Synthetic transit peptides inhibit import and processing of mitochondrial precursor proteins

We have demonstrated that a synthetic peptide corresponding to the rat mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) transit peptide (TP-28) inhibits the binding of pre-mMDH to isolated mitochondria. Synthetic peptides derived from chloroplast transit peptide sequences, which have a similar net charge, did not inhibit import. In addition, this peptide (TP-28) inhibits import of ornithine transcarbamylase, another mitochondrial matrix protein, thus suggesting that common import pathways exist for both mMDH and ornithine transcarbamylase. A smaller synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 1-20 of the mMDH transit peptide (TP-20) also inhibits binding. However, several substitutions for leucine-13 in the smaller peptide relieve import inhibition, thus providing evidence that this neutral residue plays a crucial role in transit peptide binding to the mitochondrial surface. Proteolytic processing of pre-mMDH by a mitochondrial matrix fraction to both the mature and intermediate forms of mMDH was also inhibited by TP-28. The ability of synthetic peptides to inhibit distinct steps in the import of mitochondrial precursor proteins corresponds precisely to their ability to interact with the same components used by transit peptides on intact precursors. Furthermore, inhibition at multiple points along the import pathway reflects the functions of several independent structures contained within transit peptides.     

Dynorphin 1-17 and Its N-Terminal Biotransformation Fragments Modulate Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Nuclear Factor-kappa B Nuclear Translocation,Interleukin-1beta and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha in Differentiated THP-1 Cells

Dynorphin 1–17, (DYN 1–17) opioid peptide produces antinociception following binding to the kappa-opioid peptide (KOP) receptor. Upon synthesis and release in inflamed tissues by immune cells, DYN 1–17 undergoes rapid biotransformation and yields a unique set of opioid and non-opioid fragments. Some of these major fragments possess a role in immunomodulation, suggesting that opioid-targeted therapeutics may be effective in diminishing the severity of inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to examine the immunomodulatory effects of DYN 1–17 and major N-terminal fragments found in the inflammatory environment on nuclear factor-kappaB/p65 (NF-κB/p65) nuclear translocation and the release of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated, differentiated THP-1 cells. The results demonstrate that NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation was significantly attenuated following treatment with DYN 1–17 and a specific range of fragments, with the greatest reduction observed with DYN 1–7 at a low concentration (10 nM). Antagonism with a selective KOP receptor antagonist, ML-190, significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of DYN 1–17, DYN 1–6, DYN 1–7 and DYN 1–9, but not other DYN 1–17 N-terminal fragments (DYN 1–10 and 1–11) on NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation. DYN 1–17 and selected fragments demonstrated differential modulation on the release of IL-1β and TNF-α with significant inhibition observed with DYN 1–7 at low concentrations (1 nM and 10 pM). These effects were blocked by ML-190, suggesting a KOP receptor-mediated pathway. The results demonstrate that DYN 1–17 and certain N-terminal fragments, produced in an inflamed environment, play an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting NF-κB/p65 translocation and the subsequent cytokine release through KOP receptor-dependent and independent pathways.     

Ganglioside GM2 modulates the erythrocyte Ca2+-ATPase through its binding to the calmodulin-binding domain and its 'receptor'

We have previously demonstrated that gangliosides were able to modulate the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) from porcine brain synaptosomes and porcine erythrocytes [Y. Zhao, X. Fan, F. Yang, X. Zhang, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 427 (2004) 204-212 and J. Zhang, Y. Zhao, J. Duan, F. Yang, X. Zhang, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 444 (2005) 1-6]. The results indicated that the PMCA from porcine erythrocytes responded to gangliosides was different from that from synaptosomes, suggesting that the effects of gangliosides on the PMCA are isoform specific. Most interestingly, GM2 activated the PMCA from porcine erythrocytes at lower concentrations, but inhibited it at higher concentrations. In the present study, we found that GD1b, GM1 and GM3 did not affect the calpain digested PMCA from porcine erythrocytes or the intact enzyme in the presence of calmodulin, while GM2 inhibited it. Moreover, a synthetic peptide of 17 amino acid residues corresponding to the 'receptor' of the calmodulin-binding domain of the enzyme interfered with the inhibition of the enzyme by GM2 in competition assays. Taken together, our results suggested that gangliosides GD1b, GM1, GM2 (lower concentrations) and GM3 stimulated the PMCA by the interaction with calmodulin-binding domain, while the interaction of GM2 with the 'receptor' of the calmodulin-binding domain of the enzyme led to the inhibition of the enzyme.     

On the accuracy of radioimmunological determination of somatostatin in plasma

We performed the following experiments to evaluate the accuracy of our newly developed radioimmunoassay for somatostatin: (1) Recovery of synthetic somatostatin added to human, porcine, and canine plasma with or without extraction with 67% acetone or 76% ethanol, using 3 different region-specific antibodies and, where applicable, 125I-labelled Tyr-1- or Tyr-11-substituted somatostatin or 125I-N-Tyr-somatostatin as tracers. The recovery of somatostatin corrected for losses inherent in the extraction procedure was close to 100%, and independent of species, antibody and tracer. Somatostatin 1-28 was extracted slightly less efficiently. Unextracted plasma interfered massively in the assay. (2) Pharmacokinetic experiments with infusion of somatostatin into 14 pigs and determination of metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and T-1/2. MCR was 27-38 ml/kg per min, independent of infusion rate (6.1 or 13 pmol/kg per min), extraction procedure or tracer. T-1/2 was 1.9 min. The infused somatostatin was not measurable in unextracted plasma. (3) Characterization of endogenous and exogenous, labelled and unlabelled somatostatin 1-14 in human plasma, using Sephadex G-50 columns at pH 7.5 and 9.0. Human plasma showed excess immunoreactivity eluting at the void volume whereas synthetic somatostatin was recovered quantitatively at the position of marker somatostatin when added to the plasma. The immunoreactivity of the tracers was decreased (125I-Tyr-11-somatostatin) or abolished (125I-N-Tyr- or 125I-Tyr-1-somatostatin) after incubation with plasma or void volume fractions of plasma subjected to gel filtration. Extracted plasma did not contain void volume immunoreactivity, but like whole plasma, small amounts of components which coeluted with intact somatostatin.     

Motilin receptors in rabbit stomach and small intestine

Motilin receptors in rabbit antral and duodenal smooth muscle tissue were characterized by direct binding technique using 125I-labeled porcine motilin as a tracer ligand. Binding at 30 degrees C was maximal at 90 min, was saturable and partially reversible. Displacement studies with natural porcine motilin, synthetic leucine-motilin or norleucine-motilin indicated a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1.1 +/- 0.3 nM and a maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 42 +/- 10 fmol/mg protein. Binding was unaffected by glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin, but substance P interfered via an unknown mechanism. By density gradient centrifugation motilin receptors were shown to be present in plasma membranes. Binding could only be demonstrated in preparations from antrum and upper duodenum. These observations provide evidence for a localized target region for motilin in the gastrointestinal tract, and for a direct interaction of motilin with gastrointestinal smooth muscle tissue.     

In vivo cellular responses to electrophoretically applied dynorphin in the rat hippocampus

Recent immunohistochemical and radioimmunochemical observations have demonstrated a differential distribution of immunoreactive dynorphin (DYN) in rat brain. The presence of DYN immunoreactivity in a major intrinsic fiber pathway within the rat hippocampus (the mossy fiber system) has led us to evaluate the possible role of DYN and other closely related peptides in this structure. Single cell activity and hippocampal field potentials have been recorded from the CA1-CA3 cellular fields in halothane or urethane anesthetized rats. DYN, DYN1-13, DYN1-8, and alpha-neo-endorphin had an excitatory effect on most CA1-CA3 neurons encountered as has been previously observed for opiates and other opioid peptides. This response could be blocked by naloxone or by co-administration of Mg++ ion suggesting an indirect (synaptic) mechanism of excitation similar to that hypothetized for enkephalin. A significant number of CA3 neurons, however, exhibited a non-naloxone sensitive inhibitory response to DYN, related opioid peptides, and the kappa agonist WIN 35-197 (ethylketocyclazocine). Field potential analysis of CA1-CA3 neuronal responses to mossy fiber activation also indicated an excitatory, Mg++ reversible, action of iontophoretically applied DYN. These observations support our cytochemical and assay studies indicating diverse opioid systems within the rat hippocampus. In addition, these functional studies are congruent with other evidence suggesting multiple opioid mechanisms in this structure.     

Inhibition of IGFBP-5 binding to extracellular matrix and IGF-I–stimulated DNA synthesis by a peptide fragment of IGFBP-5

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) is synthesized and secreted by smooth muscle cells (SMC). IGFBP-5 synthesis is stimulated five- to sixfold by IGF-I, and IGFBP-5 has been shown to augment IGF-I–stimulated DNA synthesis in this cell type. The ability of IGFBP-5 to augment the SMC response to IGF-I is dependent upon its binding to extracellular matrix. A highly charged region of IGFBP-5 that contains amino acids in positions 201–218 has been shown to mediate binding of IGFBP-5 to human fibroblast extracellular matrix (ECM), and a synthetic peptide containing this sequence inhibits IGFBP-5 binding to fibroblast ECM. In this study we show that exposure of SMC cultures that are constituitively synthesizing IGFBP-5 to a synthetic peptide (termed peptide A) containing this sequence has no effect on its synthesis but reduces its abundance within the ECM. The addition of increasing concentrations of the peptide to SMC cultures resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in ECM-associated IGFBP-5. In contrast, a control peptide (peptide B), which contained the region of amino acids in positions 131–141 and had a similar charge-to-mass ratio, caused a minimal decrease in ECM binding. This effect was functionally significant since the addition of 10 μg/ ml of peptide A inhibited the cellular replication response to 10 ng/ ml IGF-I by 51%, and peptide B had no effect. The effects of peptide A were not due to nonspecific cytotoxicity since it had no inhibitory effect on the response of these cells to human serum and was associated with only minimal inhibition of the cellular response to platelet-derived growth factor. The findings suggest that inhibiting IGFBP-5 binding to porcine SMC ECM results in reduced cellular responses to IGF-I. J. Cell. Biochem. 71:375–381, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Inhibition of mixtures of surfactant lipids and synthetic sequences of surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C

The respiratory distress syndrome of premature infants is caused by both surfactant deficiency and surfactant inhibition by capillary-alveolar leakage of serum factors. Dispersions of a standard surfactant lipid mixture, with and without various synthetic peptides, modeled on human surfactant proteins SP-B (residues 1-25, 49-66, 1-78) and SP-C (residues 1-10), were evaluated for inhibition by serum and by plasma constituents using a pulsating bubble surfactometer. Inhibition was derived from the changes in surface properties of these mixtures after addition of human serum or plasma constituents. Modified bovine surfactant (TA) containing native SP-B and SP-C was used as a control. In the absence of serum inhibitors, mixtures with synthetic peptides gave results similar to surfactant TA. However, inhibition was more evident in the dispersions with synthetic peptides when compared with surfactant TA. The peptide/phospholipid mixture with the entire sequence of SP-B and the first 10 residues of SP-C were more resistant to inhibition than mixtures with synthetic peptides containing fewer domains. Addition of calcium reduced the inhibitory effects of serum both in mixtures containing synthetic peptides and in surfactant TA. Therefore, synthetic SP-B and SP-C peptides in surfactant lipids, in cooperation with calcium, permit resistance to inhibition by several plasma constituents that probably inactivate surfactant by a variety of different mechanisms.     

Shuffling of amino acid sequence: an important control in synthetic peptide studies of nucleic acid-binding domains. Binding properties of fragments of a conserved eukaryotic RNA binding motif.

We have used synthetic peptides to study a conserved RNA binding motif in yeast poly(A)-binding protein. Two peptides, 45 and 44 amino acids in length, corresponding to amino and carboxyl halves of a 90-amino acid RNA-binding domain in the protein were synthesized. While the amino-terminal peptide had no significant affinity for nucleic acids, the carboxyl-terminal peptide-bound nucleic acids with similar characteristics to that for the entire 577 residue yeast poly(A)-binding protein. In 100 mM NaCl, the latter peptide retained over 50% of the intrinsic binding free energy of the protein, as well as, similar RNA versus DNA binding specificity. However, shuffling of the sequence of this 44 residue peptide had surprisingly little effect on its nucleic acid binding properties suggesting the overriding importance of amino acid composition as opposed to primary sequence. Deletion studies on the 44 residue peptide with the "correct" sequence succeeded in identifying amino acids important for conferring RNA specificity and for increasing our understanding of the molecular basis for nucleic acid binding by synthetic peptides. The shuffled peptide study, however, clearly indicates that considerable caution must be exercised before extrapolating results of structure/function studies on synthetic peptide analogues to the parent protein.     

An immunogenic region within residues Val1670-Glu1684 of the factor VIII light chain induces antibodies which inhibit binding of factor VIII to von Willebrand factor

We have identified a monoclonal anti-factor VIII (FVIII) antibody, C4, which inhibits the binding of purified human FVIII to purified human von Willebrand factor (vWF). Both whole immunoglobulin C4 and its Fab fragment demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of FVIII binding to vWF immobilized on the surface of polystyrene beads. Synthetic peptides based on the amino acid sequence of FVIII were tested for the ability to block the binding of C4 to FVIII in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. A single synthetic FVIII pentadecapeptide, consisting of residues Val1670-Glu1684, was able to inhibit C4 binding to FVIII. Under the conditions used, the Val1670-Glu1684 peptide demonstrated total inhibition of C4 binding at a concentration of 1 microM. Synthetic FVIII peptides flanking and overlapping the Val1670-Glu1684 peptide had no significant inhibitory activity on C4 binding in concentrations up to 100 microM. A polyclonal antibody made to the Val1670-Glu1684 peptide also demonstrated inhibition of FVIII binding to vWF. Polyclonal antibodies made to synthetic FVIII peptides flanking and partially overlapping the Val1670-Glu1684 sequence did not demonstrate such inhibition. Localization of the binding region of the monoclonal anti-FVIII antibody C4 to residues Val1670-Glu1684 suggests that this site is at, or near, a major vWF binding domain of FVIII.     

A qualitative comparison of canine plasma gastroenteropancreatic hormone responses to bombesin and the porcine gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)

The effect on plasma gastroenteropancreatic hormone levels on infusing the porcine gastrin-releasing peptide and bombesin into dogs demonstrated no qualitative difference in the spectrum of activity of the two peptides. Sustained elevations in plasma immunoreactive gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, enteroglucagon, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, pancreatic glucagon and transient elevations in plasma insulin were seen during infusions of both peptides. The similar spectrum of activities and the structural homology between the two peptides suggests that the porcine gastrin releasing peptide is the porcine counterpart of the amphibian peptide bombesin.     

Mechanism of gamma-secretase cleavage activation: is gamma-secretase regulated through autoinhibition involving the presenilin-1 exon 9 loop?

Maturation of gamma-secretase requires an endoproteolytic cleavage in presenilin-1 (PS1) within a peptide loop encoded by exon 9 of the corresponding gene. Deletion of the loop has been demonstrated to cause familial Alzheimer's disease. A synthetic peptide corresponding to the loop sequence was found to inhibit gamma-secretase in a cell-free enzymatic assay with an IC(50) of 2.1 microM, a value similar to the K(m) (3.5 microM) for the substrate C100. Truncation at either end, single amino acid substitutions at certain residues, sequence reversal, or randomization reduced its potency. Similar results were also observed in a cell-based assay using HEK293 cells expressing APP. In contrast to small-molecule gamma-secretase inhibitors, kinetic inhibition studies demonstrated competitive inhibition of gamma-secretase by the exon 9 peptide. Consistent with this finding, inhibitor cross-competition kinetics indicated noncompetitive binding between the exon 9 peptide and L685458, a transition-state analogue presumably binding at the catalytic site, and ligand competition binding experiments revealed no competition between L685458 and the exon 9 peptide. These data are consistent with the proposed gamma-secretase mechanism involving separate substrate-binding and catalytic sites and binding of the exon 9 peptide at the substrate-binding site, but not the catalytic site of gamma-secretase. NMR analyses demonstrated the presence of a loop structure with a beta-turn in the middle of the exon 9 peptide and a loose alpha-helical conformation for the rest of the peptide. Such a structure supports the hypothesis that this exon 9 peptide can adopt a distinct conformation, one that is compact enough to occupy the putative substrate-binding site without necessarily interfering with binding of small molecule inhibitors at other sites on gamma-secretase. We hypothesize that gamma-secretase cleavage activation may be a result of a cleavage-induced conformational change that relieves the inhibitory effect of the intact exon 9 loop occupying the substrate-binding site on the immature enzyme. It is possible that the DeltaE9 mutation causes Alzheimer's disease because cleavage activation of gamma-secretase is no longer necessary, alleviating constraints on Abeta formation.     

Evidence that a 27-residue sequence is the actin-binding site of ABP-120

Proteolysis experiments of ABP-120 from Dictyostelium discoideum have previously demonstrated that removal of residues 89-115 from a tryptic peptide which retains actin binding activity, abolishes actin binding (Bresnick, A. R., Warren, V., and Condeelis, J. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 9236-9240). Antibodies made against a synthetic peptide of this 27-amino acid sequence (27-mer) specifically immunoprecipitate native ABP-120 from Dictyostelium high speed supernatants, demonstrating that the 27-mer sequence is on the surface of the molecule as expected for an active site. ABP-120 is inhibited in its binding to F-actin by Fab' fragments of the anti-27-mer IgG. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at an approximate molar ratio of 7 Fab' fragments/ABP-120 monomer. Viscoelastic measurements indicate that ABP-120 forms fewer cross-links with F-actin in the presence of the 27-mer synthetic peptide than in its absence. In F-actin cosedimentation assays, the binding of ABP-120 to actin is inhibited by the 27-mer synthetic peptide. Furthermore, the 27-mer synthetic peptide cosediments with F-actin, whereas a control hydrophobic peptide and a synthetic peptide of residues 69-88 of ABP-120 do not cosediment with F-actin. These observations suggest a direct involvement of the 27-mer sequence in the actin binding activity of ABP-120.     

Inhibition of PhoE translocation across Escherichia coli inner-membrane vesicles by synthetic signal peptides suggests an important role of acidic phospholipids in protein translocation

To obtain insight into the mechanism of precursor protein translocation across membranes, the effect of synthetic signal peptides and other relevant (poly)peptides on in vitro PhoE translocation was studied. The PhoE signal peptide, associated with inner membrane vesicles, caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of PhoE translocation, as a result of a specific interaction with the membrane. Using a PhoE signal peptide analog and PhoE signal peptide fragments, it was demonstrated that the hydrophobic part of the peptide caused the inhibitory effect, while the basic amino terminus is most likely important for an optimal interaction with the membrane. A quantitative analysis of our data and the known preferential interaction of synthetic signal peptides with acidic phospholipids in model membranes strongly suggest the involvement of negatively charged phospholipids in the inhibitory interaction of the synthetic PhoE signal peptide with the inner membrane. The important role of acidic phospholipids in protein translocation was further confirmed by the observation that other (poly)peptides, known to have both a high affinity for acidic lipids and hydrophobic interactions with model membranes, also caused strong inhibition of PhoE translocation. The implication of these results with respect to the role of signal peptides in protein translocation is indicated.     

Dietary fat stimulates endogenous enkephalin and dynorphin in the paraventricular nucleus: role of circulating triglycerides

The opioid peptides enkephalin (ENK) and dynorphin (DYN), when injected into the hypothalamus, are known to stimulate feeding behavior and preferentially increase the ingestion of a high-fat diet. Studies of another peptide, galanin (GAL), with similar effects on feeding demonstrate that a high-fat diet, in turn, can stimulate the expression of this peptide in the hypothalamus. The present study tested different diets and variable periods of high- vs. low-fat diet consumption to determine whether the opioid peptides respond in a similar manner as GAL. In six experiments, the effects of dietary fat on ENK and DYN were examined in three hypothalamic areas: the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), perifornical hypothalamus (PFH), and arcuate nucleus (ARC). The results demonstrated that the ingestion of a high-fat diet increases gene expression and peptide levels of both ENK and DYN in the hypothalamus. The strongest and most consistent effect is seen in the PVN. In this nucleus, ENK and DYN are increased by 50-100% after 1 wk, 1 day, 60 min, and even 15 min of high-fat diet consumption. While showing some effect in the PFH, these peptides in the ARC are considerably less responsive, exhibiting no change in response to the briefer periods of diet intake. This effect of dietary fat on PVN opioids can be observed with diets equal in caloric density and palatability and without a change in caloric intake, body weight, fat pad weight, or levels of insulin or leptin. The data reveal a strong and consistent association between these peptides and a rise in circulating levels of triglycerides, supporting a role for these lipids in the fat-induced stimulation of opioid peptides in the PVN, similar to GAL.     

Inhibition of apolipoprotein E-related neurotoxicity by glycosaminoglycans and their oligosaccharides

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has been genetically linked to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). The role of this lipid-transport protein in AD remains to be established. One hypothesis is that apoE, particularly the apoE4 isoform, may have neurotoxic effects as demonstrated using apoE-related synthetic peptides and the N-terminal fragment of apoE. ApoE is a heparan-sulfate binding protein, and apoE peptide neurotoxicity can be blocked by heparin and prevented by degrading heparan sulfate or inhibiting its biosynthesis. The possibility that heparin inhibition of toxicity is mediated by a specific oligosaccharide sequence was investigated using a bioassay to determine the inhibition of apoE peptide toxicity by glycosaminoglycans and purified glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides. Studies on modified heparins showed that the presence of N-sulfo groups and either 2- or 6-O sulfo groups were required for inhibition of toxicity. Heparin oligosaccharides with eight or more saccharide residues with seven O-sulfo groups and four N-sulfo groups exhibited potent inhibition. Larger oligosaccharides, and heparin and heparan sulfate polymers, afforded comparable, or somewhat better, protective effects but also caused clumping and detachment of cells when administrated alone.     

Regulation of the calcium ion pump of sarcoplasmic reticulum: reversible inhibition by phospholamban and by the calmodulin binding domain of the plasma membrane calcium ion pump.

A 45 amino acid peptide (A45) corresponding to the phospholamban (PLN) binding domain of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) ATPase was synthesized. Circular dichroism experiments have shown that the peptide had a predominantly random-coil conformation but adopted a higher proportion of secondary structure in the presence of a synthetic 32 amino acid peptide corresponding to the hydrophilic portion of PLN. A similar conformational change was induced by the synthetic calmodulin binding domain of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump (peptide C28W), which acts as an endogenous inhibitor of the pump and is homologous to PLN. Cross-linking experiments have shown that peptide C28W interacted with peptide A45. The Ca(2+)-pumping activity of cardiac SR, which contains endogenous PLN, was stimulated about 30% by peptide A45. The stimulation was maximal at submicromolar Ca2+ levels and tended to disappear at higher Ca2+ concentrations. By contrast, the Ca(2+)-pumping activity of skeletal muscle SR, which lacks endogenous PLN, was unaffected. Peptide C28W strongly inhibited the pumping activity of skeletal muscle SR, and peptide A45 reversed the inhibition. The results suggest that peptide A45 competed with the ATPase for phospholamban or for peptide C28W, removing the inhibition of the pump. Thus, the exogenous inhibitor of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase, PLN, and the internal inhibitor of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase, peptide C28W, are functionally analogous.     

ORL1 and opioid receptor preferences of nociceptin and dynorphin A analogues with Dmp substituted for N-terminal aromatic residues

Nociceptin (NOC) and dynorphin A (DYN) analogues containing 2',6'-dimethylphenylalanine (Dmp) in place of Phe or Tyr in position 1 and/or 4 were synthesized and their metabolic stability and receptor-binding properties were investigated. [Dmp1]NOC(1-13)-NH2 (1) possessed high ORL1 receptor affinity comparable to that of the parent peptide with substantially improved affinities for kappa-, mu-, and delta-opioid receptors. However, Dmp4 substitution of NOC peptide (2) reduced ORL1 receptor affinity. [Dmp1]DYN(1-13)-NH2 (4) and its Dmp4 analogue (5) possessed a 3-fold greater kappa-opioid receptor affinity and improved kappa-receptor selectivity compared to the parent peptide. Analogue 4 however exhibited an unexpectedly low in vitro bioactivity (GPI assay), suggesting, the phenolic hydroxyl group at the N-terminal residue in DYN peptide is extremely important for activation of the kappa-opioid receptor. Analogue 5 possessed an improved kappa-opioid receptor selectivity with an IC50 ratio of 1(kappa)/509(mu)/211598(delta); thus, this peptide may serve as a highly selective kappa-receptor agonist for pharmacological study. Dmp1 substitution in both the NOC and DYN peptides improved metabolic stability toward these peptides, while Dmp4 substitution provided no additional metabolic stability.     

Study of follitropin receptors in testis using a homologous system. Binding of porcine follitropin to plasma membranes from immature porcine testis and correlation with adenylate cyclase stimulation.

The properties of follitropin receptors in immature porcine testis were determined using highly purified porcine follitropin. 1. The characteristics of follitropin binding to a subcellular fraction rich in plasma membranes were studied using a 125I-labelled follitropin with high specific activity (75-100 Ci/g) and high binding activity. The binding is dependent on time, temperature and pH. It is specific to follitropin as demonstrated by the very low binding activity of the follitropin alpha and beta subunits and of the other glycoprotein hormones. Scatchard analysis of binding data indicated an equilibrium association constant of 2 x 10(10) M-1 and a concentration of high affinity binding sites of 500 fmol/mg membrane proteins. 2. A sensitive radio-ligand receptor assay was developed. Fifty percent inhibition of binding was obtained with as little as 2 ng of porcine follitropin. Ovine and bovine follitropins and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin gave binding inhibition curves parallel to that given by porcine follitropin. With equine and human follitropin, significantly different slopes were recorded. 3. Kinetics of dissociation of labelled follitropin from its testis receptors showed the presence of at least two compartments with fast and slow dissociation rate constants. The ratio between the sizes of the slow and fast compartments appeared dependent upon preincubation time. 4. A temporal correlation was observed between binding of follitropin to testis receptors and activation of membrane bound adenylate cyclase.