Recombinant thyrotropin stimulates cAMP formation in CHO-K1 cells expressing recombinant chorionic gonadotropin receptor

Using CHO-K1 cells expressing rat thyrotropin-receptor (CHO-rTSH-R cells) or rat chorionic gonadotropin-receptor (CHO-rCG-R cells), we have examined their reactivity or cross-reactivity to recombinant human thyrotropin (TSH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). TSH stimulated cAMP formation in CHO-rTSH-R cells dose-dependently, and the maximum response was obtained at 1 mIU/ml. hCG also increased cAMP in the cells from 10(4) mIU/ml, and the maximum stimulation was observed at 10(6) mIU/ml. 10(7) mIU of hCG had the same potency with 1 mIU of TSH to rTSH-R. On the other hand, 10(-1) mIU/ml of hCG increased cAMP content in CHO-rCG-R cells and reached the maximum level at 10(2) mIU/ml. TSH also showed the stimulatory activity to CHO-rCG-R cells. It increased cAMP formation in CHO-rCG-R cells dose-dependently from 10 mIU/ml to 10(3) mIU/ml. Thirty mIU of TSH was calculated to be equivalent to 1 mIU of hCG to CG-R. These results indicate that TSH and hCG cross-react each other with rTSH-R or rCG-R.

Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on pulmonary vascular tone and membrane permeability in blood-perfused dog lung

We studied the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on pressor response, microvascular filtration coefficient (Kf), extravascular lung water, and plasma concentrations of cyclooxygenase- and 5-lipoxygenase-derived products in 21 blood-perfused dog lungs with constant flow. The lungs were perfused for 1 h with an intrapulmonary injection of saline as vehicle (n = 5), a low dose of ASA [136 +/- 25 (SD) micrograms/ml perfusate; n = 5], a high dose of ASA (1,006 +/- 278 micrograms/ml perfusate; n = 6), or alloxan (1,000 mg; n = 5). Alloxan significantly increased Kf and extravascular lung water, whereas neither the low nor high dose of ASA increased Kf or extravascular lung water. The ASA-induced increase in vascular resistance did not correlate with the extent of the decrease in perfusate 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha or the ratio of perfusate 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha to thromboxane B2. Moreover, ASA did not enhance the generation of perfusate leukotrienes B4, D4, or E4. We conclude that pulmonary microvascular permeability is unaltered by ASA and that neither the decrease in plasma prostacyclin nor the increase in plasma sulfidopeptide leukotrienes may account for ASA-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Amygdaloid NMDA and muscarinic receptors involved in working memory performance of rats

In a three-panel runway task, the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, 3-[(+-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) (56 ng/side), injected bilaterally into the basolateral subdivision of the amygdala, significantly increased the number of errors (attempts to pass through two incorrect panels of the three panel gates at four choice points) in a test of working memory. Intra-amygdaloid injection of the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine (5.6 micrograms/side) also significantly increased working memory errors. In a test of reference memory, neither CPP nor scopolamine affected the number of errors when injected into the basolateral amygdala at doses up to 56 ng/side or 5.6 micrograms/side, respectively. These results indicate that processes mediated by NMDA and muscarinic receptors in the basolateral amygdala are involved in the performance of working memory, but not in reference memory.

[Hallervorden-Spatz disease]

Hallervorden-Spatz disease is an autosomal recessive disorder which usually begins in childhood, progresses irreversibly and leads to death in early adulthood. The main manifestations are extrapyramidal signs, such as, dystonia and rigidity, pyramidal signs and mental deterioration. Pathological changes are found mainly in globus pallidus. They are characterized by (1) pigmentation with iron, and (2) numerous spheroids which represent abnormal axonal swelling. The cause of the disease is not clear but excessive iron storage may contribute to pathogenesis. The patients are treated symptomatically. The definite diagnosis is difficult and is made post mortem. Recently, however, characteristic MRI findings has been reported, which may be useful for the diagnosis during life.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or DuP753 prevent neointimal formation following balloon injury with single topical or multiple systemic application

Angiotensin II plays an important role in neointimal formation after vascular injury. Our objectives were 1) to investigate the difference between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (captopril, delapril) and an angiotensin II subtype 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist (DuP753) in suppressing neointimal proliferation; and 2) to investigate the antiproliferative effects of these drugs given topically to the injured vessels. All these treatments effectively prevented neointimal formation (p < 0.01). Even a single topical application of either type of drug with F127 pluronic gel to be injured vessel after ballooning is found to be significantly effective probably due to the inhibition of smooth muscle cell migration (p < 0.01). Multiple systemic application of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors was more effective than that of DuP753 at the same blood pressure level. The effectiveness of topical application of these drugs suggests clinical usefulness after angioplasty or vascular surgery.

MHC class II antigen expression and T-cell infiltration in the demyelinating CNS and PNS of the twitcher mouse

The expression of the major histocompatibility complex class II antigens (Ia) was investigated in the central and peripheral nervous systems of the twitcher mouse, an authentic murine model of globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease) in humans. In this mutant, demyelination is noted as early as postnatal day 10 in the peripheral nerve and day 20 in the spinal cord. Emergence of Ia antigen expressing cells (Ia+ cells) was largely coincident with the initiation of demyelination, suggesting the importance of local factors for the induction of Ia antigens. Ia+ cells gradually increased in number with the progression of demyelination, but reached a plateau between postnatal days 30 and 40, then rapidly decreased despite continuous demyelination in both central and peripheral nervous systems. The only exception was in the spinal cord where Ia+ cells were numerous even at postnatal day 50. The cells expressing L3T4 antigen (L3T4+ cells), which is a mouse CD4 antigen, and the interleukin-2 receptor antigen expressing cells (IL-2R+ cells), also appeared in the regions where Ia+ cells were observed. L3T4+ cells were still abundant after P45, when Ia+ and IL-2R+ cells decreased. Combined autoradiographic and immunocytochemical studies demonstrated mitotic activity in a few Ia+ cells. However, low labeling indices of Ia+ cells in both cerebrum and sciatic nerve suggest that the increase of Ia+ cells was largely due to either induction of Ia antigens on local cells or new recruitment of Ia+ cells from the circulation. Expression of Ia antigens associated with an emergence of L3T4+ or IL-2R+ cells in the demyelinating lesions may indicate involvement of immunological responses in the pathogenesis of this metabolic demyelinating disorder. Alternatively, these apparent immunological phenomena may be tentative and non-specific local reactions to degenerating tissue components such as myelin. The mechanism(s) regulating the expression of Ia antigens in this genetic metabolic demyelinating disease is yet to be determined.

Neuromuscular effects of pipecuronium during sevoflurane anesthesia compared with isoflurane and enflurane anesthesia

We evaluated the neuromuscular effects of pipecuronium during anesthesia with equipotent concentrations of either sevoflurane, isoflurane or enflurane. Twenty-seven patients scheduled for minor elective otolaryngeal or plastic surgery were studied and randomly assigned to 3 groups, one group per anesthetic agent. Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal 5 mg.kg(-1) and the trachea was intubated with succinylcholine 1 mg.kg(-1), then anesthesia was maintained with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen and sevolfurane, isoflurane or enflurane, depending on the group. Neuromuscular blocking effects were monitored by recording the electromyographic activity of the adductor pollicis muscle from supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve at 10-s intervals. Pipecuronium 40 microg.kg(-1) was administered when electromyographic activity had reached a stable state, 30 min after succinylcholine administration. The maximum effect (% block of control) and clinical duration (time to 25% recovery) of pipecuronium were 99.1 +/- 1.4% and 63.7 +/- 14.7 min (mean +/- S.D.) for sevoflurane, 99.0 +/- 2.0% and 60.9 +/- 20.5 min for isoflurane, and 98.0 +/- 2.5% and 62.8 +/- 28.7 min for enflurane, respectively. There were no significant differences in these values between the anesthetics. Cardiovascular stimulant effects were not observed in any of the groups. We conclude that the effect of pipecuronium under seveflurane anesthesia is similar to that under isoflurane and enflurane anesthesia.

Myocardial SPECT and left ventricular performance study using a single Tc-99m teboroxime injection. Comparison with thallium-201 myocardial SPECT

Myocardial SPECT using teboroxime was compared to thallium SPECT in 26 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Agreement between thallium SPECT and teboroxime SPECT for the identification of myocardial segments was 209/235 (89%). A significant correlation was found in 15 patients between the left ventricular ejection fraction by teboroxime first-pass study and the ejection fraction by contrast ventriculography. In nine patients with myocardial infarction and/or multivessel coronary artery disease, the ejection fraction revealed a mean decrease from 0.52 at rest to 0.46 at exercise. Teboroxime makes it possible to perform an exercise first-pass study of left ventricular ejection fraction followed by myocardial perfusion imaging.

Effect of salts on conformational change of basic amphipathic peptides from beta-structure to alpha-helix in the presence of phospholipid liposomes and their channel-forming ability

A synthetic model peptide, H-(Leu-Al alpha-Arg-Leu)3-(Leu-Arg-Al alpha-Leu)3-OH (4(6)) can form ion channels in planar lipid bilayers by taking an amphipathic alpha-helix (Agawa, Y., Lee, S., Ono, S., Aoyagi, H., Ohno, M., Taniguchi, T., Anzai, K. and Kirino, Y. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 20218-20222). For further study of ion channels formed by this type of peptides, we planned to synthesize [Trp1]-4(6)(Ser) and [Trp12]-4(6)(Ser) in which a hydrophilic amino acid, Ser, was introduced in several positions of 4(6) instead of hydrophobic ones. This modification was expected to decrease the ability of membrane perturbation and to simplify various current levels of the channel observed for 4(6). Furthermore, additional Trp was introduced to the N-terminus or position 12 to monitor the lipid-peptide interaction. CD study showed that both peptides formed a random structure in buffer, but an alpha-helix in the presence of egg PC and a beta-structure in egg PC/egg PG (3:1). Moreover, addition of NaCl to the acidic liposomes induced the conformational transition in the peptide from beta-structure to alpha-helix. Salt-induced conformational transition in the presence of acidic liposomes was discussed in terms of membrane binding and ion-channel formation in planar lipid bilayer. Despite introduction of hydrophilic residues instead of hydrophobic residues in 4(6), the peptide showed nearly the same dye-release ability from egg PC- egg PG liposomes as 4(6). [Trp12]-4(6)(Ser) was able to form cation-selective ion channels with two levels of conductance (mainly 250 and occasionally 125 pS) in asolectin planar lipid bilayer, suggesting that appropriate orientation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues in amphipathic peptide can simplify channel current levels.

Coenzyme Q10 and coronary artery disease

It has been postulated that oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) contributes to the genesis of atherosclerosis. Ubiquinone has been suggested to be an important physiological lipid-soluble antioxidant and is found in LDL fractions in the blood. We measured plasma level of ubiquinone using high-performance liquid chromatography and plasma levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides in 245 normal subjects (186 males, 59 females) and in 104 patients (55 males, 49 females) who had coronary artery disease not receiving pravastatin and 29 patients (12 males, 17 females) receiving pravastatin. In the normal subjects, the plasma ubiquinone levels did not vary with age. In the patient groups, the plasma total cholesterol and LDL levels were higher and the plasma ubiquinone level lower than in the normal subject group. The LDL/ubiquinone ratio was higher in the patient groups. We found that ubiquinone level, either alone or when expressed in relation to LDL levels, was significantly lower in the patient groups compared with the normal subject group. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor is thought to prevent atherosclerosis, however, it also inhibits ubiquinone production. The present study revealed that HMG CoA reductase inhibitor decreased plasma cholesterol level, and that it did not improve either the ubiquinone level or the LDL/ubiquinone ratio. From these results, the LDL/ubiquinone ratio is likely to be a risk factor for atherogenesis, and administration of ubiquinone to patients at risk might be needed.

Purification, sequencing and characterization of single amino acid-substituted phospholipase A2 isozymes from Trimeresurus gramineus (green habu snake) venom

Two phospholipases A2 named PLA2-III and IV were newly isolated from Trimeresurus gramineus (green habu snake) venom in addition to PLA2-I and II reported previously [ODA et al. (1991) Toxicon 29, 157; Fukagawa et al. (1992) Toxicon 30, 133]. Their isoelectric points were determined to be about 4.5. PLA2-III and IV exhibited almost unchanged lipolytic activity toward egg-yolk when compared with PLA2-I. The amino acid sequences were determined by sequencing the native proteins and the peptides produced by enzymatic (Achromobacter protease I and clostripain) and chemical (hydroxylamine) cleavages of the S-carboxamidomethylated derivative of the proteins. Both proteins consisted of 122 amino acid residues. When compared with PLA2-I, PLA2-III showed only a single amino acid substitution at the N-terminal position; namely from His to Asn. PLA2-IV also showed a single substitution from Ala to Asp at position 72. It was inferred that these amino acid substitutions between PLA2-I and PLA2-III or IV are due to the single base substitution at the corresponding codons of genes, which might be preserved independently. The unique presence of Phe at position 28, where Tyr is commonly located and assumed to be a part of the Ca(2+)-binding loop, was conserved in both PLA2-III and IV as in PLA2-I. There was no significant difference in the dissociation constants (4.3-5.2 x 10(-4) M) for Ca2+ between these PLA2S and Tyr-28-containing PLA2S. These results suggested that the p-hydroxy group of Try-28 does not play a crucial role in binding of PLA2S to Ca2+.

Impairment of working memory induced by scopolamine in rats with noradrenergic DSP-4 lesions

In a working memory task with a three-panel runway set-up, DSP-4 (N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine), a noradrenergic neurotoxin, at 50 mg/kg i.p. given 14 days before testing, had no effect on the number of errors (attempts to pass through two incorrect panels of the three-panel gates at four choice points). Working memory errors were significantly increased by scopolamine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, at 0.32 mg/kg i.p. given 20 min before testing, whereas errors were not affected by the 0.1 mg/kg dose. In rats with noradrenergic DSP-4 lesions, 0.1 mg/kg scopolamine significantly increased the number of working memory errors. However, DSP-4 at 50 mg/kg and scopolamine at 0.1 mg/kg whether they were administered alone or in combination had no effect on reference memory errors. These results suggest that noradrenergic deficits aggravate the working memory impairment induced by blockade of muscarinic receptors.

Shear stress elevates endothelial cGMP. Role of a potassium channel and G protein coupling

BACKGROUND

The endothelium acts as the sensor of shear stress and as the mediator of flow-induced changes in vessel tone and structure. The purpose of this study was to delineate the signal transduction pathway of flow-induced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used a shear stress apparatus (a modified cone-plate viscometer) to expose cultured endothelial cells to a well-defined laminar fluid flow. Confluent bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were subjected to varying levels of shear stress, and intracellular cyclic GMP (cGMP) in the BAECs was measured by radioimmunoassay. After 60 seconds of laminar fluid flow, BAEC cGMP increased by 300% from basal levels (from 0.54 to 1.70 pmol/mg protein, P < 0.05). The elevation in intracellular cGMP was proportional to the intensity of shear stress within a physiological range up to 40 dynes/cm2. This increase in cGMP was abrogated by L-N-methyl-arginine (the competitive antagonist of nitric oxide [NO] synthase), indicating that the flow-induced activation of soluble guanylate cyclase was mediated by autocrine NO production. Furthermore, a potassium channel antagonist, tetraethylammonium ion (TEA [3 mmol/L]) and a G(i) or G(o) protein inhibitor, pertussis toxin (100 ng/mL) also blocked the flow-induced increase in cGMP. By contrast, calcium ionophore or atrial natriuretic peptide caused elevations of cGMP that were not affected by TEA or pertussis toxin.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that shear stress elevates endothelial cGMP via an NO-dependent mechanism. The effect of shear stress is mediated by a unique signal transduction pathway that is coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein and that requires the activity of an endothelial potassium channel.

Usefulness of sodium chloride as a nondiffusible indicator in the measurement of extravascular lung thermal volume in dogs

The authors examined the usefulness of sodium chloride as a nondiffusible indicator during the first passage through dogs' lungs, before and after increased-permeability pulmonary oedema produced by an intravenous injection of alloxan. With an injection of a mixture of ice-cold 3 per cent sodium chloride and indocyanine green dye (a nondiffusible reference indicator), the authors simultaneously recorded three dilution curves from the aortic root: dye dilution, thermal and blood electrical conductivity dilution curves in six dogs. The mean transit time of sodium chloride in the conductivity dilution curve was significantly different from, but fairly equal to, that of indocyanine green dye (6.2 +/- 1.4 s (mean +/- SD) against 6.5 +/- 1.4 s (p < 0.01) in the baseline period, and 7.6 +/- 1.9 s against 8.4 +/- 2.1 s (p < 0.01) in the oedema period, respectively). The calculated extravascular lung thermal volume with the thermal and conductivity dilution method (Y, ml kg-1) correlated well with the gravimetrically determined extravascular lung mass in a total of 12 dogs, including six other dogs without intervention (x, g kg-1) (y = 0.72 x +3.03, r = 0.96). The authors conclude that sodium chloride is useful as a nondiffusible indicator in the first passage through the lungs, and that the thermal and conductivity dilution method is also useful for measuring extravascular lung water mass.

Regulation of RNA processing and transport by a nuclear guanine nucleotide release protein and members of the Ras superfamily

The RCC1 gene of mammals encodes a guanine nucleotide release protein (GNRP). RCC1 and a homolog in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MTR1/PRP20/SRM1) have previously been implicated in control of mRNA metabolism and export from the nucleus. We here demonstrate that a temperature-sensitive fission yeast mutant which has a mutation in a homologous gene, and two of three additional (mtr1/prp20/srm1) mutants accumulate nuclear poly(A)+ RNA at 37 degrees C. In S.cerevisiae, maturation of rRNA and tRNA is also inhibited at 37 degrees C. Nevertheless, studies with the corresponding BHK-21 cell mutant indicate that protein import into the nucleus continues. MTR1 homologs regulate RNA processing at a point which is distinct from their regulation of chromosome condensation since: (i) poly(A)+ RNA accumulation in the fission yeast mutant precedes chromosome condensation, and (ii) unlike chromosome condensation, accumulation of nuclear poly(A)+ RNA does not require p34cdc28 kinase activation or protein synthesis. Moreover, experiments involving inhibition of DNA synthesis indicate that the S.cerevisiae homolog does not govern cell cycle checkpoint control. Since RCC1p acts as GNRP for Ran, a small nuclear GTPase of the ras superfamily, we have identified two homologs of Ran in S.cerevisiae (CNR1 and CNR2). Only CNR1 is essential, but both code for proteins extremely similar to Ran and can suppress mtr1 mutations in allele-specific fashion. Thus, MTR1 and its homologs appear to act as GNRPs for a family of conserved GTPases in controlling RNA metabolism and transport. Their role in governing checkpoint control appears to be restricted to higher eukaryotes.

Accelerated evolution of Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom gland phospholipase A2 isozymes

Six Trimeresurus flavoviridis (Habu snake) venom gland phospholipase A2 (PLA2) isozyme genes were found to consist of four exons and three introns and to encode proteins of 138 amino acid residues, including the signal sequence of 16 amino acid residues. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences showed that the introns are much more homologous than the protein-coding regions of exons except for the signal peptide-coding region of the first exon. The numbers of nucleotide substitutions per site (KN) for introns are approximately one-fourth of the numbers of nucleotide substitutions per synonymous site (KS) for the protein-coding regions, indicating that the introns are unusually conserved. The absence of an apparent functional role for the introns suggests that the protein-coding regions, except for the signal peptide-coding domains, have evolved at greater substitution rates than introns. The fact that the numbers of nucleotide substitutions per nonsynonymous site (KA) are close to or larger than KS values for relevant pairs of genes revealed that Darwinian-type accelerated substitutions have occurred in the protein-coding regions or exons. This is compatible with the presence of PLA2 species with diverse physiological activities in the venom.

Our technique of parathyroid autotransplantation in operation for papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

For papillary thyroid carcinoma, we have used our standard operative method consisting of total thyroidectomy, bilateral lymph node dissection, and parathyroid autotransplantation. Our special parathyroid transplantation method involves transplantation of the minced glands into the pectoralis major muscle. We investigated whether this method is useful for preserving parathyroid function.

METHODS

In 17 patients who underwent our standard operation for papillary thyroid carcinoma, the intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium levels were determined for 4 weeks after the operation.

RESULTS

In all cases the intact PTH levels fell below detectable limits immediately after operation and then recovered to the preoperative level about 2 weeks after the operation. The same recovery patterns were observed in two groups undergoing transplantation of two glands and three or four glands.

CONCLUSIONS

These recovery patterns of intact PTH levels seem to indicate that the glands were grafted successfully and recovered their function. Our method is thought to be useful for preserving parathyroid function after surgery.

Receptor-mediated specific biological activity of a beta-amyloid protein fragment for NK-1 substance P receptors

A beta-amyloid protein fragment AP21-35 (tetradeapeptide with amino acid residues 21-35) was found to be a highly selective agonist of substance P receptors (NK-1) among three tachykinin receptor subtypes. This peptide fragment contracted the smooth muscle preparations of guinea pig ileum in a dose dependent manner (EC50 = 22 microM). This activity was completely reversed by CP-96,345-1, a specific antagonist of NK-1 receptors, whereas atropine for NK-3 had no effect. The peptide was inactive in rat vas deferens which contains predominantly NK-2 receptors. These results indicated that AP21-35 is a highly selective agonist for NK-1 receptors. In the radio-ligand receptor binding assay using [125I]-Bolton-Hunter substance P to membranes from guinea pig ileum, the fragment exhibited a distinct dose-response curve (IC50 = 11 microM). All the present data strongly suggest that beta-amyloid protein function as a peptide ligand of substance P receptors with some pathophysiologic activities.

Enhancement of thrombin receptor activation by thrombin receptor-derived heptapeptide with para-fluorophenylalanine in place of phenylalanine

Thrombin receptor-derived peptide SFLLRNP (one-letter amino acid code) which corresponds to the N-terminal heptapeptide of tethered ligand is able to activate thrombin receptor and to stimulate the phosphoinositide (PI) turnover. The replacement of Phe-2 by Ala eliminated this activity completely, showing the crucial role of the Phe-phenyl group in receptor activation. It was found that substitution of para-fluorophenylalanine ((p-F)Phe) for Phe-2 enhanced several times the PI-turnover activity of SFLLRNP. This is the first example to date of a substitution with one order of magnitude greater increase in receptor activation. The Phe-2/Tyr substitution diminished the activity drastically (almost 2% of SFLLRNP), indicating the importance of hydrophobicity of Phe2-phenyl. The Phe-2/Leu substitution, however, diminished also the activity (less than 2% of SFLLRNP). These results suggested that highly specific hydrophobic interaction exists between Phe-2 of the tethered ligand and its binding site in thrombin receptor.

Chymotrypsin inhibitory conformation of dipeptides constructed by side chain-side chain hydrophobic interactions

A complete series of configurational isomers (L-L, L-D, D-L and D-D) of a dipeptide Leu-Phe benzyl ester have been synthesized and assayed for chymotrypsin. In the conformational analysis by 400 MHz 1H NMR, the L-D and D-L isomers, but not the L-L and D-D isomers, showed fairly large upfield shifts (0.2-0.4 ppm) of Leu-beta CH2 and gamma CH proton signals, indicating the presence of shielding effects from the benzene ring. In addition to distinct signal splitting of Phe-beta CH2, the NOE enhancement observed between Leu-delta CH3 and Phe-phenyl groups revealed that these groups are in close proximity. These data indicated that L-D and D-L isomers form a hydrophobic core between side chains of adjacent Leu and Phe residues. When the dipeptides were examined for inhibition of chymotrypsin using Ac-Tyr-OEt as a substrate, the L-L isomer showed no inhibition, itself becoming a substrate. However, the other three isomers inhibited chymotrypsin in a competitive manner, and the D-L isomer was strongest with Ki of 2.2 x 10(-5) M. It was found that the D-L isomer was only slowly hydrolysed but the L(or D)-D isomer was not. H-D-Phe-L-Leu-OBzl with the inverse sequence of H-D-Leu-L-Phe-OBzl inhibited chymotrypsin more strongly (Ki = 6.3 x 10(-6) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Investigation of antigenic determinants in thyroid peroxidase by synthesis of possible sequential peptides

One way to locate antigenic determinants in thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is to evaluate the binding of chemically synthesized peptides to autoantibodies. A major epitope of TPO involved in thyroid autoimmunity has been reported to be at residues 590 to 675. Therefore, we synthesized three peptides (P1, residues 603-610; P2, 615-630; and P3, 654-665) in the most antigenic part of this range, as judged by antigenicity analysis, and measured their antigenicity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Amino groups protected with fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl were used in the synthesis. Sera from 42 untreated patients with Hashimoto's disease and 30 untreated patients with Graves' disease were tested for binding with each peptide. In addition, 6 sera with antibodies against denatured and reduced microsomal antigen were tested. Sera obtained from 22 normal subjects were used as a control. Binding of sera from the patients with autoimmune thyroid disease to the synthetic peptides was weak, about 1% of binding to thyroid microsomes prepared from Graves' thyroid. However, the ELISA index of a mixture of P1, P2, and P3 was significantly higher in the patients with Hashimoto's disease than in the healthy subjects. For both P2 and P3, the ELISA index of the sera with antibodies against denatured and reduced TPO was higher than that of the sera from normal subjects. These results suggested 1) that the antigenic epitopes of TPO recognized by autoantibodies may be conformational and discontinuous, and 2) that antibodies against these linear portions of TPO may exist in patients with Hashimoto's disease.

Water-soluble chymotrypsin specific inhibitors containing arginine

In an attempt to develop water-soluble, potent inhibitors for chymotrypsin, structurally rigid dipeptides containing arginine were designed and synthesized. The dipeptide H-D-Arg-Phe-NHBzl inhibited chymotrypsin very strongly (Ki = 5.9 microM). The dipeptide with the inverse sequence, H-D-Phe-Arg-NHBzl, was also a moderate inhibitor for chymotrypsin with Ki of 240 microM. In spite of the presence of arginine in these dipeptides, they inhibited trypsin only weakly, indicating that they are highly specific for chymotrypsin. High resolution 1H-NMR (400-MHz) indicated that these dipeptides can make a strong intramolecular hydrophobic interaction between Arg-beta, gamma, delta-methylenes and Phe-phenyl, producing a rigid hydrophobic core which interacts with the chymotrypsin S2 site. Since these dipeptides are easily soluble in water, they are regarded as the sophisticated and effective inhibitors for chymotrypsin.