Synthetic and binding studies on the calcium binding site I of bovine brain calmodulin. II. Synthesis and CD studies on the cyclic 20-31 sequence

The synthesis of the cyclic 20-31 sequence of bovine brain calmodulin corresponding to the loop of the hypothetical calcium binding site I of the protein has been accomplished by classical solution methods. The interaction of the synthetic cyclic fragment with calcium ions has been investigated by CD spectroscopy in water and in 98% trifluoroethanol solution. Calcium ions have no effect on the dichroic absorption of aqueous solution of the cyclic dodecapeptide in the wavelength range 200-250 nm. In 98% trifluoroethanol the CD spectrum of the cyclic compound in the absence of calcium ions is almost identical to that of the linear dodecapeptide in the presence of saturation concentrations of calcium. This result supports our previous hypothesis of a folding of the linear sequence upon interaction with the metal ion. The cyclic peptide also interacts with calcium ions in 98% trifluoroethanol forming a 1:1 complex.

Antinociceptive effect of some carboxypeptidase A inhibitors in comparison with D-phenylalanine

It had previously been shown that D-phenylalanine and hydrocinnamic acid, two in vitro inhibitors of carboxypeptidase A, possess an analgesic action when injected i.p. in mice. We have studied the in vivo effects of indole-3-acetic acid, another carboxypeptidase A inhibitor, and of the following analogs of D-phenylalanine substituted in position 4: D-tyrosine, p-fluoro-D-phenylalanine and trifluoroacetyl-p-fluoro-D-phenylalanine. Whereas indole-3-acetic acid caused a higher and shorter analgesia in comparison with D-phenylalanine, p-fluoro-D-phenylalanine and its N-trifluoroacetyl derivative yielded both a greater and a much longer lasting analgesic effect. Since the latter compound showed only slight inhibitory activity on carboxypeptidase A in vitro, we suggest that inhibition of this enzyme and analgesia might not be directly correlated.

Distinct structural requirements of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase as evidenced by synthetic peptide substrates

Protein kinase C, purified to near homogeneity from the brain, has been tested toward a variety of synthetic peptide substrates including different phosphorylatable residues. While it proved totally inactive toward the tyrosyl peptide Asp-Ala-Glu-Tyr-Ala-Ala-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gly, as well as toward several more or less acidic seryl peptides, it phosphorylates with a Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent mechanism, at seryl and/or threonyl residues, many basic peptides, some of which are also good substrates for cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase). Among the peptides tested, however, the best substrate for protein kinase C, with kinetic constants comparable to those of histones, is the nonapeptide Gly-Ser-Arg6-Tyr, which is not a substrate for A-kinase. Moreover, although the peptide Pro-Arg5-Ser-Ser-Arg-Pro-Val-Arg is a good substrate for both kinases, its derivative with ornitines replacing arginines is phosphorylated only by protein kinase C. Some typical substrates of A-kinase on the other hand, like the peptides Phe-Arg2-Leu-Ser-Ile-Ser-Thr-Glu-Ser and Arg2-Ala-Ser-Val-Ala, are phosphorylated by protein kinase C rather slowly and with unfavourable kinetic constants. It is concluded that, while both protein kinase C and A-kinase need basic groups close to the phosphorylatable residues, their primary structure determinants are quite distinct.

Are calcitonins analgesic and/or hyperalgesic?

The acetylcholine writhing test and the hot plate test were used in mice to evaluate peripheral and central analgesia after porcine, salmon and human calcitonin administrations. ICV and IV injection of calcitonins caused a peripheral analgesia that persisted for at least 2 hr. SC injection of calcitonins did not produce peripheral analgesia. However, when administered by IP route, an increasing peripheral analgesia was observed. Although it had a slow onset, it was as powerful as after ICV or IV administration. Employing the hot plate test to determine the entity of a central analgesic response, the IP administration of calcitonin surprisingly revealed a hyperalgesic effect. It started soon after the injection, reaching its maximum after about 2 hr. At this point the hyperalgesic effects were fully antagonized by EDTA.2 Na ICV, or by Ca++ICV. Moreover only the latter produced a strong and long acting analgesia. Applying a central or peripheral test, calcium seems to play different roles on the algesia variations induced by calcitonins.

Synthetic peptides including acidic clusters as substrates and inhibitors of rat liver casein kinase TS (type-2)

The hexapeptides AcSer-Glu-Glu-Glu-Val-Glu and Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, reminiscent of the sites phosphorylated by type-2 casein kinase TS in troponin T and glycogen synthase, respectively, have been synthesized and tested as phosphorylatable substrates for casein kinase TS as well as for other protein kinases. Both peptides are readily phosphorylated by casein kinase TS but not, to any detectable extent, by either cAMP-dependent protein kinase or phosphorylase kinase. Phosphorylation by type-1 casein kinase S was almost negligible. On the other hand the hexapeptide Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Ala is phosphorylated much more slowly and the hexapeptide Ser-Glu-Glu-Ala-Ala-Ala is almost unaffected by casein kinase TS. While the Vmax values of casein kinase TS with the acidic hexapeptides are comparable to those obtained with the corresponding protein substrates, the apparent Km values for the peptides are about two orders of magnitude higher than those for the protein substrates. The heptapeptide Arg-Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu-Val-Glu is a very poor substrate of casein kinase TS in comparison with the corresponding hexapeptide lacking the N-terminal Arg; it is, however, a competitive inhibitor toward the protein substrates, exhibiting a Ki similar to those of Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu and (Glu)5 which, in turn, are one order of magnitude higher than that of (Glu)10. It is concluded that the minimum structural requirement of type-2 casein kinases consists of a phosphorylatable residue followed by an acidic cluster, whose length is critical for the binding to the enzyme. Additional residues on the N-terminal side are not required, but their nature can influence the transphosphorylation reaction considerably.

Opposite and mutually incompatible structural requirements of type-2 casein kinase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase as visualized with synthetic peptide substrates

The synthetic hexapeptide Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu-Val-Glu and its N-acetylated derivative are readily and specifically phosphorylated by rat liver casein kinase TS (type-2), while the derived heptapeptide with an additional N-terminal Arg is a very poor substrate. Conversely, the substitution of Glu for Val5 in the synthetic peptide Arg-Arg-Ser-Thr-Val-Ala, which is a good substrate for cAMP-dependent protein kinase by virtue of the N-terminal arginyl residues, prevents its phosphorylation by this enzyme. These data indicate that the site specificities of these two classes of protein kinases, requiring acidic and basic residues on the C- and N-terminal sides of the target residue(s), respectively, are mutually incompatible.

[Synthesis of peptides with gastrinlike activity. Studies on the structure-activity relationship of the natural hormone human little gastrin I]

To identify the role of the block of glutamic acid residues characteristic for the gastrin molecule, a series of shortened peptides related to the human little-gastrin-I sequence were synthesized. The biological activities of these gastrin peptides strongly suggest in the pentaglutamic acid sequence a specific information for a pronounced amplification of the hormonal activity.

Analgesic properties of N-terminal substituted phenylalanyl-alanine

Phenylalanylalanine, an in vitro inhibitor of enkephalinase, and some of its N alpha-derivatives are shown to possess an analgesic action when injected i.p. and i.c.v. into mice in the presence or absence of Leu5-enkephalin. In the second case a synergistic response is observed. The intensity of the analgesic response depends markedly on the nature of the N-terminal substituent which affects the hydrophobic character of the resulting dipeptide, its subsequent transport and probably its rate of biotransformation by cleaving enzymes.

Polyglutamyl peptides: a new class of inhibitors of type-2 casein kinases

Casein kinase-TS (Ck-TS), a type-2 casein kinase purified from rat liver cytosol which phosphorylates seryl and threonyl residues N-terminal to acidic clusters, is specifically inhibited by polyglutamyl peptides which are ineffective both on type-1 casein kinase and on cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The inhibition is competitive toward the protein substrate and non-competitive toward ATP. Among the polyglutamates tested (Glu)70 is the most effective (Ki 0.11 microM). (Glu)10 and (Glu)5 are also inhibitors, though less powerful than (Glu)70, while (Glu)3, (Glu)2 and free glutamic acid up to 5 mM are ineffective. These results disclose the possibility that naturally occurring polypeptides containing long stretches of acidic residues may act as physiological inhibitors of type-2 casein kinases.

Synthetic peptides reproducing the site phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in protein phosphatase inhibitor-1. Effect of structural modifications on the phosphorylation efficiency

The hexapeptide (Arg)2-Pro-Thr-Pro-Ala (T1) and octapeptide (Arg)2-Pro-Thr-Pro-Ala (T5), reproducing the phosphorylatable site of protein phosphatase inhibitor-1, a physiological target of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and five related peptides were synthesized by the method in solution. The phosphorylation rates of such peptides by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and their kinetic parameters have been determined and compared with those of the hexapeptide (Arg)2-Ala-Ser-Val-Ala, reproducing the phosphorylatable site of rat liver pyruvate kinase. The results obtained show that both the presence of threonine instead of serine and the adjacent C-terminal proline represent highly unfavourable factors seriously impairing the protein kinase reaction by both increasing Km and depressing V. On the other hand the N-terminal proline is compatible with high phosphorylation rates and the row of four rather than two consecutive arginines improves the phosphorylation efficiency by lowering tenfold the Km, without affecting the V. The extension of the hexapeptide T1 on its C-terminal side to give the derivative (Arg)2-Pro-Thr-Pro-Ala-Thr-Val-Ala has no significant effect on the kinetic parameters. Moreover no relationship between the phosphorylation efficiency and the predicted secondary structures around the target residue could be evidenced. Therefore the local structural features of the phosphorylatable site of inhibitor-1 cannot fully account for the fast phosphorylation of this regulatory protein. Other factors must optimize the protein kinase reaction.

Synthetic and binding studies on the postulated calcium binding site I of calmodulin

The synthesis of the dodecapeptide [sequence (20--31)] representing the hypothetical calcium binding site I of calmodulin by classical methods in solution is described. The interaction of this synthetic calmodulin fragment with calcium ions has been investigated by CD in water and in 98% trifluoroethanol solution. Calcium ions have no effect on the dichroic absorption of the dodecapeptide in aqueous solution in the wavelength range 200-250 nm. However, in 98% trifluoroethanol a linear variation of the CD properties has been observed as a function of the Ca2/peptide molar ratio. The CD results indicate the formation of a 1 : 1 calcium-dodecapeptide complex with a very high binding constant.

Synthesis of leupeptins and inhibition of proteinases. I. Inhibition of acrosin and trypsin

A series of leupeptin analogs R-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-argininal with variable N-terminal substituents has been synthesized using N alpha-tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl-NG-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine-delta-lactam as the starting material. The modified leupeptins proved to be strong competitive inhibitors of the endoprotease acrosin from mammalian spermatozoa. Inhibition constants were found in the range of 4.7 X 10(-7)M (R = H) to 9.7 X 10(-9)M (R = tert-butyloxycarbonyl). N alpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl leupeptin represents the strongest acrosin inhibitor synthesized so far. Two of the leupeptin derivatives (R = trifluoroacetyl, R = tert-butyloxycarbonyl) were more effective than the natural leupeptins from microbial sources (Ki = 5.9 X 10(-8)M). The potential use of synthetic leupeptins as antienzymatic contraceptives is discussed.

Inhibition of the cytochrome c/cytochrome c oxidase system by cytochrome c derivatives and related fragments

The oxidation of ferrocytochrome c mediated by cytochrome c oxidase was investigated in the presence of ferricytochrome c, trifluoroacetyl-cytochrome c, the heme fragments Hse65-[1-65] and Hse80-[1-80] and their respective porphyrin derivatives, as well as carboxymethylated apoprotein and related fragments, polycations, salts and neutral additives. The inhibition of the redox reaction by salts and neutral molecules, even if in theoretical agreement with their effect on electrostatic interactions, may alternatively be interpreted in terms of hydrophobicity. The latter can account for the inhibitory properties of trifluoroacetylated ferricytochrome c, similar to those of ferricytochrome c. On the assumption that the inhibitory properties of some of the investigated derivatives monitor their binding affinities to the cytochrome c oxidase at the cytochrome c binding sites, the experimental results do not confirm a primarily electrostatic character for the cytochrome c/cytochrome c oxidase association process. Strong indication was found that the cytochrome c C-terminal sequence is critically involved in the complex formation. Conformational studies by circular dichroism measurements and IR spectroscopy in solution and in solid state respectively, show that some of the derivatives examined may possibly acqkuire in the binding process to the oxidase, as secondary structure similar to that present in the native cytochrome c.

Protamines. III. Synthesis of the tetradecapeptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence 52--65 of galline

The synthesis of peptides containing blocks of arginyl residues is proposed through amidination of the corresponding ornithyl analogs. In order to test this strategy the ornithyl analog of the C-terminal sequence 52--65 of galline was synthesized by the conventional method. The amidination reaction, performed on fragments of different length and ornithyl-residue content, quantitatively converts ornithines into arginines. The strategy proposed may represent a powerful tool for the synthesis of protamines and other basic proteins.

Synthetic enkephalins. Addicting properties and conformational studies in solution

The addicting properties of [Leu5]enkephalin in mice are conserved in the LSer3 analogue and lost both in the L-Ser2 analogue and in all the L-Cha4 derivatives of the above peptides. Fluorescence measurements in water show the presence of hydrogen-bonded tyrosul OH groups in [Leu5]-enkephalin and in its LSer2 analogue. The Phe4/Cha replacements do not influence these equilibria, but they affect the near u.v. dichroism of the hydrogen bonded tyrosyl residues. In the peptide absorption region in water solution, only [Leu5]-enkephalin and its cyclohexylalnyl derivative show a positive dichroism towards high frequencies, which is maintained in 8 M ura. No clear relation is found between conformation(s) in solution and biological activity. A II' beta-turn, with residues in positions 2 and 3 at the corners, is suggested for the conformation of enkephalin bound to the receptors involved in the bioassay here used.

Protamines. II. Circular dichroism study of the three main components of clupeine

The three main components YI, YII, and Z of clupeine, a protamine from herring, have been purified and characterized. The conformational preferences of clupeines have been examined as a funciton of pH, temperature, added salts, and presence of structure-disrupting agents and helix-supporting solvents using circular dichroism. It was found that these small basic proteins assume predominantly an unordered conformation in aqueous solution. Addition of counter ions, in particular perchlorate, and 2-chloroethanol induces in various amounts the onset of the right-handed alpha-helical conformation. Urea favors the statistical coil state. It was also demonstrated that in the 0.1--4.0 . 10(-1) M range, in contrast to clupeines YI and Z, the circular dichroic properties of the YII component do not seem to be sensitive to the addition of mono- and diphosphate.

Near-ultraviolet difference absorption and circular dichroism studies on partially synthetic ribonucleases S'

Near-ultraviolet difference absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra were recorded upon recombination of synthetic S-peptide analogs, i.e. 1epsilon, 7epsilon-diguanidino-[Tyr8]-,1epsilon,7epsilon-diguanidono-[Asn14]-, [Phe(F)8, Orn10]- and 1epsilon, 7epsilon-diguanidino-S-peptide, with S-protein. Environmental alterations of Phe-8 in the S-peptide and Tyr-25 in the S-protein, derived from the association process, lead to strong optical signals whose location and magnitude were clearly defined by means of a comparative analysis of the above spectra. Additionally, the spectroscopic effects resulting from insertion of a tyrosyl residue into an hydrophobic environment in the presence or absence of hydrogen-bonding partners were identified and compared with similar findings obtained from the model compound p-cresol.