A new opioid designed multiple ligand derived from the micro opioid agonist endomorphin-2 and the delta opioid antagonist pharmacophore Dmt-Tic

Opioid compounds with mixed micro agonist/delta antagonist properties could be used as analgesics with low propensity to induce tolerance and dependence. Here we report the synthesis of a new designed multiple ligand deriving from the micro selective agonist endomorphin-2 and the delta selective antagonist pharmacophore Dmt-Tic. As predicted, the resulting bivalent ligand showed a micro agonist/delta antagonist profile deriving from the corresponding activities of each pharmacophore.     

Isopeptide bonds in chemotactic tripeptides. Synthesis and activity of lysine-containing fMLF analogs.

In order to explore the properties of chemotactic N-formylpeptides containing isopeptide bonds within their backbones, a group of lysine-containing analogs of the prototypical chemotactic tripeptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF) was synthesized. The new analogs were designed by adding to the HCO-Met or Boc-Met residue a dipeptide fragment made up of Lys and Phe residues joined through Lys N alpha or N epsilon bonds, in all possible combinations. Thus, the following six pairs of tripeptides were synthesized and examined for their bioactivity: RCO-Met-Lys(Z)-Phe-OMe (2a, b), RCO-Met-Lys(Z-Phe)-OMe (3a, b), Z-Lys(RCO-Met)-Phe-OMe (4a, b), Z-Phe-Lys(RCO-Met)-OMe (5a, b), RCO-Met-Phe-Lys(Z)-OMe (6a, b) and Z-Lys(RCO-Met-Phe)-OMe (7a, b), with R=OC(CH3)(3 )and R=H for compounds a and b, respectively. All the new models were characterized fully and their activity (chemotaxis, superoxide anion production and lysozyme release) on human neutrophils determined as agonists (compounds b) and antagonists (compounds a). All N-formyl derivatives 2b-7b are less potent than fMLF-OMe as chemoattractants, but compound 7b exhibits selective activity as superoxide anion producer. Derivatives 2a-7a do not show antagonistic activity towards fMLF induced chemotaxis and O(2)(-) production, however, all these compounds except 4a antagonize lysozyme release by 60%.     

Dmt and opioid peptides: a potent alliance

The introduction of the Dmt (2',6'-dimethyl-L-tyrosine)-Tic pharmacophore into the design of opioid ligands produced an extraordinary family of potent delta-opioid receptor antagonists and heralded a new phase in opioid research. First reviewed extensively in 1998, the incorporation of Dmt into a diverse group of opioid molecules stimulated the opioid field leading to the development of unique analogues with remarkable properties. This overview will document the crucial role played by this residue in the proliferation of opioid peptides with high receptor affinity (K(i) equal to or less than 1 nM) and potent bioactivity. The discussion will include the metamorphosis between delta-opioid receptor antagonists to delta-agonists based solely on subtle structural changes at the C-terminal region of the Dmt-Tic pharmacophore as well as their behavior in vivo. Dmt may be considered promiscuous due to the acquisition of potent mu-agonism by dermorphin and endomorphin derivatives as well as by a unique class of opioidmimetics containing two Dmt residues separated by alkyl or pyrazinone linkers. Structural studies on the Dmt-Tic compounds were enhanced tremendously by x-ray diffraction data for three potent and biologically diverse Dmt-Tic opioidmimetics that led to the development of pharmacophores for both delta-opioid receptor agonists and antagonists. Molecular modeling studies of other unique Dmt opioid analogues illuminated structural differences between delta- and mu-receptor ligand interactions. The future of these compounds as therapeutic applications for various medical syndromes including the control of cancer-associated pain is only a matter of time and perseverance.     

Assessment of substitution in the second pharmacophore of Dmt-Tic analogues

The Dmt-Tic pharmacophore exhibits potent δ-opioid receptor antagonism. Analogues with substitutions in the second pharmacophore with (1, 1′) or without a COOH function (2–9) were synthesized: several had high δ affinity (1′, 2, 7, and 9), but exhibited low to non-selectivity toward μ receptors similar to H-Dmt-Tic-amide and H-Dmt-Tic-ol. Functional bioactivity indicated high δ antagonism (pA₂ 7.4–7.9) (1′, 2, and 9) and modest μ agonism, pEC₅₀ (6.1–6.3) (1′, 2, 8, and 9), but with E_max values analogous to dermorphin. These Dmt-Tic analogues with mixed δ antagonist/μ agonist properties would appear to be better candidates as analgesics than pure μ agonists.     

Design and synthesis of opioidmimetics containing 2',6'-dimethyl-L-tyrosine and a pyrazinone-ring platform

Twelve 2',6'-dimethyl-L-tyrosine (Dmt) analogues linked to a pyrazinone platform were synthesized as 3- or 6-[H-Dmt-NH(CH(2))(n)],3- or 6-R-2(1H)-pyrazinone (n=1-4). 3-[H-Dmt-NH-(CH(2))(4)]-6-beta-phenethyl-5-methyl-2(1H)-pyrazinone 11 bound to mu-opioid receptors with high affinity (K(i)mu=0.13 nM; K(i)delta/K(i)mu=447) with mu-agonism (GPI IC(50)=15.9 nM) and weak delta-antagonism (MVD pA(2)=6.35). Key factors affecting opioid affinity and functional bioactivity are the length of the aminoalkyl chain linked to Dmt and the nature of the R residue. These data present a simplified method for the formation of pyrazinone opioidmimetics and new lead compounds.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins possessing a 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl pharmacophore: dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases

A new class of regioisomeric acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins possessing a 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl (DTBHP) 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pharmacophore that is vicinal to a para-methanesulfonylphenyl cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pharmacophore were designed for evaluation as selective COX-2 and/or 5-LOX inhibitors. The target compounds were synthesized via a highly stereoselective McMurry olefination cross-coupling reaction. This key synthetic step afforded a (Z):(E) olefinic mixture with a predominance for the (Z)-olefin stereoisomer. Structure-activity studies for the (Z)-1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-1-phenylalk-1-ene regioisomers showed that COX-1 inhibition decreased, COX-2 inhibition increased, and the COX-2 selectivity index (SI) increased as the chain length of the alkyl substituent attached to the olefinic double bond was increased (Et-->n-butyl-->n-heptyl). In this group of compounds, inhibition of both 5-LOX and 15-LOX was dependent upon the length of the alkyl substituent with the hex-1-ene compound 9c having a n-butyl substituent exhibiting potent inhibition of both 5-LOX (IC50=0.3 microM) and 15-LOX (IC50=0.8 microM) relative to the inactive (IC50>10 microM) Et and n-heptyl analogs. Compound 9c is of particular interest since it also exhibits a dual inhibitory activity against the COX (COX-1 IC50=3.0 microM, and COX-2 IC50=0.36 microM, COX-2 SI=8.3) isozymes. A comparison of the relative inhibitory activities of the two groups of regioisomers investigated shows that the regioisomers in which the alkyl substituent is attached to the same olefinic carbon atom (C-2) as the para-methanesulfonylphenyl moiety generally exhibit a greater potency with respect to COX-2 inhibition. The 4-hydroxy substituent in the 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl moiety is essential for COX and LOX inhibition since 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-acetoxyphenyl derivatives were inactive inhibitors. These structure-activity data indicate acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins constitute a suitable template for the design of dual COX-2/LOX inhibitors.     

Synthesis and opioid activity of N,N-dimethyl-Dmt-Tic-NH-CH(R)-R' analogues: acquisition of potent delta antagonism

N,N-Dimethylation of the H-Dmt-Tic-NH-CH(R)-R′ series of compounds produced no significant affect on the high δ-opioid receptor affinity (K_i=0.035–0.454 nM), but dramatically decreased that for the μ-opioid receptor. The effect of N-methylation was independent of the length of the linker (R); however, the bioactivities were affected by the chemical composition of the third aromatic group (R′): phenyl (Ph) (5′–8′) elicited a greater reduction in μ-affinity (40–70-fold) compared to analogues containing 1H-benzimidazole-2-yl (Bid) (9-fold). The major consequences of N,N-dimethylation on in vitro bioactivity were: (i) a loss of δ-agonism coupled with the appearance of potent δ antagonism (4′–7′) (pA₂=8.14–9.47), while 1 exhibited only a 160-fold decreased δ agonism (1′) and the δ antagonism of 8 enhanced >10-fold (pA₂=10.62, 8′); and (ii) a consistent loss of μ-affinity resulted in enhanced δ-opioid receptor selectivity. With the exception of compound 1′, the change in the hydrophobic environment at the N-terminus and formation of a tertiary amine by N,N-dimethylation in analogues of the Dmt-Tic pharmacophore produced potent δ-selective antagonists.     

Enantiomerically pure quaternary ammonium salts with a chiral alkyl chain N(CH3)(n-C3H7)2(sec-C4H9)I: synthesis and physical studies

A pair of enantiomerically pure quaternary ammonium salts with a chiral side chain, methyl-(R)-(1-methylpropyl)di(n-propyl)ammonium iodide 1 and methyl-(S)-(1-methylpropyl)di(n-propyl)ammonium iodide 2, and the related racemate, methyl-(rac)-(1-methylpropyl)di(n-propyl)ammonium iodide 3, were synthesized through a reductive alkylation procedure, starting from enantiomerically pure and, also, racemic forms of (rac)-(1-methylpropyl)amine. A spectroscopic chiroptical signature in solution was provided by the Raman optical activity spectra of compounds 1 and 2. The crystallographic structures of 1, 2, and 3 were examined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4(3)2(1)2 (no. 96), a = b = 12.826 (2) A, c = 17.730 (2) A, V = 2916.9 (5) A(3), Z = 8, Flack coefficient 0.04 (2). 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4(1)2(1)2 (no. 92), a = b = 12.842 (1) A, c = 17.749 (2) A, V = 2927.0 (5) A(3), Z = 8, Flack coefficient 0.05 (2). The crystal structures and space groups for 1 and 2 are enantiomorphs and the crystallographic investigation confirmed the absolute configuration of the stereocenter in both compounds. 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n(no. 14), a = 8.178 (1) A, b = 14.309 (2) A, c = 12.328 (2) A, beta = 96.811 (6) degrees, V = 1432.4 (2) A(3), Z = 4.     

Studies on peptides. LXXXI. Application of a new arginine derivative, NG-mesitylene-2-sulfonylarginine, to the synthesis of substance P and neurotensin.

A new devised arginine derivative, NG-mesitylene-2-sulfonylarginine, Arg(Mts), was employed for the synthesis of hypothalamic substance P and neurotensin. The former was obtained in 74% yield by treatment of the protected undecapeptide amide, Z - Arg(Mts) - Pro - Lys(Z) - Pro - Gln - Gln - Phe - Phe - Gly - Leu - Met(O)-NH2, with methanesulfonic acid in the presence of anisole followed by reduction of the sulfoxide with 2-mercaptoethanol. The latter was obtained in 54% yield by the similar treatment of the protected tridecapeptide ester, Z - Pyr - Leu - Tyr - Glu(OBzl) - Asn - Lys(Z) - Pro - Arg(Mts) - Arg(Mts) - Pro - Tyr - Ile - Leu - OBzl, with methanesulfonic acid. As scavenger, a mixture of anisole-thioanisole-o-cresol (1:1:1, by vol.) was employed to suppress the side reaction, O-mesitylene-2-sulfonation of the Tyr residue.     

Structure-activity relationships in the dodecapeptide alpha factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ten analogues of His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr, the dodecapeptide alpha factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were synthesized by conventional solution phase techniques and purified by using high-performance liquid chromatography. The dodecapeptide was also synthesized attached at its carboxyl terminus to poly(ethylene oxide), a macromolecular protecting group. Analogues in which Lys6 or His1 was modified exhibited high biological activity as evidenced by their ability to elicit aberrant morphologies in a cells of S. cerevisiae. These results suggest that neither a free alpha-amine nor a protonatable side chain at position 6 is necessary for biological activity of the dodecapeptide alpha factor. Although Ala2- and Phe2-dodecapeptides were not biologically active, they competed with the natural alpha factor and several active analogues. Thus binding of the alpha factor is not sufficient to elicit a biological response; it appears that the side chain in position 2 is critical for triggering morphological alterations in a cells.     

Relationship between structure and P-glycoprotein inhibitory activity of dimeric peptides related to the Dmt-Tic pharmacophore

To develop novel inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), dimeric peptides related to an opioid peptide containing the Dmt-Tic pharmacophore were synthesized and their P-gp inhibitory activities were analyzed. Of the 30 analogs synthesized, N(α),N(ε)-[(CH(3))(2)Mle-Tic](2)Lys-NH(2) and its D-Lys analog were found to exhibit potent P-gp inhibitory activity, twice that of verapamil, in doxorubicin-resistant K562 cells. Structure-activity studies indicated that the correct hydrophobicity and spacer length between two aromatic rings are important structural elements in this series of analogs for inhibition of P-gp.     

New bisabolane sesquiterpenes and coumarin from Leontopodium longifolium

From the roots of Leontopotium longifolium, three new bisabolane sesquiterpenes, rel-(1S,4R,5S,6R)-4,5-diacetoxy-6-[(R)-1,5-dimethylhexa-3,5-dienyl]-3-methylcyclohex-2-enyl (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate (1), rel-(1S,4R,5S,6R)-4,5-diacetoxy-6-[(R)-5-hydroxy-1,5-dimethylhex-3-enyl]-3-methylcyclohex-2-enyl (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate (2), rel-(1R,2S,4R,5S)-4-acetoxy-2-[(R)-5-hydroxy-1,5-dimethylhex-3-enyl]-5-methylcyclohexyl (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate (3), and a new coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-(1-methylethenyl)-7H-pyrano[2,3-g][1,4]benzodioxin-7-one (4) together with nine known compounds have been isolated. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells.     

Delta opioidmimetic antagonists: prototypes for designing a new generation of ultraselective opioid peptides.

BACKGROUND: Tyr-Tic (1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid) and Tyr-Tic-Ala were the first peptides with delta opioid antagonist activity lacking Phe, considered essential for opioid activity based on the N-terminal tripeptide sequence (Tyr-D-Xaa-Phe) of amphibian skin opioids. Analogs were then designed to restrain the rotational flexibility of Tyr by the substitution of 2,6-dimethyl-L-tyrosine (Dmt). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tyr and Dmt peptides were synthesized by solid phase and solution methods using Fmoc technology or condensing Boc-Dmt-OH or Boc-Tyr(But)-OH with H-L-Tic-OBut or H-D-Tic-OBut, respectively. Peptides were purified (> 99%) by HPLC and characteristics determined by 1H-NMR, FAB-MS, melting point, TLC, and amino acid analyses. RESULTS: H-Dmt-Tic-OH had high affinity (Ki delta = 0.022 nM) and extraordinary selectivity (Ki mu/Ki delta = 150,000); H-Dmt-Tic-Ala-OH had a Ki delta = 0.29 nM and delta selectivity = 20,000. Affinity and selectivity increased 8700- and 1000-fold relative to H-Tyr-Tic-OH, respectively. H-Dmt-Tic-OH and H-Dmt-Tic-NH2 fitted one-site receptor binding models (eta = 0.939-0.987), while H-Dmt-Tic-ol, H-Dmt-Tic-Ala-OH and H-Dmt-Tic-Ala-NH2 best fitted two-site models (eta = 0.708-0.801, F 18.9-26.0, p < 0.0001). Amidation increased mu affinity by 10- to 100-fold and acted synergistically with D-Tic2 to reverse selectivity (delta-->mu). Dmt-Tic di- and tripeptides exhibited delta antagonist bioactivity (Ke = 4-66 nM) with mouse vas deferens and lacked agonist mu activity (> 10 microM) in guinea-pig ileum preparations. Dmt-Tic analogs weakly interacted with kappa receptors in the 1 to > 20 microM range. CONCLUSIONS: Dmt-Tic opioidmimetic peptides represent a highly potent class of opioid peptide antagonists with greater potency than the nonopioid delta antagonist naltrindole and have potential application as clinical and therapeutic compounds.     

Putative chemical signals about sex, individuality, and genetic background in the preputial gland and urine of the house mouse (Mus musculus)

To explore whether preputial gland secretions and/or urine from the house mouse (Mus musculus) can be used for coding information about sex, individuality, and/or the genetic background of strain [ICR/albino, Kunming (KM), and C57BL/6], we compared the volatile compositions of mouse preputial glands and urine using a combination of dichloromethane extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Of the 40 identified compounds in preputial gland secretions, 31 were esters, 2 sesquiterpens, and 7 alcohols. We failed to find any compound unique to a specific sex, individual, or strain. However, many low molecular weight compounds between the sexes, most compounds among individuals, and several compounds among the 3 strains varied significantly in relative ratios. These quantitative differences in preputial gland volatiles (analog coding) are likely to convey information about sex, individual, and the genetic background of mouse strain. We identified 2 new main and male-elevated compounds, 1-hexadecanol (Z=3.676, P=0.000, N=19 in ICR; Z=3.576, P=0.000, N=18) and 1-hexadecanol acetate (Z=3.429, P=0.000, N=19 in ICR; Z=3.225, P=0.001, N=18), which were eluted in GC chromatogram after the 2 sesquiterpens. They might also be potential male pheromones, in addition to the well-known E-beta-farnesene and E,E-alpha-farnesene. Additionally, a few compounds including 1-hexadecanol also varied with strains and might also code for genetic information. Of the 9 identified volatile compounds in male urine, (s)-2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole and R,R-3,4-dehydro-exo-brevicomin are known urine-originated male pheromones from previous studies. We also detected 6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-heptanone, a male urinary pheromonal compound, which had not been directly detected by GC-MS previously. Chemical analysis shows that the genetically more closely related ICR and KM strains had a higher similarity in the volatile compositions of preputial glands and urine than that between ICR or KM and C57BL/6. R,R-3,4-dehydro-exo-brevicomin, in particular, was sensitive to genetic shifts and differed in relative abundance among the 3 strains, whereas (s)-2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole differed between ICR or Km and C57BL/6. Hence, these 2 compounds might code for information about their genetic background.     

Pharmacophore Modeling for Anti-Chagas Drug Design Using the Fragment Molecular Orbital Method

BackgroundChagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease that causes severe human health problems. To develop a new chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of Chagas disease, we predicted a pharmacophore model for T. cruzi dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (TcDHODH) by fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculation for orotate, oxonate, and 43 orotate derivatives.Conclusions/SignificanceFMO-based interaction energy analyses revealed a pharmacophore model for TcDHODH inhibitor. Hydrogen bond acceptor pharmacophores correspond to Lys43 and Lys214, hydrogen bond donor and acceptor pharmacophores correspond to Asn67 and Asn194, and the aromatic ring pharmacophore corresponds to FMN, which shows important characteristics of compounds that inhibit TcDHODH. In addition, the Lys214 residue is not conserved between TcDHODH and human DHODH. Our analysis suggests that these orotate derivatives should preferentially bind to TcDHODH, increasing their selectivity. Our results obtained by pharmacophore modeling provides insight into the structural requirements for the design of TcDHODH inhibitors and their development as new anti-Chagas drugs.     

绿槽枝衣的化学成分

从地衣绿槽枝衣( Sulcaria virens) 中分离得到一个新的亚油酸异丙叉衍生物, 通过波谱学方法包括2D-NMR 确定其化学结构为: 9, 10-O-异丙叉基- (12 Z)-十八碳烯酸(1) 。同时还得到其它12 个已知化合物:( 9 Z, 12 Z )-十八碳二烯酸(2), 扁枝衣二酸(3), ( R ) -松萝酸(4), 枕酸甲酯( 5), 黑茶渍素(6) , virensic acid ( 7), abieslactone (8), 3α-羟基羊毛甾-7, 24-二烯-26, 23 R-内酯(9), 蒲公英赛醇(10 ), 蒲公英赛酮 ( 11 ), (22 E , 24 R )-5α, 8α-过氧麦角甾-6, 22-二烯-3β-醇(12) 和2, 2′-四氢角鲨烯(13)。     

Studies on sensitivity to racemization of activated residues in couplings of N-benzyloxycarbonyldipeptides.

A series of 24 peptides Z-Gly-Xaa(R)-OH where Xaa = 15 different residues and R = H, NH2, tBu, Bzl, Trt, Mtr, and StBu were coupled with valine benzyl ester in dimethylformamide or dichloromethane at +5 degrees. The accompanying racemization was determined by analysis of the epimeric products by normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for Xaa(R) = Met, Cys(StBu) and Lys(Z) and by reversed-phase HPLC after removal of benzyl-based protecting groups for Xaa(R) = Ser(tBu), Thr(tBu) and Arg(Mtr). The coupling methods examined included mixed anhydride (MxAn) at -5 degrees, and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), benzotriazol-1-yl-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP) and O-benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosp hate (HBTU) in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt). Very few couplings gave stereochemically pure products. The order of sensitivity to racemization of residues depended on the method of coupling and the solvent. It varied most when comparing MxAn to HOBt-assisted reactions; it varied moderately when comparing HOBt-assisted reactions. There was less variation in comparing BOP and HBTU reactions that are initiated by the same mechanism. Leu, Nle, Phe, Asn, Lys(Z) and Asp(OBzl) are identified as the residues least sensitive to racemization. DCC-HOBt generally led to less epimerization than the other methods.     

Synthesis of fully active biotinylated analogues of parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein as tools for the characterization of parathyroid hormone receptors.

The synthesis, purification, and characterization of biotinylated analogues of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) are described. A novel methodology was developed which allowed the selective biotinylation during solid-phase synthesis of either the Lys13 or Lys26 residue in PTH/PTHrP sequences. Incorporation of orthogonally protected N alpha-Boc-Lys(N epsilon-Fmoc) at a selected position in the sequence, followed by selective side-chain deprotection and biotinylation of the epsilon-amino group, permitted modification of the specific lysine only. Biotinylated analogues of [Nle8,18,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34)NH2 (analogue 1a) were prepared by modification of Lys13 with a biotinyl group (analogue 1) or a biotinyl-epsilon-aminohexanoyl group (analogue 2) or at Lys26 with a biotinyl-epsilon-aminohexanoyl group (analogue 3). A biotinylated PTHrP antagonist [Leu11,D-Trp12,Lys13(N epsilon-(biotinyl-beta-Ala))]PTHrP(7-34)NH2 (analogue 5), was also prepared. In a different synthetic approach, selective modification of the thiol group of [Cys35]PTHrP(1-35)NH2, in solution, with N-biotinyl-N'-(6-maleimidohexanoyl)hydrazide, resulted in analogue 4. The high affinities of the biotinylated analogues for PTH receptors present in human osteosarcoma B-10 cells or in porcine renal cortical membranes (PRCM), were comparable to those of the underivatized parent peptides. The analogues were also highly potent in stimulation of cAMP formation (analogues 1-4) or inhibition of PTH-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (analogue 5) in B-10 cells. The most potent analogue (analogue 1) had potencies in B-10 cells (Kb = 1.5 nM, Km = 0.35 nM) and in porcine renal membranes (Kb = 0.70 nM) identical or similar to those of its parent peptide, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of histidine-40 in ribonuclease T1 catalysis: three-dimensionalstructures of the partially active His40Lys mutant.

Histidine-40 is known to participate in phosphodiester transesterification catalyzed by the enzyme ribonuclease T1. A mutant enzyme with a lysine replacing the histidine-40 (His40Lys RNase T1) retains considerable catalytic activity [Steyaert, J., Hallenga, K., Wyns, L., & Stanssens, P. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 9064-9072]. We report on the crystal structures of His40Lys RNase T1 containing a phosphate anion and a guanosine 2'-phosphate inhibitor in the active site, respectively. Similar to previously described structures, the phosphate-containing crystals are of space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with one molecule per asymmetric unit (a = 48.27 A, b = 46.50 A, c = 41.14 A). The complex with 2'-GMP crystallized in the lower symmetry space group P2(1), with two molecules per asymmetric unit (a = 49.20 A, b = 48.19 A, c = 40.16 A, beta = 90.26). The crystal structures have been solved at 1.8- and 2.0-A resolution yielding R values of 14.5% and 16.0%, respectively. Comparison of these His40Lys structures with the corresponding wild-type structures, containing 2'-GMP [Arni, R., Heinemann, U., Tokuoka, R., & Saenger, W. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 15358-15368] and vanadate [Kostrewa, D., Hui-Woog Choe, Heinemann, U., & Saenger, W. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 7692-7600] in the active site, respectively, leads to the following conclusions. First, the His40Lys mutation causes no significant changes in the overall structure of RNase T1; second, the Lys40 side chains in the mutant structures occupy roughly the same space as His40 in the corresponding wild-type RNase T1 structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Synthesis, structures and antitumor activity of the first crown ester-linked bipyridyl platinum complexes.

Three new crown ester-linked bipyridine homologs with three, four or five ethylene glycol units, which are bulky and soluble in both hydrophilic and lipophilic media, were synthesized. The reaction of the appropriate macrocycles with K2PtCl4 in water gave yellow cisplatin analogs in good yield. These complexes were converted to carboplatin analogs by exchange of the leaving group. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic methods. Carboplatin analogs showed good solubility in both hydrophilic and lipophilic media. The crystal structure of 2c, the carboplatin analog with macrocycles containing five ethylene glycol units, was determined by X-ray diffraction: space group P1, a = 9.798(1), b = 12.580(3), c = 13.945(2) A, alpha = 108.61(2), beta = 94.59(1), gamma = 97.42(2) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.0618. Some of platinum complexes showed a moderate cytotoxic effect on both murine leukemia L1210 and P388 even though they do not have any NH proton.