Heavy-Light Chain Disulphide Bridge common to γA1 and a Genetic Variant of γA2 Immunoglobulins

IN a genetic, marker^{1, 2} from human γA2 immunoglobulin, it has recently been shown³ that the γA2 proteins belonging to the AM2(+) genetic variant lack the disulphide bond linking the heavy and light chains but that the other variants Am2(?) have the usual characteristics of other immunoglobulins. The fact that twenty out of twenty-two γA2 myeloma proteins (primarily from Caucasians) were Am2(+) explains previous reports that the H—L disulphide bond is absent in the γA2 molecules and that these molecules dissociate in acid. We have, however, found a third γA2 myeloma protein from a Caucasian (Rou) which failed to dissociate in the presence of acid and urea. It was typed by Dr Kunkel as an Am2(?) and the light chains are of the kappa type. The first two Am2(?) immunoglobulins identified³ were lambda type.     

Preparation of fluorescence quenched libraries containing interchain disulphide bonds for studies of protein disulphide isomerases

Protein disulphide isomerase is an enzyme that catalyses disulphide redox reactions in proteins. In this paper, fluorogenic and interchain disulphide bond containing peptide libraries and suitable substrates, useful in the study of protein disulphide isomerase, are described. In order to establish the chemistry required for the generation of a split-synthesis library, two substrates containing an interchain disulphide bond, a fluoroescent probe and a quencher were synthesized. The library consists of a Cys residue flanked by randomized amino acid residues at both sides and the fluoroescent Abz group at the amino terminal. All the 20 natural amino acids except Cys were employed. The library was linked to PEGA‒beads via methionine so that the peptides could be selectively removed from the resin by cleavage with CNBr. A disulphide bridge was formed between the bead‒linked library and a peptide containing the quenching chromophore (Tyr(NO₂)) and Cys(pNpys) activated for reaction with a second thiol. The formation and cleavage of the interchain disulphide bonds in the library were monitored under a fluoroescence microscope. Substrates to investigate the properties of protein disulphide isomerase in solution were also synthesized. © 1998 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antibodies to the Human γ2 Subunit of the γ-Aminobutyric AcidA/Benzodiazepine Receptor

Abstract: A γ-aminobutyric acid_A (GABA_A) receptor (GABA_AR) γ₂ subunit (short form) was cloned from an adult human cerebral cortex cDNA library in bacteriophage λgt11. The 261-bp intracellular loop (IL) located between M3 and M4 was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and inserted into the expression vectors λgt11 and pGEX-3X. Both γ-galactosidase (LacZ) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins containing the γ₂IL were purified, and a rabbit antibody to the LacZ–γ₂IL was made. The antibody reacted with the γ₂IL of both LacZ and GST fusion proteins and immunoprecipitated the GABA_AR/ benzodiazepine receptor (GABA_AR/BZDR) from bovine and rat brain. The antibody reacted in affinity-purified GABA_AR/BZDR immunoblots with a wide peptide band of 44,000–49,000 M_r. Immunoprecipitation studies with the anti-γ₂IL antibody suggest that in the cerebral cortex, 87% of the GABA_ARs with high affinity for benzodiazepines and 70% of the GABA_ARs with high affinity for muscimol contain at least a γ subunit, probably a γ₂. These results indicate that there are [³H]muscimol binding GABA_ARs that do not bind [³H]flunitrazepam with high affinity. Immunoprecipitations with this and other anti-GABA_AR/BZDR antibodies indicate that the most abundant combination of GABA_AR subunits in the cerebral cortex involves α₁, γ₂ (or other γ), and β₂ and/or β₃ subunits. These subunits coexist in >60% of the GABA_AR/BZDRs in the cerebral cortex. The results also show that a considerable proportion (20–25%) of the cerebellar GABA_AR/BZDRs is clonazepam insensitive. At least 74% of these cerebellar receptors, which likely contain α₆, also contain γ₂ (or other γ) subunit(s). The α₁ and β₂ or β₃ subunits are also frequently associated with γ₂ (or other γ) and α₆ in these cerebellar receptors.     

Differential reduction of interchain disulphide bonds of mouse immunoglobulin G

The relative lability of the interchain disulphide bonds of mouse G_2a-myeloma protein 5563 was studied as a function of 2-mercaptoethanol concentration. Analysis of partial-reduction mixtures by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and microdensitometry showed that the disulphide bonds between light and heavy chains are much more susceptible to reduction than the bonds between heavy chains. At a low concentration of 2-mercaptoethanol (10mm) the major dissociable products of mouse immunoglobulin G are heavy-chain dimers and free light chains. These findings contrast with the reported behaviour of rabbit immunoglobulin G, for which the lability of inter-heavy-chain bonds was found to exceed that of the bonds linking light and heavy chains (Hong & Nisonoff, 1965); the relative stability of rabbit immunoglobulin G interchain bonds was confirmed in the present study. Examination of human immunoglobulin G and an immunoglobulin G (γ2) of guinea pig showed that at least in the majority of molecules, as with mouse immunoglobulin G, the disulphide bonds between light and heavy chains are more susceptible to reduction than the inter-heavy-chain bonds.     

Cleavage of human fibroblast type I procollagen by mammalian collagenase: demonstration of amino- and carboxy-terminal extension peptides.

Human skin fibroblasts in monolayer culture synthesize and secrete precursor forms of collagen into the culture medium. The type I collagen precursor, the major precursor in the culture medium, was isolated on DEAE cellulose chromatography and subjected to mammalian collagenase cleavage. The amino terminal cleavage fragments had a higher molecular weight than α1^A and α2^A, but did not contain interchain disulfide bonds. The carboxy-terminal cleavage fragments formed high molecular weight aggregates which contained interchain disulfide bonds. These results indicate that human type I procollagen contains noncollagenous amino and carboxy-terminal extension peptides and that all of the interchain disulfide bonds are on the carboxy-terminal portion of the molecule.     

Unique assignment of inter-subunit association in GABAA α1β3γ2 receptors determined by molecular modeling

Recent publications defined requirements for inter-subunit contacts in a benzodiazepine-sensitive GABA_A receptor (GABA_ARα1β3γ2). There is strong evidence that the heteropentameric receptor contains two α1, two β3, and one γ2 subunit. However, the available data do not distinguish two possibilities: When viewed clockwise from an extracellular viewpoint the subunits could be arranged in either γ2β3α1β3α1 or γ2α1β3α1β3 configurations. Here we use molecular modeling to thread the relevant GABA_AR subunit sequences onto a template of homopentameric subunits in the crystal structure of the acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP). The GABA_A sequences are known to have 15-18% identity with the acetylcholine binding protein and nearly all residues that are conserved within the nAChR family are present in AChBP. The correctly aligned GABA_A sequences were threaded onto the AChBP template in the γ2β3α1β3α1 or γ2α1β3α1β3  arrangements. Only the γ2α1β3α1β3 arrangement satisfied three known criteria: (1) α1 His¹⁰² binds at the γ2 subunit interface in proximity to γ2 residues Thr¹⁴², Phe⁷⁷, and Met¹³⁰; (2) α1 residues 80-100 bind near γ2 residues 91-104; and (3) α1 residues 58-67 bind near the β3 subunit interface. In addition to predicting the most likely inter-subunit arrangement, the model predicts which residues form the GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites.     

Fc and Fab Fragments from IgG<Subscript>2</Subscript> Human Immunoglobulins Characterized

Papain digestion of 7S immunoglobulin G (IgG) produces two 3.5S Fab fragments and one 3.5S Fc fragment^1–8. The Fab fragment contains one light chain and one Fd fragment and is still able to combine specifically univalently with antigen. The Fc fragment is a dimer of the carboxyl terminal half of the heavy chain. Pepsin splits 7S IgG into some small peptides derived from Fc and one 5S F(ab′)₂ fragment, which contains both antigen-binding sites. Based on this information, some investigators^6,7 have postulated that pepsin splits the γ chains at the C-terminal side of the inter-heavy chain disulphide bridges, whereas papain splits at the N-terminal side of the inter-heavy chain disulphide bridges. We report here evidence that this model does not apply to all IgG subclasses. In the case of human IgG₂ subclass myeloma proteins, papain splits initially at the C-terminal side of inter-heavy chain disulphide bridges. We also show that the amino-acid sequence of the Fc fragment of human IgG₂ subclass so far determined has approximately 95% homology with that of human IgG₁ and IgG₄ subclasses reported by others^9–15.     

The disulphide bridges of a mouse immunoglobulin G1 protein

[(35)S]Cystine-labelled immunoglobulin MOPC21 (IgG1) was prepared from myeloma cells in tissue culture. Carrier myeloma protein was added and the protein was digested with pepsin. The digest was fractionated on Sephadex G-50 into two fractions, further digested with trypsin and again fractionated on Sephadex. Disulphide-bridge peptides were purified by electrophoresis and chromatography and identified by radioautography. A peptide of 96 residues was isolated, which contains both the heavy-light interchain disulphide bridge and all the inter-heavy-chain disulphide bridges. Other peptides were isolated, accounting for all the intrachain disulphide bridges (which could be placed by homology with proteins of other species), except for the variable section of the light chain. Sequences describing this missing disulphide bridge were obtained from totally reduced and alkylated light chains. Peptides related to the interchain disulphide-bridge peptide were isolated from partially reduced and alkylated myeloma protein and from totally reduced heavy chain. The interchain disulphide-bridge peptide was placed at the C-terminal position of the F(ab')(2) fragment, prepared by digestion of the protein with pepsin at pH4.0. Sequences from the heavy-chain intrachain disulphide bridges of MOPC 21 immunoglobulin are compared with homologous sequences from mouse myeloma proteins of other subclasses and proteins of other species.     

Functional Coupling of the Gαolf Variant XLGαolf with the Human Adenosine A2A Receptor

A recently identified novel Gα_olf variant, XLGα_olf, is shown to functionally couple to the human adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2AR). In Sf9 cells expressing A_2AR, β1, and γ2, co-expression of XLGα_olf increased NECA-induced [³⁵S]GTPγS binding from approximately 130% to 300% of basal levels. Pharmacological characteristics of A_2AR ligands on these cells were evaluated by using [³H]ZM241385- and [³⁵S]GTPγS- binding assays. The rank order of the equilibrium binding constants (K_d or K_i) of adenosine receptor ligands were [³H]ZM241385 ≈ CGS15943 < MRS1220 < < CV1808 ≈ NECA < CGS21680 ≈ adenosine < IBMECA < HEMADO ≈ CPA ≈ CCPA. The rank order of EC₅₀ values for agonists were CV1808 ≈ NECA < adenosine ≈ CGS26180 < IBMECA < HEMADO ≈ CPA ≈ CCPA. This pharmacology is consistent with the literature for A_2AR and suggests that Sf9 cells co-expressing A_2AR, β1, γ2, and XLGα_olf could serve as a heterologous expression system for A_2AR drug screening.     

The human LT system. I. Physical-chemical heterogeneity of LT molecules released by mitogen activated human lymphocytes in vitro.

Molecules with LT activity which can be identified in supernatants from PHA stimulated human lymphocytes by lysis of murine L-929 cell in vitro are heterogeneous. They can be separated by MW on sephadex or ultrogel columns into four separate classes: (a) complex (>200,000 daltons); (b) α (70–90,000 d); (c) β (25–50,000 d); and (d) γ (10–20,000 d). The amount of activity in a supernatant due to each class varies but is approximately: Cx—5 to 20%, α—40 to 60%, β—20 to 40%, and γ—0 to 10%. These classes differ one from another in their stability and kinetics of appearance in culture. Furthermore, they may aggregate together with the complex class under conditions of low ionic strength. Each class, except γ, can be further separated into subclasses by ion exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Alpha class can be separated on DEAE into the three subclasses, termed, α₁ (rf 0.25), α₂ (rf 0.37), and α₃ (rf 0.50). Alpha₂ subclasses can be further separated on phosphocellulose at pH 6.6 into α_2a (rf 0.37) and α_2b (rf 0.30). However, α₂ contains additional subclasses, which were resolved on PC columns at pH 5.5. Beta class activity can be resolved by DEAE and PAGE into two subclasses, termed β₁ (rf 0.28) and β₂ (rf 0.49). Gamma class activity was not studied, because of its instability. The complex class of LT activity is a macromolecular aggregate greater than 200,000 daltons which appears to contain smaller MW LT class(es). This study demonstrates that materials with LT activity in supernatants from PHA activated human lymphocytes in vitro are very heterogeneous.     

Molecular model of AB5 toxin a subunit translocation into the target cells

AB₅ toxins are pore-forming protein complexes, which destroy eukaryotic target cells through ADP-ribosylation or N-glycosylation of intracellular enzyme complexes by A₁ subunits. In this paradigm, B subunit pentamer interacts with the target-cell receptors and forms a pore in the cell membrane. Then receptor-mediated endocytosis is induced, and A subunit is translocated into the cytosol. In the present article, we propose a new model of A₁ subunit translocation as a globular structure. It is based on those endosome properties that present it as a phospholipid bilayer “ball” with 3D structure as opposed to planar “unfolding-folding” 2D model. Furthermore, the proposed model accounts for membrane phospholipid physical and chemical properties and the activity of membrane-bound K⁺/Na⁺- and H⁺-ATPases. A subunit translocation (together with the B subunit) from the endosome to the cytosol is driven by the proton potential difference generated by H⁺-ATPases. This is followed by the reduction of A₁-A₂ disulphide bond by intracellular enzymes, and subunits B and A₂ return back into the endosome, where they are destroyed by endosomal/lysosomal proteases; the membrane pore is closed. Endosome integrates into the cellular membrane (endosome recycling), and membrane-bound enzymatic complexes (ATPases and others) return back to their initial position. The proposed model of receptor-mediated endocytosis is a universal mechanism of membrane reparation and translocation of effector toxin subunits or any other pore-forming proteins into the target cell.     

Isolation of sea urchin embryo histone H2Aα1 and immunological identification of other stage-specific H2A proteins

H2A_α1, the principal H2A histone synthesized prior to the blastula stage of the sea urchin, was isolated free of other putative H2A subtypes and other histones. Its amino acid composition provides confirmation that H2A_α1 is the H2A protein encoded in the histone gene cluster carried by pCO2. An antibody prepared against this protein cross-reacts strongly with CS2A (a putative H2A synthesized only during the cleavage stage) as well as with H2A_β, H2A_γ, and H2A_δ (putative H2As synthesized principally after the blastula stage) but not with non-H2A core histones or other nuclear proteins. The data support the view that CS2A, H2A_α1, H2A_β, H2A_γ, and H2A_δ are all H2A proteins.     

Human α1β3γ2L gamma‐aminobutyric acid type A receptors: High‐level production and purification in a functional state

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA_ARs) are the most important inhibitory chloride ion channels in the central nervous system and are major targets for a wide variety of drugs. The subunit compositions of GABA_ARs determine their function and pharmacological profile. GABA_ARs are heteropentamers of subunits, and (α1)₂(β3)₂(γ2L)₁ is a common subtype. Biochemical and biophysical studies of GABA_ARs require larger quantities of receptors of defined subunit composition than are currently available. We previously reported high‐level production of active human α1β3 GABA_AR using tetracycline‐inducible stable HEK293 cells. Here we extend the strategy to receptors containing three different subunits. We constructed a stable tetracycline‐inducible HEK293‐TetR cell line expressing human (N)–FLAG–α1β3γ2L–(C)–(GGS)₃GK–1D4 GABA_AR. These cells achieved expression levels of 70–90 pmol [³H]muscimol binding sites/15‐cm plate at a specific activity of 15–30 pmol/mg of membrane protein. Incorporation of the γ2 subunit was confirmed by the ratio of [³H]flunitrazepam to [³H]muscimol binding sites and sensitivity of GABA‐induced currents to benzodiazepines and zinc. The α1β3γ2L GABA_ARs were solubilized in dodecyl‐d ‐maltoside, purified by anti‐FLAG affinity chromatography and reconstituted in CHAPS/asolectin at an overall yield of ～30%. Typical purifications yielded 1.0–1.5 nmoles of [³H]muscimol binding sites/60 plates. Receptors with similar properties could be purified by 1D4 affinity chromatography with lower overall yield. The composition of the purified, reconstituted receptors was confirmed by ligand binding, Western blot, and proteomics. Allosteric interactions between etomidate and [³H]muscimol binding were maintained in the purified state.     

Identification and characterization of the packaging proteins of core 40S hnRNP particles

The proteins involved in protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions to form the core structure of nuclear 40S hnRNP particles in HeLa cells have been identified and characterized. Through complete analysis of nuclear extracts on sucrose density gradients and controlled salt dissociation of particle proteins, six lower molecular weight polypeptides are identified as the protein constituents of the 40S ribonucleoprotein complex which appears in the electron microscope as 210 A spherical particles. 40S hnRNP particles isolated from Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts show a strikingly similar protein composition to the human cells. The proteins are specifically associated with rapidly labeled nonribosomal nuclear RNA. Particle proteins from HeLa cells migrate in polyacrylamide gels as three groups of closely spaced doublets (groups A, B and C) and are present in a simple fixed stoichiometry. The group C proteins (C₁ and C₂ of 42,000 and 44,000 daltons) interact directly with RNA to form a smaller high salt-resistant RNP complex. The group A proteins (A₁ and A₂ of 32,000 and 34,000 daltons) are major nuclear proteins and constitute 60% total particle protein mass. These two proteins are basic with isoelectric points near 9.2 and 8.4, respectively, and are characterized by an unusual amino acid composition, including high glycine (25%) and the unusual modified basic residue identified as N^G,N^G-dimethylarginine. The major particle proteins (A₁ and A₂) interact electrostatically with nucleic acids and apparently function structurally in the packaging and stabilization of hnRNA in a manner analogous to the histones in chromatin υ bodies. The similarity in protein composition of core RNP particles from different cell types (especially in the basic proteins, A₁, A₂ and B₁) is consistent with a conserved particle structure and function in eucaryotes.     

Topiramate attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils via activating GABAergic signaling and inhibiting astrogliosis

Impaired GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of selective neuronal cell death following transient global ischemia. GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR), K⁺-Cl⁻ co-transporter 2 (KCC2), Na⁺-K⁺-Cl⁻ co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) and astrocytes are of particular importance to GABAergic transmission. The present study was designed to explore whether the neuroprotective effect of topiramate (TPM) was linked with the alterations of GABAergic signaling and astrocytes. The bilateral carotid arteries were occluded, and TPM (80 mg/kg/day (divided twice daily), i.p.) was injected into gerbils. At day 1, 3 and 7 post-ischemia, neurological deficit was scored and changes in hippocampal neuronal cell death were evaluated by Nissl staining. The apoptosis-related regulatory proteins (procaspase-3, caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2) and GABAergic signal molecules (GABA_AR α1, GABA_AR γ2, KCC2 and NKCC1) were also detected using western blot assay. In addition, the fluorescent intensity and protein level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a major component of astrocyte, were examined by confocal and immunoblot analysis. Our results showed that TPM treatment significantly decreased neurological deficit scores, attenuated the ischemia-induced neuronal loss and remarkably decreased the expression levels of procaspase-3, caspase-3 as well as the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Besides, treatment with TPM also resulted in the increased protein expressions of GABA_AR α1, GABA_AR γ2 and KCC2 together with the decreased protein level of NKCC1 in gerbils hippocampus. Furthermore, fluorescent intensity and protein level of GFAP were evidently reduced in TPM-treated gerbils. These findings suggest that the therapeutic effect of TPM on global ischemia/reperfusion injury appears to be associated with the enhancement of GABAergic signaling and the inhibition of astrogliosis in gerbils.     

Sodium Valproate Ameliorates Neuronal Apoptosis in a Kainic Acid Model of Epilepsy via Enhancing PKC-Dependent GABA<Subscript>A</Subscript>R γ2 Serine 327 Phosphorylation

GABA is a dominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and A type GABA receptor (GABA_AR) phosphorylation is critical for GABA-mediated inhibitory effect. However, its role in the neuroprotective effect of sodium valproate (VPA), a prevalent drug for treating patients with epilepsy, remains elusive. The present study was conducted to explore the role of GABA_AR phosphorylation in the neuroprotection of VPA against a kainic acid-induced epileptic rat model and the potential molecular mechanisms. Neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay, PI/Annexin V double staining, caspase-3 activity detection and Bax and Bcl-2 proteins expression via Western blot analysis. The primary rat hippocampal neurons were cultivated and cell viability was measured by CCK8 detection following KA- or free Mg²⁺-induced neuronal impairment. Our results found that VPA treatment significantly reduced neuronal apoptosis in the KA-induced rat model (including reductions of TUNEL-positive cells, caspase-3 activity and Bax protein expression, and increase of Bcl-2 protein level). In the in vitro experiments, VPA at the concentration of 1 mM for 24 h also increased cell survival and suppressed cell apoptosis in KA- or no Mg²⁺-induced models via CCK8 assay and PI/Annexin V double staining, respectively. What is more important, the phosphorylation of γ2 subunit at serine 327 residue for GABA_AR was found to be robustly enhanced both in the KA-induced epileptic rat model and neuronal cultures following KA exposure after VPA treatment, while no evident alteration was found in terms of GABA_AR β3 phosphorylation (408 or 409 serine residue). Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) clearly abrogated the neuroprotective potential of VPA against KA- or free Mg²⁺-associated neuronal injury, indicating a critical role of PKC in the effect of GABA_AR γ2 serine 327 phosphorylation in VPA’s protection. In summary, our work reveals that VPA mitigates neuronal apoptosis in KA-triggered epileptic seizures, at least, via augmenting PKC-dependent GABA_AR γ2 phosphorylation at serine 327 residue.     

Bioactive peptides: Solid state,solution and molecular dynamics studies of a cyclolinopeptide A-related cystinyl cyclopentapeptide

The conformational analysis of the disulphide cyclopeptide-related cyclolinopeptide A, has been carried out by solid state methods using x-ray diffraction techniques, in solution by nmr, CD, ir spectroscopies, and by molecular dynamics (MD) analysis. The structure of the monoclinic form, obtained from ethanol (a = 11.303(2) Å, b = 14.467(8) Å, c = 12.355(2) Å, β(°) = 109.40(1), space group P2₁, Z = 2) presents two transannular H bonds with the formation of one type VIa β-turn involving the C ? O of the urethane moiety and the Phe³ NH, and an intramolecular H bond between the C ? O of urethane group and the Phe⁴ NH. In the solid state all the peptide bonds are in the trans configuration with the exception of a cis peptide bond occurring between the Cys¹ and Pro² residues; the linkage S—S assumes right-handed chirality. The conformational study in solution by nmr spectroscopy indicates that the peptide is very flexible and that some conformer families are present at room temperature both in polar and apolar solvents. CD studies confirm that this cyclic system tends to give rise to a complex mixture of quasi-isoenergetic conformations, favored by the flexibility of the disulphide bridge and by the isomerism of the Xxx-Pro bond. MD studies carried out in vacuo and in solution shows that the structure determined by solid state represents a energy minimum. All hydrogen conds found in the crystalline state are correctly reproduced in vacuo and in solution simulations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Alkylation of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding sites in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus

The binding of tritiated 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino)tetralin, or [³H]8-OH-DPAT, to membranes from rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus could be inhibited by serotonin (5-HT) and buspirone, and by the 5-HT antagonists propranolol, NAN-190, pindolol, pindobind-5-HT_1A, WAY100135, spiperone and ritanserin. All competition curves, except for ritanserin, best fitted a two-site model. In vitro treatment of the membranes withN-ethylmaleimide (NEM), to alkylate sulfhydryl groups, caused dose-dependent decreases of binding; the inhibition curves were biphasic, and the effects irreversible. Reduction of disulfide bonds withl-dithiothreitol (L-DTT) also decreased binding, but in a monophasic way; these effects were fully reversible in cortex, but only partially reversible in hippocampus. In the latter region, but not in cerebral cortex, previous occupancy by [³H]8-OH-DPAT partially protected binding from the effects of bothL-DTT and NEM, suggesting that the thiol groups in the receptor recognition site(s) of this brain region are readily accessible. The binding characteristics were examined with the aid of saturation curves, carried out with increasing concentrations, up to 140 nM, of [³H]8-OH-DPAT. The saturation data were suggestive of a two-site receptor model incorporating a high-affinity site (Kh of 0.3–0.5 nM) corresponding to the 5-HT_1A receptor, and a low-affinity site (Kl ofca 25 nM). After in vivo alkylations, carried out by treating rats withN-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-quinoline (EEDQ), the saturation curves from both control and EEDQ-treated rats were again best fitted to a two-site model. For EEDQ-treated animals, a drastic decrease of 5-HT_1A receptor activity was noted; this loss was greater in hippocampus than in cerebral cortex. Since the decrease in 5-HT_1A receptors was not associated with changes in low-affinity binding, the results suggest independent regulations of the two [³H]8-OH-DPAT binding proteins. Altogether, the present data further supports the notion that [³H]8-OH-DPAT, besides labelling 5-HT_1A receptors, also binds to other structures in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Special issue dedicated to Dr. Kinya Kuriyama     

Conformational studies of diastereomeric cyclic enkephalins by 1H-NMR and computer simulations

We report the solid-phase synthesis and conformational analysis of a 14-membered, cyclic enkephalin analog, H? Tyr? c[? D ? A₂bu? Gly? Phe? D ? Leu? ] (where A₂bu represents α,γ-diaminobutyric acid). The results from the guinea pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) assays show that the analog, though active, has little selectivity for the μ or δ opioid receptors. Conformational analysis is carried out using ¹H-nmr and computer simulations, including molecular dynamics and energy minimizations. The results obtained here are compared with the findings of our studies carried out on the μ-receptor-selective diastereomer, H? Tyr? c[? D ? A₂bu? Gly? Phe? Leu? ] [N. Mammi, M. Hassan, and M. Goodman (1985) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 107 , 4008–4013]. This comparison allows for insight into the regiospecificity of these cyclic enkephalin analogs.