The solid phase coupling of peptide segments catalyzed by the subtilisin-sodium dodecyl sulfate complex

The subtilisin-sodium dodecyl sulfate complex was shown to catalyze the coupling of peptide segments on a solid phase in organic medium. By a two-stage enzymic condensation of peptide fragments on aminosilochrom (A) containing Met-Ala-Gly as a spacer, Dnp(or Boc)-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Glu(OMe)-Met-Ala-Gly-A and Z-Ala-Ala-Glu(OMe)-Ala-Ala-Leu-Met-Ala-Gly-A were obtained. It was shown that the condensation products can be split off from the support using Met residue cleavage by BrCN. Deceased.     

Synthesis and nmr conformational studies of polyoxyethylene-bound, alpha-deuterated glutamate oligopeptides

The syntheses of three series of glutamate oligopeptides attached to a macromolecular solubilizing polyoxyethylene (POE) group Boc-[Glu(OMe)]_n-OPOE, Ac-[Glu(OMe)]_n-OPOE, pGlu-[Glu(OMe)]_n?1-OPOE (n ? 1–7) and their various analogs specifically deuterated at individual α-CH positions using the liquid-phase method of peptide synthesis are described. It was shown that stepwise synthesis using the symmetrical anhydride gave homo-oligopeptides that are analytically pure. Fragment condensation methods using DCC-HOBt yield POE-peptides with POE-HOBt impurities but the peptide synthesis may be carried stoichiometrically with smaller quantities of amino acid derivatives. 360 MHz ¹H-nmr conformational studies of these homo-oligopeptides in DMSO-d₆ are presented. The α-deuterated peptides are shown to allow unequivocal homoligopeptide backbone NH assignments.     

Effect of glycerol on thermolysin-catalyzed peptide bond synthesis

The effect of glycerol on the hydrolytic activity of thermolysin (EC 3.4.24.4) has been compared with the effect on the condensation of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aspartic acid with L-phenylalanine methyl ester to form N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (Z X Asp X Phe X OMe), the precursor to the sweet-tasting compound L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. Hydrolytic activity was measured by the degradation of azocasein and furylacryloyl-L-glycyl-L-leucinamide. Increasing concentrations of glycerol reversibly inhibited the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme toward both substrates. The inclusion of glycerol in the synthetic medium facilitated the production of Z X Asp X Phe X OMe in a water-soluble system but reduced the initial rate of peptide synthesis. Glycerol stabilized thermolysin against thermal denaturation.     

Kinetics of enzymatic synthesis of peptides in aqueous/organic biphasic systems. Thermolysin-catalyzed synthesis of N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester

We studied kinetics of thermolysin-catalyzed peptide synthesis in an aqueous/organic biphasic system theoretically and experimentally. As a model reaction producing a condensation product having no dissociating groups, we used the synthesis of N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (Z-Phe2OMe) from N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanine (Z-Phe) and L-phenylalanine methyl ester (PheOMe). Usually, ethyl acetate was used as the organic solvent. First we studied the kinetics of the synthesis of Z-Phe2OMe in a buffer solution saturated with ethyl acetate. Then, factors that may affect the kinetics in the biphasic system were examined. The course of Z-Phe2OMe synthesis in the biphasic system was explained by the rate equations obtained, using the partitions of substrate and product and non-enzymatic decomposition of PheOMe. In the biphasic reaction system, the rate of synthesis was lower for a wide range of pH due to the unfavorable partition of PheOMe in the aqueous phase, but yields were higher than in the buffer solution. The effects of the organic solvents on the rate of synthesis could also be explained by variations in the partition coefficient of PheOMe. Finally, we gave a way to predict the aqueous-phase pH change caused by partitioning of the substrate. The significance of the pH change was shown in connection with the reaction using the immobilized enzyme in an organic solvent.     

The enzymatic segment condensation of peptides on a solid phase in organic medium

The segment condensation of peptides on a solid phase (Aminosilochrom) in organic medium catalyzed by a subtilisin complex with sodium dodecylsulfate was studied. The dependence of the efficiency of the enzymatic coupling of tripeptides with the basic structure X-Ala-Ala-Y-OMe [where X = Z, Boc, or Dnp and Y = Leu or Glu(OMe)] on the spacer content on the support and on the structure of the acylating component was investigated. The tripeptide segments were successively coupled to Aminosilochrom containing the Met-Ala-Gly spacer, and the peptidylaminosilochroms Dnp-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Glu(OMe)-Met-Ala-Gly-A and Dnp-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Glu(OMe)-Ala-Ala-Leu-Met-Ala-Gly-A (A is the Aminosilochrom residue) were obtained in satisfactory yields. It was shown by these examples that the second and third segments are attached in yields higher than that for the first segment and the coupling efficiency does not depend on the amino acid composition of the acylating component.     

The Enzymatic Segment Condensation of Peptides on a Solid Phase in Organic Medium

The segment condensation of peptides on a solid phase (Aminosilochrom) in organic medium catalyzed by a subtilisin complex with sodium dodecylsulfate was studied. The dependence of the efficiency of the enzymatic coupling of tripeptides with the basic structure X-Ala-Ala-Y-OMe [where X = Z, Boc, or Dnp and Y = Leu or Glu(OMe)] on the spacer (Phe-Met-Gly-Gly) content on the support and on the structure of the acylating component was investigated. The tripeptide segments were successively coupled to Aminosilochrom containing the Met-Ala-Gly spacer, and the peptidylaminosilochroms Dnp-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Glu(OMe)-Met-Ala-Gly-Aand Dnp-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Glu(OMe)-Ala-Ala-Leu-Met-Ala-Gly-A(Ais the Aminosilochrom residue) were obtained in satisfactory yields. It was shown by these examples that the second and third segments are attached in yields higher than that for the first segment and the coupling efficiency does not depend on the amino acid composition of the acylating component.     

Effect of glycerol on thermolysin-catalyzed peptide bond synthesis

The effect of glycerol on the hydrolytic activity of thermolysin (EC 3.4.24.4) has been compared with the effect on the condensation of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-aspartic acid with l-phenylalanine methyl ester to form N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester (Z · Asp · Phe · OMe), the precursor to the sweet-tasting compound l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester. Hydrolytic activity was measured by the degradation of azocasein and furylacryloyl-l-glycyl-l-leucinamide. Increasing concentrations of glycerol reversibly inhibited the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme toward both substrates. The inclusion of glycerol in the synthetic medium facilitated the production of Z · Asp · Phe · OMe in a water-soluble system but reduced the initial rate of peptide synthesis. Glycerol stabilized thermolysin against thermal denaturation.     

Total synthesis in solution of alamethicin F50/5 by an easily tunable segment condensation approach

A total synthesis in solution of the 19-mer peptide component F50/5 of alamethicin, the most extensively investigated among the channel-former peptaibol antibiotics, is reported. Three peptide segments (A, B, C) were prepared and assembled, followed by incorporation of the acetylated N-terminal amino acid. The synthetic modules B and C are characterized by three Glu(OMe) residues (at positions 7, 18, and 19) that, after completion of the synthesis, were reacted with ammonia to provide alamethicin F50/5. By use of this general strategy, we also prepared the [Gln7, Glu(OMe)18,19] alamethicin F50/5 analogue. The purity and conformation of the final products were assessed by chromatographic, spectrometric, and spectroscopic techniques. This tunable segment condensation approach will pave the way for an easy synthesis of alamethicin analogues bearing amino acid residues with desired side-chain probes even at the N-terminus and in internal positions of the sequence.     

Design and synthesis of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, [Tyr(OMe)5,d-Glu6,Aze9]GnRH: Receptor binding, gonadotropin release and ovulation studies

Summary Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the release and synthesis of gonadotropin hormones (GtH) and is the key regulator of reproduction. The present study was carried out to design a potent GnRH analogue containing Tyr(OMe) at position 5 and ad-amino acid at position 6. This was based on a previous study in which [Tyr(OMe)⁵]GnRH was shown to have reduced potency compared to GnRH. A novel GnRH peptide containing Tyr(OMe)⁵ andd-Glu⁶ in combination with other substitutions at positions 9 and 10 was synthesized in the present study and tested for binding to the rat pituitary as well as potency in terms of gonadotropin (GtH) release in the goldfish pituitary and ovulation in sea bass. The results demonstrate that the replacement of the glycine residue at position 6 with ad-Glu in combination with the substitution of proline at position 9 with azetidine (Aze) increased the binding and biological activity of [Tyr(OMe)⁵]GnRH. The observed increased potency is likely to be related to the improved resistance to degradation. The present findings may lead to the development of a more potent GnRH agonist for inducing ovulation in fish.     

Self‐assembly of short peptides composed of only aliphatic amino acids and a combination of aromatic and aliphatic amino acids

The morphology of structures formed by the self‐assembly of short N‐terminal t‐butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) and C‐terminal methyl ester (OMe) protected and Boc‐deprotected hydrophobic peptide esters was investigated. We have observed that Boc‐protected peptide esters composed of either only aliphatic hydrophobic amino acids or aliphatic hydrophobic amino acids in combination with aromatic amino acids, formed highly organized structures, when dried from methanol solutions. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic images of the peptides Boc‐Ile‐Ile‐OMe, Boc‐Phe‐Phe‐Phe‐Ile‐Ile‐OMe and Boc‐Trp‐Ile‐Ile‐OMe showed nanotubular structures. Removal of the Boc group resulted in disruption of the ability to form tubular structures though spherical aggregates were formed. Both Boc‐Leu‐Ile‐Ile‐OMe and H‐Leu‐Ile‐Ile‐OMe formed only spherical nanostructures. Dynamic light scattering studies showed that aggregates of varying dimensions were present in solution suggesting that self‐assembly into ordered structures is facilitated by aggregation in solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy data show that although all four of the protected peptides adopt well‐defined tertiary structures, upon removal of the Boc group, only H‐Phe‐Phe‐Phe‐Ile‐Ile‐OMe had the ability to adopt β‐structure. Our results indicate that hydrophobic interaction is a very important determinant for self‐assembly and presence of charged and aromatic amino acids in a peptide is not necessary for self‐assembly. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of α/γ hybrid peptide self‐assembled structures with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties

The present work describes the synthesis and characterization of α/γ hybrid peptides, Boc‐Phe‐γ⁴‐Phe‐Val‐OMe, P1 ; Boc‐Ala‐γ⁴‐Phe‐Val‐OMe, P2 ; and Boc‐Leu‐γ⁴‐Phe‐Val‐OMe, P3 together with the formation of self‐assembled structures formed by these hybrid peptides in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/water (1:1). The self‐assembled structures were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further, α/γ hybrid peptide self‐assembled structures were evaluated for antibacterial properties. Among all, the self‐assembled peptide P1 exhibited the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, while self‐assembled peptide P3 inhibited the biofilms of Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, we have shown the significance of self‐assembled structures formed from completely hydrophobic α/γ hybrid peptides in exploring the antibacterial properties together with biofilm inhibition.     

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of [Glu(OMe)4]oxytocin and [Mpr1, Glu(OMe)4]oxytocin.

[Glu(OMe)4]oxytocin (XVI) and [Mpr1, Glu(OMe)4]oxytocin (XVII) bearing a methyl ester group in place of the carboxamide group in position 4 of oxytocin were synthesized by (3 + 6) segment condensation using the S-trityl group for the protection of the cysteine side chains. Analogue XVI exhibited 10.5 U/mg in vitro uterotonic, and 42 U/mg avian vasodepressor, activity, and analogue XVII 21.4 U/mg and 82 U/mg of the respective activities. Both compounds showed no response in the rat pressor assay.     

Triple rings: a new type of compact structure of circular DNA

Complexes of circular superhelical pBR322 DNA with a synthetic tripeptide capable of beta-structure formation (dansylhydrazide trivaline) were studied at different peptide/DNA ratios by electron microscopy. It was shown on rotary-shadowed preparations that peptide binding induces intramolecular DNA condensation and compact ring-shaped particles are formed from fibres 120 A thick. The analysis of the morphology of the ring structures observed at various peptide/DNA ratios as well as contour length measurements enabled us to draw conclusions about the organization of the double-stranded DNA filaments in these structures. It was established that the fibres forming compact rings contain three double-stranded DNA segments closely associated due to DNA-peptide and peptide-peptide interactions. The mechanisms leading to the formation of the triple rings may be important in DNA condensation in vivo.     

Properties of a novel chemotactic esapeptide,an analogue of the prototypical N-formylmethionyl peptide

The new disulphur-bridged peptide, for-Met-Leu-Cys(OMe)-Cys(OMe)-Leu-Met-for, has been synthesized and its biological properties resulting from its binding to the formyl-peptide receptor of human neutrophils characterized. Three activities resulting from this interaction were measured: directed cell migration (i.e., chemotaxis); superoxide anion production; and lysozyme enzyme release. The properties were compared with those observed for the prototypical peptide, for-Met-Leu-Phe-OMe. Chemotaxis is strongly triggered while both superoxide anion production and lysosomal enzyme release are elicited only at high concentrations and never reach the response peak observed for the prototype peptide at physiologically relevant concentrations. The derivative appears to bind with a good affinity to the formyl-peptide receptors. These results provide new information regarding the structure-activity relationship of the formyl-peptide receptor.     

Studies on peptides CLVIII. Model experiments for the synthesis of open-chain unsymmetrical cystine-peptides

Treatment of a mixture of Cys(R)(O) and Cys(R) with an acid was found to generate cystine in fairly good yields, when suitable R, R, and an acid were selected. An unsymmetrical cystine peptide was prepared by treatment of a mixture of Z(OMe)-Cys(R) (0)-Ala-NH₂ (R=Acm or MBzl) and Z(OMe)-Cys(MBzl)-Gly-OBzl with TFA or 1 M TFMSA/TFA.³ Oxytocin was obtained in an excellent yield by TFA treatment of the protected peptide containing Cys(Acm)(0) and Cys(MBzl). Thus, formation of the disulfide bond was found feasible at the position of Cys(R) (0).The following abbreviations are used Boc t-butyloxycarbonyl - Z(OMe) p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl - MBzl p-methoxybenzyl - Acm acetamidomethyl - Bzl benzyl - Ad l-adamantyl - tBu t-butyl - TFA trifluoroacetic acid - TFMSA trifluoromethanesulfonic acid - TMSOTf trimethylsilyl trifluoromethane sulfonate     

Effect of one D‐Leu residue on right‐handed helical ‐L‐Leu‐Aib‐ peptides in the crystal state

Four diastereomeric‐Leu‐Leu‐Aib‐Leu‐Leu‐Aib‐peptides, Boc‐D ‐Leu‐L ‐Leu‐Aib‐L ‐Leu‐L ‐Leu‐Aib‐OMe (1), Boc‐L ‐Leu‐D ‐Leu‐Aib‐L ‐Leu‐L ‐Leu‐Aib‐OMe (2), Boc‐L ‐Leu‐L ‐Leu‐Aib‐D ‐Leu‐L ‐Leu‐Aib‐OMe (3), and Boc‐L ‐Leu‐L ‐Leu‐Aib‐L ‐Leu‐D ‐Leu‐Aib‐OMe (4), were synthesized. The crystals of the four hexapeptides were characterized by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Two diastereomeric hexapeptides 1 and 2 having D ‐Leu(1) or D ‐Leu(2) were folded into right‐handed (P) 3 ₁₀ ‐helical structures, while peptide 3 having D ‐Leu(4) was folded into a turn structure nucleated by type III′ and I$' \bf{\beta}$ ‐turns, and peptide 4 having D ‐Leu(5) was folded into a left‐handed (M) 3 ₁₀ ‐helical structure. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure of Self-Aggregated Alamethicin in ePC Membranes Detected by Pulsed Electron-Electron Double Resonance and Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation Spectroscopies

PELDOR spectroscopy was exploited to study the self-assembled super-structure of the [Glu(OMe)^7,18,19]alamethicin molecules in vesicular membranes at peptide to lipid molar ratios in the range of 1:70-1:200. The peptide molecules were site-specifically labeled with TOAC electron spins. From the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction between the nitroxides of the monolabeled constituents and the PELDOR decay patterns measured at 77 K, intermolecular-distance distribution functions were obtained and the number of aggregated molecules (n ≈ 4) was estimated. The distance distribution functions exhibit a similar maximum at 2.3 nm. In contrast to Alm16, for Alm1 and Alm8 additional maxima were recorded at 3.2 and ∼5.2 nm. From ESEEM experiments and based on the membrane polarity profiles, the penetration depths of the different spin-labeled positions into the membrane were qualitatively estimated. It was found that the water accessibility of the spin-labels follows the order TOAC-1 > TOAC-8 ≈ TOAC-16. The geometric data obtained are discussed in terms of a penknife molecular model. At least two peptide chains are aligned parallel and eight ester groups of the polar Glu(OMe)^18,19 residues are suggested to stabilize the self-aggregate superstructure.     

Development of a potent bombesin receptor antagonist with prolonged in vivo inhibitory activity on bombesin-stimulated amylase and protein release in the rat.

Of the various types of potent bombesin(Bn)/gastrin releasing peptide receptor antagonists that have been discovered, the desMet14-methyl ester peptides are devoid of residual agonist activity and are among the most potent in terms of in vitro receptor blockade and also in terms of their prolonged inhibition of bombesin-stimulated amylase and protein release in the rat. We have now examined the in vitro and in vivo properties of a new series of methyl ester analogues, [D-Phe6]Bn(6-13)OMe, [D-Phe6,D-Ala11]Bn(6-13)OMe, N alpha-propionyl-[D-Ala24]GRP(20-26)OMe, and [D-pentafluoro-Phe6,D-Ala11]Bn(6-13)OMe, which have an additional D-amino acid substituent and some highly lipophilic moieties at the N-terminus. All analogues were able to potently antagonize the ability of Bn to stimulate amylase release from rat acinar cells, with IC50 values of 2.4, 2.5, 0.6, and 1.3 nM, respectively. The four peptides were found to have binding affinities for these cells comparable to Bn itself, with K(i)s of 10.3, 2.8, 5.5, and 3.6 nM, respectively, but all had little or no affinity for neuromedin B receptors on murine C6 cells. Single bolus IV injections of these peptides were found to potently inhibit amylase and protein release caused by IV infusion of bombesin into the rat. Generally the peptides containing the D-Ala substituent were longer acting than [D-Phe6]Bn(6-13)OMe, so that [D-Phe6,D-Ala11]Bn(6-13)OMe and N alpha-propionyl-[D-Ala24]GRP(20-26)OMe displayed significant inhibitory effects for up to 1.5 h after administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)