Spontaneous and promoted association of linear oligoglycines

Linear oligoglycines of various lengths bearing a carboxyl or an amide group at their C-termini and also their poly(acrylamide) conjugates were synthesized. No self-assembly into supramolecular structures was observed for free oligoglycines H-(Gly)_m-OH (m = 3–5). At the same time, oligoglycylamides H-(Gly)_m-NH₂ (m = 3–5) demonstrated ability for both self-assembly in aqueous solution and assembly promoted by an additional interaction with surface. In the case of polymer-bound oligoglycines (and their amides), no intramolecular clustering of peptide chains, as expected, was observed. This means that the presence of several oligoglycine chains bound to each other in one center is not a necessary prerequisite for polyglycine II-type association.     

Diketopiperazine-mediated peptide formation in aqueous solution II. Catalytic effect of phosphate

The previous paper (I) reported that DKP (glycine anhydride) spontaneously reacts with glycine (Gly) or oligoglycines (Gly _n ) to produce longer oligoglycines (Gly _n+2). This paper presents that phosphate catalyzes the condensation reaction quite effectively.Formation of Gly₄ from DKP (0.1 M) and Gly₂ (0.1 M) in phosphate solution of various concentrations was investigated at a neutral pH at 41 °C. The yields of Gly₄ increased almost linearly with the concentration of phosphate from 0.06 M to 0.24 M. The yield in 0.24 M phosphate solution was approximately one hundred times as high as that in the absence of the phosphate, whereas in the case of Gly₃ formation from DKP and Gly the effect of the phosphate was of ten times lower than in the former case. Orthophosphate was the most effective catalyst among the various kind of chemicals tried in the present investigation including polyphosphates.     

Role of beta 2-microglobulin in the intracellular transport and surface expression of murine class I histocompatibility molecules

We have examined the requirement for beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) in the intracellular transport of murine class I histocompatibility molecules to the cell surface. R1E cells that are defective in the synthesis of beta 2m were transfected with either the class I H-2Kb or H-2Db genes alone, or together with the beta 2m gene. Kb or Db heavy chains synthesized in the presence of beta 2m were transported rapidly through the cell and expressed efficiently at the cell surface. In the absence of beta 2m, no "free" Kb heavy chains were detectable at the cell surface and their intracellular transport was blocked at an early stage. In contrast, a significant quantity of "free" Db heavy chains could be detected at the cell surface as we have reported previously. However, we have shown here that defects in intracellular transport were apparent in that the majority (approximately 70%) of newly synthesized Db heavy chains accumulated intracellularly and were degraded. Therefore, although Kb and Db heavy chains differ in their abilities to be expressed at the cell surface in the absence of beta 2m they both require association with beta 2m for efficient intracellular transport. In addition, R1E cells transfected with a deletion construct of the Kb gene expressed a truncated molecule lacking the alpha 3 extracellular domain (Kb-3) at the cell surface, but, like free Db, most newly synthesized Kb-3 molecules accumulated intracellularly. The free Kb, Kb-3, and Db heavy chains were not recognized by most mAb specific for Kb and Db, respectively. Therefore, even the transported forms of free Db and Kb-3 were not native in conformation, which is surprising given the current view that correct folding is essential for intracellular transport. Interestingly, the free Db and Kb-3 heavy chains that reached the cell surface differed in their detergent binding properties from those retained within the cell. This suggests that the transported heavy chains may have folded differently thus allowing their export to the cell surface.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)isoquinoline derivatives as selective glycine transporter 1 inhibitors

To identify novel glycine transporter 1(GlyT1) inhibitors with greater selectivity relative to GlyT2 and improved aqueous solubility, we synthesized a series of 4H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives with heteroaromatic rings at the 4-position and investigated their structure-activity relationships. Replacement of the 2-fluorophenyl group of lead compound 5 with various aromatic groups led to the identification of 5-(3-biphenyl-4-yl-5-ethyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)isoquinoline (15) with 38-fold selectivity between GlyT1 and GlyT2. 15 also showed improved aqueous solubility and in vivo efficacy on (+)-HA966-induced hyperlocomotion in mice over the lead compound.     

Scaffold-free three-dimensional cell culture utilizing micromolded nonadhesive hydrogels

Techniques that allow cells to self-assemble into three-dimensional (3-D) spheroid microtissues provide powerful in vitro models that are becoming increasingly popular--especially in fields such as stem cell research, tissue engineering, and cancer biology. Unfortunately, caveats involving scale, expense, geometry, and practicality have hindered the widespread adoption of these techniques. We present an easy-to-use, inexpensive, and scalable technology for production of complex-shaped, 3-D microtissues. Various primary cells and immortal cell lines were utilized to demonstrate that this technique is applicable to many cell types and highlight differences in their self-assembly phenomena. When seeded onto micromolded, nonadhesive agarose gels, cells settle into recesses, the architectures of which optimize the requisite cell-to-cell interactions for spontaneous self-assembly. With one pipeting step, we were able to create hundreds of uniform spheroids whose size was determined by seeding density. Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) were assembled or grown from single cells, and their proliferation was quantified using a modified 4-[3-(4-iodophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzene disulfonate (WST-1) assay. Complex-shaped (e.g., honeycomb) microtissues of homogeneous or mixed cell populations can be easily produced, opening new possibilities for 3-D tissue culture.     

Complex haplotypes of IRS2 gene are associated with severe obesity and reveal heterogeneity in the effect of Gly1057Asp mutation

In order to understand the role of the insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS2) gene (chromosome region: 13q34) in obesity, a complex disorder associated with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, we determined single nucleotide polymorphims (SNPs) and complex haplotypes in women with morbid obesity and a body mass index (BMI) of 41+/-0.8 kg/m2 ( n=99) compared with controls having a BMI of 23.8+/-0.1 kg/m2 ( n=92). Sequencing of unphased DNA or digestion of polymerase chain reaction fragments revealed seven SNPs, including a new C/T(-769) replacement at the 5' untranslated region. Considering four or seven SNPs, we reconstructed with the PHASE program nine or 24 haplotypes, respectively, that were well correlated into the cladogram. Logistic regression analysis with nine haplotypes in the whole sample revealed that obesity was associated with haplotype H3, with P<0.025, an odds ratio (OR) of 1.9 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.1-3.4, or pairs 3/3 ( P<0.005, OR=8.7, CI=1.9-40.1) and 3/4 ( P<0.023, OR=2.5, CI=1.1-5.6), all containing the the Gly1057Asp allelic variant of IRS2, whereas controls were associated with H5 and H6 ( P<0.02, OR=0.2, CI=0.01-0.81). Although obese H5 carriers (also containing Gly1057Asp mutation) were the most insulin resistant, haplotypes of IRS2 were poorly correlated (analysis of variance) with insulin resistance. By contrast, haplotypes H3, H4 and pairs 3/3 were consistently associated with increased 2-h glucose levels during an oral glucose tolerance test in obese individuals ( P<0.0005, 0.025 and 0.027, respectively). These data indicate that IRS2 is an influential gene in severe obesity and glucose intolerance in this population, whereas gene-based haplotypes of IRS2 have revealed heterogeneity in the behaviour of the Gly1057Asp mutation in relation to insulin resistance.     

Synthesis and biological activities of linear and cyclic enkephalin analogues containing a psi (E,CH = CH) or psi (CH2CH2) isosteric replacement.

The peptide CO-NH function was replaced by a trans carbon-carbon double bond or by a CH2-CH2 isostere in enkephalin analogues of DADLE, DCDCE-NH2 or DPDPE. In DADLE the 2-3 and the 3-4 peptide bond was modified, whereas in the cyclic analogues the Gly3-Phe4 bond was replaced by the isosteres Gly psi (E,CH = CH)Phe [5-amino-2-(phenylmethyl)-3(E)-pentenoic acid] or Gly psi (CH2CH2)Phe [5-amino-2-(phenylmethyl)pentanoic acid]. In general, the modification results in a drop in potency which is the largest for the flexible CH2-CH2 replacement. The Gly3 psi (E,CH = CH)Phe4 DCDCE-NH2 analogue retains considerable potency. These results confirm the importance of the peptide function at the 2-3 and 3-4 position in enkephalin analogues for biological potency.     

Quantitative analysis of ginkgolic acids from Ginkgo leaves and products using 1H-NMR

The determination of ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo products is one of the principal components of quality control. However, a number of ginkgolic acids with different side chains may be present and this makes their analysis by conventional chromatographic methods more complex. In this study, 1H-NMR spectrometry was applied to the analysis of the total content of ginkgolic acids in leaves of Ginkgo biloba and in six types of commercial Ginkgo products in the absence of chromatographic purification. For this analysis, protons H-3, H-4, and H-5, which are well separated in the range 8 (ppm) 6.5-7.5 in the 1H-NMR spectrum, were utilised. For further confirmation, the correlations of H-3, H-4 and H-5 were examined by 1H-1H COSY spectra in all extracts. The quantity of the compounds was calculated from the relative ratio of the integral of each peak to the integral of the peaks of a known amount (100 microg) of anthracene used as an internal standard. The quantitative results obtained by 1H-NMR analysis were compared with those obtained by GC, which showed that the 1H-NMR method allows a simple quantification of total ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo extracts without any pre-purification steps.     

X-ray structural and n.m.r.-spectral studies of methyl alpha-L-evalopyranoside: reassignment of anomeric configuration for the methanolysis product of methyl 6-deoxy-3-C-methyl-alpha-L-mannofuranoside

The methanolysis product of methyl 6-deoxy-3-C-methyl-alpha-L-mannofuranoside has been reassigned as methyl 6-deoxy-3-C-methyl-alpha-L-mannopyranoside by X-ray crystallographic and n.m.r.-spectral analyses. The crystals of methyl alpha-L-evalopyranoside are monoclinic, space group C2, with cell dimensions: a = 12.913(2), b = 8.052(1), c = 9.766(2) A, B = 105.13(2) degrees. The pyranoside ring exists in the 1C4 conformation, with the methoxyl and 3-C-methyl groups axial. Nuclear Overhauser effects were measured for selected proton resonances in the 1H-n.m.r. spectrum. Irradiation of the 3-C-methyl and 5-C-methyl group proton signals resulted in enhancements for H-2, H-4, H-5, and the methoxyl group hydrogen atoms, but not for H-1.     

Substrate specificity of cucumisin on synthetic peptides

The substrate specificity of cucumisin [EC 3.4.21.25] was identified by the use of the synthetic peptide substrates Leu(m)-Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu(n) (m = 0-4, n = 0-3). Neither Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu (m = 0) nor Leu-Pro-Glu-Ala (n = 0) was cleaved by cucumisin, however other analogus peptides were cleaved between Glu-Ala. The hydrolysis rates of Leu(m)-Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu increased with the increase of m = 1 to 2 and 3, but was however, essentially same with the increase of m = 3 to 4. Similarly, the hydrolysis rates of Leu-Leu-Pro-Glu-Ala-Leu(n) increased with the increase of n = 0 to 1 and 2, but was essentially same with the increase of n = 2 to 3. Then, it was concluded that cucumisin has a S5-S3' subsite length. In order to identify the substrate specificity at P1 position, Leu-Leu-Pro-X-Ala-Leu (X; Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Pro, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, Asn, Gln, Phe, Tyr, Ser, Thr, Met, Trp, His) were synthesized and digested by cucumisin. Cucumisin showed broad specificity at the P1 position. However, cucumisin did not cleave the C-terminal side of Gly, Ile, Pro, and preferred Leu, Asn, Gln, Thr, and Met, especially Met. Moreover, the substrates, Leu-Leu-Pro-Glu-Y-Leu (Y; Gly, Ala, Ser, Leu, Val, Glu, Lys, Phe) were synthesized and digested by cucumisin. Cucumisin did not cleave the N-terminal side of Val but preferred Gly, Ser, Ala, and Lys especially Ser. The specificity of cucumisin for naturally occurring peptides does not agree strictly with the specificity obtained by synthetic peptides at the P1 or P1' position alone, but it becomes clear that the most of the cleavage sites on naturally occurring peptides by cucumisin contain suitable amino acid residues at P1 and (or) P1' positions. Moreover, cucumisin prefers Pro than Leu at P2 position, indicating that the specificity at P2 position differs from that of papain.     

Probing aromatic, hydrophobic, and steric effects on the self-assembly of an amyloid-β fragment peptide

Aromatic amino acids have been shown to promote self-assembly of amyloid peptides, although the basis for this amyloid-inducing behavior is not understood. We adopted the amyloid-β 16-22 peptide (Aβ(16-22), Ac-KLVFFAE-NH(2)) as a model to study the role of aromatic amino acids in peptide self-assembly. Aβ(16-22) contains two consecutive Phe residues (19 and 20) in which Phe 19 side chains form interstrand contacts in fibrils while Phe 20 side chains interact with the side chain of Va l18. The kinetic and thermodynamic effect of varying the hydrophobicity and aromaticity at positions 19 and 20 by mutation with Ala, Tyr, cyclohexylalanine (Cha), and pentafluorophenylalanine (F(5)-Phe) (order of hydrophobicity is Ala < Tyr < Phe < F(5)-Phe < Cha) was characterized. Ala and Tyr position 19 variants failed to undergo fibril formation at the peptide concentrations studied, but Cha and F(5)-Phe variants self-assembled at dramatically enhanced rates relative to wild-type. Cha mutation was thermodynamically stabilizing at position 20 (ΔΔG = -0.2 kcal mol(-1) relative to wild-type) and destabilizing at position 19 (ΔΔG = +0.2 kcal mol(-1)). Conversely, F(5)-Phe mutations were strongly stabilizing at both positions (ΔΔG = -1.3 kcal mol(-1) at 19, ΔΔG = -0.9 kcal mol(-1) at 20). The double Cha and F(5)-Phe mutants showed that the thermodynamic effects were additive (ΔΔG = 0 kcal mol(-1) for Cha 19,20 and -2.1 kcal mol(-1) for F(5)-Phe 19,20). These results indicate that sequence hydrophobicity alone does not dictate amyloid potential, but that aromatic, hydrophobic, and steric considerations collectively influence fibril formation.     

Self-association and protonation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate in comparison with its 2'- and 3'-analogues and tubercidin 5'-monophosphate (7-deaza-AMP)

The concentration dependence of the chemical shifts of the protons H-2, H-8 and H-1' for 2'-, 3'- and 5'-AMP2- and of the protons H-2, H-7, H-8 and H-1' for tubercidin 5'-monophosphate (= 7-deaza-AMP2-; TuMP2-) has been measured in D2O at 27 degrees C to elucidate the self-association of the nucleoside monophosphates (NMPs). The results are consistent with the isodesmic model of indefinite non-cooperative stacking; the association constants for all four NMPs are very similar: K approximately 2 M-1. These 1H-NMR measurements and those on the dependence of the chemical shifts on the pD of the solutions indicate that the NMP2- species exist predominately in the anti conformation. Comparison of the shift data for 5'-TuMP and 5'-AMP shows that no hydrogen bonding between N-7 and -PO3H- occurs; hence, the previously observed and confirmed 'wrongway' chemical shift [Martin, R. B. (1985) Acc. Chem. Res 18, 32] connected with the deprotonation of the -PO3H- group most probably results from the anisotropic properties of the phosphate group which is in the anti conformation close to N-7. From the dependence between the chemical shift and the pD of the solutions the acidity constants were calculated for the four protonated NMPs, and for adenosine and D-ribose 5'-monophosphate. The measurements also allow an estimation of the first acidity constant of H3(5'-AMP)+ (pKDD3(AMP) = 0.9 and pKHH3(AMP) = 0.4). The values for pKHH2(NMP) and pKHH(NMP) were also determined from potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution (I = 0.1 M, NaNO3; 25 degrees C). The agreement of the results obtained by the two methods is excellent. The position of the phosphate group at the ribose moiety and the presence of N-7 in the base moiety influence somewhat the acid-base properties of the mentioned NMPs. Measurements with 5'-AMP in 50% (v/v) aqueous dioxane show that lowering of the solvent polarity facilitates removal of the proton from the H+(N-1) site while the -PO2-3 group becomes more basic; this increases the pH range in which the monoprotonated H(5'-AMP)- species is stable and which is now also extended into the physiological pH region. Some consequences of this observation for biological systems are indicated.     

Factor VIII A3 domain residues 1954-1961 represent an A1 domain-interactive site

Factor VIIIa consists of subunits designated A1, A2, and A3C1C2. Reassociation of the A1 and A3C1C2 subunits monitored by the factor Xa generation assay and fluorescence resonance energy transfer yielded intersubunit affinity values (K(d)) of 58.0 +/- 12.5 and 58.8 +/- 16.8 nM, respectively. These affinity values were equivalent to that previously determined for factor VIII heavy and light chains [Wakabayashi, H., et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 10293-10300], suggesting that the A2 domain makes a minimal contribution to the interchain affinity in factor VIII. Ca(2+) showed no effect on A1/A3C1C2 intersubunit affinity (K(d) = 51.6 +/- 16.6 nM), while Cu(2+) enhanced the A1/A3C1C2 intersubunit affinity approximately 5-fold (K(d) = 12.5 +/- 2.3 nM). A synthetic peptide to A3 domain residues 1954-1961 inhibited association of the A1 and A3C1C2 subunits (K(i) = 65.8 +/- 11.9 microM). Three factor VIII point mutants, His1957Ala, Gly1960Val, and His1961Asp, were stably expressed in BHK cells and purified. All mutants exhibited reduced specific activity (39, 42, and 4%, respectively) compared with that of wild-type factor VIII, and their activity was less stable following heat denaturation analysis (t(1/2) values of 13.3 +/- 0.7, 8.7 +/- 0.3, and 8.1 +/- 0.1 min, respectively) compared with that of the wild type (18.8 +/- 0.8 min). This reduced stability appeared to result from an approximately 2-fold increased dissociation rate for the Gly1960Val and His1961Asp dimers as judged by solid-phase binding assays. We propose that residues 1954-1961 of the A3 domain contribute to interactions with the A1 domain, facilitating their association in factor VIII.     

Induction of assembly of MHC class I heavy chains with beta 2microglobulin by interferon-gamma.

Assembly of histocompatibility class I heavy chains with beta 2microglobulin (beta 2m) is known to be necessary for cell surface expression. Studies on the H-2 class I deficient but interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inducible fibrosarcoma BC2 and the lung carcinoma CMT 64.5 showed that after transfection with allogeneic H-2 class I genes the class I proteins are expressed, but only intracellularly and not on the cell surface. In spite of the presence of beta 2m in the cells no association of the transfected class I chain with beta 2m was observed. However, stimulation with IFN-gamma induced assembly and subsequent surface expression. These findings show that the assembly of class I heavy chains with beta 2m is not a spontaneous event but appears to be regulated by cellular mechanisms the nature of which is still unknown.     

Is the retrograde axonal transport of 3H-5-HT a specific process of serotoninergic neurons?

The specificity of the retrograde axonal transport of 3H-serotonin (3H-5-HT) was radioautographically studied in the afferents to the olfactory bulb (O.B.). Injections of 3H-5-HT of different concentrations (10(-2), 10(-3), 10(-4) and 10(-5) M) were performed into the O.B. of catron pretreated rats. Following injection of 3H-5-HT (10(-2) M), a cytoplasmic perikaryal labeling was observed in the bulk of afferents to the O.B. (aminergic and non-aminergic neurons). When lower concentrations of 3H-5-HT (10(-5) M) were injected into the O.B., the retrograde labeling was only seen in the raphe dorsalis (RD) serotoninergic perikarya. The specificity of the uptake-retrograde transport of 3H-5-HT seems to depend on the selectivity of uptake by nerve terminals.     

Conformation analysis of the N-glycosylation site Asn-X-Thr/Ser in glycoproteins

Theoretical conformational analysis of oligopeptides CH3CO-Asn-X-Thr-NHCH3 (X = Gly, Ala, Pro), modelling N-glycosylation site, and their glycosylated derivatives CH3CO-(GlcNAc beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1) Asn-X-Thr-NHCH3 has been carried out. Active conformations of the site are found, corresponding to structural prerequisities of N-glycosylation: Asn residue's position in beta-turn and hydrogen bond formation between side chains of Asn and Thr/Ser residues. In this case the L conformation of the central residue X is most probable. Since Pro residue does not possess this conformation, sequences with X = Pro are not glycosylated. It is shown that glycosylation of the above-mentioned sites is accompanied by reorientation of the Asn residue's side chains.     

Influence of glycine residues on peptide conformation in membrane environments.

Transmembrane (TM) segments of integral membrane proteins are putatively alpha-helical in conformation, yet their primary sequences are rich in residues known in globular proteins as helix-breakers (Gly) and beta-sheet promoters (Ile, Val, Thr). To examine the specific 2 degrees structure propensities of such residues in membrane environments, we have now designed and synthesized a series of model 20-residue peptides with "guest" hydrophobia segments embedded in "host" N- and C-terminal hydrophilic matrices. Molecular design was based on the prototypical sequence NH2-(Ser-Lys)2-Ala5-Leu6-x7-Ala8-Leu9-y10-Trp 11-Ala12-Leu13-z14-(Lys-Ser)3-OH. The 10-residue hydrophobic mid-segment 5-14 is expected to act as ca. three turns of an alpha-helix. In the present work, we compare the 20-residue peptide having three "helix-forming" Ala residues [x = y = z = Ala (peptide 3A)] to the corresponding peptide 3G (x = y = z = Gly) which contains three "helix-breaking" Gly residues. Trp was inserted to provide a measure of aromatic character typical of TM segments; Ser and Lys enhanced solubility in aqueous media. Circular dichroism studies in water, in a membrane-mimetic [sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)], medium, and in methanol solutions, demonstrated the exquisite sensitivity of the conformations of these peptides to environment, and proved that despite its backbone flexibility, Gly can be accommodated as readily as Ala into a hydrophobic alpha-helix in a membrane. Nevertheless, the relative stability of Ala- vs. Gly-containing helices emerged in methanol solvent titration and temperature dependence experiments in SDS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)