Synthesis and thrombolytic activity of pseudopeptides related to fibrinogen fragment

Two kinds of linkers consisting of 3-(S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, ARPAK, GRPAK and QRPAK were synthesized. The thrombolytic activities in vivo indicated that the coupling position of 3-(S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid in the peptides effected on the potencies significantly. When the C-terminal of the peptides was amidated by 3-(S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, the thrombolytic potency of the peptides was enhanced or kept. When the N-terminal of the peptides was acylated by 3-(S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, however, the thrombolytic effect of the peptides was banished. The expected specific beta II'-turn conformation and the stability to trypsin in the pseudopeptides with 3-(S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid in its C-terminal may be responsible for the enhanced thrombolytic potency.     

Synthesis and antithrombotic activity of carbolinecarboxyl RGD sequence

3S-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, RGDS, RGDV, RGDF and their linkers were synthesized. The anti-aggregation and adhesion of platelet indicated that the in vitro activities of the linkers remained at the same level as RGDS, RGDV, and RGDF (p>0.05). The antithrombotic activities in vivo suggested, however, that the potencies of RGDS, RGDV and RGDF were enhanced by the introduction of 3S-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxyl group into their alpha amino group (p<0.05, 0.01 or 0.001).     

Antioxidant effects of tetrahydro-beta-carboline derivatives identified in aged garlic extract

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-beta-carboline derivatives (THbetaCs) are formed through Pictet-Spengler chemical condensation between tryptophan and aldehydes during food production, storage and processing. In the present study, in order to identify the antioxidants in aged garlic extract (AGE), we fractionated it and identified four THbetaCs; 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acids (MTCC) and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (MTCdiC) in both diastereoisomers using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Interestingly, these compounds were not detected in raw garlic, but the contents increased during the natural aging process of garlic. In in vitro assay systems, all of these compounds have shown strong hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. (1S, 3S)-MTCdiC was found to be stronger than the common antioxidant, ascorbic acid. MTCC and MTCdiC inhibited AAPH-induced lipid peroxidation. Both MTCdiCs also inhibited LPS-induced nitrite production from murine macrophages at 10-100 microM. Our data suggest that these compounds are potent antioxidants in AGE, and thus may be useful for prevention of disorders associated with oxidative stress.     

Synthesis of oxytocin antagonists containing conformationally constrained amino acids in position 2

Analogues of oxytocin containing D-Trp, 2-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-1-carboxylic acid (Atc) or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-1-carboxylic acid (Car) with R or S configurations in position 2 were synthetized, and their receptor bindings were tested on isolated guinea-pig uterus, rat liver and rat kidney inner medulla plasma membranes. The peptides were synthetized in the solid phase by using racemates of Car and Atc. The resulting diastereomeric mixtures were separated by means of RP-HPLC. The binding to the oxytocin receptor was somewhat decreased for the Atc isomers and dramatically decreased for both R- and S-Car, while the D-Trp-containing analogue displayed a relatively high receptor affinity. However, the V1 receptor affinities were almost the same as those of the parent peptide for the Car-containing analogues and dramatically decreased for the S-Atc substituted analogue, which has a relatively high OT/V1 receptor selectivity of 44.5.     

Synthesis and receptor binding of oxytocin analogs containing conformationally restricted amino acids

Summary We report the solid-phase synthesis and receptor-binding properties of eleven oxytocin analogs (Mpa-Xxx-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Sar-Arg-Gly-NH₂) containing non-coded amino acids in position 2: D-α- and L-α-(2-indanyl)glycine, R,S-6-methoxy-2-aminotetralin-2-carboxylic acid, D- and L-pentafluorophenylalanine, D,L-2,4-dimethylphenylalanine, D,L-2,4,6-trimethylphenylalanine, R,R- and S,S-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid and R- and S-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid. Some of these amino acid analogs (2-indanylglycine and D-pentafluorophenylalanine) were earlier successfully applied for the synthesis of potent bradykinin antagonists [1, 2]. Their receptor bindings were tested on isolated guinea-pig uterus, rat liver and rat kidney inner medulla plasma membranes. The extent of binding of the peptides to the oxytocin receptor was in several cases was even higher than that of the parent hormone (oxytocin). However, the real pharmacological value of these analogs can be evaluated only afterin vivo measurements of their inhibition of uterine motor activity.     

Occurrence of stereoisomers of 1-(2'-pyrrolidinethione-3'-yl)- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid in fermented radish roots and their different mutagenic properties

Stereoisomers of the tetrahydro-beta-carboline derivative, 1-(2-pyrrolidinethione)-3-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline- 3-carboxylic acid (PTCC), were formed from L-tryptophan with 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, and their mutagenic properties and contents in different types of the radish products were studied. The isomers were identified as (1S*, 3S*, 3R*)- and (1R*, 3S*, 3R*)-PTCCs; the former was found as the major compound but had no mutagenic activity, while the latter was mutagenic toward Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 in the presence of a rat microsomal fraction. Both (1S*, 3S*, 3R*)- and (1R*, 3S*, 3R*)-PTCC were detected in a ratio of about 4:1 in a product fermented for 8 months, but only a trace was apparent in products manufactured within a few weeks.     

2-[3-(2-Thioxopyrrolidin-3-ylidene)methyll-tryptophan,a novel yellow pigment in salted radish roots

The structure of the yellow pigment found in salted radish roots was studied. It was found that 1-(2-thioxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (TPCC) was unstable under neutral pH, and was easily converted into the yellow pigment. The yellow pigment was isolated and identified as 2-[3-(2-thioxopyrrolidin-3-ylidene)methyl]-tryptophan (TPMT) by IR, MS, 1H-, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. In addition, we proved that this compound was the main yellow pigment in salted radish roots. This compound induced no mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100, either with or without prior activation.     

Synthesis and receptor binding of oxytocin analogs containing conformationally restricted amino acids

We report the solid-phase synthesis and receptor-binding properties of eleven oxytocin analogs (Mpa-Xxx-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Sar-Arg-Gly-NH₂) containing non-coded amino acids in position 2: D-- and L--(2-indanyl)glycine, R,S-6-methoxy-2-aminotetralin-2-carboxylic acid, D- and L-pentafluorophenylalanine, D,L-2,4-dimethylphenylalanine, D,L-2,4,6-trimethylphenylalanine, R,R- and S,S-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methyl--carboline-3-carboxylic acid and R- and S-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro--carboline-3-carboxylic acid. Some of these amino acid analogs (2-indanylglycine and D-pentafluorophenylalanine) were earlier successfully applied for the synthesis of potent bradykinin antagonists [1,2]. Their receptor bindings were tested on isolated guinea-pig uterus, rat liver and rat kidney inner medulla plasma membranes. The extent of binding of the peptides to the oxytocin receptor was in several cases was even higher than that of the parent hormone (oxytocin). However, the real pharmacological value of these analogs can be evaluated only after in vivo measurements of their inhibition of uterine motor activity.     

Effect of synthesized constituents in the L-tryptophan product on the differentiation of eosinophils and the induction of IL-6: a possible cause of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

While the pathogenesis of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) remains obscure, the ingestion of L-trypophan (LT) and possibly certain constituents in the LT product might be associated. We investigated the effect of chemically synthesized substances, 1,1'-ethylidene bis[tryptophan] (EBT) and its decomposition product, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA) recently identified in the implicated LT, on the eosinophil differentiation and the induction of IL-1 and IL-6. EBT and MTCA alone did not support colony formation. However, EBT or MTCA in conjunction with IL-2 induced colony-forming activity containing a small number of eosinophils. In addition, these LT constituents induced a significant level of IL-6 but not IL-1 beta in the mononuclear cells from normal volunteers and a patient with hypereosinophilic syndrome. These results suggest that certain constituents of LT product are associated with the pathogenesis of EMS through the induction of colony-stimulating factors and IL-6, hence giving rise to eosinophilia and inflammation.     

Tetrahydro-beta-carboline alkaloids that occur in foods and biological systems act as radical scavengers and antioxidants in the ABTS assay

Tetrahydro- β-carboline alkaloids that occur in foods such as wine, seasonings, vinegar and fruit products (juices, jams) acted as good radical scavengers (hydrogen- or electron donating) in the ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assay, and therefore, they could contribute to the beneficial antioxidant capacity attributed to foods. In contrast, the fully aromatic β-carbolines norharman and harman did not show any radical scavenger activity in the same assay. During the reaction with ABTS^.++ radical cation, tetrahydro- β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid such as 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA) and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- β-carboline-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (MTCA-COOH) were converted to harman, whereas 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (THCA) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- β-carboline-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (THCA-COOH) afforded norharman. These results suggest that food and naturally-occurring tetrahydro- β-carboline alkaloids if accumulated in tissues, as reported elsewhere, might exhibit antioxidant activity.     

Endogenous and dietary indoles: a class of antioxidants and radical scavengers in the ABTS assay

Indoles are very common in the body and diet and participate in many biochemical processes. A total of twenty-nine indoles and analogs were examined for their properties as antioxidants and radical scavengers against 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) ABTS*+ radical cation. With only a few exceptions, indoles reacted nonspecifically and quenched this radical at physiological pH affording ABTS. Indoleamines like tryptamine, serotonin and methoxytryptamine, neurohormones (melatonin), phytohormones (indoleacetic acid and indolepropionic acid), indoleamino acids like L-tryptophan and derivatives (N-acetyltryptophan, L-abrine, tryptophan ethyl ester), indolealcohols (tryptophol and indole-3-carbinol), short peptides containing tryptophan, and tetrahydro-beta-carboline (pyridoindole) alkaloids like the pineal gland compound pinoline, acted as radical scavengers and antioxidants in an ABTS assay-measuring total antioxidant activity. Their trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values ranged from 0.66 to 3.9 mM, usually higher than that for Trolox and ascorbic acid (1 mM). The highest antioxidant values were determined for melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan, trp-trp and 5-methoxytryptamine. Active indole compounds were consumed during the reaction with ABTS*+ and some tetrahydropyrido indoles (e.g. harmaline and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester) afforded the corresponding fully aromatic beta-carbolines (pyridoindoles), that did not scavenge ABTS*+. Radical scavenger activity of indoles against ABTS*+ was higher at physiological pH than at low pH. These results point out to structural compounds with an indole moiety as a class of radical scavengers and antioxidants. This activity could be of biological significance given the physiological concentrations and body distribution of some indoles.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (R)-N-(diarylmethylthio/sulfinyl)ethyl/propyl-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid hydrochlorides as novel GABA uptake inhibitors

A series of new (R)-1-(2-diarylmethylthio/sulfinyl)ethyl-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid hydrochlorides 5a-d/6a-d and (R)-1-(3-diarylmethylthio)propyl-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid hydrochlorides 5'a-d were synthesized and evaluated as gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake inhibitors through cultured cell lines expressing mouse GAT1. Biological screening results demonstrated that the compounds 6a-d with diarylmethylsulfinyl ethyl side chain show more potent GAT1 inhibitory activities than 5a-d/5'a-d with diarylmethylthio ethyl/propyl moieties. Some of them, such as 6a, exhibited excellent inhibitions of [(3)H]-GABA uptake in cultured cells, which is 496-fold higher than (R)-nipecotic acid and 11.5 times less than tiagabine. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships are discussed.     

Appearance of direct-acting mutagenicity of various foodstuffs produced in Japan and Southeast Asia on nitrite treatment

After nitrite treatment, various kinds of pickled vegetables and sun-dried fishes produced in Japan showed direct-acting mutagenicity on Salmonella typhimurium TA100, inducing 1900-18000 revertants/g. Kimchis, sun-dried fishes, sun-dried squid, soy sauces, fish sauces, bean pastes and shrimp paste produced in Korea, the Philippines and Thailand also showed direct-acting mutagenicity after nitrite treatment. All soy sauces and fish sauces tested contained as much tyramine as 17-1020 micrograms/ml, but very low or undetectable amounts of (-)-(1S,3S)- and (-)-(1R,3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acids.     

Interaction of angiotensin I-converting enzyme with two potent tricyclic inhibitors

Inhibition of rabbit lung angiotensin I-converting enzyme was studied with two inhibitors that combined tricyclic mimics of a substrate C-terminal dipeptide recognition unit with a 4-phenylbutanoic acid fragment. The overall inhibition constant for [4S-[4 alpha, 7 alpha(R*),12b beta]]-7-[S-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl) amino]-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,12b-octahydro-6-oxopyrido[2,1-a] [2] benzazepine-4-carboxylic acid (MDL 27,088) was approximately 4 pM, whereas that for [4R-[4 alpha, 7 alpha(S*), 12b beta]]-7-[S-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)amino]-3,4,6,7,8, 12b-hexahydro-6-oxo-1H-[1,4]thiazino[3,4-a] [2]benzazepine-4-carboxylic acid (MDL 27,788) was estimated to be 46 pM. The formation of an initial complex of target enzyme and MDL 27,088 and its slower isomerization to a second complex were characterized kinetically. Both compounds appear to be among the most potent inhibitors known for this enzyme.     

Tetrahydro-β-carboline Alkaloids that Occur in Foods and Biological Systems Act as Radical Scavengers and Antioxidants in the ABTS Assay

Tetrahydro- &#103 -carboline alkaloids that occur in foods such as wine, seasonings, vinegar and fruit products (juices, jams) acted as good radical scavengers (hydrogen- or electron donating) in the ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assay, and therefore, they could contribute to the beneficial antioxidant capacity attributed to foods. In contrast, the fully aromatic &#103 -carbolines norharman and harman did not show any radical scavenger activity in the same assay. During the reaction with ABTS^.++ radical cation, tetrahydro- &#103 -carboline-3-carboxylic acid such as 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- &#103 -carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA) and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- &#103 -carboline-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (MTCA-COOH) were converted to harman, whereas 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- &#103 -carboline-3-carboxylic acid (THCA) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- &#103 -carboline-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (THCA-COOH) afforded norharman. These results suggest that food and naturally-occurring tetrahydro- &#103 -carboline alkaloids if accumulated in tissues, as reported elsewhere, might exhibit antioxidant activity.     

Side reactions in the preparation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid

Summary During a study on the preparation of the conformationally restricted analogue of tryptophan into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid1 by a Pictet-Spengler condensation with formaldehyde, two site products were detected:N-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid2 and a dimer3 of two 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid units linked by a methylene group. Their structures were determined by HPLC-MS and 2D NMR spectroscopy. By changing the isolation procedure, theN-hydroxymethyl compound was removed. Treatment of the mixture with TFA in water converted the dimer into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid1.     

Interaction of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme with Two Potent Tricyclic Inhibitors

Abstract

Inhibition of rabbit lung angiotensin I-converting enzyme was studied with two inhibitors that combined tricyclic mimics of a substrate C-terminal dipeptide recognition unit with a 4-phenylbutanoic acid fragment. The overall inhibition constant for [4S-[4α,7α(R),12bB]]-7–[S-(l-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)amino]-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,12b-octahydro-6-oxopyrido[2,1-a][2]benzazepine-4-carboxylic acid (MDL 27,088) was approximately 4pM, whereas that for [4R-[4α,7α(S),12β]]-7–[S-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)amino]-3,4,6,7,8,12b-hexahydro-6-oxo-1H-[1,4]thiazino[3,4-a][2]benzazepine-4-carboxylic acid (MDL 27,788) was estimated to be 46 pM. The formation of an initial complex of target enzyme and MDL 27,088 and its slower isomerization to a second complex were characterized kinetically. Both compounds appear to be among the most potent inhibitors known for this enzyme.     

The importance of the N-terminal beta-turn in bradykinin antagonists

Three peptides, B-10148 (Lys-1-Lys0-Arg1-Pro2-Hyp3-Gly4-Igl5-Ser6- DF5F7-Oic8; where Hyp is trans-4-hydroxyproline, Igl is alpha-(2-indanyl)glycine, F5F is 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenylalanine and Oic is (3aS,7aS)-octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid), B-10206 (DArg0-Arg1-Pro2-Hyp3-Gly4-Igl5-Ser6-DF 5F7-Nc7G8-Arg9; where Nc7G is N-cycloheptylglycine) and B- 10284 (Arg1-Pro2-Pro3-Gly4-Phe5-Thr6-DTic7-Oic8- NH2; where Tic is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid), were studied in detail by NMR spectroscopy in 60% CD3OH /40% H2O and modeled by a simulated annealing protocol to determine their solution structure. B-10148, an extremely potent BK B1 receptor antagonist with very high BK B2 receptor antagonist activity, despite lacking a C-terminal Arg, displayed an ideal type II beta-turn from Pro2 to Igl5, as well as a salt bridge between the guanidino group of Arg1 and the carboXylate group of Oic8. B-10206, the most potent B2 antagonist, also displayed an ideal type II beta-turn from Pro2 to Igl5 but secondary structure was not observed at the C-terminal end. The third peptide, B-10284, a des-Arg9 analog with a C-terminal amide and a very potent B2 antagonist, had no definite solution structure. The high activity of these peptides emphasizes the importance of the N-terminal beta-turn and the hydrophobic character at the C-terminus in determining the activity of bradykinin antagonists.