Diethyl phthalate, a chemotactic factor secreted by Helicobacter pylori

The structure of a small-molecule, non-peptide chemotactic factor has been determined from activity purified to apparent homogeneity from Helicobacter pylori supernatants. H. pylori was grown in brucella broth media until one liter of solution had 0.9 absorbance units. The culture was centrifuged, and the bacteria re-suspended in physiological saline and incubated at 37 degrees C for 4 h. A monocyte migration bioassay revealed the presence of a single active chemotactic factor in the supernatant from this incubation. The chemotactic factor was concentrated by solid phase chromatography and purified by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The factor was shown to be indistinguishable from diethyl phthalate (DEP) on the basis of multiple criteria including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron impact mass spectroscopy, UV visible absorption spectrometry, GC and high pressure liquid chromatography retention times, and chemotactic activity toward monocytes. Control experiments with incubated culture media without detectable bacteria did not yield detectable DEP, suggesting it is bacterially derived. It is not known if the bacteria produce diethyl phthalate de novo or if it is a metabolic product of a precursor molecule present in culture media. DEP produced by H. pylori in addition to DEP present in man-made products may contribute to the high levels of DEP metabolites observed in human urine. DEP represents a new class of chemotactic factor.

Strategic facility planning improves capital decision making

A large, Midwestern IDS undertook a strategic facility-planning process to evaluate its facility portfolio and determine how best to allocate future investments in facility development. The IDS assembled a facility-planning team, which initiated the planning process with a market analysis to determine future market demands and identify service areas that warranted facility expansion. The team then analyzed each of the IDS's facilities from the perspective of uniform capacity measurements, highest and best use compared with needs, building condition and investment-worthiness, and facility growth and site development opportunities. Based on results of the analysis, the strategy adopted entailed, in part, shifting some space from inpatient care to ambulatory care services and demolishing and replacing the 11 percent of facilities deemed to be in the worst condition.

Different actions of secretin and Gly-extended secretin predict secretin receptor subtypes

Only one secretin receptor has been cloned and its properties characterized in native and transfected cells. To test the hypothesis that stimulatory and inhibitory effects of secretin are mediated by different secretin receptor subtypes, pancreatic and gastric secretory responses to secretin and secretin-Gly were determined in rats. Pancreatic fluid secretion was increased equipotently by secretin and secretin-Gly, but secretin was markedly more potent for inhibition of basal and gastrin-induced acid secretion. In Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with the rat secretin receptor, secretin and secretin-Gly equipotently displaced (125)I-labeled secretin (IC(50) values 5.3 +/- 0.5 and 6.4 +/- 0.6 nM, respectively). Secretin, but not secretin-Gly, caused release of somatostatin from rat gastric mucosal D cells. Thus the equipotent actions of secretin and secretin-Gly on pancreatic secretion appear to result from equal binding and activation of the pancreatic secretin receptor. Conversely, secretin more potently inhibited gastric acid secretion in vivo, and only secretin released somatostatin from D cells in vitro. These results support the existence of a secretin receptor subtype mediating inhibition of gastric acid secretion that is distinct from the previously characterized pancreatic secretin receptor.

PYY regulates pancreatic exocrine secretion through multiple receptors in the awake rat

Peptide YY (PYY) is one of several regulatory peptides reported to modulate pancreatic secretion. PYY circulates in two forms, PYY1-36 and PYY3-36, and binds to multiple receptor subtypes. We sought to determine if PYY1-36 or PYY3-36 regulates neurally mediated pancreatic secretion through the Y1, Y2, and/or Y5 receptor subtypes. Experiments were conducted in awake, surgically recovered rats. In order to determine the effects of the PYYs on basal pancreatic secretion, either PYY1-36, [Pro34] PYY1-36 (a Y1/Y5 agonist), or PYY3-36 (a Y2/Y5 agonist) were infused for 40 min at doses of 0, 12.5, 25, or 50 pmol/kg/hr while measuring pancreatic juice volume and protein. PYY1-36 increased pancreatic protein secretion at 25 and 50 pmol/kg/hr (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.990). The Y2/Y5 receptor agonist PYY3-36 significantly inhibited pancreatic juice volume and protein at 12.5 and 25 pmol/kg/hr, but stimulated protein secretion at higher doses (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.995). The Y1/Y5 agonist, [Pro34] PYY1-36, had no significant effect on basal pancreatic exocrine secretion. Therefore, PYY1-36, PYY3-36 and [Pro34] PYY1-36 produced different, dose-dependent changes on basal pancreatic exocrine secretion. Inhibition of pancreatic secretion by circulating PYY1-36 and PYY3-36 are primarily mediated by the Y2 receptor. Since [Pro34] PYY1-36 did not change pancreatic secretion, it can be concluded that circulating PYY1-36 or PYY3-36 does not modulate pancreatic secretion through the Y1 or Y5 receptors. Since the stimulatory effects of PYY1-36 on pancreatic secretion could not be explained by the actions of PYY3-36 or [Pro34] PYY1-36 on Y1 or Y2 receptors, and since PYY1-36 fails to bind to Y3 or Y4 receptors, we also conclude that PYY1-36 may stimulate pancreatic secretion in a dose-dependent mechanism through a PYY receptor subtype different from Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 or Y5.

Solution structure of monomeric peptide YY supports the functional significance of the PP-fold

Peptide YY (PYY) belongs to a family of peptides including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pancreatic peptide (PP) that regulate numerous functions through both central and peripheral receptors. The solution structure of these peptides is hypothesized to be critically important in receptor selectivity and activation, based on prior demonstration of a stable tertiary conformation of PP called the "PP-fold". Circular dichroism (CD) spectra show a pH-dependent structural transition in the pH range 3-4. Thus we describe the tertiary structure of porcine PYY in water at pH 5.5, 25 degrees C, and 150 mM NaCl, as determined from 2D (1)H NMR data recorded at 500 MHz. A constraint set consisting of 396 interproton distances from NOE data was used as input for distance geometry, simulated annealing, and restrained energy minimization calculations in X-PLOR. The RMSDs of the 20 X-PLOR-generated structures were 0.71 +/- 0.14 and 1.16 +/- 0.17 A, respectively, for backbone and heavy atom overlays of residues 1-34. The resulting structure consists of two C-terminal helical segments from residues 17 to 22 and 25 to 33 separated by a kink at residues 23, 24, and 25, a turn centered around residues 12-14, and the N-terminus folded near residues 30 and 31. The well-defined portions of the PYY structure reported here bear a marked similarity to the structure of PP. Our findings strongly support the importance of the stable folded structure of this family of peptides for binding and activation of Y receptor subtypes.

Primary structures of PYY, [Pro(34)]PYY, and PYY-(3-36) confer different conformations and receptor selectivity

We synthesized PYY-(1-36) (nonselective between Y(1) and Y(2) receptor subtype agonists), [Pro(34)]PYY (selective for Y(1)), and PYY-(3-36) (selective for Y(2)) to determine whether solution conformation plays a role in receptor subtype selectivity. The three peptides exhibited the expected specificities in displacing labeled PYY-(1-36) from cells transfected with Y(1) receptors (dissociation constants = 0.42, 0.21, and 1,050 nM, respectively) and from cells transfected with Y(2) receptors (dissociation constants = 0.03, 710, and 0.11 nM, respectively) for PYY-(1-36), [Pro(34)]PYY, and PYY-(3-36). Sedimentation equilibrium analyses revealed that the three PYY analogs were 80-90% monomer at the concentrations used for the subsequent circular dichroism (CD) and (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. CD analysis measured helicities for PYY-(1-36), [Pro(34)]PYY, and PYY-(3-36) of 42%, 31%, and 24%, suggesting distinct differences in secondary structure. The backbone (1)H-NMR resonances of the three peptides further substantiated marked conformational differences. These patterns support the hypothesis that Y(1) and Y(2) receptor subtype binding affinities depend on the secondary and tertiary solution state structures of PYY and its analogs.

Identical primary sequence but different conformations of the bioactive regions of canine CCK-8 and CCK-58

The C-terminal bioactive regions of CCK-8 and CCK-58 are identical (DY*MGWMDF-NH(2), Y* denotes a sulfated tyrosine residue), but these peptides have different patterns of bioactivity. Specifically, CCK-58 binds more avidly to the CCK(A) receptor while CCK-8 is more potent for stimulation of amylase secretion from pancreatic acini. We postulate that these seemingly contradictory observations reflect a stable conformational change in CCK-58 that enhances binding, but diminishes activation of second messenger. We used CD and NMR spectra to evaluate postulated structural differences between CCK-8 and the carboxy-terminus of synthetic CCK-58. The CD spectra indicate the presence of turns in CCK-8 but a mixture of helical and random coil structures for CCK-58. Comparisons of partial NMR chemical shift assignments of CCK-58 and full assignments for CCK-8 also indicate differences in the backbone conformations for these residues. The data support the hypothesis that these peptides have different, stable, carboxy-terminal structures that may influence bioactivity.

Expression of cholecystokinin A receptors in neurons innervating the rat stomach and intestine

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Two distinct receptors, cholecystokinin (CCK)-A and CCK-B, mediate CCK effects in the digestive system. The aim of this study was to elucidate the cellular sites of expression of CCK-A receptor in the rat stomach and small intestine.

METHODS

We developed and characterized an antibody to the N-terminal region (LDQPQPSKEWQSA) of rat CCK-A receptor and used it for localization studies with immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Specificity of the antiserum was demonstrated by (1) detection of a broad band at 85-95 kilodaltons in Western blots of membranes from CCK-A receptor CHO-transfected cells; (2) cell surface staining of CCK-A receptor-transfected cells, (3) translocation of CCK-A receptor immunostaining in CCK-A receptor-transfected cells after exposure to CCK; and (4) abolition of tissue immunostaining by preadsorbtion of the antibody with the peptide used for immunization. CCK-A receptor immunoreactivity was localized to myenteric neurons and to fibers in the muscle and mucosa. In the stomach, myenteric neurons and mucosal fibers were abundant. Many CCK-A receptor myenteric neurons contained the inhibitory transmitter vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and some were immunoreactive for the excitatory transmitter substance P. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy reduced the density of CCK-A receptor fibers in the gastric mucosa by approximately 50%, whereas celiac/superior mesenteric ganglionectomy had no detectable effect on fiber density.

CONCLUSIONS

CCK-A receptor is expressed in functionally distinct neurons of the gastrointestinal tract. CCK-A receptor may mediate reflexes stimulated by CCK through the release of other transmitters from neurons bearing the receptor.

COOH-terminally extended secretins are potent stimulants of pancreatic secretion

Posttranslational processing of preprosecretin generates several COOH-terminally extended forms of secretin and alpha-carboxyl amidated secretin. We used synthetic canine secretin analogs with COOH-terminal -amide, -Gly, or -Gly-Lys-Arg to examine the effects of COOH-terminal extensions of secretin on bioactivity and detection in RIA. Synthetic products were purified by reverse-phase and ion-exchange HPLC and characterized by reverse-phase isocratic HPLC and amino acid, sequence, and mass spectral analyses. Secretin and secretin-Gly were noted to coelute during reverse-phase HPLC. In RIA using eight different antisera raised against amidated secretin, COOH-terminally extended secretins had little or no cross-reactivity. Bioactivity was assessed by measuring pancreatic responses in anesthetized rats. Amidated canine and porcine secretins were equipotent. Secretin-Gly and secretin-Gly-Lys-Arg had potencies of 81 +/- 9% (P > 0.05) and 176 +/- 13% (P < 0.01), respectively, compared with amidated secretin, and the response to secretin-Gly-Lys-Arg lasted significantly longer. These data demonstrate that 1) amidated secretin and secretin-Gly are not separable under some chromatographic conditions, 2) current RIA may not detect bioactive COOH-terminally extended forms of secretin in tissue extracts or blood, and 3) the secretin receptor mediating stimulation of pancreatic secretion recognizes both amidated and COOH-terminally extended secretins.

PYY-preferring receptor in the dorsal vagal complex and its involvement in PYY stimulation of gastric acid secretion in rats

1. Microinjection of peptide YY (PYY, 7-46 pmol) into the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) stimulated gastric acid secretion in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Using a variety of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and PYY derivatives, we characterized the pharmacological profile of the receptor mediating the acid secretory response to PYY. 2. [Pro34]rat(r)/porcine(p)PYY and [Pro34]human(h)PYY (23-117 pmol), microinjected unilaterally into the DVC resulted in a similar maximal increase in net acid secretion reaching 68+/-11 and 89+/-31 micromol 90 min(-1) respectively. 3. Rat/hNPY and pNPY (47 pmol) microinjected into the DVC induced a similar net gastric acid secretion (27+/-8 and 23+/-8 micromol 90 min(-1) respectively) and a higher dose (116 pmol) tended to reduce the response. 4. Pancreatic polypeptide (PP, 4-46 pmol), [Leu31,Pro34]r/hNPY (47 and 117 pmol) and the Y2 selective agonists, hPYY3-36, pNPY5-36 and PNPY13-36 (25-168 pmol) microinjected into the DVC failed to influence basal gastric acid secretion. 5. The rank order of potency of PYY > or = [Pro34]r/pPYY = [Pro34]hPYY> r/hNPY = pNPY to stimulate gastric acid secretion upon injection into the DVC and the ineffectiveness of PP, [Leu31,Pro34]NPY and C-terminal NPY/PYY fragments suggest that a PYY-preferring receptor subtype may be involved in mediating the stimulating effect.

Bioactivity of intraduodenally and intravenously infused fragments of luminal cholecystokinin releasing factor (LCRF)

A luminal cholecystokinin releasing factor (LCRF), has been purified from intestinal secretion and found to have a mass of 8136 daltons. The amino-terminal 41 residues have been sequenced. Previous studies showed that intraduodenal infusion of the synthetic amino-terminal 35 amino acid peptide, LCRF1-35 significantly stimulated pancreatic protein and fluid secretion in conscious rats, but the peptide did not stimulate amylase release from isolated, dispersed pancreatic acini. In the present study, several fragments of LCRF were synthesized and tested for CCK-releasing activity (pancreatic protein secretion) to determine whether shorter fragments of LCRF exhibit the characteristic biological activity of native LCRF and synthetic LCRF1-35. Compounds tested were LCRF1-41, LCRF1-35, LCRF1-65 and LCRF11-25. Of the fragments shorter than LCRF1-35, only LCRF11-25 but not LCRF1-6 had significant CCK releasing activity. LCRF1-41 was equivalent to LCRF1-35 in potency and efficacy. Intravenous and intraduodenal infusion of LCRF1-35 elicited nearly identical dose-response curves.

Distribution and localization of a novel cholecystokinin-releasing factor in the rat gastrointestinal tract

The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution and localization of an intestinal cholecystokinin (CCK)-releasing factor, called luminal CCK-releasing factor (LCRF), in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas of the rat. RIA analysis indicates that LCRF immunoreactivity is found throughout the gut including the pancreas, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon with the highest levels in the small intestine. Immunohistochemistry analysis shows LCRF immunoreactivity staining in intestinal villi, Brunner's glands of the duodenum, the duodenal myenteric plexus, gastric pits, pancreatic ductules, and pancreatic islets. These results indicate potential sources for secretagogue-stimulated release of luminal LCRF and support the hypothesis that LCRF is secreted into the intestinal lumen to stimulate CCK release from mucosal CCK cells.

Purification, amino acid sequence, synthesis, and receptor selectivity of alligator gastrin

Gastrin-like immunoreactive peptides were extracted from the gastric antrum of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and purified by fractionation using C18 Sep-Paks, Sephadex G-50, pH stable C8 reversed-phase HPLC, and C18 reversed-phase HPLC. Three major immunoreactive peaks were purified and found to correspond to 49, 45, and 34 residue peptides by microsequence analysis. The amino acid sequence of the largest peptide was DWLASLSQDQ KHLISKFLPH IYGELAN QEN YWQEDDALHD HDYPGWMDF-amide. The two smaller peptides corresponded to carboxyl-terminal 45 and 34 residue fragments of the 49 residue peptide. The putative proteolysis of the 49 residue peptide to the two shorter peptides occurs at cleavage sites that are unusual in biosynthetic processing. Mass spectral analysis confirmed the molecular weights that were predicted from the amino acid sequences, thus revealing the absence of any post-translational modifications, such as sulfation. Although the three alligator gastrins resemble mammalian cholecystokinin in having a tyrosine residue in the seventh position from the carboxyl terminus, this tyrosine is apparently nonsulfated as in turtle gastrin. When tested by radioreceptor assay, a synthetic replicate of alligator gastrin-49 exhibited a gastrin-like pattern of biological activity on mammalian CCK-A and CCK-B receptors. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of known peptides revealed that alligator gastrin is most similar to turtle gastrin (76% identical), followed by frog gastrin (51% identical), chicken gastrin (49% identical), and human gastrin (12% identical). These similarities closely reflect vertebrate phylogeny and support the hypothesis that functionally distinct gastrins evolved from CCK in early tetrapods. However, gastrin evolved via different mechanisms in the mammalian lineage (mechanism unknown) versus the amphibian and reptilian/avian lineages, in which two different single nucleotide base changes can account for the separate evolution of amphibian gastrin and reptilian/avian gastrin.

An amino-terminal fragment of LCRF, LCRF-(1-35), has the same activity as the natural peptide

A cholecystokinin (CCK)-releasing peptide, luminal CCK-releasing factor (LCRF), has been purified from rat jejunal secretion. Amino acid analysis and mass spectral analysis showed that the purified peptide is composed of 70-75 amino acid residues and has a mass of 8,136 Da. Microsequence analysis of LCRF yielded an amino acid sequence for the amino-terminal 41 residues. To determine the biologically active region of the molecule, a peptide was synthesized consisting of the amino-terminal 35 amino acids of LCRF. In this study, intraduodenal infusion of LCRF-(1-35) significantly stimulated pancreatic secretion in conscious rats. The dose-response curves to LCRF-(1-35) and to monitor peptide were similar and biphasic, with higher doses producing submaximal pancreatic secretory responses. The CCK-A receptor antagonist MK-329 abolished the pancreatic secretory response to intraduodenally infused LCRF-(1-35). These results demonstrate that LCRF biological activity is contained within the amino-terminal 35-amino acid portion of LCRF, and this fragment may be useful for investigating the role of LCRF in gastrointestinal function.

Prolonged intestinal afferent nerve discharge in response to cholecystokinin-58 compared to cholecystokinin-8 in rats

Intestinal afferents are sensitive to cholecystokinin (CCK) octapeptide. However, CCK-58 may be a more biologically relevant molecule. Therefore, recordings from jejunal mesenteric afferent bundles were secured for extracellular multi-unit recording and the responses to CCK-8 and CCK-58 compared. CCK-8 and CCK-58 (i.v.) evoked a dose-dependent, devazepide sensitive, increase in afferent nerve discharge. Peak discharge frequency was higher for CCK-8 at all doses (P < 0.05). However, response duration was more prolonged for CCK-58 (P < 0.05) at 200 pmol.kg(-1). This resulted in an overall increase in area under the curve of CCK-58 compared to CCK-8 (P < 0.05). CCK-58 stimulates afferent discharge in a different pattern than CCK-8 and, therefore, may have differential biological effects.

Antisecretory mechanisms of peptide YY in rat distal colon

Peptide YY (PYY) is a potent regulator of intestinal secretion. These studies investigated the role of Y1 and Y2 receptor subtypes in mediating the antisecretory effects of PYY on mucosa-submucosa preparations of rat distal colon. Addition of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to these tissues resulted in a 140 +/- 18% increase in basal short-circuit current (Isc) and the induction of Cl- secretion. VIP-stimulated increases in Isc were abolished by the addition of each of PYY, (Pro34)-PYY, a Y1 receptor-selective agonist, and PYY-(3-36), an endogenous Y2 receptor-selective ligand. However, when tissue neural transmission was blocked with tetrodotoxin, neither PYY nor its receptor subtype-selective analogs were able to inhibit VIP-stimulated increases in Isc. These results suggest that in the rat distal colon, the antisecretory actions of PYY are mediated through a combination of Y1 and Y2 receptor subtypes or through a novel receptor subtype that is unable to discriminate between (Pro34)-PYY and PYY-(3-36).

Oxyntomodulin stimulates intestinal glucose uptake in rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Enteroglucagon peptides have long been proposed as mediators of intestinal adaptation, including mucosal growth and nutrient absorptive capacity. The hypothesis that infusions of oxyntomodulin, a bioactive form of enteroglucagon, would stimulate glucose and amino acid uptake was tested and its effects were compared with those of glucagon.

METHODS

Rats were infused intravenously via minipumps with either saline, rat oxyntomodulin (0.47 nmol x kg(-1) x h[-1]), or glucagon (0.88 nmol x kg(-1) x h[-1]) for 7 days, and plasma hormone levels were measured. At death, intestinal dimensions and brush border uptake of D-glucose and L-proline were measured using an in vitro everted sleeve technique.

RESULTS

Plasma enteroglucagon and glucagon levels were increased 4- and 12-fold, respectively, but there were no effects on food intake, body weight, or intestinal dimensions. In contrast, oxyntomodulin and glucagon significantly stimulated total intestinal glucose uptake capacity by 44% and 53%, respectively, over controls. Oxyntomodulin most potently enhanced glucose uptake in the ileum (215%), whereas glucagon's greatest effect was in the jejunum (63%-85%). However, neither peptide affected proline uptake.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support a new, specific action for oxyntomodulin in intestinal adaptation as a glucose uptake stimulator and confirm glucagon's role as a regulator of glucose uptake.

Neuropeptide Y 3-36 is an endogenous ligand selective for Y2 receptors

Neuropeptide Y (NPY 1-36) binds to Y1 and Y2 receptors with similar affinity. No endogenous molecular form of NPY with selectivity for Y1 or Y2 receptors has been described so far. We report the presence of an endogenous fragment of NPY in porcine brain, NPY 3-36, which lacks the amino-terminal dipeptide Tyr-Pro of NPY 1-36. NPY 3-36 accounts for 35% of NPY-like immunoreactivity in porcine brain. We have compared binding of NPY 3-36 and NPY 1-36 in model systems of Y1-like (SK-N-MC cells) and Y2-like receptors (CHP234 cells). NPY 3-36 and NPY 1-36 had similarly high affinity for Y2-like receptors on CHP234 cells, but NPY 3-36 had a 1000-fold lower affinity than NPY 1-36 for Y1-like receptors on SK-N-MC cells. Thus amino-terminal cleavage of NPY 1-36 generating NPY 3-36 converts an unselective Y1/Y2 receptor ligand into a highly Y2 selective ligand. This may be a means of fine tuning NPY biological actions.

Inhibition of canine exocrine pancreatic secretion by peptide YY is mediated by PYY-preferring Y2 receptors

It is still unclear, which receptor subtype, Y1 and/or Y2, mediates the inhibitory action of PYY on exocrine pancreatic secretion. The present study was undertaken to characterize functionally the Y receptor subtype that mediates the inhibition of exocrine pancreatic secretion by peptide YY (PYY). In eight conscious dogs with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas, we compared the action of intravenous infusion of 200 and 400 pmol/kg/h of the Y receptor agonists PYY 1-36, PYY 3-36, PYY 13-36, Pro34PYY 1-36, and NPY 1-36 on the pancreatic secretory response to secretin (20.5 pmol/kg/h) and cerulein (29.6 pmol/kg/h). PYY 13-36, Pro34PYY 1-36, and NPY 1-36 were also studied by giving a fivefold dose (1,000 and 2,000 pmol/kg/h). PYY 1-36 and the Y2 receptor agonist PYY 3-36 significantly inhibited pancreatic secretory responses to secretin and cerulein, whereas inhibition by NPY 1-36 and the Y2 receptor agonist PYY 13-36 was attainable only at doses of 1,000 and 2,000 pmol/kg/h. The Y1 receptor agonist Pro34PYY 1-36 was without effect on pancreatic secretion. We conclude that in dogs the inhibition of exocrine pancreatic secretion by PYY is mediated via Y2 receptors of a PYY-preferring subtype.

Evidence that CCK-58 has structure that influences its biological activity

Many biologically active peptides exist in multiple molecular forms, but the functional significance of regions outside the region of bioactivity is unknown. The biological and immunological data presented in this study indicate that cholecystokinin-58 (CCK-58), unlike other forms of cholecystokinin, has structure that influences its bioactivity. CCK-58 was purified from acid extracts of canine intestinal mucosa until a single absorbance peak was obtained during reverse-phase chromatography. Amino acid analysis precisely determined the peptide concentrations of purified CCK-58 and synthetic CCK-8. Our hypothesis was that if the amino terminus of CCK-58 influences its bioactivity then its activity would be modified when this region was removed from the peptide. To evaluate the importance of the amino terminus of CCK-58 to influence its biological activity, the abilities of CCK-58 and CCK-8 to release amylase from pancreatic acini were compared before and after tryptic digestion. Tryptic digestion of CCK-58 decreased the half-maximal stimulation (EC50) for amylase release from 96 to 28 pM. The EC50 for digested CCK-58 was similar to that for CCK-8 (17 pM). These results suggest that CCK-58 has a structure that shields its bioactive carboxyl terminus. This is further supported by the finding that carboxyl fragments generated from CCK-58 by trypsin or by partial acid hydrolysis were greater than twofold more immunoreactive than the intact CCK-58. The diminished activity of CCK-58 SK shields the carboxyl terminus, which is important to its biological and immunological activities.

Reversal by NPY, PYY and 3-36 molecular forms of NPY and PYY of intracisternal CRF-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion in rats

1. The Y receptor subtype involved in the antagonism by neuropeptide Y (NPY) of intracisternal corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion was studied in urethane-anaesthetized rats by use of peptides with various selectivity for Y1, Y2 and Y3 subtypes: NPY, a Y1, Y2 and Y3 agonist, peptide YY (PYY), a Y1 and Y2 agonist, [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY, a Y1 and Y3 agonist, NPY(3-36) and PYY(3-36), highly selective Y2 agonists and NPY(13-36) a weak Y2 and Y3 agonist. Peptides were injected intracisternally 10 min before intracisternal injection of CRF (10 micrograms) and gastric acid secretion was measured by the flushed technique for 1 h before and 2 h after pentagastrin-(10 micrograms kg-1 h-1, i.v.) infusion which started 10 min after CRF injection. 2. Intracisternal injection of CRF (10 micrograms) inhibited by 56% gastric acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin. Intracisternal injection of NPY and PYY (0.1-0.5 microgram) did not influence the acid response to pentagastrin but blocked CRF-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. NPY(3-36) (0.5 microgram) and PYY(3-36) (0.25 and 0.5 microgram) also completely blocked the inhibitory action of CRF on pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. 3. [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY (0.5-5 micrograms) and NPY(13-36) (0.5-5 micrograms) injected intracisternally did not modify gastric acid secretion induced by pentagastrin or CRF inhibitory action. 4. The sigma antagonist, BMY 14802 (1 mg kg-1, s.c.) did not influence the acid response to pentagastrin but prevented the antagonism by PYY(3-36) (0.5 microgram) of the CRF antisecretory effect. 5. These results show that both PYY and NPY and the 3-36 forms of PYY and NPY are equipotent in blocking central CRF-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. The structure-activity profile suggests a mediation through Y2 receptor subtype and the involvement of sigma binding sites.

Purification and characterization of a luminal cholecystokinin-releasing factor from rat intestinal secretion

Cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion in rats and humans is inhibited by pancreatic proteases and bile acids in the intestine. It has been hypothesized that the inhibition of CCK release caused by pancreatic proteases is due to proteolytic inactivation of a CCK-releasing peptide present in intestinal secretion. To purify the putative luminal CCK-releasing factor (LCRF), intestinal secretions were collected by perfusing a modified Thiry-Vella fistula of jejunum in conscious rats. From these secretions, the peptide was concentrated by ultrafiltration followed by low-pressure reverse-phase chromatography and purified by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Purity was confirmed by high-performance capillary electrophoresis. Fractions were assayed for CCK-releasing activity by their ability to stimulate pancreatic protein secretion when infused into the proximal small intestine of conscious rats. Partially purified fractions strongly stimulated both pancreatic secretion and CCK release while CCK receptor blockade abolished the pancreatic response. Amino acid analysis and mass spectral analysis showed that the purified peptide is composed of 70-75 amino acid residues and has a mass of 8136 Da. Microsequence analysis of LCRF yielded an amino acid sequence for 41 residues as follows: STFWAYQPDGDNDPTDYQKYEHTSSPSQLLAPGDYPCVIEV. When infused intraduodenally, the purified peptide stimulated pancreatic protein and fluid secretion in a dose-related manner in conscious rats and significantly elevated plasma CCK levels. Immunoaffinity chromatography using antisera raised to synthetic LCRF-(1-6) abolished the CCK releasing activity of intestinal secretions. These studies demonstrate, to our knowledge, the first chemical characterization of a luminally secreted enteric peptide functioning as an intraluminal regulator of intestinal hormone release.

Inhibitory effect of PYY on vagally stimulated acid secretion is mediated predominantly by Y1 receptors

Two molecular forms of peptide YY (PYY), PYY-(1--36) and PYY-(3--36), are abundant in rabbit intestine and blood. We have previously shown that PYY-(1--36) (PYYI) activates equipotently Y1 and Y2 receptors and PYY-(3--36) (PYY II) is a highly selective agonist for Y2 receptors. In the present study, we examined the effect of exogenous infusion of PYY on vagally stimulated gastric acid secretion in awake rabbits with chronic gastric fistula. To determine the specific PYY receptor(s) that mediates this effect, we used a highly selective Y1 agonist, Pro34-PYY, a synthetic PYY, and a Y2-selective agonist, PYY II. Vagal stimulation of acid secretion was elicited by an intravenous bolus injection of insulin (0.125 U/kg) 30 min after beginning a 180-min intravenous infusion of either PYY I, PYY II, or [Pro34]-PYY after a 50 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus of atropine followed immediately by a 500 micrograms/kg sc injection. During infusion of 200 pmol.kg 1.h-1 PYY I, acid output was significantly inhibited to 45 +/- 13% of maximum acid output 60 min after injection of insulin. Similarly, acid output during infusion of 200 pmol.kg-1.h-1 [Pro34]-PYY was significantly inhibited to 52 +/- 12% of maximum. In contrast, acid output during infusion of 200 pmol.kg-1.h-1 of PYY II was not significantly inhibited (101 +/- 18% of maximum). Infusion of double the dose (400 pmol.kg-1.h-1) of PYY II resulted in acid inhibition (51 = 15% of maximum), whereas infusion of the same dose did not significantly enhance acid inhibition by infusion of either PYY I or [Pro34]-PYY (28 +/- 11 and 42 +/- 15% of maximum). These results indicate that PYY, acting predominantly at Y1 receptors, is a potent inhibitor of vagally stimulated acid secretion in adult rabbits.

CCK-58: a novel reagent for studying the regulation of cholecystokinin bioactivity

CCK-58 has been shown to be the major circulating form of the hormone in the dog and human. To date, there have been no reports on its biological activity in vivo. We report here that CCK-8 and CCK-58 were equipotent in decreasing gastric motor function after bolus doses and in stimulating protein secretion after continuous infusion in urethane-anesthetized rats. The present results are the first on the in vivo activity of CCK-58, and indicate that because CCK-58 is equipotent to CCK-8, and because it is a major released and circulating form, it may be considered as a major contributor to the expression of cholecystokinin bioactivity.

Iron acquisition by Mycobacterium tuberculosis: isolation and characterization of a family of iron-binding exochelins

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the primary agent of tuberculosis, must acquire iron from the host to cause infection. To do so, it releases high-affinity iron-binding siderophores called exochelins. Exochelins are thought to transfer iron to another type of high-affinity iron-binding molecule in the bacterial cell wall, mycobactins, for subsequent utilization by the bacterium. In this paper, we describe the purification of exochelins of M. tuberculosis and their characterization by mass spectrometry. Exochelins comprise a family of molecules whose most abundant species range in mass from 744 to 800 Da in the neutral Fe(3+)-loaded state. The molecules form two 14-Da-increment series, one saturated and the other unsaturated, with the increments reflecting different numbers of CH2 groups on a side chain. These series further subdivide into serine- or threonine-containing species. The virulent M. tuberculosis Erdman strain and the avirulent M. tuberculosis H37Ra strain produce a similar set of exochelins. Based on a comparison of their tandem mass spectra, exochelins share a common core structure with mycobactins. However, exochelins are smaller than mycobactins due to a shorter alkyl side chain, and the side chain of exochelins terminates in a methyl ester. These differences render exochelins more polar than the lipophilic mycobactins and hence soluble in the aqueous extracellular milieu of the bacterium in which they bind iron in the host.