Molecular Cloning of a Preprohormone from Hydra magnipapillata Containing Multiple Copies of Hydra-LWamide (Leu-Trp-NH2) Neuropeptides: Evidence for Processing at Ser and Asn Residues

Abstract: The simple, freshwater polyp Hydra is often used as a model to study development in cnidarians. Recently, a neuropeptide, 2, has been isolated from sea anemones that induces metamorphosis in a hydroid planula larva to become a polyp. Here, we have cloned a preprohormone from Hydra magnipapillata containing 11 (eight different) immature neuropeptide sequences that are structurally related to the metamorphosis-inducing neuropeptide from sea anemones. During the final phase of our cloning experiments, another research team independently isolated and sequenced five of the neuropeptides originally found on the preprohormone. Comparison of these mature neuropeptide structures with the immature neuropeptide sequences on the preprohormone shows that most immature neuropeptide sequences are preceded by Ser or Asn residues, indicating that these residues must be novel processing sites. Thus, the structure of the Hydra prepro-hormone confirms our earlier findings that cnidarian pre-prohormones contain unusual or novel processing sites. Nearly all neuropeptide copies located on the Hydra preprohormone will give rise to mature neuropeptides with a C-terminal Gly-Leu-Trp-NH₂ sequence (the most frequent one being Gly-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Leu-Trp-NH₂; Hydra-LWamide I; three copies). Based on their structural similarities with the metamorphosis-inducing neuropeptide from sea anemones, the mature peptides derived from the Hydra-LWamide preprohormone are potential candidates for being developmentally active neurohormones in Hydra .     

Chemistry of the azine phosphine ligand Z,E-PPh2CH2C(Bu)=N-N=CMe(C6H4NO2-4): crystal structure of [Mo(CO)4{PPh2CH2C(Bu)=N-N=CMe(C6H4NO2-4)}]

Condensation of Z-PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=NNH₂ with 4-nitroacetophenone gave the azine phosphine Z,E-PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4) (I). The corresponding phsophine oxide II was prepared by treatment of I with H₂O₂. The phosphine I with [Mo(CO)₄(nbd)] (nbd=norbornadiene) gave [Mo(CO)₄{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4)}] (1a); the corresponding tungsten 1b and chromium 1c complexes were made similarly. The crystal structure of 1a was determined by X-ray diffraction and showed the presence of a six-membered chelate ring with the bulky 4-nitrophenyl group held close to the metal. Oxidation of 1a with bromine gave the seven-coordinate molybdenum (II) complex 2. Treatment of [PtMe₂(cod)] (cod=cycloocta-1,5-diene) with I at 20°C gave the dimethyl-platinum (II) complex [PtMe₂{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4)}] (3a) which with MeI gave the iodotrimethylplatinum(IV) complex 4. Treatment of 3a with C≡O opened the chelate ring to give the dimethyl(carbonyl)platinum(II) complex 5 containing a monodentate phosphine ligand. When 3a was heated in toluene solution at 110°C it gave the cyclometallated methylplatinum(II) complex [PtMe{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₃NO₂-4)}] (6). Treatment of 6 with MeI gave the platinum(IV) complex 7. The dichloropalladium(II) complex [PdCl₂{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4)}] (3b) was prepared by treatment of [PdCl₂(NCPh)₂] with I in CH₂Cl₂. Treatment of [PtCl₂(NCMe)₂] with 2 equiv. of I gave the trans-bis(phosphine) complex 8. When 2 equiv. of I were treated with [PtCl₂(cod)] followed by NH₄PF₆ this gave the salt 9a containing two six-membered chelate rings; the analogous palladium(II) 9b) salt was also prepared. Treatment of 2 equiv. of I with [PtCl₂(cod)] followed by NH₄PF₆ gave the PF₆ salt 10 containing a six-membered chelate ring and a monodentate ligand. When 10 was treated with AgNO₃ followed by NH₄PF₆ this gave the bis-chelate complex 11 containing five- and six-membered chelate rings. Treatment of [IrCl(CO)₂(p-toluidine)] with I gave the cyclometallated iridium(III) hydride complex [IrHClCO{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₃NO₂-4)}] (12). [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with the phosphine I resulted in the Ru(II) complex 13 in which the ortho hydrogens of the 4-nitrophenyl group are agostically interacting with ruthenium. Proton, Phosphorus-31, some carbon-13 NMR and IR data have been obtained. Crystals of 1a are orthorhombic, space group Pna2₁, with a = 1819.3(2), b = 1050.0(1), c = 1614.8(2) pm and Z = 4; final R = 0.0191 for 2616 observed reflections.     

Neuropeptides in coelenterates: a review

Coelenterate neurones produce peptides containing an Arg-Phe-NH₂(RF-amide)-like carboxyterminus. RF-amide-like peptides are located in neuronal dense-cored vesicles, indicating that they are released by exocytosis and that they might function as neurotransmitters or neurohormones. Using a radioimmunoassay for the sequence RF-amide, 3 peptides were isolated from the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima: < Glu-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH₂(Antho-RF-amide), 2(Antho-RWamide I) and 2(Antho-RW-amide II). The general structure of these peptides can be described as 2, where X is an aromatic amino acid. From the hydromedusa Polyorchis penicillatus, the peptide 2(Pol-RF-amide I) was isolated, which also belongs to the 2 family. Using specific antisera, it was shown that all 4 peptides were located in neurones, many of which were associated with smooth muscle fibres. Application of low doses of Antho-RF-amide or of Antho-RW-amide I and II induced contractions of endodermal muscles of sea anemones. This suggests that these peptides are transmitters or modulators at neuromuscular junctions.     

Identification of multiple urechistachykinin peptides, gene expression, pharmacological activity, and detection using mass spectrometric analyses

Urechistachykinin I and II (Uru-TK I and II) are invertebrate tachykinin-related peptides (TRPs), which have been isolated from echiuroid worms. The cDNA sequence encoding the Uru-TK I and II revealed that the precursor also encoded five TRP-like peptides. Here, we report the characterization of these Uru-TK-like peptides named as Uru-TK III-VII. Northern and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that Uru-TK mRNA is localized in nerve tissue. In addition, the presence of the Uru-TK-like peptides as matured forms in the nerve tissue was detected by mass spectrometric analysis, and identified these peptides were shown to exhibit a contractile activity on cockroach hindgut that was as potent as that of Uru-TK II. Furthermore, synthetic Uru-TK-like peptide analogs which contained Met-NH₂ instead of Arg-NH₂ at their C-termini were shown to possess a potential to bind to a mammalian tachykinin receptor, indicating that Uru-TK-like peptides are likely to correspond to vertebrate tachykinins, except for the difference at the C-terminal residue. These findings show that Uru-TK-like peptides are essentially equivalent to Uru-TK I and II, leading to the proposal that Uru-TK-like peptides play an essential role as invertebrate tachykinin neuropeptides.     

Syntheses and characterization of copper complexes with the ligand 2-aminoethyl(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (apme)

Copper(I)/(II) complexes with the ligand 2-aminoethyl(2-pyridylmethyl)1,2-ethanediamine (apme, abbreviated as PDT in the literature as well) were prepared and characterized. Crystal structures of the copper(I) complexes, [Cu₂(apme)₂]X₂ (1, 2; X = ClO₄, CF₃SO₃), showed that they are dinuclear, in contrast to the trigonal bipyramidal copper(II) complexes [Cu(apme)Cl]BPh₄ (3) and [Cu(apme)(DMF)](BPh₄)₂ (4). 1 and 2 could be investigated in solution by NMR spectroscopy and 3 and 4 by cyclovoltammetry. From the results of these studies it is clear that in solution equilibria between the dinuclear complexes 1/2 and another species exist, most likely the monomeric [Cu(apme)CH₃CN]⁺. Time-resolved UV/vis spectra at low temperatures allowed the spectroscopic detection of dioxygen adduct complexes as reactive intermediates during the oxidation of 1/2 with dioxygen that seem to play an important role in copper enzymes such as peptidylglycine--hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM).     

Angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7) inhibit the inner cortex Na+ -ATPase activity through AT2 receptor

In the present paper, the modulation of the basolateral membrane (BLM) Na⁺-ATPase activity of inner cortex from pig kidney by angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-(1–7)) was evaluated. Ang II and Ang-(1–7) inhibit the Na⁺-ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner (from 10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻⁵ M), with maximal effect obtained at 10⁻⁷ M for both peptides. Pharmacological evidences demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of Ang II and Ang-(1–7) are mediated by AT₂ receptor: The effect of both polypeptides is completely reversed by 10⁻⁸ M PD 123319, a selective AT₂ receptor antagonist, but is not affected by either (10⁻¹²–10⁻⁵ M) losartan or (10⁻¹⁰–10⁻⁷ M) A779, selective antagonists for AT₁ and AT_(1–7) receptors, respectively. The following results suggest that a PTX-insensitive, cholera toxin (CTX)-sensitive G protein/adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)/PKA pathway is involved in this process: (1) the inhibitory effect of both peptides is completely reversed by 10⁻⁹ M guanosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPβS; an inhibitor of the G protein activity), and mimicked by 10⁻¹⁰ M guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS; an activator of the G protein activity); (2) the effects of both peptides are mimicked by CTX but are not affected by PTX; (3) Western blot analysis reveals the presence of the G_s protein in the isolated basolateral membrane fraction; (4) (10⁻¹⁰–10⁻⁶ M) cAMP has a similar and non-additive effect to Ang II and Ang-(1–7); (5) PKA inhibitory peptide abolishes the effects of Ang II and Ang-(1–7); and (6) both angiotensins stimulate PKA activity.     

Isolation of the neuropeptide less than Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Pol-RFamide II) from the hydromedusa Polyorchis penicillatus.

Using a radioimmunoassay for the sequence Arg-Phe-NH2 (RFamide), we have isolated the peptide less than Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Pol-RFamide II) from acetic acid extracts of the hydromedusa Polyorchis penicillatus. This peptide is a neuropeptide and constitutes a peptide family together with less than Glu-Leu-Leu-Gly-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Pol-RFamide I), the first neuropeptide isolated from Polyorchis, and less than Glu-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Antho-RFamide), a neuropeptide isolated from sea anemones and sea pansies.     

Tetrakis-[1-methylimidazoline-2(3H)-thione]-μ2-[1-methylimidazoline- 2(3H)-thione]-Di-Copper(I) sulphate trihydrate: Preparation, thermal analysis and crystal structure

1-emthylimidazoline-2(3H)-thione (mimtH) reacts with copper(II) sulphate pentahydrate in aqueous acetone to produce the dinuclear complex, Cu₂(mimtH)₅SO₄ · 3H₂O; the formula has been established by a combination of chemical and thermal analysis. The monoclinic crystals, (space group P_c, Z = 2), contain dinuclear cations, sulphate ions and water molecules. The dinuclear cation, Cu₂(mimtH)₅²⁺, consists of two trigonal copper(I) atoms, four terminal, monodentate, S-donating mimtH molecules and one S-bridging (μ₂) mimtH molecule. Some average dimensions are:Cu---S, 2.258 Å and S---Cu---S, 120.0°; the Cu---S---Cu bridging angle is 94.8° and the Cu---Cu separation distance is 3.308 Å.     

Mechanistic details for metathetical exchange between XCO (X = O and RN) and the tin(II) dimer, {Sn[N(SiMe3)2] (μ-OBu)}2

Metathetical exchange between carbon dioxide and the tin(II) dimer, {Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂](μ-OBu¹)}₂ (3) has been observed to cleanly produce the two new heteroleptic tin(II) dimers, Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂](μ-OBu^t)₂Sn(OSiMe₃) (6) and [Sn(OSiMe₃)](μ-OBu^t)]₂ (7]). In addition, reaction of 3 with I equiv, of tert-butylisocyanate (8), at 25°C, quantitatively provides 6, and with 2 equiv., quantitatively provides 7. Likewise 6 reacts with 1 equiv, of 8 to quantitatively provide 7. The mechanism for these latter processes has been investigated by low temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy which reveals that metathetical exchange does not involve the tri-coordinate tin(II) centers of the dimeric structures, but rather, it occurs, in each case, via the transient monomeric tin(II) species, Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂](μ-OBu^t) (4), that undergoes metathesis to produce, initially the open dimer intermediate, Sn(OCNBu^t)(OSiMe₃)(μ-OBu^t)Sn(OBu^t) (OSiMe₃) (12), that is observed at −10°C. Subsequent redistribution reactions then generate the final products that are observed. Together, these mechanistic details provide additional support for the ‘monomeric tin(II)’ hypothesis proposed earlier for metathetical exchange between XCO and Sn[N (SiMe₃)₂]₂ (1).     

Inotropic response elicited by nematocyst contents of Hydra oligactis (Coelenterata: Hydrozoa)

1. Intact, isolated nematocysts from the non-toxic, freshwater coelenterate Hydra oligactis contain soluble material(s) capable of producing a sustained increase in the rate of developed force in the vertebrate myocardium. 2. The positive inotropic effects of this material(s) appear grossly comparable to those described for Anthopleurin-A (AP-A) and Toxin II (ATX-II) from sea anemones. 3. The effects of the nematocyst material are distinct from those of known vasoactive peptides reported to occur in Hydra.