Technetium labeling of monoclonal antibodies with functionalized BATOs. 1. TcCl(DMG)3PITC

BATO (boronic acid adduct of technetium dioximes) complexes, TcCl(dioxime)3BR, were prepared in which the boron substituent (R) was the protein-reactive m-phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC). The 99TcCl(dioxime)3PITC complexes [dioxime = dimethylglyoxime (DMG) or cyclohexanedione dioxime (CDO)] were prepared from 99Tc(dioxime)3(mu-OH)SnCl3 and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of 99TcCl(DMG)3PITC was determined. The 99mTc complexes were prepared from 99mTcO4- in a process using a freeze-dried kit, either in a one-step procedure or via 99mTcCl(dioxime)3. Initial labeling studies with 99mTcCl(dioxime)3PITC were performed on glycine and polylysine and, subsequently, on mouse IgG and the B72.3 monoclonal antibody. Covalent attachment of 99mTcCl(DMG)3PITC to B72.3 was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. B72.3 labeled with 99mTcCl(DMG)3PITC displayed high binding to a TAG 72 affinity column and had a distribution in normal mice similar to that reported for iodine-labeled B72.3.     

An unexpected by-product obtained during the preparation of technetium(III) boronic acid adducts of dioximes. The single crystal structure of TcCl(DMG)2(BDI)BEt (DMG=dimethylglyoxime, BDI=butane-2, 3-dione imine-oxime)

An unusual Tc(III) boron-capped imine-oxime complex has been isolated from the reaction of ⁹⁹TcCl₃(CH₃CN)(PPh₃)₂, dimethyl glyoxime (DMG) and ethyl boronic acid (EtB(OH)₂). A single crystal X-ray structure analysis of this molecule ⁹⁹TcCl(DMG)₂(BDI)BEt (BDI=butane-2, 3-dione imine-oxime) shows it to be seven coordinate: TcClC₁₄H₂₅N₆O₅B, a=9.073(2), b=23.686(5), c=19.539(6) Å; β=93.77(2)°, P2₁/n, Z=8. Its structure is very similar to that of previously reported Tc(III) complexes ⁹⁹TcCl(dioxime)₃BR, except that one dioxime ligand on the molecule has been reduced to an imineoxime.     

Comparison of neutral and cationic myocardial perfusion agents: Characteristics of accumulation in cultured cells

Uptake and washout kinetics of two new neutral lipophilic technetium-99m-labeled boronic acid adducts of technetium tris(dioxime) (BATO complexes) were studied in monolayers of contractile chick heart cells and compared to the cationic myocardial perfusion agents, ^99mTc(CNCH₂C(CH₃)₂OCH₃)⁺₆ (Tc-MIBI) and ²⁰¹Tl⁺. ^99mTcCl(CDOH)₂(CDO)(BCH₃), where CDO = cyclohexanedione dioxime (CDO-MeB), had a 7-fold greater net accumulation than Tc-MIBI and the most rapid unidirectional washout with a fast initial phase and a slower secondary component. Incubation with cationic membrane transport inhibitors or metabolic inhibitors had little or modest influence, respectively, on uptake of these BATO complexes. Studies with NIH 3T3 fibroblasts indicated that the neutral complexes did not show myocyte specific accumulation.     

Preparation of peroxidase: antiperoxidase (PAP) complexes for immunohistological labeling of monoclonal antibodies

The production of mouse peroxidase:antiperoxidase (PAP) complexes suitable for immunohistological use in conjunction with monoclonal antibodies is described. Three approaches were explored: 1) production of conventional polyclonal PAP complexes; 2) conversion of rabbit PAP to "pseudo-mouse PAP" by incubation with monoclonal mouse anti-rabbit immunoglobulin; 3) formation of PAP complexes from monoclonal mouse antiperoxidase. PAP complexes prepared by the latter technique gave the best immunohistological labeling reactions, being stable on storage and compatible with a wide range of human monoclonal antibodies. Gel filtration revealed that monoclonal PAP is of lower molecular weight than conventional PAP complexes (fulfilling theoretical predictions based on the monospecificity of monoclonal antibodies).     

Chemical and biological characterization of technetium(I) and Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes with dithioether ligands serving as linkers for coupling the Tc(CO)(3) and Re(CO)(3) moieties to biologically active molecules

The organometallic precursor (NEt(4))(2)[ReBr(3)(CO)(3)] was reacted with bidendate dithioethers (L) of the general formula H(3)C-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-R (R = -CH(2)CH(2)COOH, CH(2)-C&tbd1;CH) and R'-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-R' (R' = CH(3)CH(2)-, CH(3)CH(2)-OH, and CH(2)COOH) in methanol to form stable rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes of the general composition [ReBr(CO)(3)L]. Under these conditions, the functional groups do not participate in the coordination. As a prototypic representative of this type of Re compounds, the propargylic group bearing complex [ReBr(CO(3))(H(3)C-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)C&tbd1;CH)] Re2 was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Its molecular structure exhibits a slightly distorted octahedron with facial coordination of the carbonyl ligands. The potentially tetradentate ligand HO-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-OH was reacted with the trinitrato precursor [Re(NO(3))(3)(CO)(3)](2-) to yield a cationic complex [Re(CO)(3)(HO-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-OH)]NO(3) Re8 which shows the coordination of one hydroxy group. Re8 has been characterized by correct elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Ligand exchange reaction of the carboxylic group bearing ligands H(3)C-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-COOH and HOOC-CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)-COOH with (NEt(4))(2)[ReBr(3)(CO)(3)] in water and with equimolar amounts of NaOH led to complexes in which the bromide is replaced by the carboxylic group. The X-ray structure analysis of the complex [Re(CO)(3)(OOC-CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)-COOH)] Re6 shows the second carboxylic group noncoordinated offering an ideal site for functionalization or coupling a biomolecule. The no-carrier-added preparation of the analogous (99m)Tc(I) carbonyl thioether complexes could be performed using the precursor fac-[(99m)Tc(H(2)O)(3)(CO)(3)](+), with yields up to 90%. The behavior of the chlorine containing (99m)Tc complex [(99m)TcCl(CO)(3)(CH(3)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(3))] Tc1 in aqueous solution at physiological pH value was investigated. In saline, the chromatographically separated compound was stable for at least 120 min. However, in chloride-free aqueous solution, a water-coordinated cationic species Tc1a of the proposed composition [(99m)Tc(H(2)O)(CO)(3)(CH(3)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(3))](+) occurred. The cationic charge of the conversion product was confirmed by capillary electrophoresis. By the introduction of a carboxylic group into the thioether ligand as a third donor group, the conversion could be suppressed and thus the neutrality of the complex preserved. Biodistribution studies in the rat demonstrated for the neutral complexes [(99m)TcCl(CO)(3)(CH(3)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(3))] Tc1 and [(99m)TcCl(CO)(3)(CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)-C&tbd1;CH)] Tc2 a significant initial brain uptake (1.03 +/- 0.25% and 0.78 +/- 0.08% ID/organ at 5 min. p.i.). Challenge experiments with glutathione clearly indicated that no transchelation reaction occurs in vivo.     

N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)methylamine: a new coligand for Tc-99m labeling of hydrazinonicotinamide peptides

Hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC) forms stable coordination complexes with Tc-99m when reacted with Tc(V)oxo species such as Tc-mannitol or other Tc-polyhydric complexes. However, radio-HPLC of [Tc-For-MLFK-HYNIC] labeled via Tc-polyhydric ligands demonstrated multiple radiochemical species each with unique biodistribution patterns. This is likely due to the fact that Tc can bind to the hydrazino moiety, as well as polyhydric ligands, in a variety of coordination geometries. Tridentate ligands, such as bis(mercaptoethyl)methylamine (NS2), may constrain the possible coordination geometries and improve overall stability. To investigate this, we synthesized NS2, converted the [Tc-mannitol-For-MLFK-HYNIC] to the corresponding NS2-containing complex [Tc-NS2-For-MLFK-HYNIC], and compared its infection imaging and biodistribution properties with [Tc-mannitol-For-MLFK-HYNIC]. Conversion to the NS2 complex was confirmed by HPLC which showed a single unique hydrophobic species with retention time greater than the [Tc-mannitol-For-MLFK-HYNIC] complex. Imaging experiments with both preparations were performed in rabbits with E. coli infections in the left thigh. Tissue radioactivity measurements demonstrated that compared to Tc-mannitol-peptide, accumulation of Tc-NS2-peptide was lower in blood, heart, and normal muscle and higher in spleen, infected muscle, and pus (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the Tc-NS2-peptide complex is chemically more homogeneous and exhibits improved infection localization and biodistribution properties. In an effort to model the interactions of the metal-HYNIC core with NS2 and related ligand types, the reactions of [ReCl3(NNC5H4NH)(NHNC5H4N)] and [99TcCl3(NNC5H4NH)(NHNC5H4N)], effective structural analogues for the [M(NNC5H4NH(x))2] core, with NS2, C5H3N-2,6-(CH2SH)2, O(CH2CH2SH)2, and S(CH2CH2SH)2 were investigated and the compounds [M[CH3N(CH2CH2S)2](NNC5H4N)(NHNC5H4N] (M = 99Tc (5a), Re (5b)), [Re[C5H3N-2,6-(CH2S)2](NNC5H4N)(NHNC5H4N)].CH2Cl2.0.5MeOH (7), [Re[SCH2CH2)2O] (NNC5H4N)(NHNC5H4N)] (8), and [Re[(SCH2CH2)2S](NNC5H4NH)(NHNC5H4N)]Cl (9) were isolated. Similarly, the reaction of [ReCl3(NNC5H4NH)(NHNC5H4N)] with the bidentate ligands pyridine-2-methanethiol and 3-(trimethlysilyl)pyridine-2-thiol led to the isolation of [ReCl(C5H4N-2-CH2S) (NNC5H4N)(NHNC5H4N)] (10) and [Re(2-SC5H3N-3-SiMe3)2 (NNC5H4N)(NHNC5H4N)] (11), respectively, while reaction with N-methylimidazole-2-thiol yielded the binuclear complex [Re(OH)Cl(SC3H2N2CH3)2(NNC5H4N)2 (NHNC5H4N)2] (12). The analogous metal-(HYNIC-OH) precursor, [ReCl3[NNC5H3NH(CO2R)] [NHNC5H3N(CO2R)]] (R = H, 13a; R = CH3, 13b) has been prepared and coupled to lysine to provide [RCl3[NNC5H3NH(CONHCH2CH2CH2CH2CH(NH2)CO2H)] [NHNC5H3NH(CONHCH2CH2CH2CH2CH(NH2)CO2H)]].2HCl (14.2HCl), while the reaction of the methyl ester 13b with 2-mercaptopyridine yields [Re(2-SC5H4N)2[NNC5H3N(CO2Me)][NHNC5H3N(CO2Me)]] (15). While the chemical studies confirm the robustness of the M-HYNIC core (M = Tc, Re) and its persistence in ligand substitution reactions at adjacent coordination sites of the metal, the isolation of oligomeric structures and the insolubility of the peptide conjugates of 13, 14, and 15 underscore the difficulty of characterizing these materials on the macroscopic scale, an observation relevant to the persistent concerns with reagent purity and identity on the tracer level.     

Characterization of a bicyclic peptide neuropilin-1 (NP-1) antagonist (EG3287) reveals importance of vascular endothelial growth factor exon 8 for NP-1 binding and role of NP-1 in KDR signaling

Neuropilin-1 (NP-1) is a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor-A165 (VEGF-A165) in endothelial cells. To define the role of NP-1 in the biological functions of VEGF, we developed a specific peptide antagonist of VEGF binding to NP-1 based on the NP-1 binding site located in the exon 7- and 8-encoded VEGF-A165 domain. The bicyclic peptide, EG3287, potently (K(i) 1.2 microM) and effectively (>95% inhibition at 100 microM) inhibited VEGF-A165 binding to porcine aortic endothelial cells expressing NP-1 (PAE/NP-1) and breast carcinoma cells expressing only NP-1 receptors for VEGF-A, but had no effect on binding to PAE/KDR or PAE/Flt-1. Molecular dynamics calculations, a nuclear magnetic resonance structure of EG3287, and determination of stability in media, indicated that it constitutes a stable subdomain very similar to the corresponding region of native VEGF-A165. The C terminus encoded by exon 8 and the three-dimensional structure were both critical for EG3287 inhibition of NP-1 binding, whereas modifications at the N terminus had little effect. Although EG3287 had no direct effect on VEGF-A165 binding to KDR receptors, it inhibited cross-linking of VEGF-A165 to KDR in human umbilical vein endothelial cells co-expressing NP-1, and inhibited stimulation of KDR and PLC-gamma tyrosine phosphorylation, activation of ERKs1/2 and prostanoid production. These findings characterize the first specific antagonist of VEGF-A165 binding to NP-1 and demonstrate that NP-1 is essential for optimum KDR activation and intracellular signaling. The results also identify a key role for the C-terminal exon 8 domain in VEGF-A165 binding to NP-1.     

Evidence of the formation of direct covalent adducts of primaquine, 2-tert-butylprimaquine (NP-96) and monohydroxy metabolite of NP-96 with glutathione and N-acetylcysteine

2-tert-Butylprimaquine (NP-96) is a novel quinoline anti-malarial compound with superior therapeutic profile than primaquine (PQ). Moreover, it is the first 8-aminoquinoline that is established to be devoid of methemoglobin toxicity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate covalent adduct formation tendency of PQ, NP-96 and their phase I metabolites with glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine (NAc). For the same, the two compounds were incubated in human and rat liver microsomes in the presence of trapping agents and NADPH. In a control set, NADPH was excluded, while a blank was also studied that was devoid of both NADPH and microsomes. The components in the reaction mixtures were initially separated on a C-18 column (250 mm×4.6mm, 5 μm) using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate in a gradient mode. The samples were then subjected to LC-MS(n) and LC-HR-MS analyses, and data were collected in full scan MS, data dependent MS/MS, targeted MS/MS, neutral loss scan (NLS) and accurate mass (MS/TOF) modes. In a significant finding, both PQ and NP-96 themselves showed potential to bind covalently with GSH and NAc, as adducts were observed even in the control and blank incubations. Intense peaks corresponding to covalent adduct of mono-hydroxy metabolite of NP-96 with GSH and NAc were also detected in NADPH supplemented reaction solution.     

Novel oxorhenium and oxotechnetium MO(NS)(S)2 complexes in the development of 5-HT1A receptor imaging agents

The [NS][S](2) mixed-ligand system was applied to synthesize oxorhenium and oxotechnetium complexes of the general formula MO(o-CH(3)OC(6)H(4)N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)S)(p-CH(3)C(6)H(4)S)(2) (M=Re in 1, M=(99)Tc in 2, and M=(99m)Tc in 3). The bidentate [NS] ligand includes the 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine moiety which is a fragment of the true 5-HT(1A) antagonist WAY 100635. The oxorhenium complex 1 was prepared by a ligand exchange reaction using ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2) as precursor while [Bu(4)N][(99)TcOCl(4)] and (99)Tc-gluconate were used as precursors in the synthesis of the oxotechnetium-99 complex 2. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Crystallographic analysis of 1 showed that the rhenium coordination geometry is trigonal bipyramidal. The basal plane of the trigonal bipyramid is defined by the oxo group and two sulphur atoms, one belonging to the [NS] ligand and the other to an aromatic thiol, while the apical positions are occupied by the nitrogen of the [NS] ligand and the sulphur of the second aromatic thiol. The oxotechnetium-99 complex 2 has almost identical unit cell parameters to those of the oxorhenium complex 1 indicating, in combination with the other analytical data, that the complexes are isostructural. The binding affinity of the oxorhenium complex 1 for the 5-HT(1A) receptor subtype was determined in rat brain hippocampal preparations (IC(50)=106 nM). The oxotechnetium-99m complex 3 was prepared by a ligand exchange reaction using (99m)Tc-glucoheptonate as the precursor. Its structure was established by comparative HPLC studies using the oxotechnetium-99 complex 2 as a reference. Complex 3 was administered by intravenous injection in rats. At 2 min post injection, 0.153% of the injected dose per gram of tissue was measured in rat brain.     

Synthesis and characterization of defensin NP-1.

Defensins are a group of small, cationic, antimicrobial proteins found in the cytoplasmic granules of neutrophils and macrophages of a variety of mammalian species. One such defensin, NP-1, isolated from rabbit neutrophils, has been shown to consist of 33 amino acids rich in arginine and cysteine residues. We have synthesized NP-1 on an Applied Biosystems Model 431A peptide synthesizer using FastMoc chemistry involving HBtu [2-1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate] activation for coupling amino acids. The linear peptide was folded by air oxidation to the biologically active form containing three disulfide bonds and purified by reverse phase chromatography. The amino acid sequence of the synthetic peptide was confirmed by Edman degradation. Molecular weight determination by plasma desorption mass spectroscopy (PDMS) gave a value of 3898.6, in agreement with the expected molecular weight of 3898. The biological activity of the synthetic peptide, as measured by its antifungal activity against several pathogenic fungi, was indistinguishable from that of the natural NP-1. Also, the CD spectrum was equivalent to that of natural NP-1, indicating conformational identity of the two species.     

Preparation and properties of 99mTc(CO)3+-labeled N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4-aminobutyric acid

Labeling biomolecules with (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+) ((99m)Tc tricarbonyl) is attracting increasing attention. Although histidine is often considered an ideal bifunctional chelator for (99m)Tc (or (188)Re) tricarbonyl, the family of dipicolylamine carboxylate chelators may be a useful alternative because of the expected ease of synthesis and because the structure provides a pendent carboxylate for potential conjugation to biomolecules. The dipicolylamine chelator N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4-aminobutyric acid (BPABA) was synthesized using 4-aminobutyric acid in place of glycine or aminopropionic acid in the literature, to avoid possible involvement of the carboxylate in the complex formation process by forming five- or six-membered chelation rings. Using a commercial tricarbonyl kit (Mallinckrodt), the complex formation properties of both BPABA and commercial histidine with (99m)Tc tricarbonyl were investigated, and the in vitro complex stabilities in saline and in serum were compared. Stability in vivo was also examined following i.v. administration to normal mice. BPABA was synthesized simply and quantitatively by reacting picolyl chloride with aminobutyric acid in one step. On RP HPLC, the product eluted essentially in one peak and the structure was confirmed by ESI-MS. After labeling, both BPABA and histidine were shown by RP HPLC to form tricarbonyl complexes. In both cases, after incubation at 100 degrees C for 20 min, only one predominant peak of (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-histidine or (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-BPABA was apparent, and both complexes were stable at room temperature in saline for at least 24 h. After incubation for 24 h in 37 degrees C serum, by SE HPLC, 20% of the (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-histidine was bound to serum protein compared to less than 10% for (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-BPABA. A 5000 molar excess of histidine at 100 degrees C for 6 h was unable to dissociate (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-BPABA. By contrast, BPABA easily dissociated (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-histidine under the same conditions. Both complexes were stable in vivo in mice, and (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-BPABA showed rapid and specific hepatobiliary clearance while (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-histidine was cleared through the kidneys. In conclusion, BPABA was easily synthesized and was shown to possess properties comparable to histidine for labeling of biomolecules with (99m)Tc tricarbonyl. However, it was found that the chelator concentration required for quantitative (99m)Tc tricarbonyl labeling with both BPABA and histidine were 2 orders higher than that required with more conventional labeling using MAG(3). Finally, the complex (99m)Tc(CO)(3)(+)-BPABA itself was found to clear exclusively via the hepatobiliary pathway and may have value as a potential hepatobiliary imaging agent.     

Establishment of a new system for determination of coreceptor usages of HIV based on the human glioma NP-2 cell line.

CD4 and one of the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the cell surface function as a receptor and a coreceptor, respectively, in infection of cells with human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV/SIV). To determine which GPCRs can be coreceptors for HIV (HIV-1 and HIV-2) or SIV infection, several cell lines, including human osteosarcoma HOS-T4 cells and human glioma U87/CD4 cells, have been used. However, these cells often show susceptibilities to some HIV or SIV strains before transduction of GPCRs. The results of this study showed that a CD4-transduced human glioma cell line, NP-2/CD4, a human erythroleukemia cell line, K562/CD4, and a human ovarian cancer cell line, TYK/CD4, were completely resistant to the HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains tested. After transduction of several GPCRs into NP-2/CD4, K562/CD4, or TYK/CD4 cells, NP-2/CD4 cells but not K562/CD4 or TYK/CD4 cells mostly showed expected susceptibilities to several HIV strains. Therefore, an NP-2 cell system would be useful to determine the coreceptor usage of HIV isolates, to find a new coreceptor for HIV/SIV, and to analyze the early stages of HIV/SIV infection.     

Serologic aspects of IgG4 antibodies. II. IgG4 antibodies form small, nonprecipitating immune complexes due to functional monovalency

Human IgG4 antibodies directed against phospholipase A, the P1 antigen from Dermatophago?des pteronyssinus extracts, and cat albumin were found unable to cross-link antigen. Previously, it was demonstrated that IgG4 antibodies, in contrast to IgG1 antibodies, did not cross-link Sepharose-bound antigen and antigen added in solution. To eliminate the possibility that this phenomenon was caused by preferential binding of both IgG4 Fab fragments to the solid-phase-bound antigen, cross-linking of antigen was studied in a fluid-phase system. In this test, incapability of IgG4 antibodies to bridge two antigens was also found. As a result of such a phenomenon, it is expected that immune complexes formed by IgG4 antibodies will be considerably smaller than complexes formed by IgG1. This was confirmed by analysis of the molecular size profiles of IgG1- and IgG4-containing immune complexes in sucrose-density gradients. Moreover, IgG1 was able to precipitate antigen in a radioimmunoprecipitation test, whereas precipitation was not demonstrable by the same amount of IgG4 antibodies. Even 3% polyethylene glycol 8,000 did not precipitate the small IgG4-containing immune complexes efficiently. The antibodies studied were of a high-affinity type, and there was no significant difference in association constants between IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies. Therefore, we were not able to confirm observations reported in the literature that the IgG4 subclass is associated with a low-affinity antibody response; probably, the affinity of the IgG4 antibodies was underestimated by other investigators because of the polyethylene glycol precipitation technique used to separate antibody-bound and free antigen. Our findings stress the point that IgG4 antibodies take a special place in the immune response upon chronic exposure to antigen.     

Structure and dynamics of the neutrophil defensins NP-2, NP-5, and HNP-1: NMR studies of amide hydrogen exchange kinetics

The exchange kinetics for the slowly exchanging amide hydrogens in three defensins, rabbit NP-2, rabbit NP-5, and human HNP-1, have been measured over a range of pH at 25°C using 1D and 2D NMR methods. These NHs have exchange rates 10² to 10⁵ times slower than rates from unstructured model peptides. The observed distribution of exchange rates under these conditions can be rationalized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding of the individual NHs, solvent accessibility of the NHs, and local fluctuations in structure. The temperature dependencies of NH chemical shifts (NH temperature coefficients) were measured for the defensins and these values are consistent with the defensin structure. A comparison is made between NH exchange kinetics, NH solvent accessibility, and NH temperature coefficients of the defensins and other globular proteins. Titration of the histidine side chain in NP-2 was examined and the results are mapped to the three-dimensional structure. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

NMR studies of defensin antimicrobial peptides. 1. Resonance assignment and secondary structure determination of rabbit NP-2 and human HNP-1.

Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to make resonance assignments of the proton spectra of two defensin antimicrobial peptides, human neutrophil peptide HNP-1 and rabbit neutrophil peptide NP-2. The secondary structures of these peptides were determined from analysis of the proton-proton NOEs and from the positions of slowly exchanging amide protons. Both peptides contain a long stretch of a double-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet in a hairpin conformation that contains a beta-bulge, a short region of triple-stranded beta-sheet, and several tight turns. The NMR results clearly show that HNP-1 forms a dimer or higher order aggregate in solution and that Pro8 exists as a cis peptide bond. The NMR data on these peptides are compared with NMR data for a homologous peptide NP-5 [Bach, A. C., Selsted, M. E., & Pardi, A. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 4389-4397]. Analysis of the conformation-dependent proton chemical shifts shows that it is not possible to confidently judge the structural similarity of the three defensins from chemical shift data alone. However, comparison of the 3JHN alpha coupling constants in NP-2 and NP-5 indicates that the backbone conformations for these peptides are very similar. A more detailed comparison of the solution conformations of the defensins peptides is made in the following paper in this issue where the NMR data are used as input for distance geometry and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the three-dimensional structures of HNP-1 and NP-2.     

M-S vibrational study in three-coordinate thiolato compounds (NEt4)2[M(SC6H4-p-X)3] and (NEt4)

By using p-substituted benzenethiolate ligands, the novel three-coordinate copper(I) and silver(I) thiolato complexes (NEt4)2[Cu(SC6H4-p-X)3] (X=Cl (1) and Br (2)), (NEt4)2[Ag(SC6H4-p-X)3] (X=Cl (3) and Br (4)) and novel clusters (NEt4)2[M4(mu-SC6H4-p-Cl)6] (M=Cu (5) and Ag(6)) have been prepared and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All the complexes have three-coordinate sites having point-group D3h symmetry. The three-coordinate mononuclear silver(I) complexes 3 and 4 are the first examples. The M-S stretching bands were determined by far-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopies; nu(Cu-S) 363-372 cm(-1) and nu(Ag-S) 353-363 cm(-1). These results indicate that M-S stretching vibration energy in the three-coordinate metal(I) site of the mononuclear compounds or clusters is around 340-380 cm(-1), and it is a useful tool for determining their coordination modes.     

兔防御素NP-1基因在转基因番茄中表达的初步研究

兔防御素ＮＰ－１是α－防御素的一种,含３３个氨基酸残基。最初从兔子的多形核嗜中性细胞中分离出来。它对革兰氏阴性菌、革兰氏阳性菌、分枝杆菌、真菌、被膜病毒以及ＨＩＶ病毒都有不同程度的抑制作用。兔防御素ＮＰ－１所带阳离子较多,可抗不具代谢活性的靶细胞。实验中将兔防御素ＮＰ－１基因构建到植物表达载体中,通过根瘤农杆菌介导转入番茄,得到了转基因番茄植株。对转基因番茄植株进行了ＰＣＲ、Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｍ杂交、Ｎ     

Preparation and biological characterization of isomeric 188Re(V) oxocomplexes with tetradentate S4 ligands derived from meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid for labeling of biomolecules

A new type of tetradentate S4 ligand has been synthesized by bridging two molecules of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid for stable binding and easy conjugation of rhenium-188 to tumor targeting structures. The stereoisomeric tetrathiolato S4 ligands form very robust anionic five-coordinated oxorhenium(V) and oxotechnetium(V) complexes. Two routes for the preparation of the (188)Re(V) oxocomplexes with (iBu)2N(O)C-C(SH)C(SH)C(O)NH(CH2)3NH(CH2)3NHC(O)C(SH)C(SH)C(O)N(iBu)2 (ligand 1) and its hydrophilic crown ether derivative (ligand 2) were tested and optimized. Several isomers were separated by HPLC from the preparation solutions and characterized in vitro and in vivo. The identity of the species obtained was determined by comparison with the HPLC profiles of reference (185/187)Re analogues and (99/99m)Tc complexes which were characterized by ESI-MS. All of them were absolutely stable in rat and human plasma solutions. Challenge experiments with cysteine corroborated the high inertness of the isomers toward ligand exchange reactions. Various in vivo samples, taken off at different times from blood, intestine, and urine of rats, confirmed the high in vivo stability of the (188)Re-S4 complexes. Biodistribution studies using male Wistar rats were performed and exhibited a high uptake and fast clearance from the liver of the more lipophilic cis and trans isomers of complex I (log P(o/w) between 1.5 and 1.7), whereas the isomers of the hydrophilic complex II (log P(o/w) about -1.75) were rapidly excreted via the renal and the hepatobiliary pathway. The low level of activity in the stomach confirms good in vivo stability. Thus, these new (188)Re-S4 complexes fulfill the requirements for a stable and high specific activity labeling of biomolecules with rhenium-188.     

通过农杆菌介导法将兔防御素NP-1基因导入毛白杨(P.tomentosa)

采用叶盘法将兔防御素NP－1基因导入毛白杨后,经PCR分析、Southern杂交检测与筛选获得了转基因植株。并经体外抑菌实验表明,转NP－1基因毛白杨植株组织提取物对某些微生物的生长具有明显的抑制作用。     

The suppression of the synthesis of a nuclear protein in cells blocked in G2 phase: identification of NP-170 as topoisomerase II.

Previous studies of a nuclear protein of molecular weight 170 kDa (NP-170) have shown it to have two interesting properties. First, NP-170 synthesis began in mid- to late S phase and became maximal in G2 phase. Second, the synthesis of NP-170 was suppressed in cells blocked in G2 phase following irradiation with 6.8 Gy (J. M. Holland et al., Radiat. Res. 122, 197-208, 1990). The molecular weight of NP-170 is the same as that of Topoisomerase II (Topo II), an enzyme involved in the alteration of DNA supercoiling status with a double-strand passing function. This study was undertaken to determine whether NP-170 could be Topo II. The results from the present study show that both the proteins have identical cell cycle synthesis patterns. The synthesis of both these proteins is suppressed following irradiation. NP-170 was found to be recognized by a Topo II antibody in both Western blots and immunoprecipitation. This study characterizes NP-170 as Topo II.