Topology of receptor binding domains of mouse IFN-gamma.

IFN-gamma is an essential immunoregulatory lymphokine for a variety of immunologic functions including upregulation of MHC Ag. The elucidation of the structure, particularly the receptor binding domains, should further enhance our understanding of its mechanism of action, and provide a rational basis for modulation of its activity by alteration of its structure. A predicted model of murine IFN-gamma structure has been constructed based on data derived from our synthetic peptide studies, circular dichroism spectra, and predictive algorithms for secondary structure, surface accessibility, and tertiary structure, as well as predicted structural similarities to IL-2. Direct synthetic peptide competition studies using five overlapping peptides that encompassed the entire IFN-gamma sequence of 133 amino acids showed that only the N-terminus of IFN-gamma, IFN-gamma(1-39), blocked binding to receptor, suggesting that the N-terminus is directly involved in receptor binding. Rabbit antibodies to the N-terminal (IFN-gamma(1-39)) and C-terminal (IFN-gamma(95-133)) peptides neutralized IFN-gamma activity, whereas antibodies to the three peptides that spanned the internal region, sequence 36-107, were without effect. Thus, the antibody data support the involvement of the N-terminus as a receptor binding domain and also suggest that the C-terminus of the molecule is also a binding domain. Predictive algorithms assign six alpha-helices and five turns to the molecule and circular dichroism spectra of both intact human and murine IFN-gamma and synthetic peptides of murine IFN-gamma showed that the molecule is mainly alpha-helical in structure. Drawing mainly on the four alpha-helix bundle model, a common motif in globular proteins such as IFN-gamma and IL-2 (whose crystalline structure is known), we constructed a simple model of the tertiary structure of IFN-gamma that fits well with our synthetic peptide and circular dichroism data. The model consists of the four-alpha-helical bundle along with N- and C-terminal helices that are predicted to be closely associated and together form the receptor binding domains. The model presented should contribute to further understanding the molecular basis of IFN-gamma action and allow us to begin modulating the function of IFN-gamma through the design of agonists and antagonists.     

Probing the steroid binding domain-like I (SBDLI) of the sigma-1 receptor binding site using N-substituted photoaffinity labels

Radioiodinated photoactivatable photoprobes can provide valuable insights regarding protein structure. Previous work in our laboratory showed that the cocaine derivative and photoprobe 3-[ (125)I]iodo-4-azidococaine ([ (125)I]IACoc) binds to the sigma-1 receptor with 2-3 orders of magnitude higher affinity than cocaine [Kahoun, J. R. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 1393-1397]. Using this photoprobe, we demonstrated the insertion site for [ (125)I]IACoc to be Asp188 [Chen, Y. (2007) Biochemistry 46, 3532-3542], which resides in the proposed steroid binding domain-like II (SBDLII) region (amino acids 176-194) [Pal, A. (2007) Mol. Pharmacol. 72, 921-933]. An additional photoprobe based on the sigma-1 receptor ligand fenpropimorph, 1- N-(2-3-[ (125)I]iodophenyl)propane ([ (125)I]IAF), was found to label a peptide in both the SBDLII and steroid binding domain-like I (SBDLI) (amino acids 91-109) [Pal, A. (2007) Mol. Pharmacol. 72, 921-933]. In this report, we describe two novel strategically positioned carrier-free, radioiodinated photoaffinity labels specifically designed to probe the putative "nitrogen interacting region" of sigma-1 receptor ligands. These two novel photoprobes are (-)-methyl 3-(benzoyloxy)-8-2-(4-azido-3-[ (125)I]iodobenzene)-1-ethyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate ([ (125)I]-N-IACoc) and N-propyl- N-(4-azido-3-iodophenylethyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propylamine ([ (125)I]IAC44). In addition to reporting their binding affinities to the sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors, we show that both photoaffinity labels specifically and covalently derivatized the pure guinea pig sigma-1 receptor (26.1 kDa) [Ramachandran, S. (2007) Protein Expression Purif. 51, 283-292]. Cleavage of the photolabeled sigma-1 receptor using Endo Lys C and cyanogen bromide (CNBr) revealed that the [ (125)I]-N-IACoc label was located primarily in the N-terminus and SBDLI-containing peptides of the sigma-1 receptor, while [ (125)I]IAC44 was found in peptide fragments consistent with labeling of both SBDLI and SBDLII.     

Characterization of a synthetic peptide corresponding to a receptor binding domain of mouse interferon gamma.

A receptor binding region of mouse interferon gamma (IFN gamma) has previously been localized to the N-terminal 39 amino acids of the molecule by use of synthetic peptides and monoclonal antibodies. In this report, a detailed analysis of the synthetic peptide corresponding to this region, IFN gamma (1-39), is presented. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy indicated that the peptide has stable secondary structure under aqueous conditions and adopts a combination of alpha-helical and random structure. A peptide lacking two N-terminal amino acids, IFN gamma (3-39), had similar secondary structure and equivalent ability to compete for receptor binding, while peptides lacking four or more N-terminal residues had reduced alpha-helical structure and did not inhibit 125I-IFN gamma binding. Substitution of proline, a helix-destabilizing amino acid, for leucine (residue 8) of a predicted amphipathic alpha-helix (residues 3-12), IFN gamma (1-39) [Pro]8, resulted in a substantial reduction in the helical content of the peptide, supporting the presence of helical structure in this region. However, destabilization of the helix did not reduce the competitive ability of the peptide. A peptide lacking eight C-terminal residues, IFN gamma (1-31), did not block 125I-IFN gamma binding and had no detectable alpha-helical structure, suggesting a requirement of the predicted second alpha-helix (residues 20-34) for receptor interaction and helix stabilization. Substitution of phenylalanine for tyrosine at position 14, IFN gamma (1-39) [Phe]14, a central location of a predicted omega-loop structure, did not affect the secondary structure associated with the region yet resulted in a 30-fold increase in receptor competition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Modulation of human growth hormone binding to somatogenic and lactogenic receptors by monoclonal antibodies to human growth hormone.

The relationship between the structure of human growth hormone (hGH) and the hormone-receptor interaction was investigated by studying the effects of specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to hGH on the binding of [125I]hGH to rabbit liver and mouse liver microsomes. Receptor binding assays were carried out using a constant dose (1 ng) of [125I]hGH and varying concentrations of MAbs. The assay was carried out in the presence of either excess ovine prolactin for the measurement of somatogenic (SOM) binding sites, or excess bovine growth hormone for the determination of lactogenic (LAC) binding sites. Anti-hGH MAbs were found to have a whole spectrum of effects on hGH binding, including inhibitory, non-effect and enhancing activities. Enhancement of the binding of [125I]hGH to both SOM and LAC receptors was observed in liver membranes of rabbit or mouse. The observed amplified signal of [125I]hGH binding to various receptors in the presence of MAb no. 8 may be due to conformational changes which occur following MAb binding to hGH. On the other hand, most of the other MAbs caused inhibition of [125I]hGH binding. A negative correlation exists between the cross-reaction of various MAbs with the N-terminus truncated forms of hGH (Met14-hGH or Met8Leu-hGH) and their respective KD/IC50 values enabled the evaluation of the crucial role of the N-terminus region in hGH binding to both LAC and SOM receptors. MAb nos 1 and 19, which are directed towards acid residues 95-134 and the C-terminus, inhibited SOM binding more potently than LAC binding. Thus, it seems that these mid-molecule and C-terminus regions are also important in hGH binding, and that they play a role in the partial overlap of SOM and LAC binding.     

Abilities of some tryptophan and phenylalanine derivatives to inhibit gastric acid secretion

Benzotript (N-p-chlorobenzoyl-L-tryptophan) has been shown to be a receptor-antagonist in vivo and in vitro for peptides from the gastrin family. In the present study, we examine tryptophan, and some of its N- and C-acylated derivatives, as well as some phenylalanine derivatives, to show their ability to inhibit gastrin-induced acid secretion in the rat in vivo and to compete for the binding of [125I]-(Leu-15)-HG-17 to its cellular receptor on rabbit isolated gastric mucosal cells. N- and C- derivatives of tryptophan and phenylalanine were found to inhibit gastrin-induced acid secretion and binding of [125I]-(Leu-15)-HG-17 to its mucosal cell receptors. By either criterion, the relative antagonistic potencies of the compounds tested were: tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-tryphophan-p-nitrophenyl ester approximately equal to tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-tryptophan-carbamoylmethyl ester greater than tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-tryptophyl-L-methionyl-carbamoylmethyl ester approximately equal to tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanine-carbamoylmethyl ester approximately equal to tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-tryptophyl-L-methionyl-amide greater than tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-tryptophan greater than tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanine greater than benzyloxycarbonyl-L-tryptophan approximately equal to benzotript, with minor differences between the in vivo and the in vitro experiments. These results demonstrate that both the nature of the amino acid residue and the N- and C-substitutions are important in determining antagonist activity and affinity for gastrin receptors.     

Probing the salmeterol binding site on the beta 2-adrenergic receptor using a novel photoaffinity ligand, [(125)I]iodoazidosalmeterol.

Salmeterol is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) agonist used clinically to treat asthma. In addition to binding at the active agonist site, it has been proposed that salmeterol also binds with very high affinity at a second site, termed the "exosite", and that this exosite contributes to the long duration of action of salmeterol. To determine the position of the phenyl ring of the aralkyloxyalkyl side chain of salmeterol in the beta 2AR binding site, we designed and synthesized the agonist photoaffinity label [(125)I]iodoazidosalmeterol ([125I]IAS). In direct adenylyl cyclase activation, in effects on adenylyl cyclase after pretreatment of intact cells, and in guinea pig tracheal relaxation assays, IAS and the parent drug salmeterol behave essentially the same. Significantly, the photoreactive azide of IAS is positioned on the phenyl ring at the end of the molecule which is thought to be involved in exosite binding. Carrier-free radioiodinated [125I]IAS was used to photolabel epitope-tagged human beta 2AR in membranes prepared from stably transfected HEK 293 cells. Labeling with [(125)I]IAS was blocked by 10 microM (-)-alprenolol and inhibited by addition of GTP gamma S, and [125I]IAS migrated at the same position on an SDS-PAGE gel as the beta 2AR labeled by the antagonist photoaffinity label [125I]iodoazidobenzylpindolol ([125I]IABP). The labeled receptor was purified on a nickel affinity column and cleaved with factor Xa protease at a specific sequence in the large loop between transmembrane segments 5 and 6, yielding two peptides. While the control antagonist photoaffinity label [125I]IABP labeled both the large N-terminal fragment [containing transmembranes (TMs) 1-5] and the smaller C-terminal fragment (containing TMs 6 and 7), essentially all of the [125I]IAS labeling was on the smaller C-terminal peptide containing TMs 6 and 7. This direct biochemical evidence demonstrates that when salmeterol binds to the receptor, its hydrophobic aryloxyalkyl tail is positioned near TM 6 and/or TM 7. A model of IAS binding to the beta 2AR is proposed.     

Octapeptide analogues of somatostatin inhibit the clonal growth and vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated cyclic AMP formation in human small cell lung cancer cells.

Two endocrinologically active octapeptide analogues (BIM-23014 C and BIM-23034) of somatostatin (SRIF) containing either an N- or C-terminal 3-(2-naphthyl)-D-Ala residue were examined for their ability to inhibit the in vitro receptor binding, clonal growth, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated cyclic AMP formation in human small cell lung cancer cell (SCLC) line NCI-H345. Both SRIF peptides inhibited [125I]SRIF(Tyr11)-14 binding with IC50 values in the low nM range. Colony formation in the in vitro SCLC growth assay was also inhibited in the same concentration range, as was VIP-stimulated cyclic AMP formation. Therefore, octapeptide analogues of SRIF function as SCLC SRIF receptor agonists.     

Characterization of the cocaine binding site on the sigma-1 receptor

The cocaine photoaffinity label 3-iodo-4-azidococaine ([125I]IACoc) binds to the sigma-1 receptor with an affinity that is 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than the parent compound cocaine [Kahoun, J. R., and Ruoho, A. E. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 1393-1397]. In the present study, the binding properties of several cocaine derivatives to the guinea pig liver sigma-1 receptor were determined. The results from assessing the affinity of various derivatives of cocaine which were substituted on the phenyl ring indicated that an important determinant of binding to the guinea pig sigma-1 receptor binding site may be the development of a dipole in the ring in which the pi electron density of the phenyl ring is reduced. This implies that an electron-rich source is present in the sigma-1 receptor binding site, such as the pi system of an aromatic ring or other electron-rich side chains, which interact with the phenyl ring of cocaine. The precise [125I]IACoc derivatization site in the guinea pig sigma-1 receptor was identified using chemical cleavage and purification of the resulting labeled peptides. Cyanogen bromide cleavage of the [125I]IACoc photolabeled sigma-1 receptor followed by radiosequencing identified Asp188, which is located in the putative steroid binding domain-like II (SBDL II) near the carboxyl terminus, as the site of [125I]IACoc insertion. Systematic truncation of the C-terminus indicated the requirement for the last 15 amino acid residues of the receptor for [125I]IACoc photolabeling.     

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) competes for two binding sites of CGRP.

Two distinct binding sites for [125I]human calcitonin gene-related peptide (hCGRP) were found in rat brain, skeletal muscle, and liver. Each tissue had a high affinity site with an average Kd of 46 pM and a low affinity site with an average Kd of 22 nM. Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), which has N- and C-terminal sequence homology to CGRP and is produced by islet beta-cells, bound to both sites but had a potency closer to that of CGRP at the low affinity binding site. A C-terminal fragment of IAPP competed for [125I]hCGRP binding at the low affinity site with potency comparable to that of hIAPP. No specific binding to membrane preparations was found in experiments using [125I]rIAPP, which was iodinated at the C-terminal tyrosyl residue. These results suggest that some of the previously reported biological effects occurring at nM or microM concentrations of IAPP may be mediated by IAPP binding to low affinity CGRP receptors. This study further indicates that the C-terminal region of IAPP is important for binding to low affinity CGRP receptors, and suggests that C-terminal fragments of IAPP may be of biological importance.     

Solubilization and hydrodynamic properties of active peptide YY receptor from rat jejunal crypts. Characterization as a Mr 44,000 glycoprotein.

Peptide YY (PYY) receptors were solubilized from rat jejunal crypts using 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid (CHAPS). The binding of [125I-Tyr36]monoiodo-PYY ([125I]PYY) to CHAPS extracts was time-dependent and reversible. The order of potency of PYY-related peptides for inhibiting [125I]PYY binding was PYY greater than neuropeptide Y much greater than pancreatic polypeptide. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data indicated the presence in soluble extracts of a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 1.02 +/- 0.26 nM and a Bmax of 79 +/- 6 fmol/mg protein. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 and ultracentrifugation on sucrose density gradients of soluble [125I] PYY-receptor complexes revealed a single binding component with the following hydrodynamic parameters: Stokes radius, 4.43 nm; s20,w, 2.48 S; Mr, 48,000; frictional ratio, 1.82. Solubilized PYY receptors bound specifically to concanavalin A-, wheat germ agglutinin-, and soybean-coupled Sepharose, supporting their glycoproteic nature. After cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate, electrophoresis of covalent [125I]PYY-receptor complexes in membranes or CHAPS extracts revealed the presence of two bands of Mr 49,000 or 28,000 whose labeling was completely abolished by 1 microM unlabeled PYY. The Mr 49,000 band probably corresponded to the Mr 48,000 PYY-receptor complex evidenced by hydrodynamic studies. Assuming one molecule of [125I]PYY (Mr 4,000) was bound per molecule of receptor, these data show that intestinal PYY receptor consists of a Mr 44,000 glycoprotein after solubilization with CHAPS. The availability of this CHAPS-soluble receptor from rat jejunum represents a major step toward the purification of this newly characterized receptor.     

FMRFamides exert a unique modulation of rodent pancreatic polypeptide sensitive neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors

FMRFamide and related peptides (RFamides) were found to inhibit the association binding of iodinated human pancreatic polypeptide ([125I]hPP) to Y5-like neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor in rodent tissues. An allosteric regulation of the activity of the rodent kidney PP-sensitive neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor by RFamides was indicated by potency decrease with particle concentration in the inhibition of the association binding of 125I-labeled human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) by RFamides at rabbit kidney membranes. The competition by C-terminal hexapeptide of hPP (LTRPRY.NH2) did not show such affinity change. The steady-state binding of hPP showed little sensitivity to any of the RFamides tested. The Y1-selective binding of [125I][Leu31,Pro34]hPYY (at 2 nM hPP) was much less sensitive to RFamides than the binding of [125I]hPP, albeit with some differences across tissue or cell types. The binding of Y2-selective agonist 125I-labeled human peptide YY (3-36) was quite insensitive to RFamides. The presence of a unique component in the inhibition of hPP binding by RFamides was further indicated by a degree of antagonism with phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122, and by an only limited cooperation with a N5-amiloride compound, and with alkylator chloroethylclonidine. Change of the chirality of individual residues in the FMRFamide molecule produced a significant reduction of inhibitory potency only with D-Phe in the C-terminal position. Substitution of the (C-3) L-Met by L-Leu greatly increased the inhibitory potency of RFamides relative to otherwise identical congeners. RFamides could act both as ligands of membrane neighbors of the PP receptor, and as competitors of Y5-like NPY receptor epitopes that accommodate the C-terminal aspects of agonist peptides.     

Identification and characterization of endothelin binding sites in rat renal papillary and glomerular membranes

The present study was designed to identify and characterize specific endothelin binding sites in membranes of rat renal papillae and glomeruli which appear to be target tissues for this new peptide hormone. Saturation binding studies indicate that the sites have a high and uniform affinity. The dissociation constants averaged 662 +/- 151 and 1309 +/- 123 pM and the receptor densities 7666 +/- 920 and 5831 +/- 348 fmol/mg protein for papillary and glomerular membranes, respectively. Endothelin 1, endothelin 3 and sarafotoxin all inhibited [125I]-endothelin binding with IC50's in the 100-300 pM range, whereas unrelated peptides, namely angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide, and platelet-derived growth factor failed to compete for [125I]-endothelin binding. Deletion of the carboxyterminal tryptophan in endothelin 1 reduced its affinity for glomerular binding sites by 2 orders of magnitude. Specific endothelin binding to these membranes was maximal at pH 4 and was markedly inhibited as the pH was raised above 8. When [125I]-endothelin is covalently linked to glomerular membrane binding sites, SDS-PAGE of these solubilized membranes followed by autoradiography reveals a predominant specifically labeled band of 45 kDa. Whether this band represents a subunit of the endothelin receptor(s), the receptor proper, or an intracellular endothelin binding protein remains to be determined.     

Binding of interferon gamma by glycosaminoglycans: a strategy for localization and/or inhibition of its activity.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a group of negatively charged molecules present in many tissues as components of the extracellular matrix, basement and cellular membranes. This work analysed the ability of this group of substances to interact with human interferon gamma and the effect of those interactions on its biologic activity. A variety of GAGs (heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid), and a related sulfated polysaccharide (dextran sulfate), were found to interact with IFN-gamma as determined by inhibition of the binding of [125I]IFN-gamma to COLO-205 cells and binding to wells coated with GAGs. These interactions were inhibited by synthetic peptides mimicking the sequences of the basic amino acid cluster located at the C-terminal end of mouse and human IFN-gamma, or by poly-L-lysine, suggesting that ionic interactions between the positively-charged C-terminus and negatively charged groups in GAGs were involved. IFN-gamma molecules bound to plate-immobilized or endothelial cell surface GAGs retained biological activity, since they could induce major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression on COLO-205 cells, suggesting that cell surface GAGs might be able to present IFN-gamma to its receptors. These results suggest important regulatory roles for GAGs on the activity of IFN-gamma in vivo.     

Photoaffinity labeling the beta-adrenergic receptor with an iodoazido derivative of norepinephrine

An iodinated photosensitive derivative of norepinephine, N-(p-azido-m-iodophenethylamidoisobutyl)-norepinephrine (NAIN), has been synthesized and characterized. NAIN stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in guinea pig lung membranes in a manner similar to (-)-isoproterenol and was inhibited by (-)-alprenolol. NAIN was shown to compete with [125I]iodocyanobenzylpindolol for the beta-adrenergic receptor in guinea pig lung membranes with an affinity which was dependent on the presence of guanyl nucleotides. Carrier-free radioiodinated NAIN ([125I]NAIN) was used at 2 nM to photoaffinity label the beta-adrenergic receptor in guinea pig lung membranes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of (-)-alprenolol (1 microM) protectable [125I]NAIN labeling showed the same molecular mass polypeptide (65 kDa) that was specifically derivatized with the antagonist photolabel [125I]iodoazidobenzylpindolol. Specific labeling of the beta-adrenergic receptor with [125I]NAIN was dependent on the presence of MgCl2 and the absence of guanyl nucleotide. Guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate (100 microM) abolished specific labeling by [125I]NAIN. N-Ethylmaleimide (2 mM) in the presence of [125I]NAIN protected against the magnesium and guanyl nucleotide effect. These data show that NAIN is an agonist photolabel for the beta-adrenergic receptor.     

Epitope and functional specificity of monoclonal antibodies to mouse interferon-gamma: the synthetic peptide approach

Spleen cells from hamsters immunized with recombinant mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were fused with mouse myeloma cells, resulting in the production of four anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibodies. Binding of 125I-IFN-gamma by these protein A-bound antibodies was specifically blocked by cold IFN-gamma. Binding by three of these antibodies was also blocked by a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal 1-39 amino acids of IFN-gamma, whereas a corresponding C-terminal (95-133) peptide had no effect on binding. The N-terminal specificity of these three antibodies was confirmed by their specific binding of 125I-N-terminal (1-39) peptide. One of the N-terminal specific monoclonal antibodies inhibited both antiviral and macrophage priming (for tumor cell killing) activities of IFN-gamma, whereas the other two had no effect on either biologic function. The selectivity of the inhibition of IFN-gamma function was not due to a differential ability of the N-terminal specific antibodies to bind IFN-gamma. Blocking experiments with cold IFN-gamma and N-terminal peptide suggest that the epitope specificities of the monoclonal antibodies could be determined by the conformational or topographic structure of IFN-gamma. An exact determination of the epitope specificity of the monoclonal antibody that inhibited IFN-gamma function could provide insight into the structural basis for the role of the N-terminal domain in the biologic function of IFN-gamma. Polyclonal antibodies to either the N-terminal or the C-terminal peptides also inhibited both the antiviral and the macrophage-priming activities of IFN-gamma. All of the antibodies that inhibited IFN-gamma function also blocked binding of IFN-gamma to membrane receptor on cells, whereas antibodies that did not block function also did not inhibit binding. The data suggest that both the N-terminal and the C-terminal domains of IFN-gamma play an important role in its antiviral and macrophage-priming functions, possibly in a cooperative manner.     

Presence of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase in rat lung membranes

(1) The binding of 125I-labelled vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to a particulate fraction from rat lung was rapid, temperature dependent, saturable and specific. This process was also reversible and 125I-labelled VIP dissociation was accelerated by guanine triphosphate nucleotides. The curves describing the inhibition of tracer binding by peptides of the VIP-secretin family suggested the presence of at least two classes of VIP receptor: a "high-affinity' type with decreasing affinity for VIP in the order: VIP = [Val5]secretin greater than [Ala4, Val5]secretin; and a "low-affinity type' with decreasing affinity for VIP in the order: VIP greater than [Val5]secretin greater than [Ala4, Val5]secretin = secretin greater than [Ala4]secretin. (2) VIP and related peptides stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity of the same lung membrane preparation more efficiently than beta-adrenergic agonists and prostaglandins E1 and E2. The dose-effect curves of stimulation of adenylate cyclase by VIP and parent peptides were also compatible with the existence of two classes of VIP receptor, the relative peptide potencies being identical with their ability to compete with 125I-labelled VIP for binding.     

The hepatic glucagon receptor. Solubilization, characterization, and development of an affinity adsorption assay for the soluble receptor

The hepatic glucagon receptor was covalently labeled with [125I-Try10]monoiodoglucagon [( 125I]MIG) by use of the heterobifunctional cross-linker hydroxysuccinimidyl p-azidobenzoate. Labeling of the Mr = 63,000 peptide was sensitive to glucagon and GTP at concentrations at which they affect [125I]MIG binding to the receptor. The labeled receptor was solubilized with Lubrol-PX, and the hydrodynamic characteristics of the receptor were determined. The molecular parameters of the solubilized receptor are: S20,w = 4.3 +/- 0.1, Stokes radius = 6.3 +/- 0.1 nm, frictional coefficient f/f0 = 1.8, and a calculated Mr = 119,000. Incubation of liver membranes at 32 degrees C for 15 min prior to the addition of [125I]MIG permitted us to identify the high molecular weight form (Mr = approximately 113,000) of the receptor by direct sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoretic analysis. The Mr = 63,000 peptide can be adsorbed to wheat germ lectin-Sepharose. The glycoprotein nature of the receptor has been utilized to develop an assay for the detergent-solubilized receptor that uses wheat germ lectin-Sepharose as a solid matrix to adsorb the [125I] MIG-receptor complex. The free hormone remains in the liquid phase and is removed in the supernatant after low speed centrifugation. 3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS) solubilizes receptors with retention of [125I]MIG binding activity. [125I]MIG binding to the CHAPS-solubilized receptor is specifically affected by unlabeled glucagon. Interaction of [125I]MIG with the soluble receptor is insensitive to the presence of GTP. IC50 for glucagon using the soluble receptor was 33-70 nM, irrespective of the presence or absence of GTP, while when the membrane-bound receptor was used, the IC50 in the absence of GTP was 2-4 nM and in the presence of GTP was 35-80 nM. These data allow us to conclude that the hepatic glucagon receptor in the membrane and in the nondenaturing detergent solution is a dimer of the Mr = 63,000 hormone-binding subunit and a glycoprotein. The soluble receptor does not display any functional interaction with the stimulatory regulator.     

NMR conformational analyses on (des-bromo) neuropeptide B [1-23] and neuropeptide W [1-23]: the importance of alpha-helices, a cation-pi interaction and a beta-turn

The preferred conformations of the orphan G-protein coupled receptor agonists (des-bromo) neuropeptide B [1-23] and neuropeptide W [1-23], referred to as NPB and NPW, have been determined by (1)H NMR, CD, and molecular modeling. The sequences of NPB and NPW are WYKPAAGHSSYSVGRAAGLLSGL and WYKHVASPRYHTVGRAAGLLMGL, respectively. These are hypothalamic peptides that exert their biological actions on GPR7 and GPR8 receptors. Micellar solutions using the membrane mimetic, sodium dodecylsulphate-d(25) (SDS), were used to mimic a physiological environment for the peptides. The secondary structure of NPB consists of a type II beta-turn involving residues Lys(3) to Ala(6). The C-terminal region of NPB exists in a conformational equilibrium between different secondary structures, including an alpha-helix from residues Arg(15) to Ser(21), and a 3(10)-helix from residues Ser(12) to Ser(21). The N-terminus of NPW exhibits a cation-pi interaction between the Lys(3) side chain and the quadrupole moment of the Trp(1) indole group. At the C-terminus of NPW, a well-defined alpha-helical conformation exists from Arg(15) to Met(21). As NPB and NPW have 91% sequence homology from residues Val(13) to Leu(23), with only residue 21 differing between the two peptides, the similar C-terminal secondary structures of these two peptides are consistent with the sequences. This is supported by the similar CD spectra. The different secondary structures at the N-termini for NPB and NPW point to the importance of the N-terminus in receptor binding. This is consistent with the work of Fujii et al. [J. Biol. Chem. 277, 34010-34016 (2002)] who observed that iodination of the NPB Tyr(2) resulted in decreased agonistic activity at GPR7. In addition, Tanaka et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100, 6251-6256 (2003)] showed that deletion of Trp(1) from NPB or NPW drastically decreased activity at GPR7 for NPB and GPR7 and GPR8 for NPW. Therefore, we postulate that the N-terminus is involved in membrane recognition and receptor binding.     

Two peptides from the alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor alter receptor G protein coupling by distinct mechanisms.

Peptides derived from various regions of the alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2A-AR) were used to study receptor-G protein interactions. Binding of the partial agonist [125I]-p-iodoclonidine and the full agonist [3H]bromoxidine (UK14,304) to membrane preparations from human platelet was potently reduced by peptides (12-14 amino acids) from the second cytoplasmic loop (A) and the C-terminal side of the third cytoplasmic loop (Q). Binding of the antagonist [3H]yohimbine was significantly less affected. Five other peptides had no significant effects on ligand binding at concentrations less than 100 microM. The IC50 values for peptides A and Q were 7 and 27 microM for [125I]-p-iodoclonidine binding at the platelet alpha 2A receptor, 15 and 71 microM for the neuroblastoma-glioma (NG108-15) alpha 2B receptor, and greater than 300 microM for yohimbine binding at both alpha 2A and alpha 2B receptors. Competition studies demonstrate that at concentrations of 100 microM, peptides A and Q reduce the affinity of bromoxidine for the platelet alpha 2A-AR and this effect was abolished in the presence of guanine nucleotide. Alpha 2A-AR-stimulated GTPase activity in platelet membranes was inhibited by peptide Q with an IC50 of 16 microM but A was inactive. These data suggest that both the second cytoplasmic loop and the C-terminal part of the third cytoplasmic loop of the alpha 2A-AR are important in the interaction between the alpha 2-AR and Gi protein. Peptide Q appears to destabilize the high affinity state of the alpha 2-AR by binding directly to Gi thus preventing it from coupling to the receptor under both binding and GTPase assay conditions. The peptide from the second cytoplasmic loop (A) also reduces high affinity agonist binding in a G protein-dependent manner but its interaction with receptor and G protein is distinct in that it does not prevent activation of the G protein. These results provide new information about regions of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor involved in G protein coupling and high affinity agonist binding.