The structural-functional organisation of natural peptides

The principles of the structural and structural-functional organisation of the molecules of natural oligopepetides are discussed. The approach to the investigation of the biological activity of peptide hormones directed from structure to function is discussed in general terms and in relation to angiotensin II. It is shown that the polyfunctionality of peptides arises from their ability to exist in a series of conformational states under physiological conditions. A separate function of the peptide is achieved by means of a conformation characteristic of only this function among the conformations most preferred for the free molecule. The method of specific construction of artificial analogues, the steric structure of which corresponds to the set of low-energy physiologically active conformational states of the natural hormone, is examined. The bibliography includes 104 references.