Effects of cod bradykinin and its analogs on vascular and intestinal smooth muscle of the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua.

The effects of [Arg(0),Trp(5),Leu(8)]-BK (cod [Arg(0)]BK) on vascular preparations from branches of the cod celiac artery and on longitudinal smooth muscle preparations from the cod intestine were investigated. Cod [Arg(0)]BK (3 x 10(-8) M) caused a relaxation of the celiac artery precontracted with adrenaline. The relaxation was abolished by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, suggesting that the effect is mediated through the release of prostaglandins, but there was no evidence for the involvement of leukotrienes or nitric oxide in the response. In the intestinal preparations, cod [Arg(0)]BK produced concentration-dependent contractions (pD(2) = 8.28 +/- 0.16). Experiments with N-terminally and C-terminally truncated analogs and with alanine-substituted analogs of cod [Arg(0)]BK demonstrate that the central amino acid Gly(4) and the C-terminal amino acids Leu(8) and Arg(9) are the most important in determining the conformation of the peptide that interacts with the receptor. The results indicate that the ligand binding properties of the cod BK receptor are considerably different from the receptor present in trout tissues and may resemble those of the mammalian B(2) receptor more closely.     

Antidipsogenic effects of eel bradykinins in the eel Anguilla japonica

A peptide with bradykinin (BK)-like immunoreactivity was isolated from an incubate of heat-denatured eel plasma with porcine pancreatic kallikrein. The purified peptide had the following amino acid sequence: Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Ser-Trp-Pro-Leu-Arg. This decapeptide, named eel [Arg(0)]BK, was identical to two previously identified BK homologs from cod and trout. High conservation of the BK sequence among distant teleost species suggests an important function in this vertebrate group. Bolus intra-arterial injections of eel [Arg(0)]BK, BK, and [Arg(0)]-des-Arg(9)-BK (1-10 nmol/kg) caused significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of drinking in seawater-adapted eels. The potency of the inhibition was ranked in the following order: [Arg(0)]BK > [Arg(0)]-des-Arg(9)-BK = BK. The BK peptides also produced an immediate, transient increase followed by a sustained increase in arterial blood pressure and an initial decrease followed by an increase in heart rate. Strong tachyphylaxis occurred for the cardiovascular effect but not for the antidipsogenic effect. The order of the potency of the cardiovascular actions, [Arg(0)]BK > BK > [Arg(0)]-des-Arg(9)-BK, was different from that of the antidipsogenic action. Slow infusions of eel [Arg(0)]BK in the dose range 1-1,000 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1) produced concentration-dependent inhibition of drinking without changes in arterial pressure, plasma osmolality, and hematocrit. At the infusion rate of >100 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1), plasma concentrations of angiotensin II, a potent dipsogenic hormone in eels, increased, suggesting an interaction of the kallikrein-kinin and renin-angiotensin systems. In mammals, BK is dipsogenic and vasodepressor, so that our data demonstrate opposite effects on fluid and cardiovascular regulation of BK in the eel and suggest a new physiological role for the kallikrein-kinin system in teleost fish.     

Characterization of bradykinin receptors in a human osteoblastic cell line.

Bradykinin receptor subtypes linked to prostaglandin release have been assessed in a human osteosarcoma cell line with osteoblastic phenotype (MG-63). Bradykinin (BK; 1 micromol/l) caused a burst of prostaglandin E(2) release that was maximal at 10 min. When the effect on the burst of PGE(2) and PGI(2) release by a variety of kinins and kinin analogues was assessed, the following rank order of response was found: Lys-BK>BK> or =Met-Lys-BK>Ile-Ser-BK>[Tyr(8)]-BK> or =[Hyp(3)]-BK>des-Arg(9)-BK=des-Arg(10)-Lys-BK=des-Arg(1)-BK, [Thi(5,8),D-Phe(7)]-BK=Sar-[D-Phe(8)]-des-Arg(9)-BK=Tyr-Gly-Lys-Aca-Lys-des-Arg(9)-BK. The rapid effect of BK on PGE(2) and PGI(2) release was unaffected by des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]-BK, des-Arg(10)-[Leu(9)]-Lys-BK and des-Arg(10)-[Hoe 140], but strongly inhibited by Hoe 140 in a concentration-dependent manner. When the incubation time was extended to 48 h, it was found that des-Arg(9)-BK and des-Arg(10)-Lys-BK caused a delayed enhancement of the formation of PGE(2). When PGE(2) formation was assessed in 24-h experiments, the following rank order of response was obtained: Tyr-Gly-Lys-Aca-Lys-des-Arg(9)-BK>BK=Lys-BK>des-Arg(10)-Lys-BK>Sar[D-Phe(8)]-des-Arg(9)-BK>des-Arg(9)-BK. The stimulatory effect of BK at 24 h was unaffected by des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]-BK, des-Arg(10)-[Leu(9)]-Lys-BK and des-Arg(10)-[Hoe 140] but inhibited by Hoe 140. The stimulatory effect of des-Arg(10)-Lys-BK in 24-h experiments was inhibited by des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]-BK, des-Arg(10)-[Leu(9)]-Lys-BK and des-Arg(10)-[Hoe 140]. Similarly, the stimulatory effects of Sar[D-Phe(8)]-des-Arg(9)-BK and Tyr-Gly-Lys-Aca-Lys-des-Arg(9)-BK was inhibited by des-Arg(10)-[Hoe 140].The following rank order of response was seen for inhibition of [3H]-BK binding to MG-63 cells: Lys-BK=BK=Hoe 140>des-Arg(10)-Hoe 140=des-Arg(10)-Lys-BK=des-Arg(9)-BK=Tyr-Gly-Lys-Aca-Lys-des-Arg(9)-BK. Using [3H]-des-Arg(10)-Lys-BK, the following rank order of response for inhibition of binding was seen: des-Arg(10)-Lys-BK=Tyr-Gly-Lys-Aca-Lys-des-Arg(9)-BK>des-Arg(10)-Hoe 140>des-Arg(9)-BK=Lys-BK=BK=Hoe 140. MG-63 cells expressed mRNAs for BK B1 and B2 receptors, as assessed by RT-PCR.These data indicate that the human osteoblastic osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 is equipped with functional BK receptors of both B1 and B2 receptor subtypes. The B2 receptors are linked to a burst of prostanoid release, whereas the B1 receptors mediate a delayed prostaglandin response, indicating that the two receptor subtypes are linked to different signal transducing mechanisms or that the molecular mechanisms involved in prostaglandin release are different.     

Metabolism of bradykinin analogs by angiotensin I converting enzyme and carboxypeptidase N.

Bradykinin (BK) analogs such as Lys-Lys-BK, des-Arg9-BK and [Leu8]des-Arg9-BK were poor substrates for angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), and analogs containing D-Phe7 residues, or a pseudopeptide C-terminal bond, were completely resistant. However, many of these analogs were metabolized by carboxypeptidase N (CPN) including Lys-Lys-BK, [Tyr8(OMe)]BK and D-Phe7-containing analogs, with Km and Vmax values comparable to those for BK. The only analogs completely resistant to both ACE and CPN were the B2 agonist [Phe8 psi(CH2NH)Arg9]BK, the B2 agonist D-Arg[Hyp3,D-Phe7,Phe8 psi(CH2NH)Arg9]BK, and the B1 agonist [D-Phe8]des-Arg9-BK. These data indicate an important role for plasma CPN and vascular CPN-like activity in the metabolism of the widely used ACE-resistant/D-Phe7-containing antagonists of B2 kinin receptors.     

Identification of B2 bradykinin binding sites in the guinea pig nasal turbinate

Specific high affinity BK binding sites in the nasal turbinate of the guinea pig have been demonstrated. Specific [3H]BK binding (10-330 pM) was saturable, and nonlinear least squares analysis indicated the presence of a high affinity binding site with a Kd value of 60 (50-78) pM and a Bmax value of 13.1 = 2.0 fmol/mg protein. In inhibition experiments, D-Phe7-BK (a B2 antagonist) inhibited [3H]BK binding with a Ki value of 23 nM, while des-Arg9[Leu8]-BK (a B1 antagonist) had no effect up to a concentration of 10 microM. These studies indicate the presence of B2 BK receptors in the guinea pig nasal turbinate.     

The dog common carotid artery: a sensitive bioassay for studying vasodilator effects of substance P and of kinins

In order to develop a sensitive pharmacological preparation which would allow the measurement of the inhibitory effects of kinins and substance P (SP) in vascular smooth muscles, several large arteries of the dog were studied in vitro. The common carotid artery was found to be one of the most sensitive preparations to SP and kinins. When contracted with low concentrations of noradrenaline (between 3.0 x 10(-8) and 3.0 x 10(-7) M), this artery responds to SP (6.5 x 10(-11)-6.5 x 10(-9) M) and bradykinin (BK) (8.1 x 10(-11)-9.1 x 10(-8) M) with relaxations that are proportional to the concentrations of the two peptides. SP and BK appear to exert their relaxant effects through the activation of specific receptors as the exposure of the common carotid artery to concentrations of [Leu8]-angiotensin II, propranolol, methysergide, cimetidine, or atropine sufficient to inhibit the effects of the corresponding agonists do not affect the relaxing effect of SP and BK. [Leu8]-des-Arg9-BK (1.0 x 10(-6) M), indomethacin (2.8 x 10(-5) M), and lioresal (4.7 x 10(-5) M) are also inactive. When the dog common carotid artery is desensitized with high concentrations of SP, BK, eledoisin, and physalaemin a cross-desensitization is observed only between SP and physalaemin. These results support the conclusion that SP and kinins act on different receptors. The order of potency of kinins is the following: BK = [Tyr(Me)8]-BK greater than des-Arg9-BK, suggesting that the receptor for kinins is of the B2 type. The order of potency of peptides related to SP is SP greater than C-terminal 4-11 greater than C-terminal hexapeptide 6-11, similar to that observed in other vascular preparations. The results summarized in this paper indicate that the dog common carotid artery is a preparation sensitive to SP and BK and useful for studying the relaxant effect of these two peptides on vascular smooth muscles.     

Structure-activity relationships of trout bradykinin ([Arg(0),Trp(5),Leu(8)]-bradykinin)

Trout bradykinin ([Arg⁰,Trp⁵,Leu⁸]-BK) produces sustained and concentration–dependent contractions of isolated longitudinal smooth muscle from trout stomach, although mammalian BK is without effect. Circular dichroism studies have demonstrated that trout BK, unlike mammalian BK, does not adopt a stable β-turn conformation, even in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or trifluoroethanol. The myotropic actions of a series of analogs in which each amino acid in trout BK was replaced by either alanine or the corresponding D-isomer were investigated. The peptides with Ala⁴, D-Pro³, D-Trp⁵, D-Ser⁶, and D-Pro⁷ substitutions were inactive and did not act as antagonists of trout BK. The analog with [Ala⁵] was a weak partial agonist. The substitution (Arg⁰ → Ala) led to >50-fold decrease in potency but, in contrast to the importance of Phe⁸ in both BK and desArg⁹-BK in activating the mammalian B₂ and B₁ receptors respectively, substitutions at Leu⁸ in trout BK had only a minor effect on potency. Antagonists to the mammalian B₂ receptor generally contain a D-aromatic amino acid at position 7 of BK but the analog [Arg⁰,Trp⁵,D-Phe⁷,Leu⁸]-BK was a weak agonist at the trout receptor. Similarly, the potent nonpeptide mammalian B₂ receptor antagonist FR173657 was without effect on the action of trout BK. These data suggest the hypothesis that the receptor binding conformation of trout BK is defined by the central region (residues 3–7) of the peptide but is adopted only upon interaction with the receptor. The bioactive conformation is probably stabilized by an ionic interaction between Arg⁰ in the peptide and an acidic residue in the receptor.     

Pyruvate carboxylase: isolation of the biotin-containing tryptic peptide and the determination of its primary sequency

The biotin-containing tryptic peptides of pyruvate carboxylase from sheep, chicken, and turkey liver mitochondria have been isolated and their primary structures determined. The amino acid sequences of the 19 residue peptides from chicken and turkey are identical and share a common sequence of 14 residues around biocytin with the 24-residue peptide isolated from sheep. The sequences obtained were: residue 1 → 11 Avian: Gly Ala Pro Leu Val Leu Ser Ala Met Biocytin Met Sheep: Gly Gln Pro Leu Val Leu Ser Ala Met Biocytin Met residues 12 → 19 or 24 Avian: Glu Thr Val Val Thr Ala Pro Arg Sheep: Glu Thr Val Val Thr Ser Pro Val Thr Glu Gly Val Arg A sensitive radiochemical assay for biotin was developed based on the tight binding of biotin by avidin. The ability of zinc sulfate to precipitate, without dissociating, the avidin-biotin complex provided a convenient procedure for separating free and bound biotin, and hence, for back-titrating a standard amount of avidin with [¹⁴C]biotin.     

B2 bradykinin receptor-like binding in rat renomedullary interstitial cells

A particulate fraction from cultured rat renomedullary interstitial cells (RRIC) was prepared for bradykinin (BK) binding studies. Incubation of three radiolabeled BK analogs, [125I-Tyr1]kallidin, [125I-Tyr5]-BK, and [125I-Tyr8]-BK, with the particulate fraction resulted in degradation of these peptides. Assay conditions which prevented hydrolysis of these radiolabeled kinins were determined. Under these conditions, direct binding studies were performed with [125I-Tyr1]kallidin (TlK) as the radioligand. BK binding affinity, apparent Kassoc. = 1.3 X 10(9) M-1, and specificity, determined with 51 BK analogs, were consistent with those expected of a B2 BK receptor.     

Sequences of tryptic peptides containing the five cysteinyl residues of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum

Tryptic peptides which account for all five cysteinyl residues in ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum have been purified and sequenced. Collectively, these peptides contain 94 of the approximately 500 amino acid residues per molecule of subunit. Due to one incomplete cleavage at a site for trypsin and two incomplete chymotryptic-like cleavages, eight major radioactive peptides (rather than five as predicted) were recovered from tryptic digests of the enzyme that had been carboxymethylated with [³H]iodoacetate. The established sequences are: GlyTyrThrAlaPheValHisCys¹Lys TyrValAspLeuAlaLeuLysGluGluAspLeuIleAla GlyGlyGluHisValLeuCys¹AlaTyr AlaGlyTyrGlyTyrValAlaThrAlaAlaHisPheAla AlaGluSerSerThrGlyThrAspValGluValCys¹ ThrThrAsxAsxPheThrArg AlaCys¹ThrProIleIleSerGlyGlyMetAsnAla LeuArg ProPheAlaGluAlaCys¹HisAlaPheTrpLeuGly GlyAsnPheIleLys In these peptides, radioactive carboxymethylcysteinyl residues are denoted with asterisks and the sites of incomplete cleavage with vertical wavy lines. None of the peptides appear homologous with either of two cysteinyl-containing, active-site peptides previously isolated from spinach ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.     

The primary structure of the β-subunit of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The complete amino acid sequence of the β-subunit of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase was determined. The β-subunit contained four methionine residues. Thus, five peptides were obtained after cleavage of the carboxymethylated β-subunit with cyanogen bromide, and were isolated on Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. The amino acid sequences of the cyanogen bromide peptides were established by characterization of the peptides obtained after digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, or Staphylococcus aureus protease. The major sequencing techniques used were automated and manual Edman degradations. The five cyanogen bromide peptides were aligned by means of the amino acid sequences of the peptides containing methionine purified from the tryptic hydrolysate of the carboxymethylated β-subunit. The amino acid sequence of all the 238 residues was as follows: ProAlaGlnAspAsnSerArgPheValIleArgAsp ArgAsnTrpHis ProLysAlaLeuThrPro-Asp — TyrLysThrSerIleAlaArg SerProArgGlnAla LeuValSerIleProGlnSer — IleSerGluThrThrGly ProAsnPheSerHisLeu GlyPheGlyAlaHisAsp-His — AspLeuLeuLeuAsnPheAsn AsnGlyGlyLeu ProIleGlyGluArgIle-Ile — ValAlaGlyArgValValAsp GlnTyrGlyLysPro ValProAsnThrLeuValGluMet — TrpGlnAlaAsnAla GlyGlyArgTyrArg HisLysAsnAspArgTyrLeuAlaPro — LeuAspProAsn PheGlyGlyValGly ArgCysLeuThrAspSerAspGlyTyrTyr — SerPheArg ThrIleLysProGlyPro TyrProTrpArgAsnGlyProAsnAsp — TrpArgProAla HisIleHisPheGlyIle SerGlyProSerIleAlaThr-Lys — LeuIleThrGlnLeuTyr PheGluGlyAspPro LeuIleProMetCysProIleVal — LysSerIleAlaAsn ProGluAlaValGlnGln LeuIleAlaLysLeuAspMetAsnAsn — AlaAsnProMet AsnCysLeuAlaTyr ArgPheAspIleValLeuArgGlyGlnArgLysThrHis PheGluAsnCys. The sequence published earlier in summary form (Iwaki et al., 1979, J. Biochem.86, 1159–1162) contained a few errors which are pointed out in this paper.     

Amino acid sequences of two tryptic peptides from D(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase radiolabeled at essential carboxyl and sulfhydryl groups

D(-)beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH) purified from bovine heart mitochondria contains essential thiol and carboxyl groups. A tryptic BDH peptide labeled at an essential thiol with [3H]N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and another tryptic peptide labeled at an essential carboxyl with N,N'-dicyclohexyl [14C]carbodiimide (DCCD), were isolated and sequenced. The peptide labeled with [3H]NEM had the sequence Met.Glu.Ser.Tyr.Cys*.Thr.Ser. Gly.Ser.Thr.Asp.Thr.Ser.Pro.Val.Ile.Lys. The label was at Cys. The same peptide was isolated from tryptic digests of BDH labeled at its nucleotide-binding site with the photoaffinity labeling reagent, arylazido- -[3-3H] alanyl-NAD. These results suggest that the essential thiol of BDH is located at its nucleotide-binding site, and agree with our previous observation that NAD and NADH protect BDH against inhibition by thiol modifiers. The [14C]DCCD-labeled peptide had the sequence Glu.Val.Ala.Glu*.Val. Asn. Leu.Trp.Gly.Thr.Val.Arg. DCCD appeared to modify the glutamic acid residue marked by an asterisk. Sequence analogies between these peptides and other proteins have been discussed.     

Characterization of [3H]bradykinin binding sites in guinea-pig central nervous system: possible existence of B2 subtypes

Specific [3H]bradykinin(BK) binding was investigated in membranes from guinea-pig brain. In kinetic experiments, specific [3H]BK binding (100 pM) reached equilibrium within 15 min at 25 degrees C (k + 1 = 1.40 nM-1min-1) and the binding was reversed by the addition of 1 microM BK (k-1 = 0.069 min-1). The presence of a high affinity BK binding site was also revealed in the guinea-pig brain by equilibrium saturation studies with a Kd value of 75 pM and a Bmax value of 4.9 +/- 0.9 fmol/mg protein. In inhibition experiments, the B2 antagonists (D-Phe7-BK and Thi5,8,D-Phe7-BK) inhibited [3H]BK binding, but not the B1 antagonist (des-Arg9[Leu8]-BK). D-Arg[Hyp3, D-Phe7]BK (B4801) showed a pseudo Hill coefficient of less than one. The KH and KL values are 1.8 and 94 nM. The regional distribution study shows the highest density of BK binding sites in the pons + medulla oblongata and the spinal cord, a moderate density in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and a low density in other brain regions. These data support the presence of B2 BK receptors in the guinea-pig brain and spinal cord and suggest the existence of B2 subtypes in the brain. The presence of these receptors suggests that BK acts as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator in these tissues.     

Characterization of bradykinin receptors in canine cultured corneal epithelial cells: Pharmacological and functional studies

The pharmacological properties of bradykinin (BK) receptors were characterized in canine cultured corneal epithelial cells (CECs) using [(3)H]-BK as a radioligand. Analysis of binding isotherms gave an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of 0.34 +/- 0.07 nM and a maximum receptor density of 179 +/- 23 fmol/mg protein. Neither a B(1) receptor-selective agonist (des-Arg(9)-BK) nor antagonist ([Leu(8), des-Arg(9)]-BK) significantly inhibited [(3)H]-BK binding to CECs, thus excluding the presence of B(1) receptors in canine CECs. The specific binding of [(3)H]-BK to CECs was inhibited by B(2) receptor-selective agonists (BK and kallidin) and antagonists (Hoe 140 and [D-Arg(0), Hyp(3), Thi(5,8), D-Phe(7)]-BK), with a best fit using a one-binding-site model. The order of potency for the inhibition of [(3)H]-BK binding was BK = Hoe 140 > kallidin > [D-Arg(0), Hyp(3), Thi(5,8), D-Phe(7)]-BK. Stimulation of CECs by BK produced a concentration-dependent accumulation of inositol phosphates (IP) and an initial transient peak of intracellular Ca(2+). B(2) receptor-selective antagonist ([D-Arg(0), Hyp(3), Thi(5,8), D-Phe(7)]-BK) significantly antagonized the BK-induced responses with dissociation constants of 6.0-6.1. Pretreatment of CECs with pertussis toxin (PTX) or cholera toxin did not alter the BK-induced IP accumulation. Incubation of CECs in the absence of external Ca(2+) led to a significant attenuation of the IP accumulation induced by BK. These results demonstrate that BK directly stimulates phospholipase C-mediated signal transduction through BK B(2) receptors via a PTX-insensitive G protein in canine CECs. This effect may function as the transducing mechanism for BK-mediated cellular responses.     

Mechanism of the pressor response to intraperitoneal injection of bradykinin in guinea pigs.

Single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of bradykinin (BK) in anesthetized guinea pigs caused concentration-related pressor effects and slight, not significant tachycardia. Intravenous injections of BK in the same animal model evoked hypotension and a marked tachycardia. IP injection of des-Arg9-BK, a selective B1 receptor agonist, caused no changes of blood pressure or heart rate. The pressor response to IP BK was reduced by concomitant IP injection of lidocaine or of D-Arg[Hyp3,D-Phe7,Leu8]BK, a B2 receptor antagonist. It was also inhibited by acute animal pretreatment with sympatholytic drugs, by chronic animal exposure to capsaicin, or acute spinalization, but it was not affected by atropine, propranolol, indomethacin, [Leu8]des-Arg9-BK, a B1 receptor antagonist, or by acute cervical vagotomy. These results suggest that pressor responses to IP BK in anesthetized guinea pigs are reflex in nature, involving abdominal, capsaicin-sensitive, nonvagal visceral afferents, efferent components of the sympathetic nervous system and possibly supraspinal centers, and likely to be mediated by B2 receptors of kinins presumably located on abdominal visceral afferents.     

Conformational studies on bombesin antagonists: CD and NMR characterization of [Thr6, Leu13 psi(CH2NH) Met14] bombesin (6-14).

The conformational flexibility of the [Thr6, Leu13 psi(CH2NH) Met14] bombesin (6-14) nonapeptide has been studied by CD and one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) nmr techniques. The CD and nmr parameters in different solvents and in a micellar environment (SDS) are compared with the data collected for the parent bombesin (BN) and [D-Phe12, Leu14]BN. A preliminary investigation on spantide is also reported. In particular, the results obtained from CD measurements indicate that there is a shift from random coil structures, in aqueous solutions, toward folded structures in apolar media (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol) and in a membrane-mimetic environment (40 mM SDS) for all three peptides, namely BN, [D-Phe12, Leu14]BN, and [Thr6, Leu13 psi(CH2NH) Met14]BN (6-14). Spantide, which also possesses some inhibitory activity against BN but very little sequence similarity, even in water, shows an ordered conformation. Nuclear magnetic resonance parameters such as backbone NH-alpha CH coupling constant values, amidic temperature coefficients, and the presence of only sequential nuclear Overhauser effects have not provided, so far, any clear evidence for a preferential ordered structure in the peptides studied, and this may be due to rapid exchange among different conformers in the nmr time scale.     

Bradykinin suppresses endothelin-induced contraction of coronary artery through its B2-receptor on the endothelium.

Bradykinin (BK), a powerful vasodilating peptide, has been known to be one of the factors regulating vascular contractility mainly through its action on the endothelium. The effects of BK on vascular contraction induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced in endothelium, were investigated in vitro using the canine coronary ringed artery. ET-1 at concentrations of 10(-10) to 10(-7) M induced strong and persistent contraction dose-dependently. The ET-1-induced contraction was inhibited by BK at concentrations of 10(-7) and 10(-6) M only in the presence of endothelium. A B1-receptor agonist (des-Arg9-BK) and a B1-receptor antagonist (des-Arg9-[Leu8]-BK) did not affect these effects of BK, whereas a B2-receptor antagonist ([D-Arg0,Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]-BK) inhibited the effect of BK on the ET-1-induced contraction. These results indicate that BK may be a potent counter-factor for the ET-1-induced coronary vasoconstriction through its B2-receptors on the endothelium.     

Substrate specificity of cucumisin on synthetic peptides

The substrate specificity of cucumisin [EC 3.4.21.25] was identified by the use of the synthetic peptide substrates Leu(m)-Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu(n) (m = 0-4, n = 0-3). Neither Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu (m = 0) nor Leu-Pro-Glu-Ala (n = 0) was cleaved by cucumisin, however other analogus peptides were cleaved between Glu-Ala. The hydrolysis rates of Leu(m)-Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu increased with the increase of m = 1 to 2 and 3, but was however, essentially same with the increase of m = 3 to 4. Similarly, the hydrolysis rates of Leu-Leu-Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu(n) increased with the increase of n = 0 to 1 and 2, but was essentially same with the increase of n = 2 to 3. Then, it was concluded that cucumisin has a S5-S3' subsite length. In order to identify the substrate specificity at P1 position, Leu-Leu-Pro-X-Ala-Leu (X; Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Pro, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, Asn, Gln, Phe, Tyr, Ser, Thr, Met, Trp, His) were synthesized and digested by cucumisin. Cucumisin showed broad specificity at the P1 position. However, cucumisin did not cleave the C-terminal side of Gly, Ile, Pro, and preferred Leu, Asn, Gln, Thr, and Met, especially Met. Moreover, the substrates, Leu-Leu-Pro-Glu-Y-Leu (Y; Gly, Ala, Ser, Leu, Val, Glu, Lys, Phe) were synthesized and digested by cucumisin. Cucumisin did not cleave the N-terminal side of Val but preferred Gly, Ser, Ala, and Lys especially Ser. The specificity of cucumisin for naturally occurring peptides does not agree strictly with the specificity obtained by synthetic peptides at the P1 or P1' position alone, but it becomes clear that the most of the cleavage sites on naturally occurring peptides by cucumisin contain suitable amino acid residues at P1 and (or) P1' positions. Moreover, cucumisin prefers Pro than Leu at P2 position, indicating that the specificity at P2 position differs from that of papain.     

Studies on limiting essential amino acids in grieves as source of dietary protein for rainbow trout (oncorhynchus mykiss)

Diets were computed to contain equal concentrations of digestible crude protein either of wheat gluten (diet 1) or of grieves (diets 2–8). Per kg dry diet, 41 g crystalline amino acids were supplemented. All diets contained at least 1.2 g Lys per MJ digestible energy (DE). In diet 2, ratios of Met + Cys, Trp, Leu, Ile and Phe to Lys were about equal to those in diet 1. In each of diets 3–7, one of the respective amino acids, in diet 8 all five were replaced by Glu in the supplemented mixture of amino acids.

Each diet was fed to triplciate groups of 20 trout during a trial lasting 66 days. Trout fed the diet containing wheat gluten consumed more dry matter and showed higher growth rates as well as higher protein contents in their gained body mass than trout fed diets based on grieves. Supplementing Met plus Trp significantly improved dry matter intake, growth rate and protein content of gain, though not to the level of trout fed the wheat gluten diet, whereas Leu, Ile and Phe showed no such effect. When grieves were not supplemented with both Met and Trp, gain in body mass contained significantly more lipids. DE required per kg gain by trout fed wheat gluten, grieves + Met + Trp or grieves without supplementation of Met and Trp was 20.1, 21.2 and 29.9 MJ, respectively.     

Mitogenic effect of bradykinin and of des-Arg9-bradykinin on cultured fibroblasts

Bradykinin (BK) and its fragment des-Arg9-BK failed to stimulate thymidine incorporation in all but one observed fibroblast cultures derived from human amniotic fluid or rabbit dermis. The rabbit dermis fibroblast line designated R51 acquired the capacity to increase its DNA synthesis in response to kinins after several weeks in culture. It was more sensitive to des-Arg9-BK than to BK and the effect of both peptides was antagonized by the analog Leu8, des-Arg9-BK; these features are shared with certain smooth muscle preparations responsive to kinins such as the rabbit aorta. Recently isolated rabbit dermis or human amniotic fibroblasts could not be made responsive to kinins by pre-incubating them with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The line R51 released more PGE2 than baseline when stimulated with BK or des-Arg9-BK at low concentrations; it was also doubling faster than recently isolated cells of similar origin.