.Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,cell migration was detected by a wound healing assay,the effect of 18β-GRA on subcutaneous tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice was investigated,and the cell autophagy level was determined by MDC staining.TMT proteomic analysis was used to detect the differentially expressed autophagy-related proteins in GC cells after 18β-GRA intervention,and then the protein-protein interaction was predicted using STRING(https://string-db.org/).MicroRNAs(miRNAs)transcriptome analysis was used to detect the miRNA differential expression profile,and use miRBase(https://www.mirbase/)and TargetScan(https://www.targetscan.org/)to predict the miRNA and complementary binding sites.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression level of miRNA in 18β-GRA treated cells,and western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy related proteins.Finally,the effect of miR-345-5p on GC cells was verified by mir-345-5p overexpression.RESULTS 18β-GRA could inhibit GC cells viability,promote cell apoptosis,block cell cycle,reduce cell wound healing ability,and inhibit the GC cells growth in vivo.MDC staining results showed that 18β-GRA could promote autophagy in GC cells.By TMT proteomic analysis and miRNAs transcriptome analysis,it was concluded that 18β-GRA could down-regulate TGM2 expression and up-regulate miR-345-5p expression in GC cells.Subsequently,we verified that TGM2 is the target of miR-345-5p,and that overexpression of miR-345-5p significantly inhibited the protein expression level of TGM2.Western blot showed that the expression of autophagy-related proteins of TGM2 and p62 was significantly reduced,and LC3II,ULK1 and AMPK expression was significantly increased in GC cells treated with 18β-GRA.Overexpression of miR-345-5p not only inhibited the expression of TGM2,but also inhibited the proliferation of GC cells by promoting cell apoptosis and arresting cell cycle.CONCLUSION 18β-GRA inhibits the proliferation of GC cells and promotes autophagy by regulating the miR-345-5p/TGM2 signaling pathway.

Novel 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid amide derivatives show dual-acting capabilities for controlling plant bacterial diseases through ROS-mediated antibacterial efficiency and activating plant defense responses

Natural products have long been a crucial source of,or provided inspiration for new agrochemical discovery.Naturally occurring 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid shows broad-spectrum bioactivities and is a potential skeleton for novel drug discovery.To extend the utility of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid for agricultural uses,a series of novel 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid amide derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their antibacterial potency.Notably,compound 5k showed good antibacterial activity in vitro against Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae(Xoo,EC50=3.64 mg L–1),and excellent protective activity(54.68%)against Xoo in vivo.Compound 5k induced excessive production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the tested pathogens,resulting in damaging the bacterial cell envelope.More interestingly,compound 5k could increase the activities of plant defense enzymes including catalase,superoxide dismutase,peroxidase,and phenylalanine ammonia lyase.Taken together,these enjoyable results suggested that designed compounds derived from 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid showed potential for controlling intractable plant bacterial diseases by disturbing the balance of the phytopathogen’s redox system and activating the plant defense system.

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid regulates mitochondrial ribosomal protein L35-associated apoptosis signaling pathways to inhibit proliferation of gastric carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND Gastric carcinoma(GC)is a common gastrointestinal malignancy worldwide.Based on the cancer-related mortality,the current prevention and treatment strategies for GC still show poor clinical results.Therefore,it is important to find effective drug treatment targets.AIM To explore the mechanism by which 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GRA)regulates mitochondrial ribosomal protein L35(MRPL35)related signal proteins to inhibit the proliferation of GC cells.METHODS Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to detect the effects of 18β-GRA on the survival rate of human normal gastric mucosal cell line GES-1 and the proliferation of GC cell lines MGC80-3 and BGC-823.The apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed by flow cytometry.Cell invasion and migration were evaluated by Transwell assay,and cell scratch test was used to detect cell migration.Furthermore,a tumor model was established by hypodermic injection of 2.5×106 BGC-823 cells at the selected positions of BALB/c nude mice to determine the effect of 18β-GRA on GC cell proliferation,and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect MRPL35 expression in the engrafted tumors in mice.We used the term tandem mass tag(TMT)labeling combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to screen for differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)extracted from GC cells and control cells after 18β-GRA intervention.A detailed bioinformatics analysis of these DEPs was performed,including Gene Ontology annotation and enrichment analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis,and so on.Moreover,STRING database(https://string-db.org/)was used to predict proteinprotein interaction(PPI)relationships and Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins of interest in GC cells.RESULTS The results indicated that 18β-GRA could inhibit the proliferation of GC cells in a dose-and timedependent manner.It could induce GC cell apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase.The proportion of cells arrested at S phase decreased with the increase of 18-GRA dose,and the migration and invasiveness of GC cells were inhibited.The results of animal experiments showed that 18β-GRA could inhibit tumor formation in BALB/c nude mice,and qRT-PCR results showed that MRPL35 expression level was significantly reduced in the engrafted tumors in mice.Using TMT technology,609 DEPs,among which 335 were up-regulated and 274 were down-regulated,were identified in 18β-GRA intervention compared with control.We found that the intervention of 18β-GRA in GC cells involved many important biological processes and signaling pathways,such as cellular processes,biological regulation,and TP53 signaling pathway.Notably,after the drug intervention,MRPL35 expression was significantly down-regulated(P=0.000247),TP53 expression was up-regulated(P=0.02676),and BCL2L1 was down-regulated(P=0.01699).Combined with the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database,we analyzed the relationship between MRPL35,TP53,and BCL2L1 signaling proteins,and we found that COPS5,BAX,and BAD proteins can form a PPI network with MRPL35,TP53,and BCL2L1.Western blot analysis confirmed the intervention effect of 18β-GRA on GC cells,MRPL35,TP53,and BCL2L1 showed dose-dependent up/down-regulation,and the expression of COPS5,BAX,and BAD also increased/decreased with the change of 18β-GRA concentration.CONCLUSION 18β-GRA can inhibit the proliferation of GC cells by regulating MRPL35,COPS5,TP53,BCL2L1,BAX,and BAD.

Advances in Research on Anti-cancer Mechanism of 18β Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch has been used to treat the symptoms of organ fever, food poisoning, typhoid fever, sore throat, cough due to lung heat, children's diseases and so on since the ancient times. It is a solid Chinese herbal medicine which is good for the health. In recent years, it has been found that licorice extract also has excellent anti-cancer effect. The 18β glycyrrhetinic acid, obtained by hydrolysis of precursor glycyrrhizic acid, is a relatively efficient anti-cancer ingredient. 18β glycyrrhetinic acid can exert anti-cancer effects by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibiting invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, preventing oxidation, inhibiting neovascularization, inhibiting lymphangiogenesis, and regulating hormone secretion. This paper reviewed the advances in research of the anticancer mechanism of 18β glycyrrhetinic acid, to provide a theoretical basis for future research.

The design and synthesis of a novel organophosphorus compound containing the structure of both β-amino acid and β-aminophosphonate

A novel organophosphorus compound containing the structure of bothβ-amino acid andβ-aminophosphonate is designed and synthesized.Arbuzov reaction with P（OEt）_3,the N-Boc protected iodide 3 cannot provide the desired product but 2-oxazolidinone 4 because of the neighboring-group participation of the Boc moiety.To avoid the intramolecular participation of the carbamates,the Ts protecting group is employed and the Ts-protected iodide 5 affords the target product successfully.

18β- glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells via enhancing level of BMP-7 epigenetically through targeting HDAC2

Cisplatin （CP） , a highly effective and widely used chemotherapeutic agent, has a major limitation for its nephrotoxicity. We recently identified a novel strategy for attenuating its nephrotoxicity in chemotherapy by an ef- fective adjuvant via epigenetic modification through targeting Histone deacetylase 2 （HDAC2）. Glycyrrhizic acid （GA） ,a major active component of Licorice, was described here for its new application. Molecular docking and Surface Plasmon resonance （SPR） assay firstly reported that 18βGA, GA metabolite in vivo, could directly bind to HDAC2 and prevent HDAC2 activation. The effects and mechanisms of GA and its major metabolite 18βGA were assessed in CP-induced acute kidney injury （AKI） in C57BL/6 mice, and in CP-treated HK-2 and mTEC cells lines. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） and flow cytometry （FCM） results confirmed that GA and 18βGA could inhibit apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by CP in vivo and in vitro. Western blot and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the expression of bone morphogenetic protein- 7 （BMP-7） , a protective molecule in renal inflammation, was clearly induced by 18βGA in AKI models while siR- NA BMP-7 could reduce the inhibitory effect of 18βGA on apoptosis. Results of current study indicated that 18βGA inhibited apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells via enhancing level of BMP-7 epigenetically through targeting HDAC2, therefore protecting against CP-induced AKI. These available evidence, which led to an improved under- standing of molecular recognition, suggested that 18βGA could serve as a potential clinical adjuvant in chemothera-

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Some Diorganotin Complexes of N-(3,5-Dibromosalicylidene)-α-amino Acid and their Diphenyltin Dichloride Adducts

The title complexes, R′2Sn(3,5-Br2-2-OC6H2CH=NCHRCOO), and their diphenyltindichloride adduct, R′2Sn(3,5-Br2-2-OC6H2CH=NCHRCOO)?SnPh2Cl2, were synthesized and char-acterized by elemental analysis, IR, H and C NMR and X-ray single crystal diffraction. The 1 13structural features of the compounds were described.

Dietary <i>γ</i>-Aminobutyric Acid Shortens the Life Span of Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Dietary γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) has been suggested to decrease systolic blood pressure. This study aimed to ex-amine the effects of dietary GABA on the life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). In this study, life span was determined for SHRSPs provided 1% NaCl solution or 0.01% GABA in 1% NaCl solution as drinking water. The life span of the GABA-fed group (76.3 ± 1.65 days) was significantly shorter than that of the control group (81.6 ± 0.88 days). The results of this study may not be applicable to humans. Future studies will be necessary to elucidate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon.

A Theoretical Study of <i>β</i>-Amino Acid Conformational Energies and Solvent Effect

The conformations of four β-amino acids in a model peptide environment were investigated using Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) methods in gas phase and with solvation. Initial structures were obtained by varying dihedral angles in increments of 45° in the range 0° - 360°. Stable geometries were optimized at both levels of theory with the correlation consistent double-zeta basis set with polarization functions (cc-pVDZ). The results suggest that solvation generally stabilizes the conformations relative to the gas phase and that intramolecular hydrogen bonding may play an important role in the stability of the conformations. The β3 structures, in which the R-group of the amino acid is located on the carbon atom next to the N-terminus, are somewhat more stable relative to each other than the β2 structures which have the R-group on the carbon next to the carbonyl.