Synthesis and structural characterization of soluble neuromelanin analogs provides important clues to its biosynthesis

Elucidating the structure and biosynthesis of neuromelanin (NM) would be an important step towards understanding its putative role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. A useful complement to studies aimed at unraveling the origin and properties of this essentially insoluble natural substance is the preparation of synthetic derivatives that resemble NM. With this aim in mind, water-soluble conjugates between dopamine-derived melanin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were synthesized. Melanin–BSA adducts were prepared with both eumelanic oligomers obtained through the oxidative polymerization of dopamine and pheomelanic oligomers obtained under the same conditions from dopamine and cysteine. Iron ions were added during the synthesis to understand the interaction between the pigment and this metal ion, as the NM in neurons in several human brain regions contains significant amounts of iron. The structures of the conjugates were analyzed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and controlled proteolysis/MS experiments. The binding of iron(III) ions was evaluated by ICP analysis and EPR spectroscopy. The EPR signal from bound iron(III) indicated high-spin octahedral sites and, as also seen for NM, the signal is coupled to a signal from a radical associated with the melanic components of the conjugates. However, the intensity of the EPR signal from iron suggested a reduced fraction of the total iron, indicating that most of the iron is strongly coupled in clusters within the matrix. The amount of paramagnetic, mononuclear iron(III) was greater in the pheomelanin–BSA conjugates, suggesting that iron clustering is reduced in the sulfur-containing pigment. Thus, the melanin–BSA conjugates appear to be good models for the natural pigment.     

Differential effects of human neuromelanin and synthetic dopamine melanin on neuronal and glial cells

We investigated the effects of neuromelanin (NM) isolated from the human substantia nigra and synthetic dopamine melanin (DAM) on neuronal and glial cell lines and on primary rat mesencephalic cultures. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased in SK-N-SH cells by DAM but not by NM. In contrast, iron-saturated NM significantly increased LDH activity in SK-N-SH cells, compared with 100 mg/mL ETDA-treated NM containing a low concentration of bound iron. DAM, but not NM, stimulated hydroxyl radical production and increased SK-N-SH cell death via apoptotic-like mechanisms. Neither DAM nor NM induced any changes in the glial cell line U373. 3H-dopamine uptake in primary rat mesencephalic cultures was significantly reduced in DAM-compared with NM-treated cultures, accompanied by increased cell death via an apoptosis-like mechanism. Interestingly, Fenton-induced cell death was significantly decreased in cultures treated with both Fenton reagent and NM, an effect not seen in cultures treated with Fenton reagent plus DAM. These data are suggestive of a protective role for neuromelanin under conditions of high oxidative load. Our findings provide new evidence for a physiological role for neuromelanin in vivo and highlights the caution with which data based upon model systems should be interpreted.     

Conformation states of thymopentin and its synthetic analogs

Spatial structures of the biologically active fragment Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr of tymopoetin (tymopentin) and its synthetic analogs: [Lys1-Arg2]-, [Glu3]- and [Gly3] have been investigated by theoretical conformational analysis. These results indicate that the conformational properties of fragments are represented in aqueous solution by five different backbone forms.     

X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy studies of Fe sites in natural human neuromelanin and synthetic analogues.

X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy is used to study the local environment of the iron site in natural (human) neuromelanin extracted from substantia nigra tissue and in various synthetic neuromelanins. All the materials show Fe centered in a nearest neighbor sixfold (distorted) oxygen octahedron; the Fe-O distances, while slightly different in the natural and synthetic neuromelanin, are both approximately 2.0 A. Appreciable differences arise, however, in the second (and higher) coordination shells. In this case the synthetic melanin has the four planar oxygens bound to carbon rings with Fe-C distances of approximately 2.82 and 4.13 A; the human sample does not show the 2.82 A link but instead indicates a double shell at approximately 3.45 and 3.78 A.     

The mechanism of human tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 in the cleavage of AP site and its synthetic analogs

The mechanism of hydrolysis of the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site and its synthetic analogs by using tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (Tdp1) was analyzed. Tdp1 catalyzes the cleavage of AP site and the synthetic analog of the AP site, 3-hydroxy-2(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofuran (THF), in DNA by hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond between the substituent and 5′ adjacent phosphate. The product of Tdp1 cleavage in the case of the AP site is unstable and is hydrolyzed with the formation of 3′- and 5′-margin phosphates. The following repair demands the ordered action of polynucleotide kinase phosphorylase, with XRCC1, DNA polymerase β, and DNA ligase. In the case of THF, Tdp1 generates break with the 5′-THF and the 3′-phosphate termini. Tdp1 is also able to effectively cleave non-nucleotide insertions in DNA, decanediol and diethyleneglycol moieties by the same mechanism as in the case of THF cleavage. The efficiency of Tdp1 catalyzed hydrolysis of AP-site analog correlates with the DNA helix distortion induced by the substituent. The following repair of 5′-THF and other AP-site analogs can be processed by the long-patch base excision repair pathway.     

Lipid and sulfur substituted prenylcysteine analogs as human Icmt inhibitors

Inhibition of isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase (Icmt) offers a promising strategy for K-Ras driven cancers. We describe the synthesis and inhibitory activity of substrate-based analogs derived from several novel scaffolds. Modifications of both the prenyl group and thioether of N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine (AFC), a substrate for human Icmt (hIcmt), have resulted in low micromolar inhibitors of Icmt and have given insights into the nature of the prenyl binding site of hIcmt.     

The neuromelanin of the human substantia nigra

The pigment of the human substantia nigra was isolated after extraction of lipids and proteins with 2% sodium cholate in 30% ethanol followed by 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate in 10% glycerol. The pigment was hydrolysed with HI or degraded by treatment with KMNO4 and the samples were examined for compounds known to derive from pheomelanin (4-amino-3-hydroxyphenylalanine, AHP and 4-amino-3-hydroxyphenylethylamine, AHPEA), or from eumelanin (pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, PTCA). The HI hydrolysis yielded AHPEA in large quantities, indicating cysteinyldopamine as the main source of the pheomelanin moiety of the neuromelanin, but also trace amounts of AHP, derived from cysteinyldopa oxidation products. Dopamine and small quantities of dopa were also obtained by HI hydrolysis of the neuromelanin. The yield of PTCA was low, but the amounts observed show that part of the neuromelanin is of the eumelanin type, a fact compatible with an occasional exhaustion of the glutathione-cysteine reduction system at the site of neuromelanin formation.     

A study of enzymatic hydrolysis of splenopentin and its analogs in human serum

Degradation of immunoactive peptide splenopentin and its analogue N-acetylsplenopentin in human serum has been investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that degradation of splenopentin occurs due to hydrolysis of peptide bonds in its N-terminal part, whereas in N-acetylsplenopentin peptide bonds in C-terminal part of the molecule are cleaved. Degradation pathways and life times of these peptides in human serum are established.     

Group-specific antibodies against zearalenone and its metabolites and synthetic analogs

Formation kinetics, specificity, and analytical potential of polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits against BSA conjugates of carboxymethyloxime-zearalanone (CMO-ZAN) and carboxymethyloxime-zearalenone (CMO-ZEN). Preparation of the conjugates involved conversion of CMO-ZAN and CMO-ZEN into activated esters and carbodiimide condensation. Two versions of a group-specific enzyme immunoassay (for zearalenone/alpha-zearalenone and zearalanol/alpha-zearalanol) based on heterologous combination of solid-phase antigens are described (sensitivity, 0.01 ng/ml).     

Immunochemical analysis of substance P using its synthetic fragments and analogs

Synthetic fragments and analogs were used to characterize specificity of antisera to substance P. Both, the C-terminal hexapeptide and the pentapeptide completely inhibited binding of 125I-[Tyr8]substance P by these antisera, showing the antigenic identity with substance P. Synthetic fragments shorter than peptide (7-11) did not react with anti-substance P antisera in this system. Substitution of amino acids in different positions in the fragments (6-11) or (7-11) by histidine or glycine revealed that all five amino-acid residues take part in a structure of the antigenic determinant.     

A comparative study of synthetic carnosine analogs as antioxidants

1. The antioxidative activity of carnosine and 16 related compounds, both synthetic and natural, was determined. 2. The antioxidative effect was estimated by the ability of the dipeptides to prevent MDA accumulation in the course of LPO induced in rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes by the Fe2+ ascorbate system. 3. It was found that the antioxidative effect comparable to that of carnosine was exerted by water-soluble (cyclo-L-histidyl-L-proline) and alcohol-soluble (cyclo-L-histidyl-L-phenilalanine) dipeptides as well as by the histidine-free cyclodipeptides (cyclo-L-tyrosyl-L-proline). 4. However, in contrast to its synthetic analogs, carnosine not only inhibited the LPO, but also diminished the level of products accumulated during membrane lipid peroxidation.     

Kinetic studies of the interaction of synthetic RNAs with quinacrine and its analogs.

Temperature-jump relaxation method has been used to study the interaction of synthetic RNAs with quinacrine (QAC) and its analog. Two relaxation times were observed. The dependence of relaxation times on the RNA concentration and optical properties of the RNA-dye complexes suggests that (1) QAC binds to poly-(rA).poly(rU) through two bimolecular reactions including isomerization from one complex form to another and (2) the 2-methoxy group of the acridine ring plays a significant role in the isomerization.     

Spectroscopic studies of the interaction of synthetic RNAs with quinacrine and its analogs.

The interaction of synthetic RNAs with quinacrine (QAC) and its analogs has been studied by absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The results indicate that the 2-methoxy group of the acridine ring plays an important role in the appearance of the new absorption band upon binding of QAC to poly-(rA).poly(rU).     

Inhibition of human placental sterylsulfatase by synthetic analogs of estrone sulfate

Synthetic analogs of estrone sulfate which carry differently substituted sulfonyl groups at position 3 of an invariable 3-desoxyestrone (dE1) moiety were tested in vitro as inhibitors of the human placental sterylsulfatase. Using both placental microsomes and a highly purified placental sterylsulfatase preparation as the enzyme source and dehydroepiandrosterone [³⁵S]sulfate or estrone [³⁵]sulfate as the substrate, the following order of inhibitory potencies was observed: dE1–3-sulfonylchloride >dE1–3-sulfonylfluoride≈dE1–3-sulfonate>dE1–3-sulfonamide≈3-methylsulfonyl-dE1. According to the results, the association of enzyme and inhibitor appears to be favored by an electronegative substituent at the sulfur atom (-Cl, -F, -O⁻). Since, however, even the most potent synthetic inhibitor was bound by the enzyme with significantly lower affinity than was the natural substrate estrone sulfate, an oxygen function between the aromatic ring and the sulfur atom may be necessary for high affinity binding towards the sterylsulfatase. In addition to its fast reversible association with the enzyme, dE1–3-sulfonylchloride further affected the sulfatase activity in a time-dependent manner. This latter inhibitory activity which may be due to a covalent modification (alkylation) of sterylsulfatase by the analog was partially prevented in the presence of substrate.     

Oleandomycin and its natural and synthetic analogs. I. Dissociative ionization of oleandomycin and its derivatives

Regularities of dissociative ionization of compounds belonging to the oleandomycin group were studied. Mass spectra of oleandomycin and some of its derivatives including anhydrooleandomycin, oleandomycin chlorhydrine, desoleandomycin, oleandomycin oxide, trimethylsilyl and acetyl derivatives were analyzed comparatively. Directions of disintegration with breakage of the glycoside bonds, macrolactone and carbon cycles were detected. The data are useful in structural analysis of not described oleandomycin-related compounds formed during biosynthesis and isolation of the main product.     

Amiloride and its analogs as tools in the study of ion transport

Amiloride inhibits most plasma membrane Na+ transport systems. We have reviewed the pharmacology of inhibition of these transporters by amiloride and its analogs. Thorough studies of the Na+ channel, the Na+/H+ exchanger, and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, clearly show that appropriate modification of the structure of amiloride will generate analogs with increased affinity and specificity for a particular transport system. Introduction of hydrophobic substituents on the terminal nitrogen of the guanidino moiety enhances activity against the Na+ channel; whereas addition of hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) groups on the 5-amino moiety enhances activity against the Na+/H+ exchanger. Activity against the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and Ca2+ channel is increased with hydrophobic substituents at either of these sites. Appropriate modification of amiloride has produced analogs that are several hundred-fold more active than amiloride against specific transporters. The availability of radioactive and photoactive amiloride analogs, anti-amiloride antibodies, and analogs coupled to support matrices should prove useful in future studies of amiloride-sensitive transport systems. The use of amiloride and its analogs in the study of ion transport requires a knowledge of the pharmacology of inhibition of transport proteins, as well as effects on enzymes, receptors, and other cellular processes, such as DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism. One must consider whether the effects seen on various cellular processes are direct or due to a cascade of events triggered by an effect on an ion transport system.     

Interaction of human substantia nigra neuromelanin with lipids and peptides

Neuromelanin was isolated from human substantia nigra using different procedures. In the pigment isolated by any of these procedures a peptide component covalently bound to the melanic structure was found, as shown by treatment with reagents known to eliminate noncovalently bound proteins. The amino acid content of such a peptide component was reproducible and corresponded to approximately 15% of the neuromelanin weight. Neuromelanin also showed the ability to absorb specifically lipid molecules, approximately 20% of its weight, and among these lipids cholesterol was identified, constituting approximately 5% of the total lipid mixture. A synthetic melanin, incubated with putamen homogenate, bound tissue peptides with an amino acid content quite close to that of neuromelanin. The same synthetic melanin adsorbed a lower amount of lipids from the putamen homogenate compared with neuromelanin. The sulfur content of neuromelanin was also reproducible even using different isolation procedures. A nonpigmented tissue like corpus callosum was used as a control and extracted by the method used for neuromelanin isolation; a total elimination of tissue components was found, thus demonstrating the capability of the reported procedures to isolate neuromelanin alone. The presence of a peptide component in the neuromelanin structure and the selective affinity for lipid molecules suggest new aspects of the functional role and metabolic pathway of neuromelanin.     

Membrane interactions of the synthetic N-terminal peptide of HIV-1 gp41 and its structural analogs

Structural and functional studies assessed the membrane actions of the N terminus of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41000 (gp41). Earlier site-directed mutagenesis has shown that key amino acid changes in this gp41 domain inhibit viral infection and syncytia formation. Here, a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N terminus of gp41 (FP; 23 residues, 519-541), and also FP analogs (FP520V/E with Val-->Glu at residue 520; FP527L/R with Leu-->Arg at 527; FP529F/Y with Phe-->Tyr at 529; and FPCLP1 with FP truncated at 525) incorporating these modifications were prepared. When added to human erythrocytes at physiologic pH, the lytic and aggregating activities of the FP analogs were much reduced over those with the wild-type FP. With resealed human erythrocyte ghosts, the lipid-mixing activities of the FP analogs were also substantially depressed over that with the wild-type FP. Combined with results from earlier studies, theoretical calculations using hydrophobic moment plot analysis and physical experiments using circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicate that the diminished lysis and fusion noted for FP analogs may be due to altered peptide-membrane lipid interactions. These data confirm that the N-terminal gp41 domain plays critical roles in the cytolysis and fusion underlying HIV-cell infection.