The synthesis and biological activity of four novel fluorescent vasopressin analogs

We synthesized and tested the biological properties of four fluorescent vasopressin analogs: [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfonyl vasopressin (D-MLVP), [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-carboxyfluorescein vasopressin (F-MLVP), [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-2-N-methylanthranilamide vasopressin (MA-MLVP), and [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine-N6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine vasopressin (R-MLVP). All fluorescent analogs were prepared by coupling the appropriate fluorochrome to the 6-amino group of the lysine residue in [1-(2-mercapto)propionic acid]-8-lysine vasopressin (MLVP) which was synthesized by the Merrifield solid-phase method. The structures of high performance liquid chromatography-purified MLVP and the fluorescent analogs were confirmed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP effectively competed for 8-arginine vasopressin (AVP)-binding sites in canine renal plasma membranes and on the surface of porcine kidney cells (LLC-PK1, ATCC CL101). Dissociation constants for F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP of 32, 8.8, and 26 nM, respectively, were calculated from the results of competition binding assays conducted with membranes. D-MLVP did not bind to plasma membranes. Dissociation constants for F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP of 390, 38, and 160 nM, respectively, were calculated from the results of competition binding assays conducted with cells. F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP at a concentration of 10(-6) M increased adenylate cyclase activity in canine renal plasma membranes to values 2.4, 2.9, and 2.6 times that of basal activity, respectively. A maximally active concentration of AVP (1 microM) increased adenylate cyclase activity in canine renal plasma membranes to a value 2.7 times that of basal activity. D-MLVP did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity. F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP at a concentration of 10(-6) M increased the cAMP content of porcine kidney cells from a basal level of 43 to 267, 160, and 469 pmol/mg of cell protein, respectively. Specific binding of these fluorescent analogs to receptors on the surface of LLC-PK1 cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy. These observations indicate that F-MLVP, MA-MLVP, and R-MLVP are biologically active fluorescent vasopressin analogs which are well-suited to the study of renal vasopressin receptors by fluorescence microscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of iodinated vasopressin antagonists which retain high affinity for the vasopressin receptor

The mono- and di-iodinated analogs of lysine and arginine vasopressin have been prepared previously but not well characterized chemically. Their biological activities are greatly reduced with respect to LVP or AVP. In this paper we report a convenient synthesis of iodinated AVP agonists and antagonists, their purification by high performance liquid chromatography, and their characterization by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. In contrast to the results obtained with agonists, the mono-iodinated vasopressin antagonist retains virtually the full receptor activity of its non-iodinated parent. This should allow the preparation of labeled vasopressin antagonists of high specific activity for receptor characterization and isolation.     

Actions of vasopressin, oxytocin, and synthetic analogs on vascular smooth muscle

A variety of physiological, pharmacological, and experimental factors are needed to explain why different authors have recorded often confusing and contradictory results of studying blood pressure and blood flow with vasopressin, oxytocin, and their analogs. Vasopressin and a number of synthetic analogs can produce potent constriction of numerous regional arteries and arterioles (e.g., splanchnic, renal, skeletal muscle, carotid, hepatic) in near physiological (i.e., 10(-12) - 10(-10)M) concentrations. Oxytocin appears to be able to elicit much weaker constriction (threshold = 10(-7) - 10(-5)M) and can produce relaxation (i.e., vasodilatation) in the presence of high degrees of tone in skeletal muscle, hepatic, renal, and splanchnic vasculatures; this may account for its blood pressure-lowering actions. With respect to the cerebral, coronary, and pulmonary vasculatures, there appears to be no good direct evidence indicating that either vasopressin or oxytocin can elicit much in the way of constrictor actions. Oxytocin, in contrast to vasopressin, is a potent constrictor of the umbilical-placental vasculature in concentrations found at term pregnancy and during parturition. Blood vessels from animals genetically lacking vasopressin appear to be supersensitive to the contractile actions of neurohypophyseal hormones. The contractile potencies and structure-activity relationships of neurohypophyseal peptides appears to vary with the type of blood vessel; i.v. rat pressor assays do not reflect the latter and cannot be utilized to determine structure-activity relationships of these peptides on vascular smooth muscle. Either a heterogeneity of the vasopressin receptor exists in peripheral blood vessels or there are vasopressin receptor subtypes on vascular muscles. Oxytocin analogs can be designed that are extremely potent splanchnic vasoconstrictors. Further insight into these areas should provide basic information on the role of these peptides in circulatory homeostasis.     

Hydroosmotic activities of arginine-vasopressins modified either in positions 1, 2 and 4 or at N-terminal extensions.

Vasopressin and its synthetic analogs were studied for their effect on transepithelial water flux in frog urinary bladder. As compared with AVP, 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) was about 40 times less effective in stimulating osmotic water flow. The vasopressin analogs obtained by modification in positions 1 and 2 were: [1-(1-mercapto-4-tert-butylcyclohexaneacetic acid)] AVP (I); [1-(1-mercapto-4-methylcyclohexaneacetic acid)]AVP (II); [1-(1-mercapto-4-methylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-2-O-methyltyrosine]AVP (III); and those modified in position 4 were: [1-(1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid)-4-arginine] AVP (IV); [1-(2-mercaptopropionic acid)-4-arginine]AVP (V). Any of the above analogs did not influence basal, but antagonized vasopressin-stimulated water flux. N-terminally extended analogs of AVP: Ala-AVP (VI); Ser-Ala-AVP (VII) and Thr-Ser-Ala-AVP (VIII) stimulated osmotic water flux to the same extent in concentration 200 times higher as that of AVP. We conclude from these studies that vasopressin analogs (I-V) competitively antagonize vasopressin-stimulated hydroosmotic activity in frog urinary bladder probably at the epithelial vasotocin V1 and/or V2 receptor site. N-terminal extension of the vasopressin molecule did not influence the capacity of AVP to induce V2 receptor-mediated action, even when used at higher concentrations.     

Synthesis and biological activities of oxytocin and lysine vasopressin analogs containing glutamic acid gamma-hydrazide in position 4

Solution methods, using N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, were used to synthesize [Glu(NHNH2)4] oxytocin and [Glu(NHNH2)4, Lys8] vasopressin. In these analogs of neurohypophyseal hormones, the side-chain carboxamide function of a glutamine residue is formally replaced by a hydrazide group at position 4. The hormone analogs were assayed for uterototonic activity, milk ejection activity, antidiuretic activity, and rat pressor activity. The specific biological activities of the oxytocin and vasopressin analogs were decreased compared to the respective parent hormones in all assay systems.     

An Early Look at the Therapeutic Uses of Some New Vasopressin Analogs in Gastroenterology

Natural vasopressins have been used, with varying success, in attempts to stop bleeding from esophageal varices for over two decades. Reasons for lack of success include (a) failure to induce a sufficiently prolonged and constant vasoconstrictor effect at the bleeding site, (b) dangerous side-effects, and (c) release of plasminogen activator induced by the peptides which can lyse any clot as it forms.In the last decade analogs of vasopressin have been developed with a prolonged action, using two separate principles of chemical modification: (1) hormonogens, and (2) blockage of sites of inactivating enzymatic cleavage (in particular “carba” analogs without a disulfide bridge). These two categories of analog are compared here: the carba analogs have the advantages of high potency (higher than the parent hormone) with prolongation, but are also very active on the plasminogen activator release system. The hormonogens combine prolongation with low potency, but have lost not only a releasing action on plasminogen activator, but also, by virtue of altered release kinetics, have effectively lost cardiovascular toxicity.Mechanisms of analog action and receptor interaction are presented, along with initial clinical experiences.     

Probes for vasopressin receptors. Attachment of affinity and fluorescent groups in vasopressin

Fluorescent, photoreactive, and biotinylated analogs of vasopressin have been prepared in which one of these three groups has been attached to a reactive amino group in either position 4 or position 7. Using solid phase methodology, we have synthesized two active parent compounds, [1-desamino,4-lysine,7-hydroxyproline]arginine vasopressin and [1-desamino,7-aminoproline]arginine vasopressin, and acylated them to obtain biotinyl, azidobenzoyl, and fluoresceinyl derivatives. We have also prepared analogs in which a "spacer arm" was inserted between lysine in position 4 and the marker group. Some of these derivatives have good antidiuretic activity and could be valuable probes in studying hormone-receptor interaction and in receptor visualization and purification.     

Vasopressin agonists and antagonists

In this article, the discrete modifications of the structure of the vasopressin molecule which led to the development of specific V1 vascular, V2 renal, and mixed V1/V2 analogs are reviewed. Particularly, the third generation of vasopressin antagonists produced by deletions and substitutions of the carboxy terminal, and the fourth generation of vasopressin antagonists obtained by deletions, substitutions, and the linearization of the molecule are presented. The potential advantages of these different compounds are illustrated by our work on V1 vascular vasopressin receptors of human platelets.     

Action of photoreactive analogs of vasopressin in toad bladder

A series of analogs of vasopressin with photoreactive groups in positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 or 9 of the nonapeptide sequence have been studied for their effects on water and urea permeability of the isolated toad urinary bladder. Compounds with photoreactive groups in positions 3 or 8 bound covalently to receptors as judged by a persistent increase in water and urea permeability following UV irradiation, prevention of photolabeling by incubation in the presence of vasopressin, and a persistent increase in membrane-bound adenylate cyclase activity. Some analogs were inactive in the dark, but became active and bound covalently to receptors during photolysis. Other analogs were inhibitors or agonists in the dark, but did not bind to receptors following UV irradiation. Time course studies with photolabelled bladders showed a stable urea flux for 4 hr in the absence of osmotic water flow. However, in the presence of water flow urea flux was initially enhanced (solvent drag effect) and later retarded (diminished urea permeability). Binding of photoaffinity analogs to receptors was not diminished with acidification of the serosal bathing medium, lowering of the bath temperature from 21 degrees C to 4 degrees C or with addition of prostaglandin E1. However, the capacity of photoreactive analogs to effect an increase in transmural water flux, once the analog was bound covalently to receptors, was markedly diminished under these conditions.     

Electronic and vibrational optical activity of several peptides related to neurohypophyseal hormones: disulfide group conformation

Electronic and vibrational optical activity of the set of neurohypophyseal hormones and their analogs was investigated to clarify the S-S bond solution conformation. The selected compounds include oxytocin (I), lysine vasopressin (II), arginine vasopressin (III), and their analogs (IV-IX), differing widely in their pharmacological properties. We have extended the already known electronic circular dichroism data by new information provided by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and Raman optical activity (ROA). The use of VCD brought additional details on three-dimensional structure of the chain reversal in the ring moiety and on its left handedness. Furthermore, Raman scattering and ROA allowed us to deduce the sense of the disulfide bond torsion.     

Analysis of the dual mechanism of ACTH release by arginine vasopressin and its analogs in conscious rats

Plasma ACTH and/or corticosterone levels were measured in conscious rats 30 min after subcutaneous administration of arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OT) and various analogs with a large range of activity on the vasopressor (V1), antidiuretic (V2) or oxytocic receptors. The comparison of their dose-response curves indicated that two different mechanisms are involved in the release of ACTH by neurohypophysial peptides and their analogs. AVP itself and a specific vasopressor agonist (Phe2, Orn8, OT) displayed a similar, high slope dose-response curve. Non-vasopressor analogs, such as dDAVP were characterized by a low slope dose-response curve. Furthermore, dDAVP potentiated CRF and neither its own ACTH-releasing action nor its potentiation of CRF were sensitive to previous VI- or V2-receptor blockade. These results, together with other available data, are interpreted as indicative of the existence of two mechanisms of action for ACTH release by AVP and its analogs in vivo: an indirect action via endogenous CRF release, mediated by a VI receptor mechanism, and a direct action on the pituitary, shared by dDAVP and other non-vasopressor analogs, with receptor characteristics different to both the V1 and the V2 classical types.     

Analogs of arginine vasopressin modified in position 3 with (R)-alpha-hydroxymethylphenylalanine.

This study describes the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of three new analogs of arginine vasopressin (AVP) substituted in position 3 with (R)-alpha-hydroxymethylphenylalanine ([R]-HmPhe). All new peptides were tested for vasopressor and antidiuretic as well as uterotonic activity. None of the 3 analogs showed any pressor activity and their uterotonic activity was negligible. Only analog [Mpa1,(R)-HmPhe3]AVP exhibited significant antidiuretic activity.     

Effects of the substitution of photoreactive groups in positions 4 and 8 of vasopressin

In an effort to synthesize potent vasopressin analogs containing photoreactive groups, we prepared, by solid phase synthesis, three analogs with proline or hydroxyproline substitutions in positions 4 and/or 7, lysine in positions 4 or 8, and beta-mercaptopropionic acid in position 1. From these three parent analogs, 1-desamino[4-proline,8-lysine]VP, 1-desamino[4-hydroxyproline,8-lysine]VP, and 1-desamino[4-lysine,7-hydroxyproline]AVP, we then prepared the corresponding azido compounds using the epsilon-amino group of lysine as the attachment point. These six analogs were then assayed for antidiuretic and pressor activities in rats. One of the resulting analogs, 1-desamino[4-lysine(N epsilon-4-azidobenzoyl),7-hydroxyproline)]AVP has the highest antidiuretic activity of any photoreactive compound reported to date.     

Design of neurohypophyseal peptides that exhibit selective agonistic and antagonistic properties.

Within the spectrum of the characteristic pharmacological activities (oxytocic (O), milk-ejecting (ME), antidiuretic (A), pressor (P) associated with the known natural and synthetic analogs of oxytocin and vasopressin it is possible to discern patterns of selectivity of these types: 1) interpeptide-like (a) O/A, (b) O/P; 2) intraoxytocin-like (a) O/ME; (b) ME/O; 3) intravasopressinlike (a) A/P, (b) P/A. Consideration of structural modifications of oxytocin or vasopressin, which individually or in combination give rise to peptides possessing enhanced selectivity of a given type, can in some cases provide a rational basis for the design of peptides with even greater selectivity. [1-Deamino-4-valine-8-D-arginine]vasopressin, the most highly specific antidiuretic peptide known to date, was designed in this fashion. By contrast, intraoxytocin-like selectivity, is manifested to only a minor degree in all peptides studied to date. Enhanced interpeptide-like selectivity of the type 1a (O/A; O/P) is readily attainable by specific single substitutions at positions 4 or 7 in oxtocin. Substitution of threonine in the 4 position of the oxytocic antagonist [1-deaminopenicillamine]oxytocin brought about a threefold enhancement in oxytocic inhibitory activity. Thus [1-deaminopenicillamine-4-threonine]oxytocin (dPTOT) is the most potent antagonist of the in vitro oxytocic response to oxytocin known to date. Thus analysis of the pharmacological data from over 300 analogs of oxytocin and vasopressin allows the delineation of those structural modifications that can optimize selectivities. The potential and limitations of this approach for the design of peptides possessing desired agonistic or antagonistic selectivity for potential clinical use and for studies on oxytocin and vasopressin receptors is discussed.     

Corticotropin releasing factor activity of CRF 41 in normal man is potentiated by angiotensin II and vasopressin but not by desmopressin

Multiple hypothalamic factors seem to influence ACTH release. In vitro and/or in vivo animal models have shown that angiotensin II, vasopressin and some of its analogs are ACTH secretagogues capable of potentiating the corticotropin releasing activity of CRF41. Since these effects are controversial in man, we investigated in 3 groups of volunteers the corticotropin releasing activity of a 2h-infusion of angiotensin II (7 ng/kg/min), vasopressin (1 ng/kg/min) and desmopressin (1 ng/kg/min) given alone or in combination with a bolus injection of 100 micrograms CRF41 by measuring plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone and delta 4-androstenedione. Given alone angiotensin II and desmopressin had no significant effect in contrast to vasopressin which increased significantly the ACTH and steroid levels. Angiotensin II and vasopressin were both able to potentiate the corticotropin releasing activity of CRF41, whereas desmopressin was unable to produce such a potentiation. These results suggest that in man vasopressin and angiotensin II may well regulate the responsiveness of the pituitary-adrenal axis in various physiological or pathophysiological situations.     

Guanosine 3':5'cyclic monophosphate and activators of guanylate cyclase inhibit secretagogue-induced corticotropin release by rat anterior pituitary cells

The secretion of corticotropin by perfused rat anterior pituitary cell columns was studied. Forty-one residue corticotropin releasing factor, vasopressin and high extracellular KC1 all stimulated the secretion of corticotropin. The hormonal response to corticotropin-releasing factor (10(-10) mol/l), vasopressin (10(-9) mol/l) as well as KC1 (48 mmol/l) was reduced by membrane permeant analogs of cGMP, such as 8-BrcGMP and dibutyryl-cGMP. The 8-BrcGMP analog (10(-5) mol/l) inhibited corticotropin release in response to corticotropin-releasing factor by 30%, that to vasopressin by 70%, and that to KCl by 50%. Atriopeptin1-28 (10(-8) and 10(-7) mol/l), a peptide known to activate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase in the anterior pituitary gland, decreased the release of corticotropin induced by vasopressin to about 30% of control. Similarly, activators of soluble guanylate cyclase, such as glyceryltrinitrate and sodium nitroprusside (10(-5) mol/l) inhibited vasopressin-stimulated corticotropin release by 60%. In conclusion, the data show that purported activators of particulate and soluble guanylate cyclase, as well as derivatives of cGMP itself are strong inhibitors of secretagogue-induced corticotropin release by corticotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland.     

Analogs of arginine vasopressin modified in the N-terminal part of the molecule with a conformationally constrained cis-peptide bond motif.

The present work is part of our studies aimed at clarifying the influence of steric constraints in the N-terminal part of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its analogs on the pharmacological activity of the resulting peptides. We describe the synthesis of eight new analogs of AVP or [3-mercaptopropionic acid (Mpa)]AVP (dAVP) substituted at positions 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 with two diastereomers of 4-aminopyroglutamic acid. The steric constraints provided by this modification turned out, however, so strong that all the peptides were inactive in all of the bioassays (pressor, antidiuretic and uterotonic tests).     

Conformational studies of vasopressin and mesotocin using NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling methods. Part I: Studies in water.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and mesotocin (MT) belong to the neurohypophyseal hormone family. The former plays a very important role in the control of urine concentration and the blood pressure in mammals, whereas the latter stimulates uterine concentration and initiates birth in amphibians, marsupials, wallabies, birds, and fishes. Analysis of their 3D structure could be helpful for understanding the evolutionary relationship between all vasopressin- and oxytocin-like hormones. In addition, it allows design of new analogs with appropriate biological activity for humans and animals. In this paper, we present the conformational studies of AVP and MT, under the aqueous conditions. In our investigations, we used 2D NMR spectroscopy and time-averaged molecular dynamics calculations in explicit water. Our studies have shown that both peptides, despite displaying a high sequence homology, differ from each other with regard to the three-dimensional structure. They are in conformational equilibrium as a result of the cis/trans isomerization across the Cys(6)-Pro(7) peptide bond. Both peptides form beta-turns in their cyclic part, wherein the C-terminal fragment of MT is bent, whereas that of AVP is extended.     

Characterization of neuropeptides by reversed-phase, ion-pair liquid chromatography with post-column detection by radioimmunoassay : Application to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, substance P, and vasopressin

Neuropeptide contents of rat brain samples were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) after fractionation of tissue extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Solvent systems were composed of acetic acid, acetonitrile and short-chain (5–8 carbons) alkylsulfonic acids. Separate solvent systems were developed for thyrotropin-releasing hormone, substance P, arginine vasopressin and biologic analogs, and the enkephalins. All separation systems tested gave 80–90% recovery of picogram quantities of peptides. When lyophilized, the HPLC solvents did not interfere significantly with the RIAs, allowing quantitation of tissue concentrations of isolated neuropeptides using the lyophilized eluent from the HPLC. The combination of liquid chromatography with RIA should allow for very accurate identification and quantification of peptides in biologic samples containing large numbers of potentially cross-reacting species of molecules.     

Suppression of natriferic activity of the vasopressin molecule by modifications in positions 1, 2 and 4

The capacity of five synthetic analogs of [8-arginine] vasopressin (AVP) to stimulate frog skin sodium transport (natriferic activity) was characterized electrophysiologically using the method of short-circuit current, and compared to that of synthetic AVP. The analogs used were [8-arginine] vasopressins modified in positions 1 and 2: [1-(1-mercapto-4-tert-butylcyclohexaneacetic acid)] AVP (I); [1-(1-mercapto-4-methylcyclohexaneacetic acid)] AVP (II); [1-(1-mercapto-4-methylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-2-O-methyltyrosine] AVP (III); and in position 4: [1-(1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid)-4-arginine] AVP (IV); [1-(2-mercaptopropionic acid)-4-arginine] AVP (V). The addition of synthetic vasopressins I, II and V to the frog skin resulted in a weaker stimulation of the skin sodium transport, measured as the level of the short-circuit current (Isc), as compared to that induced by synthetic AVP. In relation to natriferic activity, analogs III and IV did not change the electrical parameters of the skin. It is concluded that introduction of cyclic structure at the beta-carbon in position 1 of the vasopressin molecule decreased its natriferic activity by about 70%. The same reduction of the activity was caused by the replacement of the glutamine residue in position 4 with arginine, and deamination in position 1. Cyclic structure bound in position 1 together with methylation of tyrosine in position 2 resulted in a full suppression of natriferic activity. Similarly, introduction of cyclic group in position 1 in combination with substitution of glutamine in position 4 with arginine totally abolished natriferic activity.