Maxadilan activates PAC1 receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis xelanophores

Functional interactions between ligands and their cognate receptors can be investigated using the ability of melanophores from Xenopus laevis to disperse or aggregate their pigment granules in response to alterations in the intracellular levels of second messengers. We have examined the response of long-term lines of cultured melanophores from X. laevis to pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with vasodilatory activity, and maxadilan, a vasodilatory peptide present in the salivary gland extracts of the blood feeding sand fly. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide increased the intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and induced pigment dispersion in the pigment cells, confirming that melanophores express an endogenous PACAP receptor. Maxadilan did not induce a response in non-transfected melanophores. When the melanophores were transfected with complementary DNA (cDNA) from the three different members of the PACAP receptor family, maxadilan induced pigment dispersion specifically and cAMP accumulation in melanophores transfected with the cDNA for PAC1 receptors but not VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptors. A melanophore line was generated that stably expresses the PAC1 receptor.     

Maxadilan Activates PAC1 Receptors Expressed in Xenopus laevis Melanophores

Functional interactions between ligands and their cognate receptors can be investigated using the ability of melanophores from Xenopus laevis to disperse or aggregate their pigment granules in response to alterations in the intracellular levels of second messengers. We have examined the response of long‐term lines of cultured melanophores from X. laevis to pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with vasodilatory activity, and maxadilan, a vasodilatory peptide present in the salivary gland extracts of the blood feeding sand fly. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide increased the intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and induced pigment dispersion in the pigment cells, confirming that melanophores express an endogenous PACAP receptor. Maxadilan did not induce a response in non‐transfected melanophores. When the melanophores were transfected with complementary DNA (cDNA) from the three different members of the PACAP receptor family, maxadilan induced pigment dispersion specifically and cAMP accumulation in melanophores transfected with the cDNA for PAC1 receptors but not VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptors. A melanophore line was generated that stably expresses the PAC1 receptor.     

Maxadilan, a PAC1 receptor agonist from sand flies

In 1991, a potent 61 amino acid vasodilator peptide, named maxadilan, was isolated from the salivary glands of the sand fly. Subsequently, it was shown that this peptide specifically and potently activated the mammalian PAC1 receptor, one of the three receptors for PACAP. These studies and the link between maxadilan and leishmaniasis are discussed.     

Paradoxical antagonism of PACAP receptor signaling by VIP in Xenopus oocytes via the type-C natriuretic peptide receptor

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the closely-related peptides BNP and CNP are highly conserved cardiovascular hormones. They bind to single transmembrane-spanning receptors, triggering receptor-intrinsic guanylyl cyclase activity. The "truncated" type-C natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-C) has long been called a clearance receptor because it lacks the intracellular guanylyl cyclase domain, though data suggest it might negatively couple to adenylyl cyclase via G(i). Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of the Xenopus laevis type-C natriuretic peptide receptor (XNPR-C). Analysis confirms the presence of a short intracellular C-terminus, as well as a high similarity to fish and mammalian NPR-C. Injection of XNPR-C mRNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in expression of high affinity [(125)I]ANP binding sites that were competitively and completely displaced by natriuretic analogs and the unrelated neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Measurement of cAMP levels in mRNA-injected oocytes revealed that XNPR-C is negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. When XNPR-C was co-expressed with PAC(1) receptors for pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), VIP and natriuretic peptides counteracted the cAMP induction by PACAP. These results suggest that VIP and natriuretic peptides can potentially modulate the action of PACAP in cells where these receptors are co-expressed.     

Chemical Synthesis of Maxadilan, a Non-mammalian Potent Vasodilatory Peptide Consisting of 61 Amino Acids with Two Disulfide Bridges, and Its Related Peptides

A potent and persistent non-mammalian derived vasodilator, maxadilan (Maxa) consists of 61 amino acids with two disulfide linkages and acts as an agonist of the type I receptor of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), although there is very little sequence similarity. The total chemical syntheses of Maxa, its disulfide isomers and various fragments have been performed successfully by highly efficient solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). A “difficult sequence”, envisaged in the middle region of Maxa, could be overcome by improved synthesis protocols. After assembly peptides were liberated from the resin by cleavage. Peptides having disulfide(s) were purified by two steps of preparative HPLC using cation exchange followed by reverse phase columns. Purified peptides were characterized by HPLC, Edman-sequencing, amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry in addition to disulfide form determination. The peptides obtained were used for recognition studies by the melanophore assay to confirm the native disulfide form. Peptide libraries related to Maxa, produced in the present study, will be useful for the elucidation of the structural requirements of Maxa for interaction with the PACAP type 1 receptor (PAC1). This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Bruce Merrifield, a pioneer and one of the most respected experimental scientists, who made extraordinary contributions to high throughput chemical synthesis.     

Elucidation of the active conformation of the amino terminus of receptor-bound secretin using intramolecular disulfide bond constraints

Family B G protein-coupled receptors include several potentially important drug targets, yet our understanding of the molecular basis of ligand binding to and activation of these receptors is incomplete. While NMR and crystal structures exist for peptide ligand-associated amino-terminal domains of several family members, these only provide insights into the conformation of the carboxyl-terminal region of the peptides. The amino-terminal region of these peptides, critical for biological activity, is believed to interact with the helical bundle domain, and is, therefore, unconstrained in these structures. The aim of the current study was to provide insights into the conformation of the amino terminus of secretin as bound to its receptor. We prepared a series of conformationally constrained secretin peptides containing intramolecular disulfide bonds that were predicted by molecular modeling to approximate the conformation of the analogous region of PACAP bound to its receptor that had been determined using transfer-NOE NMR techniques. Secretin peptides with pairs of cysteine residues in positions 2–7, 3–5, 3–6, 4–7, 7–9, and 4–10 were studied as linear and disulfide-bonded forms. The analog with a disulfide bond connecting positions 7–9 had binding affinity and biological activity similar to natural secretin, supporting the relevance of this constraint to its active conformation. While this feature is shared between secretin and PACAP, absence of activity in other constrained peptides in this series also suggest that there are differences between these receptor-bound conformations. It will be critical to extend similar studies to other family members to learn what structural elements might be most conserved in this family.     

Generation of highly selective VPAC2 receptor agonists by high throughput mutagenesis of vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) has a specific receptor PAC1 and shares two receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2 with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). VPAC2 activation enhances glucose-induced insulin release while VPAC1 activation elevates glucose output. To generate a large pool of VPAC2 selective agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, structure-activity relationship studies were performed on PACAP, VIP, and a VPAC2 selective VIP analog. Chemical modifications on this analog that prevent recombinant expression were sequentially removed to show that a recombinant peptide would retain VPAC2 selectivity. An efficient recombinant expression system was then developed to produce and screen hundreds of mutant peptides. The 11 mutations found on the VIP analog were systematically replaced with VIP or PACAP sequences. Three of these mutations, V19A, L27K, and N28K, were sufficient to provide most of the VPAC2 selectivity. C-terminal extension with the KRY sequence from PACAP38 led to potent VPAC2 agonists with improved selectivity (100-1000-fold). Saturation mutagenesis at positions 19, 27, 29, and 30 of VIP and charge-scanning mutagenesis of PACAP27 generated additional VPAC2 selective agonists. We have generated the first set of recombinant VPAC2 selective agonists described, which exhibit activity profiles that suggest therapeutic utility in the treatment of diabetes.     

Receptors for the vasodilator maxadilan are expressed on selected neural crest and smooth muscle-derived cells

Maxadilan is a potent vasodilator peptide isolated from salivary glands of the blood feeding sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. The peptide relaxes rabbit aortic rings in an endothelium independent manner while elevating levels of cAMP and has been found to bind to membrane homogenates from brain. These studies on tissues have now been expanded with an examination of binding and signaling of maxadilan to a number of established cell lines and primary cultures. The data reveal that maxadilan binds to and stimulates the accumulation of cAMP in the rat pheochromocytoma line PC12 and the human neuroblastoma line NBfl. Accumulation of cAMP occurred in a transformed mouse pancreatic smooth muscle line (MILE) and primary rabbit aorta smooth muscle cells. The peptide did not bind to or induce cAMP formation in the rat thoracic aorta line L6. Scatchard analysis of binding to the PC12 and NBfl lines indicates that maxadilan binds to a single class of high-affinity receptors. Similar pharmacologic actions and possible structural homologies between maxadilan and calcitonin generelated peptide (CGRP) suggested the possibility that they shared receptors. However, competition studies and comparative second messenger analysis reveal that maxadilan does not interact with receptors for CGRP, amylin or adrenomedullin and suggest that this peptide may bind to a novel receptor whose endogenous ligand remains unknown.     

Structural Requirements of Maxadilan,a Non-Mammalian Potent Vasodilatory Peptide,for Interaction with the PAC-1 Receptor from Rat Brain Using a Synthetic Mini-Library

Although there is no amino acid sequence similarity between maxadilan (Maxa) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), our synthetic Maxa was found to bind PACAP specific receptors (PAC-1 receptors) with a high affinity, but low potency for the accumulation of cAMP in PC12 cells. Competitive binding studies of ¹²⁵I-PACAP-27 to rat cortical membranes allowed exploration of the structural requirements for this interaction using mini-libraries constructed by solid-phase peptided synthesis, that include disulfide isomers, N-, C- and middle segment deleted peptides and analogs. Maxa as well as PACAP38 inhibited the specific binding of ¹²⁵I-PACAP-27 with IC₅₀ values of 3.89 and 4.90 nM, respectively. The most potent derivative of our synthetic Maxa-analogs with an IC₅₀ value of 1.99 nM was Maxa[1–23 + 43–61, S–S^14–51 Ala^1,5] which consists of N- (position 1–23) and C- (position 43-61) terminal linear fragments cross-linked by a disulfide bridge between positions 14 and 51. This peptide did not increase intracellular cAMP, at a concentration of 100 nM, but inhibited cAMP accumulation induced by 1 nM PACAP-27 in PC12 cells, whereas wild Maxa increased intracellular cAMP although it was weaker than PACAP-27. Our data suggest deletion of the middle segment between residues 24–42 affords some derivatives that behave as low affinity antagonists. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Bruce Merrifield, a pioneer and one of the most important contributors to solid-phase synthesis.     

Identification and functional properties of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PAC1) receptor in human benign hyperplastic prostate

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) is a novel neuropeptide with regulatory and trophic functions that is related to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Here we investigate the expression of specific PACAP receptors (PAC1) and common VIP/PACAP receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2) in the human hyperplastic prostate by immunological methods. The PAC1 receptor corresponded to a 60-KDa protein whereas the already known VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors possessed molecular masses of 58 and 68 KDa, respectively. The heterogeneity of VIP/PACAP receptors in this tissue was confirmed by radioligand binding studies using [125I]PACAP-27 by means of stoichiometric and pharmacological experiments. At least two classes of PACAP binding sites showing different affinities could be resolved, with Kd values of 0.81 and 51.4 nM, respectively. The order of potency in displacing [125I]PACAP-27 binding was PACAP-27 approximately equal to PACAP-38 > VIP. PACAP-27 and VIP stimulated similarly adenylate cyclase activity, presumably through common VIP/PACAP receptors. The PAC1 receptor was not coupled to activation of either adenylate cyclase, nitric oxide synthase, or phospholipase C. It appears to be a novel subtype of PAC1 receptor because PACAP-27 (but not PACAP-38 or VIP) led to increased phosphoinositide synthesis, an interesting feature because phosphoinositides are involved via receptor mechanisms in the regulation of cell proliferation.     

Truncated atrial natriuretic peptide analogs. Comparison between receptor binding and stimulation of cyclic GMP accumulation in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

A series of truncated atrial natriuretic peptide analogs were examined as a means of defining the structural requirements for receptor occupancy and stimulation of cyclic GMP accumulation in bovine aortic smooth muscle cells. It was determined that deletion of amino acids from the carboxyl and/or amino termini of the peptides diminished their ability to increase cyclic GMP levels. Deletion of amino acids from the carboxyl terminus had the greatest effect, and atrial natriuretic peptide analogs lacking the carboxyl-terminal phenylalanyl-arginyl-tyrosine tripeptide were 100-1000-fold less active than parent compounds in stimulating intracellular cyclic GMP accumulation. In marked contrast to the cyclic GMP effects, deletion of amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal amino acids had only minor effects on the affinity of the peptides for specific smooth muscle cell-associated receptors. Peptide analogs lacking the phenylalanyl-arginyl-tyrosine tripeptide bound to receptors with an affinity only 1.1-5-fold weaker than the parent compounds. Thus, there was no correlation between apparent receptor binding affinity of atrial natriuretic peptide analogs and potency of these same peptides for stimulating intracellular cyclic GMP accumulation. Furthermore, analogs that bound to receptors and failed to elicit significant cyclic GMP responses did not antagonize or modulate increases in cyclic GMP induced by parent compounds. These data are most consistent with the existence of multiple subpopulations of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors on aortic smooth muscle cells.     

Ligands for kappa-opioid and ORL1 receptors identified from a conformationally constrained peptide combinatorial library.

We have screened a synthetic peptide combinatorial library composed of 2 x 10(7) beta-turn-constrained peptides in binding assays on four structurally related receptors, the human opioid receptors mu, delta, and kappa and the opioid receptor-like ORL1. Sixty-six individual peptides were synthesized from the primary screening and tested in the four receptor binding assays. Three peptides composed essentially of unnatural amino acids were found to show high affinity for human kappa-opioid receptor. Investigation of their activity in agonist-promoted stimulation of [(35)S]guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate binding assay revealed that we have identified the first inverse agonist as well as peptidic antagonists for kappa-receptors. To fine-tune the potency and selectivity of these kappa-peptides we replaced their turn-forming template by other turn mimetic molecules. This "turn-scan" process allowed the discovery of compounds with modified selectivity and activity profiles. One peptide displayed comparable affinity and partial agonist activity toward all four receptors. Interestingly, another peptide showed selectivity for the ORL1 receptor and displayed antagonist activity at ORL1 and agonist activity at opioid receptors. In conclusion, we have identified peptides that represent an entirely new class of ligands for opioid and ORL1 receptors and exhibit novel pharmacological activity. This study demonstrates that conformationally constrained peptide combinatorial libraries are a rich source of ligands that are more suitable for the design of nonpeptidal drugs.     

Localization of the 90-kDa heat shock protein-binding site within the hormone-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor by peptide competition

In this work, we used two approaches to localize the 90-kDa heat shock protein (hsp90)-binding site within the hormone-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor. In the first approach, derivatives of the glucocorticoid receptor deleted for increasing portions of the COOH terminus were translated in rabbit reticulocyte lysate, and the [35S]methionine-labeled translation products were immunoadsorbed with the 8D3 monoclonal antibody against hsp90. The data suggest that a segment from amino acids 604 to 659 (mouse) of the receptor is required for hsp90 binding. We have recently shown that the internal deletion mutant of the mouse receptor (delta 574-632) binds hsp90, although the complex is somewhat unstable (Housley, P. R., Sanchez, E. R., Danielsen, M., Ringold, G. M., and Pratt, W. B. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 12778-12781). The two observations indicate that amino acids 574-659 are involved in forming a stable receptor-hsp90 complex and that region 632-659 is especially important. To test this hypothesis directly, we synthesized three peptides corresponding to segments in region 624-665 and three peptides spanning the highly conserved sequence at amino acids 582-617, and we then tested the ability of the peptides to compete for the association of hsp90 with the L cell glucocorticoid receptor. In this assay, the immunopurified hsp90-free mouse receptor is incubated with rabbit reticulocyte lysate, which directs the association of rabbit hsp90 with the mouse receptor, simultaneously converting the receptor to the steroid binding state. All three peptides spanning region 624-665 and a peptide corresponding to segment 587-606 inhibited both hsp90 association with the receptor and reconstitution of steroid binding capacity. The data from all of the approaches support a two-site model for the hsp90-binding site in which the critical contact site occurs in region 632-659, which contains a short proline-containing hydrophobic segment and adjacent dipole-plus-cysteine motif that are conserved among all of the hsp90-binding receptors in the superfamily. A second hsp90 contact site is predicted in region 574-632, which contains the only highly conserved amino acid sequence in the receptor superfamily outside of the DNA-binding domain.     

Structure-activity relationships for the cardiotropic action of the Led-NPF-I peptide in the beetles Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus.

We have examined the effects of the Led-NPF-I peptide (Ala-Arg-Gly-Pro-Gln-Leu-Arg-Leu-Arg-Phe-amide) and a series of ten analogues on the heart contractile activity of Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus, and the structure-activity relationships for cardioactive action of Led-NPF-I were established. A video microscopy technique and computer-based method of data acquisition and analysis were used to study the action of the peptides on continuously perfused heart preparations. Cardiac activity was progressively inhibited by Led-NPF-I when the peptide concentrations were increased from 10(-9) to 10(-5) M. Substitution of the L-proline residue at position 4 of the native peptide with hydroxyproline, valine or D-proline caused a loss of cardioinhibitory activity. Also, replacement of arginine residues at all three positions 2, 7 and 9 with another basic amino acid histidine, reduces cardioinhibitory action of Led-NPF-I. Some modifications of the C-terminal residues, as the Phe(4-NO2)-, Phe(4-NH2)- and Phe(4-NMe2)-analogues, resulted in agonistic peptides with biological activity similar to that of the native peptide. However, three other C-terminal analogues tested [Tyr10]-, [D-Phe10]-Led-NPF-I, and Ala-Arg-Gly-Pro-Gln-Leu-Arg-Leu-Arg-Phe-OH were inactive in the heart bioassay, which suggests that this end of the amino acid chain may play an important role in bioactivity and interaction of the native peptide with its receptor on the myocardium.     

Crystal structure of the PAC1R extracellular domain unifies a consensus fold for hormone recognition by class B G-protein coupled receptors

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a member of the PACAP/glucagon family of peptide hormones, which controls many physiological functions in the immune, nervous, endocrine, and muscular systems. It activates adenylate cyclase by binding to its receptor, PAC1R, a member of class B G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR). Crystal structures of a number of Class B GPCR extracellular domains (ECD) bound to their respective peptide hormones have revealed a consensus mechanism of hormone binding. However, the mechanism of how PACAP binds to its receptor remains controversial as an NMR structure of the PAC1R ECD/PACAP complex reveals a different topology of the ECD and a distinct mode of ligand recognition. Here we report a 1.9 Å crystal structure of the PAC1R ECD, which adopts the same fold as commonly observed for other members of Class B GPCR. Binding studies and cell-based assays with alanine-scanned peptides and mutated receptor support a model that PAC1R uses the same conserved fold of Class B GPCR ECD for PACAP binding, thus unifying the consensus mechanism of hormone binding for this family of receptors.     

Identification of a peptide antagonist for platelet-derived growth factor.

A series of peptides derived from the primary sequence of the B-chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was analyzed for their ability to inhibit the binding of 125I-PDGF-AA and 125I-PDGF-BB to PDGF alpha-receptors and PDGF beta-receptors, respectively. A 13-amino acid peptide (ANFLVWEIVRKKP), corresponding to amino acids 116-121 and 157-163 in PDGF B-chain, was found to compete with binding to both alpha- and beta-receptors. Modification of this peptide on the tryptophan residue increased its receptor competing activity. The peptide was found to be a receptor antagonist, since it inhibited dimerization and autophosphorylation of PDGF receptors. When analyzed on intact cells, the peptide was found to have, in addition to the specific inhibitory effect at the receptor level, a nonspecific inhibitory effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation. Our study has identified two regions in PDGF that are of importance for receptor interaction.     

Structural requirements for the binding of the pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating peptide to receptors and adenylate-cyclase activation in pancreatic and neuronal membranes

PACAP (pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating peptide)-binding receptors were investigated in membranes from the rat pancreatic acinar cell line, AR 4-2J, the rat hippocampus and the human neuroblastoma cell line NB-OK, by 125I-PACAP(1-27) (amino acid residues 1-27 of N-terminal amidated PACAP) binding and adenylate cyclase activation. The relative binding of 125I-PACAP(1-27) to the receptor, and ability to activate adenylate cyclase were PACAP greater than or equal to PACAP(1-27) greater than PACAP(2-38) greater than PACAP(1-9)-VIP(10-28)(PACAP-VIP) greater than PACAP(2-27) greater than [Ser9,Tyr13]VIP greater than [Tyr13]VIP greater than or equal to [Ser9]VIP greater than or equal to VIP(1-23)-PACAP(24-27)(VIP-PACAP) greater than VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide). The N-terminal moiety of PACAP(1-27) was more important than the three amino acids at the C-terminus for 125I-PACAP(1-27)-binding site recognition. For rat pancreatic 125I-VIP-binding sites tested with 125I-VIP, the order of binding affinity was PACAP = PACAP(1-27) greater than or equal to VIP = [Ser9]VIP = [Tyr13]VIP = [Ser9,Try13]VIP greater than or equal to PACAP-VIP greater than or equal to VIP-PACAP greater than PACAP(2-38) = PACAP(2-27). Pancreatic 125I-VIP-binding sites, when compared to 125I-PACAP(1-27)-binding sites, showed little specificity and only weak coupling, so that PACAP and VIP-PACAP acted only as partial VIP agonists on adenylate cyclase.     

Mimotopes of the nicotinic receptor binding site selected by a combinatorial peptide library

Peptide libraries allow selecting new molecules, defined as mimotopes, which are able to mimic the structural and functional features of a native protein. This technology can be applied for the development of new reagents, which can interfere with the action of specific ligands on their target receptors. In the present study we used a combinatorial library approach to produce synthetic peptides mimicking the snake neurotoxin binding site of nicotinic receptors. On the basis of amino acid sequence comparison of different alpha-bungarotoxin binding receptors, we designed a 14 amino acid combinatorial synthetic peptide library with five invariant, four partially variant, and five totally variant positions. Peptides were synthesized using SPOT synthesis on cellulose membranes, and binding sequences were selected using biotinylated alpha-bungarotoxin. Each variant position was systematically identified, and all possible combinations of the best reacting amino acids in each variant position were tested. The best reactive sequences were identified, produced in soluble form, and tested in BIACORE to compare their kinetic constants. We identified several different peptides that can inhibit the binding of alpha-bungarotoxin to both muscle and neuronal nicotinic receptors. Peptide mimotopes have a toxin-binding affinity that is considerably higher than peptides reproducing native receptor sequences.