Agonist-induced conformational changes in thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor type I: disulfide cross-linking and molecular modeling approaches

The conformational changes at the cytoplasmic ends of transmembrane helices 5 and 6 (TMH5 and TMH6) of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor type I (TRH-R1) during activation were analyzed by cysteine-scanning mutagenesis followed by disulfide cross-linking and molecular modeling. Sixteen double cysteine mutants were constructed by substitution of one residue at the cytoplasmic end of TMH5 and the other at that of TMH6. The cross-linking experiments indicate that four mutants, Q263C/G212C, Q263C/Y211C, T265C/G212C, and T265C/Y211C, exhibited disulfide bond formation that was sensitive to TRH occupancy. We refined our previous TRH-R1 models by embedding them into a hydrated explicit lipid bilayer. Molecular dynamics simulations of the models, as well as in silico double cysteine models, generated trajectories that were in agreement with experimental results. Our findings suggest that TRH binding induces a separation of the cytoplasmic ends of TMH5 and TMH6 and a rotation of TMH6. These changes likely increase the surface accessible area at the juxtamembrane region of intracellular loop 3 that could promote interactions between G proteins and key residues within the receptor.

Online preconcentration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) by SDS-modified reversed phase column for microbore and capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, pGlu-His-Pro-amide) is an important tripeptide existing in biological systems at low concentrations. It is a fairly hydrophilic peptide, cationic in acidic solutions. Preconcentration online before reversed phase chromatography separation can enhance concentration detection limits of hydrophobic, but not hydrophilic species. The hydrophilic TRH can be preconcentrated using a reversed phase precolumn charged with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The separation also uses SDS. The preconcentration is effective for a microbore system, achieving detection limit of 250 pM for a sample size of 500 microl with electrochemical detection of the biuret complex formed post column. Preconcentration using an online precolumn is also effective in packed capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a detection limit of 3 nM in 24 microl.

Salsolinol, an antagonist of prolactoliberine, induces an increase in plasma catecholamine levels in the rat

It has been recently observed that salsolinol (1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline), a putative endogenous prolactin-releasing factor is a potent inhibitor of stress-induced release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. The prolactin release caused by salsolinol was inhibited by 1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline (1MeDIQ). Therefore, the aim of our present studies was to investigate the effect of 1MeDIQ on plasma catecholamine levels. It has been found that 1MeDIQ is able to induce a massive increase in plasma catecholamine levels. Pretreatment of the animals with a ganglionic blocker, chlorisondamine, could completely abolish the effect of 1MeDIQ on plasma norepinephrine, and plasma epinephrine levels were only significantly attenuated. Spinal cord transection between cervical and thoracic segments eliminated 1MeDIQ induced increase in epinephrine, whereas increase in plasma norepinephrine was not affected. Hence, this effect of 1MeDIQ on sympathoadrenal system activity is most probably mediated through the level of sympathetic ganglia or partially at more centrally located sites of the nervous system. These results suggest that elevation of plasma catecholamines is involved in the mechanism of action of 1MeDIQ inhibiting the biological effect of salsolinol.

The computer modelling of human TRH receptor, TRH and TRH-like peptides

The aim of this work was to verify the possibility of interactions between the human TRH receptor (an integral membrane protein which belongs to family 1 of G-protein coupled receptors) and TRH-like peptides presented in the prostate gland. These peptides are characterized by substitution of basic amino acid histidine (related to authentic TRH) for neutral or acidic amino acid, such as glutamic acid, phenylalanine, glutamine or tyrosine. The physiological function of TRH-like peptides in peripheral tissues is not precisely known. However, according to our recent experiments, we assume the existence of a local hormonal network formed by TRH-like peptides and TSH in the prostate gland. The network can be associated with circulating thyroid and steroid hormones, and may represent a new regulatory mechanism influencing the proliferative ability of prostatic tissue. A similar network of authentic TRH and TSH was already found in the gastrointestinal tract. The experimentally determined 3D-structures of human TRH receptor (hTRHr) and TRH-like peptides are not available. From this point of view we used de novo modeling procedures of G-protein coupled receptors on an automated protein modeling server used at the Glaxo Wellcome Experimental Research (Geneva, Switzerland). 3D-structures of TRH-like peptides were determined with a computer program CORINA (written by the team of J. Gasteiger, Computer-Chemie-Centrum and Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Erlangen-Nurenberg, Germany). The generated PDB files with 3D-coordinates were visualized with Swiss-Pdb Viewer Release 3.51 (Glaxo Wellcome). From recent results it is evident that polar amino acids belonging to the extracellular terminus of hTRHr transmembrane regions can participate in interactions between TRH and hTRHr. There is no direct evidence that TRH-like peptides interact with the presented hTRHr model. On the contrary, with respect to the similar 3D-shape and the identity of terminal amino acids, it appears that these interactions are highly probable as well as the nearly 100 % cross-reactions between TRH or TRH-like peptides and antibody specific against authentic TRH. Closed terminal amino acids (pyroglutamic acid and proline-amide) of TRH or TRH-like peptides are important for these interactions. Desamido-TRH or glutamyl metabolites will be repelled by the negative potential of ASP195 (E: D93) and GLU298 (G: E137).

Centrally Acting and Metabolically Stable Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogues by Replacement of Histidine with Substituted Pyridinium

Metabolically stable and centrally acting thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogues were designed by replacing the central histidine with substituted pyridinium moieties. Their analeptic and acetylcholine-releasing actions were evaluated to assess their potency as central nervous system (CNS) agents. A strong experimental connection between these two CNS-mediated actions of the TRH analogues was obtained in subject animals. The analogue 3-(aminocarbonyl)-1-(3-[2-(aminocarbonyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]-3-oxo-2-[[(5-oxopyrrolidin-2-yl)carbonyl]amino]propyl)pyridinium (1a) showed the highest (TRH-equivalent) potency and longest, dose-dependent duration of action from a series of homologous compounds in antagonizing pentobarbital-induced narcosis when administered intravenously in its CNS-permeable prodrug form (2a) obtained via reduction of the pyridinium moiety to the nonionic dihydropyridine. The maximum change in hippocampal acetylcholine concentration upon perfusion of the pyridinium-containing tripeptides into the hippocampus of rats was also achieved with 1a. No binding to the endocrine TRH receptor was measured for the TRH analogues reported here; therefore, our design afforded a novel lead for centrally acting TRH analogues. We have also demonstrated the benefits of the prodrug approach on the pharmacokinetics and brain uptake/retention of pyridinium-containing TRH analogues (measured by in vivo microdialysis sampling) upon systemic administration.

Pressure/temperature combined treatments of precursors yield hormone-like peptides with pyroglutamate at the N terminus

Peptides containing the cyclic product of glutamine at the N terminus are usually biologically active. If the cyclization of glutamine was associated with a volume reduction, pressure should displace the equilibrium in the direction of the lower volume. Here, results in model solutions and in whey are discussed, showing that the theorized cyclization of glutamine in Gln-His-ProNH(2) or Gln-Leu-ProNH(2) is significantly accelerated during the application of heat and even more strongly when elevated temperature and pressure combinations are used. The reaction rate depended on the intensity of the pressure treatment, the pH, and the nature of the amino acids adjacent to glutamine. The products of the reaction were identified as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and [Leu(2)]TRH. The reported reactions could affect the naturally balanced concentration of short-chain peptides in foods and therefore induce unpredictable biological effects.

Central nervous system effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and its analogues: opportunities and perspectives for drug discovery and development

Besides its well-known endocrine role in the thyroid system, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (L-pyroglutamyl-L-histidyl-L-prolinamide) has been long recognized as a modulatory neuropeptide. After a brief overview of the extrahypothalamic and receptor distribution, and of the neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and neurochemical effects of this tripeptide, this review discusses efforts devoted to enhance therapeutically beneficial central nervous system effects via structural modifications of the endogenous peptide. An enormous array of maladies affecting the brain and the spinal cord has been a potential target for therapeutic interventions involving agents derived from thyrotropin-releasing hormone as a molecular lead. Successful development of several centrally active analogues and recent accounts of efforts aimed at improving metabolic stability, selectivity and bioavailability are highlighted.

Impact of azaproline on amide cis-trans isomerism: conformational analyses and NMR studies of model peptides including TRH analogues

The beta-turn is a well-studied motif in both proteins and peptides. Four residues, making almost a complete 180 degree-turn in the direction of the peptide chain, define the beta-turn. Several types of the beta-turn are defined according to Phi and Psi torsional angles of the backbone for residues i + 1 and i + 2. One special type of beta-turn, the type VI-turn, usually contains a proline with a cis-amide bond at residue i + 2. In an aza-amino acid, the alpha-carbon of the amino acid is changed to nitrogen. Peptides containing azaproline (azPro) have been shown to prefer the type VI beta-turn both in crystals and in organic solvents by NMR studies. MC/MD simulations using the GB/SA solvation model for water explored the conformational preferences of azPro-containing peptides in aqueous systems. An increase in the conformational preference for the cis-amide conformer of azPro was clearly seen, but the increased stability was relatively minor with respect to the trans-conformer as compared to previous suggestions. To test the validity of the calculations in view of the experimental data from crystal structures and NMR in organic solvents, [azPro(3)]-TRH and [Phe(2), azPro(3)]-TRH were synthesized, and their conformational preferences were determined by NMR in polar solvents as well as the impact of the azPro substitution on their biological activities.

Inhibition of prolactin secretion from the male rat anterior pituitary by cryptic sequences of prothyrotropin releasing hormone, ProTRH178-199 and ProTRH186-199

Previous studies have shown that intronic peptide sequences in the prohormone for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) have physiological actions on pituitary hormone secretion. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of the cryptic peptides, prothyrotropin- releasing hormone(178-199) (ProTRH(178-199)) and ProTRH(186-199), on prolactin (PRL) release from the anterior pituitary. Perifusion studies were performed with anterior pituitaries obtained from individual adult male Sprague Dawley rats at 70 90 d of age. Perifusate was collected in 5-min fractions for 25 min prior to peptide administration and for 60 min afterward. Pituitaries were perifused with a single 5 min pulse of either 2, 10, or 40 nM concentrations (peak pulse) of each peptide or the vehicle. Sixty minutes after peptide administration, a 200 mM pulse of potassium chloride was delivered to check tissue viability. Prolactin was measured in the perifusate by radioimmunoassay. Results showed that both peptides induced a significant long-term suppression of prolactin secretion that was still evident at 60 min after peptide exposure. ProTRH(186-199) was similar to ProTRH(178-199) in suppressing prolactin release at the 2 and 40 nM dose, suggesting that the amino acid sequence necessary for prolactin inhibition is contained within the smaller peptide fragment. These data indicate that a cryptic sequence within the proTRH peptide can have biological activity at the level of the anterior pituitary gland in regulating prolactin secretion.

Determination of taltirelin, a new stable thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue, in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography turbo-ionspray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, selective and sensitive assay of taltirelin, a novel thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue, in human plasma has been developed. This method is based on a rapid sample preparation and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) turbo-ionspray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). Analytes were purified from human plasma by SPE cartridge and separated by gradient HPLC. Turbo-ionspray ionization and MS-MS analyses were carried out by PE-Sciex API 3000 tandem mass spectrometer. Taltirelin was separated from its metabolite (acid form) on a semi-micro ODS column in methanol - 0.1% (v/v) formic acid. The selected reaction monitoring by precursor-->product ion combination of m/z 406-->264, was used for determination of taltirelin. The linearity was confirmed in the concentration range of 17-4137 pg/ml in human plasma, and the precision of this assay, expressed as a relative deviation, was less than 9.8% over the entire concentration range with adequate assay accuracy. The results obtained by the HPLC-MS-MS method correlated well with those of the radioimmunoassay method reported previously. Therefore, the HPLC-MS-MS method is useful for the determination of taltirelin with sufficient selectivity and sensitivity on pharmacokinetic studies in human.

Neuropharmacodynamic evaluation of the centrally active thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue [Leu2]TRH and its chemical brain-targeting system

The centrally active thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogue pGlu-Leu-Pro-NH(2) ([Leu(2)]TRH) showed a significant increase in the extracellular acetylcholine concentration during its perfusion to the hippocampus in rats, and this effect was manifested upon the delivery of the analogue in much smaller quantities compared to TRH when measured by in vivo intracranial microdialysis. The neuropharmacodynamic efficacy of [Leu(2)]TRH upon intravenous administration was augmented by the use of a brain-targeting derivative in which the progenitor sequence of the mature peptide was embedded in a molecular architecture that promoted enhanced brain delivery, retention and in situ generation of the pharmacologically active molecule. Compared to the unmodified peptide, the targeting system significantly improved the cumulative effect of the treatment on extracellular acetylcholine levels in rats.

Synthesis and biological evaluations of brain-targeted chemical delivery systems of [Nva2]-TRH

Various chemical delivery systems for [Nva2]-TRH were synthesized and their CNS activity was investigated and compared with that of a similar chemical delivery system of [Leu2]-TRH, previously studied. Sequential metabolism of the chemical delivery system delivered to the brain, starting with the conversion of the dihydrotrigonellyl (DHT) to the trigonellyl (T+) moiety, will provide the lock-in to the brain of the T+-chemical delivery system, which will undergo hydrolysis of the cholesteryl ester, formation of the Pr-amide and cleavage of the spacer-T+ part, allowing ultimately the sustained release of the active [Nva2]-TRH. The CNS activity was assessed by measuring the extent of antagonizing barbiturate-induced sleeping time in mice. The fully packaged DHT-Pro-Pro-Gln-Nva-Pro-Gly-OCh produced robust antagonism, reducing sleeping time from 89 min to 48 min, similar to the Leu2-analogue (49 min). However, the partially substituted [Nva2]-TRH analogues showed little or no CNS activity. The results indicate that the fully packaged delivery system is necessary to produce the successful brain targeting of the precursor construct and effective release of the Gln-Nva-ProNH2.

A study of the binding between polymers and peptides, using affinity capillary electrophoresis, applied to polymeric drug delivery systems

We have investigated the potential of affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) to evaluate binding constants between an anionic polydispersed polymer and four peptides. Nonlinear regression and three current linearization methods, the y-reciprocal, the x-reciprocal and the double-reciprocal, were employed for the estimation of the binding constants. The x-reciprocal and the double-reciprocal plots indicated the presence of two portions of straight lines for angiopeptin, triptorelin and the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), and therefore the probable existence of a second-order interaction which causes the deviation from the 1:1 model. Peptide 1 exhibited a unique binding constant of 2.4 x 10(6)M(-1). In contrast, angiopeptin, triptorelin and TRH exhibited a K(1) of 4.0 x 10(6), 5.3 x 10(6) and 20.2 x 10(6)M(-1), respectively, and a K(2) of 0.4 x 10(6), 0.5 x 10(6) and 1.4 x 10(6)M(-1), respectively. The origin of the high scattering of the data points was further investigated. Neither the viscosity, nor the adsorption of the peptides to the capillary wall appeared to be the determining factor of data scattering. Finally, a possible adsorption of the polymer leading to the electroosmotic flow instability was supposed.

Conformationally restricted TRH analogues: constraining the pyroglutamate region

A modified synthetic route has been developed so that the steric size of constraints added to the pyroglutamate region of TRH (pGluHisProNH(2)) can be varied. Both an analogue with a smaller ethylene bridge and a larger, more flexible propane bridge in this region have been synthesized. These analogues were synthesized in order to probe why the initial incorporation of an ethane bridge into this region of the molecule had led to an analogue with a binding constant and potency three times lower than that of an directly analogous unconstrained analogue. The data for both analogues indicated that the fall off in activity caused by the ethane bridge in the initial analogue was not caused by the size of the bridge.

Effect of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin on the solubility, stability, and pharmacological activity of the chemical delivery system of TRH analogs

To improve the aqueous solubility and stability of the chemical delivery system (CDS) of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogs, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) has been attempted. TRH analogs were [Leu2]-TRH, [Nva2]-TRH and [Nva2, Pip3]-TRH. Excess amount of CDS was added in various HPBCD in water solutions (0%-50%, pH 6.5). The mixture was saturated by ultra-sonication for 1 h at 15 degrees C and filtered. The concentration of CDS in the filtrate (solubility) was determined with UV detector, and subsequently the stability was investigated. By HPBCD complexation, the aqueous solubility and stability (half-life) of CDS were significantly improved from undetectable levels to about 15 mg/ml and 30 h, respectively. In pH 6.5 and 7.4 HPBCD solution, the degradation of CDS was mainly via acid catalyzed water addition reaction, thus, e.g. [Leu2]-TRH-CDS was more stable in pH 7.4 than in pH 6.5 aqueous solutions. After lyophilizing the saturated CDSs in 50% HPBCD complex solutions, the amount of CDS in the complex was determined as 26.22, 26.79, and 30.34 mg/g for [Leu2]-TRH, [Nva2]-TRH and [Nva2, Pip3]-TRH, respectively. The half-life of [Leu2]-TRH-CDS/HPBCD solid complex at 25 degrees C, 4 degrees C and -15 degrees C was about 100 days, 440 days and no detectable change in three months, respectively. Argon protected condition did not improve the stability of lyophilized [Leu2]-TRH-CDS/HPBCD complex. Dimethyl sulfoxide although increased the solubility of [Leu2]-TRH-CDS in the 50% HPBCD solution by 1.3 times, significantly decreased its stability by 6.6 times. After intravenous administration of CDS (in 30% HPBCD) at a dose of 10 mumole/kg in mice, compared to the vehicle control or the same dose of [Leu2]-TRH (in 30% HPBCD), a significant increase in pharmacological effect (decrease in barbiturate-induced sleeping time) was observed. These results demonstrate the usefulness of cyclodextrin in the formulation of the CDSs of TRH analogs.

TRH-like peptides in prostate gland and other tissues

This minireview is aimed to recapitulate the occurrence of TRH-like peptides in the prostate gland and other tissues and to discuss their known functions in the organism. The hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was the first chemically defined hypophyseotropic hormone with the primary structure pGLU-HIS-PRO.NH2. However, the presence of extrahypothalamic TRH-immunoreactive peptides was reported in peripheral tissues including the gastrointestinal tract, placenta, neural tissues, male reproductive system and certain endocrine tissues. It was supposed that this TRH immunoreactivity can partially originate from TRH-homologous peptides and that these peptides have significant cross-reactions with the antibody specific against authentic TRH. This assumption was confirmed by the identification of prostatic TRH immunoreactivity as pyroGLU-GLU-PRO.NH2 using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and gas phase sequence analysis. TRH-like peptides are characterized by substitution of the basic amino acid histidine (related to authentic TRH) for neutral or acidic amino acids, such as glutamic acid, phenylalanine, glutamine or tyrosine. The physiological role of TRH-like peptides in peripheral tissues is not precisely known, but they possess a C-terminal amide group which is characteristic for many biologically active peptides. The occurrence of these peptides in the male reproductive system can influence male fertility. They are also closely related to circulating thyroid and steroid hormones. There might be an important connection of TRH-like peptides to the prostatic local autocrine/paracrine network mediated by extrahypothalamic TRH immunoreactivity corresponding to TRH-like peptides and extrapituitary thyrotropin (TSH) immunoreactivity also found in the prostatic tissue. A similar system of intraepithelial lymphocyte hormonal regulation due to the local paracrine network of TRH/TSH has been described in the gastrointestinal tract. The local network of TRH-like peptides/TSH may be involved in possible regulation of prostatic growth.

Fertilization promoting peptide — A possible regulator of sperm function in vivo

Fertilization promoting peptide (FPP), a tripeptide related to thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH), is found in seminal plasma. Recent evidence obtained in vitro suggests that FPP may play an important role in regulating sperm fertility in vivo. Specifically, FPP initially stimulates nonfertilizing (uncapacitated) spermatozoa to "switch on" and become fertile more quickly, but then arrests capacitation so that spermatozoa do not undergo spontaneous acrosome loss and therefore do not lose fertilizing potential. These responses are mimicked, and indeed augmented, by adenosine, known to regulate the adenylyl cyclase (AC)/cAMP signal transduction pathway. Both FPP and adenosine have been shown to stimulate cAMP production in uncapacitated cells but inhibit it in capacitated cells, with FPP receptors somehow interacting with adenosine receptors and G proteins to achieve regulation of AC. These events affect the tyrosine phosphorylation state of various proteins, some being important in the initial "switching on," others possibly being involved in the acrosome reaction itself. Calcitonin and angiotensin II, also found in seminal plasma, have similar effects in vitro on uncapacitated spermatozoa and can augment responses to FPP, suggesting that all four molecules may be involved in regulating availability of cAMP. It is plausible that these molecules have similar effects in vivo, affecting fertility by stimulating and then maintaining fertilizing potential. Either reductions in the availability of FPP, adenosine, calcitonin, and angiotensin II or defects in their receptors could contribute to male infertility. These exciting results may provide new approaches for diagnostic tests and treatments of certain categories of male infertility.

Minireview: Insights into G protein-coupled receptor function using molecular models

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of signal-transducing molecules known. They convey signals for light and many extracellular regulatory molecules. GPCRs have been found to be dysfunctional/dysregulated in a growing number of human diseases and have been estimated to be the targets of more than 30% of the drugs used in clinical medicine today. Thus, understanding how GPCRs function at the molecular level is an important goal of biological research. In order to understand function at this level, it is necessary to delineate the 3D structure of these receptors. Recently, the 3D structure of rhodopsin has been resolved, but in the absence of experimentally determined 3D structures of other GPCRs, a powerful approach is to construct a theoretical model for the receptor and refine it based on experimental results. Computer-generated models for many GPCRs have been constructed. In this article, we will review these studies. We will place the greatest emphasis on an iterative, bi-directional approach in which models are used to generate hypotheses that are tested by experimentation and the experimental findings are, in turn, used to refine the model. The success of this approach is due to the synergistic interaction between theory and experiment.

Application of the primary hydration shell approach to locally enhanced sampling simulated annealing: computer simulation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in water

A unified model of simulated annealing with locally enhanced sampling (LES) in a primary hydration shell (PHS) aqueous environment is developed and tested by predicting the structure of the tripeptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in solution. The model extends the formulation of the restraining force in the PHS method as a function of temperature, number of copies in the LES method, and shell thickness. The dependence of the restraining force on temperature can be shown to follow the relationship c(1)T - c(2), which can be derived from the expression for kinetic energy in molecular dynamics simulations. The calibration of the restraining force for different simulation conditions reveals the dependence of c(1) and c(2) on the number of copies in the LES method and the thickness of the PHS. The predicted structure of TRH is in very good agreement with results from NMR experiments and from a 10-ns PHS simulation at 300 K. The method promises to be useful in predicting structure of peptides and proteins in an aqueous environment.

Kinetic investigation of the specificity of porcine brain thyrotropin-releasing hormone-degrading ectoenzyme for thyrotropin-releasing hormone-like peptides

Evidence indicates that neuronally released thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is selectively inactivated by TRH-degrading ectoenzyme (TRH-DE) (EC ). TRH-DE inhibitors may be used to enhance the therapeutic actions of TRH and to investigate the functions of TRH and TRH-DE in the central nervous system. Although TRH-DE appears to exhibit a high degree of specificity toward TRH, systematic specificity studies, which would facilitate inhibitor design, have not been previously conducted for this enzyme. In this paper we present the first description of TRH-DE specificity across a directed peptide library in which the histidyl (P(1)') residue of TRH was replaced by a series of amino acids. Peptides were synthesized using standard solid phase chemistry. Kinetic parameters were measured either by continuous or discontinuous fluorometric assays or by quantitative high pressure liquid chromatography. The P(1)' residue was found to influence significantly both the ability of the peptides to bind to TRH-DE, as measured by their K(i) values, and the ability of TRH-DE to catalyze their hydrolysis. Moderately bulky, uncharged P(1)' residues were found to bind preferentially to TRH-DE. Results from this screen provide valuable information for the development of TRH-DE inhibitors and have led to the identification of two potent, reversible TRH-DE inhibitors, l-pyroglutamyl-l-asparaginyl-l-prolineamide (K(i) = 17.5 micrometer) and Glp-Asn-Pro-7-amido-4-methyl coumarin (K(i) = 0.97 micrometer).

Metabolism-based brain-targeting system for a thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue

Gln-Leu-Pro-Gly, a progenitor sequence for the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogue [Leu(2)]TRH (pGlu-Leu-Pro-NH(2)), was covalently and bioreversibly modified on its N- and C-termini (by a 1,4-dihydrotrigonellyl and a cholesteryl group, respectively) to create lipoidal brain-targeting systems for the TRH analogue. The mechanism of targeting and the recovery of the parent peptide at the target site involve several enzymatic steps, including the oxidation of the 1,4-dihydropyridine moiety. Due to the lipid insolublity of the peptide pyridinium conjugate obtained after this reaction, one of the rudimentary steps of brain targeting (i.e., trapping in the central nervous system) can be accomplished. Our design also included spacer amino acid(s) inserted between the N-terminal residue of the progenitor sequence and the dihydrotrigonellyl group to facilitate the posttargeting removal of the attached modification. The release of the TRH analogue in the brain is orchestrated by a sequential metabolism utilizing esterase/lipase, peptidyl glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM), peptidase cleavage, and glutaminyl cyclase. In addition to in vitro experiments to prove the designed mechanism of action, the efficacy of brain targeting for [Leu(2)]TRH administered in the form of chemical-targeting systems containing the embedded progenitor sequence was monitored by the antagonistic effect of the peptide on the barbiturate-induced anesthesia (measure of the activational effect on cholinergic neurons) in mice, and considerable improvement was achieved over the efficacy of the parent peptide upon using this paradigm.

Quantitative analysis of pyroglutamic acid in peptides

A simplified and rapid procedure for the determination of pyroglutamic acid in peptides was developed. The method involves the enzymatic cleavage of an N-terminal pyroglutamate residue using a thermostable pyroglutamate aminopeptidase and isocratic HPLC separation of the resulting enzymatic hydrolysate using a column switching technique. Pyroglutamate aminopeptidase from a thermophilic archaebacteria, Pyrococcus furiosus, cleaves N-terminal pyroglutamic acid residue independent of the molecular weight of the substrate. It cleaves more than 85% of pyroglutamate from peptides whose molecular weight ranges from 362.4 to 4599.4 Da. Thus, a new method is presented that quantitatively estimates N-terminal pyroglutamic acid residue in peptides.

Effect of chain length on absorption of biologically active peptides from the gastrointestinal tract

OBJECTIVES

Protein digestion generates many peptides in the gut lumen. Some of these peptides possess biological effects when tested using in vitro systems. It is clear that dipeptides and tripeptides can be absorbed intact from the gastrointestinal tract. However, the fate of larger peptides and small proteins remains unclear. Equally unclear are the biologic potencies of absorbed peptides and the quantity of peptide that must be administered into the gut to produce a biologic effect. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of amino acid chain length on the ability of enterally administered peptides to produce biologic effects.

METHODS

Small bowel feeding tubes, jugular catheters, and arterial lines were placed into adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were administered intravenous (50 microg) and enteral (125 and 500 microg) thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, a tripeptide), intravenous (100 microg) and enteral (100 and 500 microg) luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH, a decapeptide), and intravenous (0.5 mg) and enteral (0.5 and 25 mg) insulin (a 51-amino acid polypeptide). The quantity of peptide administered represented less than 0.5% of a rat's normal daily protein intake. The biologic effect of TRH, LHRH, and insulin were assessed using thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) response, and glucose. We also measured serum levels of insulin in the rats following enteral insulin administration.

RESULTS

The results indicate that enteral TRH (125 and 500 microg) produced the same TSH response as intravenous TRH. The response to 500 microg enteral LHRH was 50% of the response to intravenous LHRH and the response to 25 mg enteral insulin was 30% of the response to 0.5 mg intravenous insulin. Serum insulin levels increased significantly following both 0.5 and 25 mg enteral insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the concept that small (di- and tripeptides) and large (10-51 amino acids) peptides generated in the diet can be absorbed intact through the intestines and produce biologic effects at the tissue level. The potency of the enterally administered peptides decreases as the chain length increases. We postulate that absorbed dietary peptides play a role in the modulation of organ function and disease progression.