Synthesis and biological activity of linear and cyclic enkephalins modified at the Gly3-Phe4 amide bond

As part of our continuing effort to define structure-activity relationships for enkephalin and design enzymatically resistant analogs, we report the synthesis and biological activities of linear and cyclic enkephalin analogs modified at the Gly3-Phe4 amide bond. The partial retro-inverso enkephalin analog Tyr-D-Ala-gGly-(R,S)-mPhe-Leu-NH2 and its cyclic counterpart, Tyr-cyclo[D-A2 bu-gGly-(R,S)-mPhe-Leu-], were synthesized as diastereomeric mixtures using solution methodology. The racemic benzylmalonate allowed the linear analog to be synthesized by fragment coupling at the reversed bond. Cyclization of the second analog was carried out at high concentration, eliminating formation of polymer by the use of an insoluble base. All gem-diaminoalkyl residues were prepared by conversion of peptidyl amides with benzene iodonium bis(trifluoroacetate). Diastereomers of both compounds were separable by reverse phase HPLC but those of the linear compound racemized rapidly under conditions of testing and were therefore tested together. All analogs tested had activities ranging from 6 to 14% of the activity of Leu enkephalin, indicating that the Gly3-Phe4 amide bond is important, though not crucial, for receptor binding.     

Intestinal synthesis of 24-keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. A metabolite formed in vivo with high affinity for the vitamin D cytosolic receptor

24-Keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has been identified as an intestinal metabolite of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by ultraviolet absorbance, mass spectroscopy, and chemical reactivity. The metabolite was produced from 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,24R,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 in rat intestinal mucosa homogenates. 24-Keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is present in vivo in the plasma and small intestinal mucosa of rats fed a stock diet, receiving no exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and in the plasma and small intestinal mucosa of rats dosed chronically with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 24-Keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has affinity equivalent to 1,24R,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 for the 3.7 S cytosolic receptor specific for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the intestine and thymus. In cytosolic preparations contaminated with the 5 S vitamin D-binding protein, both metabolites are about 7-fold less potent than 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In contrast, in cytosolic preparations largely free of the 5 S binding protein, both metabolites are equipotent with the parent compound. No evidence was obtained supporting a substantial presence of 23-keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in vivo; nor was the latter compound generated in detectable amounts from 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by intestinal homogenates. Thus, C-24 oxidation is a significant pathway of intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism that produces metabolites with high affinity for the cytosolic receptor which mediates vitamin D action.     

Histochemical study of calcium on T-tubule membranes and in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, in frog twitch muscle fibres at rest and during activity

The trigger calcium hypothesis of signal transmission between T-tubules and terminal cisternae (TC) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in twitch muscle fibres implies the presence of calcium along T-tubule membranes at rest and its release upon excitation. To test this hypothesis, calcium was immobilised using a fixing and precipitating solution of glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer at pH 8.0 and the calcium was substituted for by lead. Simultaneous tension recordings revealed the occurrence of contractions or a burst of twitches upon perfusion with the fixative. Procaine or tetrodotoxin (TTX) was used to inhibit this activity. In fibres without fixative-induced activity, precipitates were observed along T-tubules and in adjoining parts of TC. In activated fibres, tubular and TC precipitates were absent. These results are consistent with the trigger calcium hypothesis. In fibres activated by depolarisation, calcium returned to TC after passing successively through different parts of the SR.     

Effects of stream-crossing by a pipeline on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of a small mountain stream

Aquatic environmental impact associated with stream-crossing by a pipeline was monitored at Archibald Creek, B.C. for two years. Water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrates were used as monitoring tools. Results indicated that impacts arising from stream-crossing were short-term and non-residual.Funded by a contract from Canadian Arctic Gas Study Limited, calgary, to Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.     

Simple, rapid method for converting a peptide from one salt form to another

A method for converting peptide trifluoroacetate salts to the corresponding acetate salts has been developed. The procedure involves reversed phase HPLC with a volatile buffer system. The method is exemplified by the conversion of Growth Hormone-Release Factor, GRF(1-44)-NH2 trifluoroacetate to the acetate which was achieved in greater than 95% recovery. Extensive analytical studies of the product confirmed the absence of trifluoroacetate and that the acetate salt was obtained without degradation. This procedure is expected to be generally applicable to other peptides and to other salt form conversions.     

The excavations of La Isabela,the first European city of the New World

In the present note the author presents history of the discovery and of the status of the excavation of the site La Isabela, the first settlement planned by Columbus in the New World during his second trip to America in the summer of 1493.     

Measuring sexual selection on females in sex‐role‐reversed Mormon crickets (Anabrus simplex,Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Although many studies examine the form of sexual selection in males, studies characterizing this selection in females remain sparse. Sexual selection on females is predicted for sex‐role‐reversed Mormon crickets, Anabrus simplex, where males are choosy of mates and nutrient‐deprived females compete for matings and nutritious nuptial gifts. We used selection analyses to describe the strength and form of sexual selection on female morphology. There was no positive linear sexual selection on the female body size traits predicted to be associated with male preferences and female competition. Instead, we detected selection for decreasing head width and mandible length, with stabilizing selection as the dominant form of nonlinear selection. Additionally, we tested the validity of a commonly used instantaneous measure of mating success by comparing selection results with those determined using cumulative mating rate. The two fitness measures yielded similar patterns of selection, supporting the common sampling method comparing mated and unmated fractions.     

The chemical-transformation products of 1,6-dibromo-1,6-dideoxygalactitol and 1,2:5,6-dianhydrogalactitol in aqueous solution

After hydrolysis of 1,6-dibromo-1,6-dideoxygalactitol (1) and 1,2:5,6-dianhydrogalactitol (2), 11 compounds were isolated, three of them as tritylated derivatives. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical evidence and, for four compounds, by X-ray diffraction. The main product of the hydrolysis of 1 was 3,6-anhydro-1-bromo-1-deoxy-dl-galactitol; the end-products of the hydrolysis of 2 were 1,5-anhydro-dl-galactitol, 2,5-anhydro-dl-altritol, and galactitol.