Synthesis of A7,B7-dicarbainsulin, an analogue with a noncleavable bond between A- and B-chain. II. Synthesis of the A-chain segments

As part of the total synthesis of [A7,B7-L,L-2,7-diaminosuberoyl]-des-(B26-B30)-insulin B25-amide, an insulin analogue containing a non-cleavable bond between A- and B-chain, the chemical synthesis of the A-chain segments is described. The N-terminal sequence A(1-6), Boc-Gly-Ile-Val-Glu(OBut)-Gln-Cys(SBut)-NH-NH2, was synthesized in solution. The middle segment A(8-16), Ddz-Thr(But)-Ser(But)-Ile-Cys(SBut)-Ser(But)-Leu-Tyr- (But)-Gln-Leu-NH-NH2, was obtained by solid phase synthesis according to the Fmoc strategy. The C-terminal segment A(17-21), Bpoc-Glu(OBut)-Asn-Tyr-Cys(Acm)-Asn-OBut, was prepared in solution.     

Synthesis of human proinsulin sequence 71-86, II: Improved synthesis of the fragment.

An improved synthesis of a fully protected hexadecapeptide Bpoc-Cys(Trt)-Cys-(Trt)-Thr(But)-Ser(But)-Ile-Cys(Trt)-Ser(But)-Leu-Tyr(But)-Gln-Leu-Glu(OBut)-Asn-Tyr(But)-Cys(Trt)-Asn-OBut, which corresponds to the amino acid sequence 71-86 of human proinsulin, is described. The final product was obtained by the condensation of three fragments 71-74, 75-77 and 78-86.     

Human proinsulin VI. Synthesis of protected segment 46-70 of prohormone

The synthesis of the protected pentacosapeptide Trt-Gly-Gly-Pro-Gly-Ala-Gly-Ser-(But)-Leu-Gln-Pro-Leu-Ala-Leu-Glu( OBut)-Gly-Ser (But)-Leu-Gln-Lys(Boc)-Arg-Gly-Ile-Val-Glu-(OBut)-Gln-OH (Pos. 46-70) of human proinsulin is described. This segment was prepared by the mixed anhydride condensation of the trityl-protected peptides (46-64) or (46-59) with the fragments 65-70 and 60-70, respectively. In both the cases the purification was effected by counter current distribution in a yield of 25% and 24%, respectively.     

纤维结合素分子中Asp1961～Glu1978序列对三结构域多肽在大肠杆菌中表达的影响

构建了人纤维结合素（ＦＮ）的三功能结构域重组多肽的两个表达质粒,分别编码两个重组多肽：ＣＨ６２（ＦＮ的Ｐｒｏ１２３９～Ｓｅｒ１５１５经Ｍｅｔ和Ａｌａ１６９０～Ｖａ１２０４９相连）和ＣＨ６３（从ＣＨ６２中删除了Ｉｌｅ１８５０～Ｇｌｕ１９７８）．ＣＨ６２在大肠杆菌中的表达效率很低,而ＣＨ６３的表达效率则很高,结果提示ＦＮ分子中的Ａｓｐ１９６１～Ｇｌｕ１９７８序列是影响三结构域多肽在大肠杆菌中表达的关键结构．ＣＨ６３经过溶解和复性后,可通过肝素－琼脂糖亲和层析得到纯品,所得纯品具有结合肝素和结合细胞的功能,且结合细胞的能力比双结构域ＦＮ多肽更强,表明两个结合细胞的功能结构域均有活性．ＣＨ６３的制备为进一步研究具有更强的抑制肿瘤转移作用的基因工程制品奠定了基础．     

三结构域重组FN多肽表达质粒的构建及其表达产物性质的初步鉴定

为探讨三结构域重组迁连蛋白（ＦＮ）在肿瘤治疗中的作用,构建了两个三结构域重组ＦＮ表达质粒ｐＦ９４－６２和ｐＦ９４－８２,它们分别编码两个重组多肽：ＣＨ６２（ＦＮＰｒｏ１２３９－Ｓｅｒ１５１５经Ｍｅｔ、Ａｌａ １６９０－Ｖａｌ２０４９相连）和ＣＨ８２（从ＣＨ６２中删除了ＨｅｒｐⅡＣ端和ＣｅｌｌⅡ结构域Ｎ端的Ｐｒｏ１９５３－Ｇｌｕ１９７８）。含表达质粒ｐＦ９４－８２的工程菌经３７℃培养,ＣＨ８２得到表     

Analogues and fragments of secretin

For the purpose of analytical investigation and structure/activity relationships, some secretin analogues and secretin fragments have been synthesized. HPLC comparison of the synthesized products with our synthetic secretin revealed about 2% [D-Ala17]secretin, 1% [D-Leu13]secretin and less than 1% aminoterminal degradation products. The D-Ala17 content can be eliminated if the starting material used for segment coupling (Z-Arg(Z2)-Asp(OBut)-Ser(But)-Ala-OH) has no D-Ala-contamination. In addition, traces of the rearrangement products [3-aspartoyl]-secretin and [beta-Asp3]secretin are suspected. Secretin can be degraded to several compounds by chromatography on a strong basic ion exchanger in 1% acetic acid. These products are more polar than secretin and have no biological activity. The secretin content measured by HPLC correlated well with the biological data, since the degradation products and other byproducts separated by HPLC have only a negligible influence on the pancreatic flow.     

Conformation of the eosinophil chemotactic tetrapeptides and analogues in dimethyl sulfoxide. 1H n.m.r. studies

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance parameters are reported for DMSO-d6 solutions of the eosinophil chemotactic tetrapeptides, Val1-Gly2-Ser3-Glu4 and Ala1-Gly2-Ser3-Glu4, as well as three analogues of the Val1 tetrapeptide, D-Val1, Ala2 and Ala3. The synthesis of Val-(S)-[alpha-2 H1] Gly-Ala-Glu, in which the glycine has been stereospecifically deuterated in the H alpha 3 position, has allowed the assignment of the 1H resonances belonging to individual H alpha 2 and H alpha 3 glycine methylene protons. Simulation of the glycine ABX spin system yields two vicinal coupling constants which are consistent with a highly preferred conformation about the glycine HN-C alpha bond. The chemical shifts, coupling constants, temperature coefficients of amide proton chemical shifts and calculated side chain rotamer populations are reported for all peptides. The coupling constant analysis and temperature coefficients of amide proton chemical shifts together suggest that a type I beta-turn conformation is preferred by the Ala3 analogue. The 1H n.m.r. parameters of the other peptides suggest that these can also adopt a beta-turn conformation in DMSO. There are, however, considerable differences in the extent of conformational averaging undergone by the various peptides.     

Synthesis and properties of [A19-(p-fluorophenylalanine)] insulin

The synthesis of [Phe(F)A19]insulin (porcine) is described. First the protected [Phe(F)19]A-chain was assembled by segment condensation of [1-12] and [13-21] using the dicyclohexyldiimide/1-hydroxybenzotriazole procedure. [Phe(F)19]A-chain was purified by ion exchange chromatography after removal of all the protecting groups (Boc, But, OBut and S-Trt) and its conversion into the tetra-S-sulfonated derivative. [Phe(F)A19]insulin was prepared by combination with porcine B-chain and purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The in vitro biological activity of this analogue was 60%. CD spectra in the near and far UV are qualitatively very similar to those of insulin.     

Synthesis of oligophosphoseryl sequences occurring in casein. Identification of beta-elimination during phosphorylation

The protected oligophosphoseryl peptides from bovine caseins, Z-Xxx-(Ser[PO(OPh)2])3-Glu(OBzl)-OBzl for Xxx = Ile, Val, Gly, Leu and Ph = phenyl, were synthesized in high yields by stepwise lengthening using Boc-Ser[PO(OPh)2]-OH as acylating carboxyl component and N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride as coupling reagent. The hydrogenolytic deprotection (PtO2) was carried out with the valine derivative and with the tetrapeptide Ser[PO(OPh)2]3-Glu(OBz)-OBzl. Phosphorylation of oligoseryl peptides failed to give the expected products. Large scale phosphorylation of protected serine was carried out in the presence of triethylamine using absolute ether as a solvent. 2,2,2-Trichloroethyl group (Tc) was shown to be a useful phosphorus protecting moiety in phosphopeptide synthesis: Boc-Ser[PO(OTc)2]-OBzl, Z-Ser[PO(OTc)2]-OBzl and Boc-Glu(OBzl)-Ser[PO(OTc)2]-OBzl were synthesized in high yields using bis-(2,2,2-trichloroethyl) phosphochloridate.     

A facile method for preparation of t-butyloxycarbonylamino acid p-nitroanilides

A series of p-nitroanilides of t-butyloxycarbonylamino acids, including Boc-Trp, Boc-Asn, Boc-Gln, Boc-Ser(But), Boc-Thr(But), Boc-Asp(OBut), Boc-Lys(TFA), and Boc-His(Boc), were prepared conveniently by the mixed anhydride method using 2,2-dimethylpropanoic chloride (pivaloyl chloride). The products were obtained in 40-60% yields after purification by column chromatography on Sephadex LH-20. p-Nitroanilide of histidine was purified after deprotection of Boc-His(Boc)-pNA and obtained as H-His-pNA.2HCl.     

Bicyclic peptides as models of calcium binding sites: synthesis and conformation of a homodetic undecapeptide

A bicyclic undecapeptide of sequence cyclo-(Ala(1)-Pro(2)-Asp(3)-Glu(4)-Lys(5)-Ala(6)-Pro(7)-Asp(8)-Ser(9) -Glu(10))-cyclo-(10gamma --> 5varepsilon)-Gly(11), designed to mimic the calcium coordination site I of Calmodulin, has been synthesized and its conformation and calcium binding properties have been investigated by means of CD and nmr spectroscopy. The nmr analysis of the free peptide, carried out in DMSO and in TFE/H(2)O at different pH values, shows the presence in solution of one stable conformer, exhibiting trans configuration around both Proline residues. The nmr results in both solvents suggest for the molecule a rectangular shape constituted by two antiparallel beta-strands connected by two beta-turns. Interproton distances, evaluated by NOE contacts, have been used to obtain feasible models by means of Restrained Molecular Dynamic (RMD). The average models from RMD calculations, for both solvents, exhibit good analogies with Calmodulin site I. The model system, when compared with the reference system (Asp(20)-Glu(31) segment in CaM), shows similar dimensions and an effective superimposition of the respective sequence segments Ala(1)-Glu(4) and Thr(28)-Glu(31). The remaining segments of the model peptide exhibit a bending that is intermediate between that of the free and Ca(2+)-coordinated site I. CD spectra, recorded in TFE solutions, point to a 1:1 stoichiometry for the Ca(2+)-peptide complex, with an association constant of at least 1 x 10(5) M(-1).     

Synthesis of the fragments A1-8, A1-7, A9-15 and A8-15 of the chicken insulin A chain (author's transl)

By coupling the peptide derivatives H-Cys(SBut)-Cys(SBut)-His-OMe(6-8 b) and H-Cys(SBut)-Cys(SBut)-OH(6-7b) respectively with Trt-Gly-Ile-Val-Glu(OBut)-Gln-OH(1-5a) the N-terminal sequences A1-8 and A1-7 of the chicken insulin A chain have been prepared. The sequence of A9-15 has been obtained by connecting Bpoc-Asn-Thr(But)-Cys(SBut)-OH (9-11c) and H-Ser(But)-Leu-Try(But)-Gln-OH (12-15). Acylation of the aminopeptidderivative 9-15b with Bpoc-N2H3 yielded fragment A8-15 (8-15).     

Synthesis of [1, 6-cyclo (acetyl-1-L-glutamic acid, 2-D-phenylalanine, 3-D-tryptophan, 6-D-lysine)] luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on poly-N-acrylylpyrrolidine resin

The protected peptide, Ac-Glu(OBut)-D-Phe-D-Trp-Ser(But)-Tyr(But)-D-Lys (Z)-Leu-Arg(Tos)-Pro-Gly-NH2 was synthesized in a stepwise manner on a resin of poly-N-acrylylpyrrolidine using both acid cleavable N alpha-tert.-butyloxycarbonyl and base cleavable N alpha-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl protecting groups. After cleavage by ammonolysis in methanol, the tert.-butyl and benzyloxy-carbonyl side-chain protecting groups were cleaved with CF3-CO2H-thioanisole and the 1-6 amide ring formed by cyclization with diphenylphosphorylazide, after which the remaining tosyl protecting group was cleaved in HF-anisole. [1,6-Cyclo(Ac-Glu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3, D-Lys6]LH-RH exhibited less than 10% of the antiovulatory potency of [D less than Glu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6] LH-RH, a potent linear antagonist.     

The ATP-binding site of the erythrocyte membrane Ca2+ pump. Amino acid sequence of the fluorescein isothiocyanate-reactive region

The erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca2+-pumping ATPase is known to form an acyl-phosphate catalytic intermediate, but there is otherwise little structural information linking it to the other mammalian ion-pumping ATPases which also form phosphorylated intermediates (the Na+, K+-ATPase of plasma membranes, the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the H+, K+-ATPase of gastric mucosa). We show here that this enzyme possesses a fluorescein isothiocyanate-reactive region similar to that possessed by these other ATPases. Low concentrations (10 microM) of fluorescein isothiocyanate inhibit the ATPase activity of this pump, and this inhibition is prevented by 4 mM ATP. ATP also inhibits the reaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate with a single amino acid residue on the 138-kDa polypeptide chain. A tryptic fragment containing the fluorescein-conjugated residue was isolated by high pressure liquid chromatography. The sequence of this peptide was determined to be NH2-Met1-Tyr2-Ser3-Lys4-Gly5-Ala6-Ser7-Glu8++ +-Ile9-Ile10-Leu11-Arg12-COOH; fluorescein isothiocyanate reacts with the lysine residue. The identities of residues 4-8 are the same as those in a sequence common to the other ATPases mentioned above, except that serine-7 of this sequence is changed to a proline in those ATPases. This substitution, sometimes not considered a homologous one, is not expected to have a major effect on the secondary structure or polarity of this region. Outside of this 5-residue core region of the fluorescein isothiocyanate-reactive site, the homologies among the different ion-pumping ATPases are limited.     

Analogs of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone with high agonist potency and selectivity at human melanocortin receptor 1b: the role of Trp(9) in molecular recognition

alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alphaMSH), Ac-Ser(1)-Tyr(2)-Ser(3)-Met(4)-Glu(5)-His(6)-Phe(7)-Arg(8)-Trp(9)-Gly(10)-Lys(11)-Pro(12)-Val(13)-NH(2), is an endogenous agonist for the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R), the receptor found in the skin, several types of immune cells, and other peripheral sites. Three-dimensional models of complexes of this receptor with alphaMSH and its synthetic analog NDP-alphaMSH, Ac-Ser(1)-Tyr(2)-Ser(3)-Nle(4)-Glu(5)-His(6)-D-Phe(7)-Arg(8)-Trp(9)-Gly(10)-Lys(11)-Pro(12)-Val(13)-NH(2), have been previously proposed. In those models, the 6-9 segment of the ligand was considered essential for the ligand-receptor interactions. In this study, we probed the role of Trp(9) of NDP-alphaMSH in interactions with hMC1bR. Analogs of NDP-alphaMSH with various amino acids in place of Trp(9) were synthesized and tested in vitro in receptor affinity binding and cAMP functional assays at human melanocortin receptors 1b, 3, 4, and 5 (hMC1b,3-5R). Several new compounds displayed high agonist potency at hMC1bR (EC(50) = 0.5-5 nM) and receptor subtype selectivity greater than 2000-fold versus hMC3-5R. The Trp(9) residue of NDP-alphaMSH was determined to be not essential for molecular recognition at hMC1bR.     

A novel beta-turn location in an LHRH antagonist: a combined conformational search and molecular dynamics study

A 50 pico-second molecular dynamics simulation on a cyclic LHRH antagonist analogue Ac-D-Phe1-D-Phe2-D-Trp3-Ser4-Glu5-D-Arg6-Leu7-Lys8+ ++-Pro9-D-Ala10-NH2 (where the cyclisation is via an amide linkage between the Glu5 and Lys8 side chains), reveals some hitherto unseen conformational features. The LHRH analogue is found to adopt a near beta-sheet type of conformation with the reversal in the chain being brought about by a D-Trp3-Ser4-Glu5-D-Arg6 beta turn. The N- and C-terminal ends of the peptide come close together and interact through a network of hydrogen bonds. Additional hydrogen bonds expected of a sheet type of conformation stabilise the lowest energy minima. A conformational search of all possible cyclic structures of a model system c(Glu-D-Ala-Ala-Lys) which was used to determine the starting structure for the simulation studies of the cyclic LHRH antagonist analogue is also highlighted. The influence of the cyclic part on the conformation of this LHRH analogue is discussed.     

Structural and ICAM-1-docking properties of a cyclic peptide from the I-domain of LFA-1: an inhibitor of ICAM-1/LFA- 1-mediated T-cell adhesion

The purpose of this work was to study the conformation of cyclic peptide 1, cyclo(1,12)-Pen1-Ile2-Thr3-Asp4-Gly5-Glu6-Ala7- Thr8-Asp9-Ser10-Gly11-Cys12-OH, derived from the I-domain of the LFA-1 alpha-subunit. We found that cyclic peptide 1 can bind to the D1-domain of ICAM-1 and inhibit ICAM-1/LFA-1-mediated homotypic and heterotypic T-cell adhesion. To understand the bioactive conformation and binding requirements for cyclic peptide 1, its solution structure was studied using NMR, CD, and molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, possible binding properties between the cyclic peptide and the D1-domain of ICAM-1 were evaluated using docking experiments. This cyclic peptide has a stable betaII -turn at Asp4- Gly5-Glu6-Ala7 and a betaI-turn at Pen1-Ile2-Thr3-Asp4; a less stable betaV-turn is found at the C-terminal region. The beta-turn at Asp4- Gly5-Glu6-Ala7 was also found in the X-ray structure of the I-domain of LFA-1. Our CD studies showed that the peptide binds to calcium/magnesium and forms a 1:1 (peptide:calcium/magnesium) complex with low cation concentrations and multiple types of complexes with higher cation concentrations. Binding to divalent cations causes a conformational change in peptide 1; this is consistent with our previous study that binding of peptide 1 to ICAM-1 was influenced by divalent cations. Docking studies show the interaction between cyclic peptide 1 and the D1-domain of ICAM-1; it indicates that the Ile2-Thr3-Asp4-Gly4-Glu6-Ala7-Thr8 sequence interacts with the F and C strands of the D1-domain. Finally, these studies will help us design a new generation of selective peptides that may bind better to the D1-domain of ICAM-1.     

The Effects of l-Glutamate and trans-(±)-1-Amino-1,3-Cyclopentanedicarboxylate on Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis Can Be Pharmacologically Differentiated

Abstract: The excitatory amino acid analogues l -glutamate ( l -Glu), l -aspartate ( l -Asp), d -Asp, and trans -(±)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylate ( trans -ACPD) stimulate the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides (PI). In the present studies, the effects of noncompetitive and competitive inhibitors on PI hydrolysis stimulated by excitatory amino acid analogues were examined. When agonist and inhibitor were added simultaneously to hippocampal tissue, the noncompetitive inhibitor l -2-amino-3-phosphonopropionate ( l -AP3) did not block the effects of l -Glu, l -Asp, or d -Asp at concentrations that block the effects of trans -ACPD by more than 80%. When tissue was pre-incubated with l -AP3, the effects of l -Glu, l -Asp, or d -Asp were blocked (IC₅₀ values between 65 and 210 µ M ). Unlike l -AP3, l -aspartate-β-hydroxamate ( l -AβHA) inhibited PI hydrolysis stimulated by trans -ACPD, l -Glu, l -Asp, or d -Asp when agonist and inhibitor were added simultaneously in hippocampus; its effects were not time-dependent. In cerebellum, both l -AP3 and l -AβHA had agonist activity. Inhibition by the recently identified competitive inhibitor (+)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine [(+)-MCPG] of PI hydrolysis was also examined. (+)-MCPG blocked PI hydrolysis stimulated by trans -ACPD, l -Asp, or d -Asp in both hippocampus and cerebellum (IC₅₀ values between 220 and 1,700 µ M ). The effects of (+)-MCPG were consistent with a competitive mechanism of action. (+)-MCPG (up to 3 m M ) blocked PI hydrolysis stimulated by l -Glu by less than 25% in both hippocampus and cerebellum.     

Two-step selective formation of three disulfide bridges in the synthesis of the C-terminal epidermal growth factor-like domain in human blood coagulation factor IX.

The 45-residue C-terminal EGF-like domain in human blood coagulation factor IX has been synthesized by a 2-step method to form selectively 3 disulfide bridges. Four out of 6 cysteines are blocked with either trityl or 4-methyl-benzyl, and the remaining 2 cysteines are blocked with acetamidomethyl (Acm). In the first step, 4 free cysteinyl thiols are released concurrently with the removal of all protecting groups except Acm and are oxidized to form 1 of the 3 possible isomers containing 2 pairs of disulfides. In the second step, iodine is used to remove the Acm groups to yield the third disulfide bridge. This approach reduces the number of possible disulfide bridging patterns from 15 to 3. To determine the optimal protecting group strategy, 3 peptides are synthesized, each with Acm blocking 1 of the 3 pairs of cysteines involved in disulfide bridges: Cys5 to Cys16 (Cys 1-3), Cys12 to Cys26 (Cys 2-4), or Cys28 to Cys41 (Cys 5-6). Only the peptide having the Cys 2-4 pair blocked with Acm forms the desired disulfide isomer (Cys 1-3/5-6) in high yield after the first step folding, as identified by proteolytic digestion in conjunction with mass spectrometric peptide mapping. Thus, the choice of which pair of cysteines to block with Acm is critically important. In the case of EGF-like peptides, it is better to place the Acm blocking groups on one of the pairs of cysteines involved in the crossing of disulfide bonds.     

Glutamate 189 of the D1 polypeptide modulates the magnetic and redox properties of the manganese cluster and tyrosine Y(Z) in photosystem II

Recent models for water oxidation in photosystem II postulate that the tyrosine Y(Z) radical, Y(Z)(*), abstracts both an electron and a proton from the Mn cluster during one or more steps in the catalytic cycle. This coupling of proton- and electron-transfer events is postulated to provide the necessary driving force for oxidizing the Mn cluster in its higher oxidation states. The formation of Y(Z)(*) requires the deprotonation of Y(Z) by His190 of the D1 polypeptide. For Y(Z)(*) to abstract both an electron and a proton from the Mn cluster, the proton abstracted from Y(Z) must be transferred rapidly from D1-His190 to the lumenal surface via one or more proton-transfer pathways. The proton acceptor for D1-His190 has been proposed to be either Glu189 of the D1 polypeptide or a group positioned by this residue. To further define the role of D1-Glu189, 17 D1-Glu189 mutations were constructed in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Several of these mutants are of particular interest because they appear to assemble Mn clusters in 70-80% of reaction centers in vivo, but evolve no O(2). The EPR and electron-transfer properties of PSII particles isolated from the D1-E189Q, D1-E189L, D1-E189D, D1-E189N, D1-E189H, D1-E189G, and D1-E189S mutants were examined. Intact PSII particles isolated from mutants that evolved no O(2) also exhibited no S(1) or S(2) state multiline EPR signals and were unable to advance beyond an altered Y(Z)(*)S(2) state, as shown by the accumulation of narrow "split" EPR signals under multiple turnover conditions. In the D1-E189G and D1-E189S mutants, the quantum yield for oxidizing the S(1) state Mn cluster was very low, corresponding to a > or =1400-fold slowing of the rate of Mn oxidation by Y(Z)(*). In Mn-depleted D1-Glu189 mutant PSII particles, charge recombination between Q(A)(*)(-) and Y(Z)(*) in the mutants was accelerated, showing that the mutations alter the redox properties of Y(Z) in addition to those of the Mn cluster. These results are consistent with D1-Glu189 participating in a network of hydrogen bonds that modulates the properties of both Y(Z) and the Mn cluster and are consistent with proposals that D1-Glu189 positions a group that accepts a proton from D1-His190.