Oxidative condensation of 2-amino-4-methylphenol to dihydrophenoxazinone compound by human hemoglobin.

2-Amino-4-methylphenol was converted to a brownish yellow material by the lysates of human erythrocytes or purified human hemoglobin. The reaction proceeded oxidatively, coupled with the oxidation of hemoglobin. The major component of the brownish yellow material produced by oxidative condensation of 2-amino-4-methylphenol was identified as 3-amino-1,4 alpha-dihydro-4 alpha, 8-dimethyl-2H-phenoxazin-2-one on the basis of its spectral data including NMR spectra, IR spectra, EI mass spectra, and absorption spectra. The changes in 3-amino-1,4 alpha-dihydro-4 alpha,8-dimethyl-2H-phenoxazin-2-one during incubation of purified human hemoglobin and 2-amino-4-methylphenol were analyzed spectrophotometrically and by using HPLC. The reaction mechanism involved may be similar to that of actinomycin synthase, which oxidizes 2-amino-5-methylphenol to the dihydrophenoxazinone.     

Phenoxazinone synthesis by human hemoglobin.

We found that 2-amino-5-methylphenol was converted to the dihydrophenoxazinone with a reddish brown color by purified human hemoglobin, lysates of human erythrocytes, and human erythrocytes. The reddish brown compound was identified as 2-amino-4,4 alpha-dihydro-4 alpha,7-dimethyl-3H-phenoxazin-3-one by the measurement of NMR spectra, IR spectra, EI mass spectra, and absorption spectra. The changes in this phenoxazinone were studied under various conditions after mixing 2-amino-5-methylphenol with purified oxy- or methemoglobin, or with human erythrocytes. The production of 2-amino-4,4 alpha-dihydro-4 alpha,7-dimethyl-3H-phenoxazine-3-one from 2-amino-5-methylphenol was found to be tightly coupled with the oxidation of ferrous hemoglobin and reduction of ferric hemoglobin under aerobic conditions. By studying the production rates of the dihydrophenoxazinone and the oxido-reduction rates of ferrous and ferric hemoglobins during the reactions of ferrous or ferric hemoglobin with 2-amino-5-methylphenol under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, the reaction mechanism was extensively proposed.     

Rapid synthesis of 2-desoxy-2-amino-3-phosphocholine-glycerinic-acid- alkylester, 1-alkyl-1-desoxy- and 1-O-alkyl-2-desoxy-2-amino-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholines, -3-phospho-N,N'-dimethylethanolamine and -3-phospho-Fmoc- serine-methylester.

A convenient sequence for the rapid synthesis of 2-desoxy-2-amino-3-phosphocholine-glycerinic-acid-alkylester , 1-alkyl-1-desoxy- and 1-O-alkyl-2-amino-2-desoxy-3-phospho-derivatives is described. Key steps are the reaction of 1-carbonyloxyalkyl-, 1-alkyl- or 1-O-alkyl-amino-alcohols with phosphorus oxychloride to 1-carbonyloxyalkyl-, 1-alkyl- or 4-substituted 2-chloro-2-oxo-1,3,2-oxazaphospholane followed by nucleophilic displacement with choline tosylate, 1-bromoethane-2-ol or Fmoc-L-serine-methylester and subsequent hydrolysis to 2-amino-lysophospholipids giving the desired compounds in yields ranging between 68% and 81%. Several 2-amino-lysophospholipid analogs can then be prepared by this synthetic scheme utilizing the same oxazaphospholane intermediate. A brief method for the preparation of 2-amino-3-hydroxy-propionic-acid-pentyl- and -octylester from L-serine is described, opening a facile access to chiral precursors of phospholipid analogs.     

Microbial transformation of 2-amino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine

Biotransformation of the highly substituted pyridine derivative 2-amino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine by Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 26269 yielded three products each with a molecular weight of 169?Da which were identified as 2-amino-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine, 2-amino-4-hydroxymethyl-3-nitropyridine, and 2-amino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine-1-oxide. Biotransformation by Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 14890 gave two different products each with a molecular weight of 169?Da; one was acid labile and converted to the other stable product under acidic conditions. The structure of the stable product was established as 2-amino-4-methyl-3-nitro-6(1H)-pyridinone, and that of the less stable product was assigned as its tautomer 2-amino-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine. Four of the five biotransformation products are new compounds. Several strains of Aspergillus also converted the same substrate to the lactam 2-amino-4-methyl-3-nitro-6(1H)-pyridinone. Microbial hydroxylation by C. elegans was found to be inhibited by sulfate ion. In order to improve the yield and productivity of the 5-hydroxylation reaction by C. elegans, critical process parameters were determined and Design of Experiments (DOE) analyses were performed. Biotransformation by C. elegans was scaled up to 15-l fermentors providing 2-amino-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine at ca. 13?% yield in multi-gram levels. A simple isolation process not requiring chromatography was developed to provide purified 2-amino-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine of excellent quality.     

Oxidation of the 2-hydroxyamino derivative of 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[1,2-a: 3',2'-d] imidazole (Glu-P-1) to its 2-nitroso form, an ultimate form reacting with hemoglobin thiol groups

The binding to hemoglobin of synthetic 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a: 3',2'-d] imidazole from the carcinogenic product of L-glutamic acid pyrolysis 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a: 3',2'-d] imidazole were investigated in vitro. The hydroxylamine required oxidation to its nitroso derivative to bind to rat hemoglobin through thiol groups. Oxidation of the hydroxylamine to the nitroso form was found to be enhanced by oxyhemoglobin and superoxide dismutase at pH 7.4 under aerobic conditions. Since these conditions might also enhance this oxidation in vivo, the conversion of the DNA-reactive arylhydroxylamines to the DNA-non-reactive nitroso compounds and their subsequent binding to highly abundant thiol groups of proteins could be considered as a process for detoxification of toxic arylhydroxylamines.     

Friedländer reaction on 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyrans: Synthesis of derivatives of 4H-pyran [2,3-b] quinoline, new tacrine analogues

The unprecedented Friedländer reaction of densely functionalized 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyrans (1) with cyclohexanone has afforded in one step and good yield 5-amino-4-aryl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-pyran[2,3-b]quinolines (2), novel amino-substituted fused pyran derivatives. These compounds are new tacrine analogues.     

3-hydroxykynurenine-mediated modification of human lens proteins: structure determination of a major modification using a monoclonal antibody

Tryptophan can be oxidized in the eye lens by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. Oxidation products, such as kynurenines, react with proteins to form yellow-brown pigments and cause covalent cross-linking. We generated a monoclonal antibody against 3-hydroxykynurenine (3OHKYN)-modified keyhole limpet hemocyanin and characterized it using 3OHKYN-modified amino acids and proteins. This monoclonal antibody reacted with 3OHKYN-modified N(alpha)-acetyl lysine, N(alpha)-acetyl histidine, N(alpha)-acetyl arginine, and N(alpha)-acetyl cysteine. Among the several tryptophan oxidation products tested, 3OHKYN produced the highest concentration of antigen when reacted with human lens proteins. A major antigen from the reaction of 3OHKYN and N(alpha)-acetyl lysine was purified by reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography, which was characterized by spectroscopy and identified as 2-amino-3-hydroxyl-alpha-((5S)-5-acetamino-5-carboxypentyl amino)-gamma-oxo-benzene butanoic acid. Enzyme-digested cataractous lens proteins displayed 3OHKYN-derived modifications. Immunohistochemistry revealed 3OHKYN modifications in proteins associated with the lens fiber cell plasma membrane. The low molecular products (<10,000 Da) isolated from normal lenses after reaction with glucosidase followed by incubation with proteins generated 3OHKYN-derived products. Human lens epithelial cells incubated with 3OHKYN showed intense immunoreactivity. We also investigated the effect of glycation on tryptophan oxidation and kynurenine-mediated modification of lens proteins. The results showed that glycation products failed to oxidize tryptophan or generate kynurenine modifications in proteins. Our studies indicate that 3OHKYN modifies lens proteins independent of glycation to form products that may contribute to protein aggregation and browning during cataract formation.     

Reaction of serine proteases with substituted 3-alkoxy-4-chloroisocoumarins and 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins: new reactive mechanism-based inhibitors

The time-dependent inactivation of several serine proteases including human leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G, rat mast cell proteases I and II, and human skin chymase by a number of 3-alkoxy-4-chloroisocoumarins, 3-alkoxy-4-chloro-7-nitroisocoumarins, and 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins at pH 7.5 and the inactivation of several trypsin-like enzymes including human thrombin and factor XIIa by 7-amino-4-chloro-3-ethoxyisocoumarin and 4-chloro-3-ethoxyisocoumarin are reported. The 3-alkoxy substituent of the isocoumarin is likely interacting with the S1 subsite of the enzyme since the most reactive inhibitor for a particular enzyme had a 3-substituent complementary to the enzyme's primary substrate specificity site (S1). Inactivation of several enzymes including human leukocyte elastase by the 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chlorisocoumarins is irreversible, and less than 3% activity is regained upon extensive dialysis of the inactivated enzyme. Addition of hydroxylamine to enzymes inactivated by the 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins results in a slow (t1/2 greater than 6.7 h) and incomplete (32-57%) regain in enzymatic activity at pH 7.5. Inactivation by the 3-alkoxy-4-chloroisocoumarins and 3-alkoxy-4-chloro-7-nitroisocoumarins on the other hand is transient, and full enzyme activity is regained rapidly either upon standing, after dialysis, or upon the addition of buffered hydroxylamine. The rate of inactivation by the substituted isocoumarins is decreased when substrates or reversible inhibitors are present in the incubation mixture, which indicates active site involvement. The inactivation rates are dependent upon the pH of the reaction mixture, the isocoumarin ring system is opened concurrently with inactivation, and the reaction of 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins with porcine pancreatic elastase is shown to be stoichiometric. The results are consistent with a scheme where 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins react with the active site serine of a serine protease to give an acyl enzyme in which a reactive quinone imine methide can be released. Irreversible inactivation could then occur upon alkylation of an active site nucleophile (probably histidine-57) by the acyl quinone imine methide. The finding that hydroxylamine slowly catalyzes partial reactivation indicates that several inactivated enzyme species may exist. The 3-alkoxy-substituted 4-chloroisocoumarins and 4-chloro-7-nitroisocoumarins are simple acylating agents and do not give stable inactivated enzyme structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Synthesis and characterization of N-(2,4-diphosphobenzyl)-1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid, a new fluorescent analogue of diphosphoglyceric acid

The synthesis of N-(2,4-diphosphobenzyl)-1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid (DIPANS) is described. It entails the synthesis of 2,4-diphosphobenzaldehyde from the action of POCl3 on 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. This is followed by coupling of the 2,4-diphosphobenzaldehyde to 1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid. Subsequent reduction with NaBH4 yields the desired product. The DIPANS exhibits an excitation maximum at 337 nm and a fluorescence emission maximum at 504 nm. This dye is quantitatively displaced by inositol hexaphosphate and is an effective analogus of diphosphoglyceric acid (DPG), possessing a KD at pH 7.0 in 0.05 M [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]tris(hydroxymethyl)methane (bis-Tris) plus 0.1 M chloride of 6.88 microgram, with 1.0 molecule bound/hemoglobin tetramer. Like DPG its binding to deoxyhemoglobin decreases with increasing pH; in the presence of 0.1 M chloride it binds 0.031 times as tightly to CO hemoglobin and it yields a value for free energy coupling of 2.0 kcal/mol. The presence of 1 mM DIPANS decreases the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen in the absence of salt from p1/2 of 0.8 mm Hg to 12.4 mm Hg. Using DPG as a competitor of DIPANS binding, a dissociation constant of 11.4 micrometer was calculated for DPG binding to deoxy-Hb at pH 7.0 in the presence of 0.05 M bis-Tris and 0.1 M chloride.     

Synthesis,antibacterial and antifungal activities of 3-(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-4-thiazolidinones

A new series of 3-(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-4-thiazolidinone derivatives has been synthesized by the reaction of Schiff bases of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles with mercaptoacetic acid and 2-mercaptopropionic acid. Their antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, C. albicans and C. glabrata     

Interaction of "aza" and "deaza" analogs of adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate with some enzymes of adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate metabolism: evidence that the lone pair electrons of N-3 are involved in the binding of adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate to type II adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate-dependent protein kinase.

Five hetercyclic analogs of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (cyclic AMP) were examined for their ability (1) to stimulate type II cyclic AMP-dependent kinases from bovine brain, bovine heart, and rat liver; (2) to serve as substrates for "high Km" (Km for cyclic AMP = 0.13-0.43 mM) cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from bovine heart, rabbit kidney, and rat liver; and (3) to inhibit the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP catalyzed by "low Km" (Km for cAMP = 0.32-1.5 muM) cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from bovine brain, bovine heart, dog heart, rabbit liver, rat brain and rat liver. The analogs all had a purine ring system which had been modified by replacement of a ring carbon with nitrogen or vice versa to yield 2-aza-cAMP (7-amino-4-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazo [4,5-d] -v-triazine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate); 8-aza-cAMP (7-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-v-triazolo-[4,5-d]-pyrimidine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate); 1 deaza-cAMP (7-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazo [4,5-b[pyridine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate); 3-deaza-cAMP (4-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate) and 7-deaza-cAMP (7-amino-4-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate).     

Anti-coxsackievirus B3 activity of 2-amino-3-nitropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and their analogs

A novel class of 2-amino-4-nitropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines has been identified as potent inhibitors of coxsackievirus B3 replication. The synthesis of these compounds is based on the regioselective reaction of 3,5-diamino-5-nitropyrazole with unsymmetrical beta-diketones at catalysis by hydrochloric acid leading to 2-amino-4-nitropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as key steps.     

Detection and preliminary characterization of Taenia solium metacestode proteases.

The metacestode of Taenia solium persists for years in the human central nervous system. As proteolytic enzymes play an important role in the survival of tissues helminths, we examined extracts of T. solium metacestodes for proteolytic activity using 9 synthetic peptide substrates and 3 proteins (hemoglobin, albumin, and immunoglobulin G). The proteolytic enzymes were classified based on their inhibitor profiles. At neutral pH, aminopeptidase(arginine-7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin) and endopeptidase(benzyloxy-carbonyl-glycine-glycine-arginine-7-amino-4- trifluoromethylcoumarin) substrates were cleaved. Hydrolysis of both substrates was inhibited by chelating agents, which inhibit metalloproteases. Peak activity with both substrates eluted in gel filtration fractions corresponding to a molecular weight of about 104 kDa. Cysteine protease activity was identified, which cleaved benzyloxy-carbonyl-phenylalanine-arginine-7-amino- 4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (Z-Phe-Arg-AFC) and hemoglobin. Cleavage of Z-Phe-Arg-AFC was maximal at acid pH, was stimulated by thiols, and was inhibited by leupeptin and Ep459. Peak cysteine protease activity eluted in gel filtration fractions corresponding to a molecular weight of 32 kDa. Aspartic protease activity was identified by specific inhibition with pepstatin of acid digestion of hemoglobin and immunoglobulin G. Immunoglobulin digestion occurred at acid pH, with preferential degradation of the heavy chain. Upon gel filtration chromatography, the aspartic protease activity eluted as a broad peak with maximal activity at about 90 kDa. No serine protease activity was detected. None of the parasite enzymes digested albumin. Proteolytic enzymes of T. solium may be important for parasite survival in the intermediate host, by providing nutrients and digesting host immune molecules.     

Purification, properties, and N-terminal amino acid sequence of homogeneous Escherichia coli 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate CoA ligase, a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme

Starting with 100 g (wet weight) of a mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 forced to grow on L-threonine as sole carbon source, we developed a 6-step procedure that provides 30-40 mg of homogeneous 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate CoA ligase (also called aminoacetone synthetase or synthase). This ligase, which catalyzes the cleavage/condensation reaction between 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate (the presumed product of the L-threonine dehydrogenase-catalyzed reaction) and glycine + acetyl-CoA, has an apparent molecular weight approximately equal to 85,000 and consists of two identical (or nearly identical) subunits with Mr = 42,000. Computer analysis of amino acid composition data, which gives the best fit nearest integer ratio for each residue, indicates a total of 387 amino acids/subunit with a calculated Mr = 42,093. Stepwise Edman degradation provided the N-terminal sequence of the first 21 amino acids. It is a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme since (a) several carbonyl reagents caused greater than 90% loss of activity, (b) dialysis against buffer containing hydroxylamine resulted in 89% loss of activity coincident with an 86% decrease in absorptivity at 428 nm, (c) incubation of the apoenzyme with 20 microM pyridoxal phosphate showed a parallel recovery (greater than 90%) of activity and 428-nm absorptivity, and (d) reduction of the holoenzyme with NaBH4 resulted in complete inactivation, disappearance of a new absorption maximum at 333 nm. Strict specificity for glycine is shown but acetyl-CoA (100%), n-propionyl-CoA (127%), or n-butyryl-CoA (16%) is utilized in the condensation reaction. Apparent Km values for acetyl-CoA, n-propionyl-CoA, and glycine are 59 microM, 80 microM, and 12 mM, respectively; the pH optimum = 7.5. Added divalent metal ions or sulfhydryl compounds inhibited catalysis of the condensation reaction.     

Synthesis of base substituted 2-hydroxy-3-(purin-9-yl)-propanoic acids and 4-(purin-9-yl)-3-butenoic acids

Alkylation of 6-chloropurine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with bromoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal afforded 6-chloro-9-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)purine (3a) and its 2-amino congener (3b). Treatment of compounds 3 with primary and secondary amines gave the N6-substituted adenines (5a-5c) and 2,6-diaminopurines (5d-5f). Hydrolysis of 3 resulted in hypoxanthine (6a) and guanine (6b) derivatives, while their reaction with thiourea led to 6-sulfanylpurine (7a) and 2-amino-6-sulfanylpurine (7b) compounds. Treatment with diluted acid followed by potassium cyanide treatment and acid hydrolysis afforded 6-substituted 3-(purin-9-yl)- and 3-(2-aminopurin-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropanoic acids (8-10). Reaction of compounds 3 with malonic acid in aqueous solution gave exclusively the product of isomerisation, 6-substituted 4-(purin-9-yl)-3-butenoic acids (15).     

Synthesis of a novel C-nucleoside, 2-amino-7-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro- pentofuranosyl)-3H,5H-pyrrolo-[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one (2'-deoxy-9-deazaguanosine).

A synthesis of the C-nucleoside, 2-amino-7-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro- pentofuranosyl)-3H,5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one (9-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine) was achieved starting from 2-amino-6-methyl-3H-pyrimidin-4-one (5) and methyl 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-D-erythro-pento-furanoside (11). The anomeric configuration of the C-nucleoside was established by 1H NMR, NOEDS and ROESY. This C-nucleoside did not inhibit the growth of T-cell lymphoma cells.     

Nature of nonenzymatically bound hexose in hemoglobin, albumin, and crystallin

Glucose incorporated in vitro during nonenzymatic glucosylation into albumin and hemoglobin was fully reducible by sodium borohydride unlike native albumin. Further, a prior hydrolysis under mild conditions (1 M oxalic acid:2 M HCl, 4 hr) was not required for in vitro incorporated glucose to yield maximal color intensity in the phenol-sulfuric acid reaction. Glucosyl-albumin, glucosyl-crystallin, and hemoglobin A1 behaved similarly in this respect. Hexose bound to HbA0 which alone showed an enhanced color intensity on prior acid hydrolysis was also not easily reduced by sodium borohydride. L-Cysteine (0.023 M) enhanced the color yield of glucosyl-hemoglobin, glucosyl-albumin, and glucosyl-crystallin to a lesser extent compared to fructose in the phenol-sulfuric acid reaction. Urea (6 M) also marginally increased the color intensity of glucosyl proteins and fructose.     

Gene cloning and characterization of a deaminase from the 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzoate-assimilating Bordetella sp. strain 10d

The 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzoate-assimilating Bordetella sp. strain 10d produces a deaminase that catalyzes the deamination of 2-amino-5-carboxymuconic 6-semialdehyde. A gene encoding the deaminase, ahdB , was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli; ahdB is located downstream from the previously reported genes encoding 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzoate 2,3-dioxygenase ( ahdA ) and a LysR-type regulator. The deduced amino acid sequence of ahdB shows 30–33% identity to those of previously reported 2-aminomuconate deaminases. We identified a region (RAGDFLXVSG) conserved in AhdB and three other deaminases. The recombinant enzyme AhdB was purified to homogeneity. After a coupled enzyme assay with purified AhdA, AhdB, and the substrate 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzoate, the final product, formed by the action of AhdA, AhdB, and by nonenzymatic decarboxylation, was identified by HPLC, MS, and ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance analyses as 2-hydroxymuconic 6-semialdehyde.     

A study of the reactivity of (methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate)-tricarbonyliron(0) leading to a novel synthesis of β,β,β-trialkyl α-amino acids

(Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate)tricarbonyliron(0) (3) reacts with 2 equivalents of methyllithium to give methyl N-acetylalaninate (4) and 2-acetamido-4-oxopentanoate (5) when the reaction is quenched with trifluoroacetic acid. Production of methyl N-acetylalaninate is dependent only on the presence of trifluoroacetic acid, and the ratio of 4 to 5 generated in these reactions is related to the quantity of trifluoroacetic acid used to quench them. Addition of two equivalents of methyllithium followed by tertiary haloalkanes gives protected β,β,β-trialkyl α-amino acids which may be hydrolysed to give tert-leucine (13) and the new α-amino acids 2-amino-3,3-dimethylpentanoic acid (14) and 2-amino-3,3-dimethylhexanoic acid (15).     

alpha-Bromo-4-amino-3-nitroacetophenone, a new reagent for protein modification. Modification of the methionine-290 residue of porcine pepsin.

A new coloured reagent for protein modification, alpha-bromo-4-amino-3-nitroacetophenone (NH2BrNphAc), was synthesized. The reagent was found to alkylate specifically the methionine-290 residue of porcine pepsin below pH 3 at 37 degrees C, which lead to a 45% decrease of enzyme's activity towards haemoglobin. The effect of this reagent as well as that of other phenacyl bromides on the activity of pepsin appeared to be a result of steric hindrance caused by the attachment of bulky reagent residue to the edge of the cleft harbouring the enzyme active site. Only marginal reaction with the co-carboxy group of aspartic acid-315 was found under the above conditions. More pronounced esterification of carboxy groups (up to one residue per enzyme molecule) occurred when the pH was shifted to 5.2. The latter modification had no noticeable effect on enzyme activity, thus disproving a previously held assumption that pepsin inactivation by phenacyl bromide is due to the carboxy-group esterification. alpha-Bromo-4-amino-3-nitroacetophenone forms derivatives with characteristic u.v. spectra when it reacts with methionine, histidine, aspartic and glutamic acid residues, and may be recommended as a reagent for protein modification.