Specific residues at the top of transmembrane segment V and VI of the neurokinin-1 receptor involved in binding of the nonpeptide antagonist CP 96,345 [corrected]

Previously we have found that binding of the nonpeptide substance P antagonist, CP 96,345, to the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor was critically dependent on two short segments adjacent to the top of transmembrane segments (TM) V and VI, called segments A (residues 183-195) and D (residues 271-276), respectively. In the present study we have systematically performed substitutions of nonconserved residues within these two segments with residues from the homologous NK-3 and/or NK-2 receptor. In segment A, deletion of residues Glu193 and Lys194, which are not present in the NK-3 receptor, or substituting them with leucines as in the NK-2 receptor, decreased the affinity of CP 96,345 10- and 22-fold, respectively. Surprisingly, switching the position of Glu193 and Lys194 did not affect the affinity of CP 96,345, suggesting that, rather than interacting directly with CP 96,345, an interaction of these residues with one another is important for CP 96,345 binding. In segment D substitution of Tyr272 with threonine as in the NK-2 receptor and with alanine as in the NK-3 receptor decreased the affinity of CP 96,345 7- and 24-fold, respectively. Mutation of the preceding Pro271 to glycine alone did not affect CP 96,345 binding, but, combined with the mutation of Tyr272 to threonine, the affinity decreased 28-fold. A series of CP 96,345 analogues with modifications of the major chemical moieties exhibited equally reduced affinity as that of CP 96,345 for the Tyr272- and Lys193-Glu194-substituted constructs, except CP 95,555, which lacks one of the phenyl rings in the benzhydryl group and which was almost unaffected by these mutations. In conclusion, our data indicate a direct interaction between CP 96,345 and Tyr272, which are located at the top of TM VI likely in close spatial proximity to the previously identified interaction point, His197, at the top of the adjacent TM V. Furthermore, the data demonstrated a critical involvement in CP 96,345 binding of Lys193 and Glu194 located one alpha-helical turn above His197.

Locating ligand-binding sites in 7TM receptors by protein engineering

Over the past year, mutational analysis of peptide receptors has started to change our understanding of the interaction between G protein coupled receptors and their ligands, an area previously almost totally dominated by results from studies of monoamine receptors. A picture is currently emerging, in which small ligands appear to bind in three (more or less) overlapping ligand-binding pockets in between the transmembrane segments. In contrast, contact residues for peptide and protein ligands have mainly been found in exterior regions of peptide and protein receptors. It is also becoming increasingly clear that agonists and antagonists may interact in vastly different manners, even though they are competitive ligands for a common receptor.

Differentiation between binding sites for angiotensin II and nonpeptide antagonists on the angiotensin II type 1 receptors

To characterize binding sites for nonpeptide angiotensin antagonists on the human angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1 receptor) we have systematically exchanged segments of the human receptor with corresponding segments from a homologous Xenopus laevis receptor, which does not bind the nonpeptide compounds. Substitution of transmembrane segment VII of the human AT1 receptor dramatically reduced the binding affinity of all of the 11 nonpeptide antagonists tested (55- to > 2000-fold) with no effect on the binding of angiotensin. The affinity for the nonpeptide compounds decreased additionally one order of magnitude when transmembrane segment VI and the connecting extracellular loop 3 from the Xenopus receptor were also introduced into the human AT1 receptor. Exchanges of smaller segments and single residues in transmembrane segments VI and VII and extracellular loop 3 revealed that the binding of nonpeptide antagonists was dependent on nonconserved residues located deep within the transmembrane segments VI and VII, in particular Asn295 in transmembrane segment VII. Surprisingly, all exchanges in transmembrane segment VII, including the Asn295 to Ser substitution, had a more pronounced effect on the binding of the competitive antagonists relative to the insurmountable antagonists. It is concluded that the binding mode for peptide and nonpeptide ligands on the AT1 receptor is rather different and that competitive and insurmountable antagonists presumably bind to overlapping but distinct sites located in transmembrane segments VI and VII.

Evidence for a common molecular mode of action for chemically distinct nonpeptide antagonists at the neurokinin-1 (substance P) receptor

The molecular mechanism of action of three chemically distinct nonpeptide antagonists, SR 140,333, FK 888, and RP 67,580, was compared with that of the previously characterized compound CP 96,345, using a series of chimeric constructs between their common target, the rat neurokinin (NK)-1 (substance P) receptor, and the homologous nonresponsive NK-3 (NKB) receptor. The ability of all four nonpeptide compounds to displace radiolabeled substance P from the NK-1 receptor and their ability to inhibit the peptide-induced increase in inositol phosphate turnover were critically dependent on structural elements located in an area from the middle of the second extracellular loop through transmembrane segments V and VI to the middle of the third extracellular loop of the NK-1 receptor. Dissection of the domain around the outer part of transmembrane segments V and VI into smaller segments demonstrated that the individual nonpeptide antagonists, in agreement with their distinct chemical structures, were dependent on different subepitopes within the common putative binding domain. Full NK-1-like susceptibility to SR 140,333, FK 888, and CP 96,345 could be transferred to the NK-3 receptor by exchange of transmembrane segments V and VI and adjacent parts with corresponding segments from the NK-1 receptor. For SR 140,333 and CP 96,345, almost the same effect could be achieved by transfer of two discontinuous segments around the top of transmembrane segments V and VI. RP 67,580 shared interaction sites with the other compounds around the top of transmembrane segment VI but appeared also to be dependent on transmembrane segment VII. It is concluded that four nonpeptide antagonists, despite overt chemical differences, appear to block NK-1 receptor function by interacting in distinct ways with a common site located spatially around the outer part of transmembrane segment VI.

Neuronal activity in human lateral temporal cortex during serial retrieval from short-term memory

Neuronal activity was recorded extracellularly from 20 populations in the lateral cortex of the left anterior temporal lobe of 11 patients undergoing awake craniotomy for epilepsy, during an input-distraction-retrieval measure of recent verbal memory that also included two later successive retrievals of the same information after additional distracting tasks. Changes in activity were determined for each 1 sec epoch in three major comparisons: (1) the same visual cues used for naming an input to recent memory, naming without a memory component, and a spatial matching task; (2) memory input (MI), distraction (S), and initial cued retrieval (R1) from memory, where object naming was the input to memory and naming of other objects the distractors; (3) initial retrieval (R1) and the two subsequent serial retrievals of the same information (R2, R3). Control comparisons were also made with serial naming and viewing of blank slides, and repeated naming of the same objects. In comparison 1, 13 of the 20 populations showed consistently increased activity during memory input ("memory units"); two others showed changes during language measures. In comparison 2, a significant proportion of all 20 populations, and the 13 memory units considered alone showed increased activity in initial epochs of MI and R1, confirming earlier findings of increased lateral temporal neuronal activity at memory entry and initial retrieval. In comparison 3, a significant proportion of the memory units showed increased activity in early epochs of R1 and decreased activity in late epochs of R3. This decrease in populations with increased activity at R1 was also evident when R1 was compared to R2 or R2 to R3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The species selectivity of chemically distinct tachykinin nonpeptide antagonists is dependent on common divergent residues of the rat and human neurokinin-1 receptors

During evolution mutations have occurred in peptide receptors that are neutral with respect to binding of the natural peptide ligand but frequently affect the binding of nonpeptide antagonists. By systematically introducing the nonconserved residues from the human neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor into the corresponding rat receptor we have attempted to localize the structural elements that are responsible for 15-76-fold higher affinity of three tachykinin nonpeptide antagonists for the human receptor, compared with the corresponding rat receptor. Surprisingly, exchange of the four divergent residues located around the previously located apparent binding site for CP 96,345 and FK 888 at the top of transmembrane segment (TM) V and VI, either alone or as a group, did not affect the binding of these nonpeptide compounds. However, substitution of Ser290 in TM VII of the rat receptor with isoleucine present in the human receptor increased the affinity for FK 888 20-fold and that for CP 96345 6-fold, corresponding to an affinity that was only about 4-fold less than the affinity for the human NK-1 receptor. Full human-like affinity for FK 888 and CP 96,345 could be conveyed to the rat receptor by the combined substitution of Ser290 in TM VII to isoleucine and Leu116 in TM III to valine. The NK-2 receptor-selective compound SR 48,968 was found to bind with low affinity to the human NK-1 receptor but with 15-fold even lower affinity to the rat receptor. Substitution of residue 290, which is situated within the previously located binding site for this compound, could completely account for this difference. These data demonstrate that the species selectivities of the nonpeptide antagonists CP 96345, FK 888, and SR 48,968, independently of clear differences in their chemical structures and modes of discovery, have a similar structural basis, being dependent on two divergent residues that apparently are not involved in peptide agonist binding.

Conserved HisVI-17 of the NK-1 receptor is involved in binding of non-peptide antagonists but not substance P

Residue number 17 in transmembrane segment VI has been shown to be crucial for the binding of agonists in G-protein-coupled receptors for the monoamines. In many peptide receptors a histidyl residue has been conserved at this position. We find that replacement of HisVI-17 in the NK-1 receptor with either glutamine, phenylalanine, or alanine has no apparent effect on the binding of the natural peptide ligand substance P or on the agonist induced increase in inositolphosphate turnover. However, the binding of certain non-peptide antagonists was impaired; for example, replacement of HisVI-17 with alanine decreased the affinity for FK888 and RP67,580 5- to 12-fold, respectively. A glutamine side chain was a good substitute for the imidazole in the binding of all non-peptide antagonists. It is concluded that the conserved HisVI-17 in the NK-1 receptor is involved in the binding of certain non-peptide antagonists, but is not important for the action of the natural peptide agonist, substance P.

Implications of replacing peptide bonds in the COOH-terminal B chain domain of insulin by the psi (CH2-NH) linker

To evaluate more thoroughly the importance of main-chain structure and flexibility in ligand interactions with the insulin receptor, we undertook to synthesize analogues with reduced peptide bonds in the COOH-terminal B chain domain of the hormone (a stable, but adjustable beta-strand region). By use of solid-phase, solution-phase and semisynthetic methods, analogues were prepared in which ArgB22 of des-octapeptide(B23-B30)-insulin was extended by the sequences Gly-Phe-psi (CH2-NH)-Phe-NH2, Gly-Gly-psi(CH2-NH)-Phe-Phe-NH2, Gly-Phe-psi (CH2-NH)-Phe-Phe-Thr-Pro-Ala-Thr-OH, and Gly-Phe-Phe-psi (CH2-NH)-Phe-Thr-Pro-Ala-Thr-OH, and were studied with respect to their abilities both to interact with the hepatocyte insulin receptor and to form soluble anion-stabilized hexamers in the presence of Co2+ and phenol. Additional analogues of des-pentapeptide(B26-B30)-insulin were also examined. Overall, our results show that, whereas all analogues retain considerable ability to form organized metal ion-coordinated complexes in solution, the reduction of peptide bonds both proximal and distal to the critical side chain of PheB25 results in analogues with severely diminished receptor binding potency. We conclude that the peptide carbonyls from both PheB24 and PheB25 are important for insulin-receptor interactions and that the structural organization of the region when insulin is bound to its receptor differs from that occurring during simple monomer-monomer and higher-order interactions of the hormone.

Regional distribution of putative NPY Y1 receptors and neurons expressing Y1 mRNA in forebrain areas of the rat central nervous system

Using monoiodinated radioligands of peptide YY (PYY), and the recently introduced neuropeptide Y (NPY) analogue [Leu31, Pro34]NPY, receptor binding sites of the Y1 and Y2 type were localized in the rat brain by quantitative in vitro autoradiography. The binding specificity and affinity of both radiolabelled ligands were analysed by ligand binding studies employing rat brain membrane homogenates from cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, the regional distribution and cellular localization of mRNA encoding the Y1 receptor were investigated in rat brain sections and compared to the distribution of Y1-specific binding sites. PYY binds to both Y1 and Y2 receptors, while long C-terminal fragments such as NPY13-36 and NPY-16-36 bind preferentially to Y2 receptors. [Leu31,Pro34]NPY is a specific agonist for Y1 receptors. Highest densities of [125I]PYY binding sites were found in the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, the lateral septum, the hippocampus and the mesencephalic dopaminergic areas. In order to block putative Y2 receptors, a series of [125I]PYY binding experiments was performed in the presence of NPY13-36 (1 microM), a Y2 preferring C-terminal fragment. High densities of binding sites remained present in the cerebral cortex, the thalamus and the medial mammillary nucleus when NPY13-36 was present in the incubation medium. Furthermore, these areas were highly enriched with [125I][Leu31,Pro34]NPY binding sites. In contrast, the hippocampal complex had its binding capacity reduced by approximately 50%, while the lateral septum and mesencephalic dopaminergic areas had their binding capacities reduced even further. Linear regression analysis showed a high degree of correspondence between [125I][Leu31,Pro34]NPY binding and that obtained with [125I]PYY in the presence of 1 microM NPY13-36, suggesting that the two independent approaches to visualizing Y1 binding sites are comparable. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed high levels of Y1 mRNA in the granular cell layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, several thalamic nuclei and the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Moderate levels of Y1 mRNA were seen in the frontoparietal cortex, several thalamic nuclei, the hippocampal pyramidal layers, the subiculum, the olfactory tubercle, the claustrum and a number of hypothalamic nuclei. The mesencephalon, the amygdala and most basal ganglia showed very low levels of hybridization. The present study further clarifies the anatomical distribution of multiple NPY binding sites within the central nervous system of the rat, and extends earlier suggestions that Y1 and Y2 receptor types are present within the central nervous system.

[Non-peptide antagonists to angiotensin II receptors. A review]

The renin-angiotensin system is the most important hormone system in the control of blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis. Pharmacological blockade of the system by means of beta-blockers or ACE-inhibitors is a major tool in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Inhibition of the binding of angiotensin to its receptor is, however, theoretically a more direct and selective blocking method. Recently, a series of potent non-peptide antagonists have been developed, which are active when given orally and appear to be promising drug candidates. The clinical and theoretical implications of this discovery are reviewed based upon the present knowledge of the renin-angiotensin system and the available methods for therapeutic intervention in the system.

Two nonpeptide tachykinin antagonists act through epitopes on corresponding segments of the NK1 and NK2 receptors

The molecular mechanism of action for two chemically distinct and highly selective, nonpeptide antagonists, CP-96,345 and SR-48,968, was studied by development of a series of chimeric constructs between their respective target receptors, the NK1 (substance P) and NK2 (neurokinin A) receptors. The binding affinities of the natural peptide ligands, substance P and neurokinin A, were not affected by exchanging almost the entire C-terminal half of the NK1 receptor with the corresponding segment of the NK2 receptor. In contrast, it was found that transfer from the NK2 to the NK1 receptor of a segment corresponding to transmembrane segment VI, the amino-terminal half of transmembrane segment VII, and the connecting extracellular loop 3 completely switched the susceptibility for the nonpeptide antagonists. This chimeric exchange, corresponding to 17 nonconserved residues, conveyed full susceptibility for the NK2-specific compound SR-48,968 to the previously unresponsive NK1 receptor--i.e., the Ki value for inhibition of binding of 125I-labeled substance P decreased from > 10,000 to 0.97 nM. At the same time the affinity for the NK1-selective compound CP-96,345 decreased > 30-fold. The actual binding site for SR-48,968 was localized to this region of the NK2 receptor by use of [3H]SR-48,968, which did not bind to the NK1 receptor but bound with similar high affinities to the wild-type NK2 receptor and to the chimeric NK1 receptor with the NK2 receptor segment incorporated around transmembrane segments VI and VII, Kd = 1.5 nM and 1.0 nM, respectively. Our data indicate that two chemically very different nonpeptide antagonists, CP-96,345 and SR-48,968, act through epitopes located around transmembrane segment VI on their respective target receptors and that at least the nonconserved residues in these epitopes are not important for the binding of the natural peptide ligands, substance P and neurokinin A.

Processing of two homologous precursors, pro-neuropeptide Y and pro-pancreatic polypeptide, in transfected cell lines expressing different precursor convertases

The processing of two homologous precursors, pro-neuropeptide Y (pro-NPY) and pro-pancreatic poly-peptide (pro-PP), was studied in four neuroendocrine cell lines after transfection: CA-77 medullary thyroid carcinoma cells, AtT-20 corticotrope pituitary cells, RIN2A-19 pancreatic endocrine cells, and NB1 neuroblastoma cells. Northern blot analysis indicated that the AtT-20 cells only expressed precursor convertase 3; in contrast, NB1 cells only expressed precursor convertase 2, whereas the RIN2A-19 and CA-77 cells expressed both enzymes. Despite these differences in expression pattern of precursor convertases the four cell lines were, surprisingly, indistinguishable in respect to their processing of pro-PP and pro-NPY. In all four cell lines, pro-NPY was almost completely converted to NPY, and, in all four cell lines, only around 50% of the PP precursor was converted to PP. The relatively poor processing efficiency of pro-PP was rather similar to the processing efficiency of the endogenously produced precursors in the respective cell lines, pro-calcitonin (CA-77), proopiomelanocortin (AtT-20), proinsulin (RIN2A-19), and pro-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (NB1). At least in the CA-77 cells, NPY and PP were apparently sorted to the regulated secretory pathway, as upon stimulation with secretagogue the release of the transfected peptides increased in parallel with the endogenously expressed peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide. Mutagenesis studies showed that on the N-terminal side of the di-basic processing site, the otherwise important difference in structure between PP and NPY, a proline for glutamine in position 34, was not responsible for the difference in processing efficiency. On the C-terminal side of the processing site, the efficient processing of pro-NPY could not be transferred to pro-PP by exchanging the whole C-terminal domains of the precursors. It is concluded that pro-NPY is processed more efficiently than pro-PP in all neuroendocrine cell lines tested independent on their expression of the two main precursor convertases and that mutagenesis data indicate that the structural element responsible for the efficient processing of pro-NPY is not located on the N-terminal side of the dibasic processing site.

Chimeric NK1 (substance P)/NK3 (neurokinin B) receptors. Identification of domains determining the binding specificity of tachykinin agonists

The NK1 (substance P) and NK3 (neurokinin B) receptors are G protein-coupled receptors sharing approximately 70% identity within the membrane-spanning domains. However, they each have a distinct pharmacological profile in respect of peptide binding. To identify epitopes that determine their selectivity for natural and synthetic tachykinin peptides, we constructed a series of chimeric NK1/NK3 receptors in which carboxyl-terminal segments of increasing length in the NK1 receptor were exchanged with the corresponding segments from the NK3 receptor. The general, structural integrity of the chimeric constructs was confirmed by the amphibian tachykinin peptide, eledoisin, which was recognized equally well by both of the wild-type receptors and bound with a similar or even higher affinity to all the chimeric receptors. Competition binding studies showed that the affinity of the two natural ligands, substance P and neurokinin B, changed gradually through the series of chimeric receptors indicating that several binding epitopes throughout the receptor structure are involved in the selective recognition of these peptides. However, whereas the single, largest change in binding affinity for substance P occurred when segments in the amino-terminal end of the receptor were exchanged, this occurred for neurokinin B in the carboxyl-terminal end of the receptor. The affinity of the NK1-selective ligand, [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP, changed even more gradually through the series of chimeric receptors than that of substance P. In contrast, the NK3-selective hexapeptide, senktide, was recognized only when transmembrane segment III and IV from the NK3 receptor were incorporated into the chimeric constructs. These data suggest that several receptor domains contribute to the binding specificity of tachykinin agonists but in varying degrees for each peptide. It is concluded that the tachykinin peptides, in partially different ways, interact with multiple epitopes scattered throughout the receptor structure, but conceivably these epitopes are closely located in space around a hypothetical receptor center.

Conservation of a helix-stabilizing dipole moment in the PP-fold family of regulatory peptides

Investigation of the charge distribution for all known members of the PP-fold family of peptides reveals a common pattern characterized by a cluster of negative charges in the beta-turn region and a cluster of positive charges in the receptor-binding region of the peptide. Detailed analysis of the electrostatic properties of five representative members of the PP-fold family of peptides (human neuropeptide Y, human peptide YY, human pancreatic polypeptide, avian PP, and lamprey peptide methionine tyrosine) shows that this characteristic charge clustering gives rise to a common dipole moment of 325-450 D directed from the beta-turn region toward the receptor-binding region. This overall dipole moment is antiparallel to the dipole moment of the alpha-helix caused by alignment of the peptide dipoles parallel to the helix. Calculations of the stabilization energy for this antiparallel dipole moment arrangement were performed in two ways: (1) by the use of a Poisson-Boltzmann approach which allows for an estimate of the screening effect, and (2) by the use of a uniform dielectric model (Coulomb's law). It is found that the alpha-helix is stabilized by approximately 5-10 kcal/mol due to electrostatic forces alone when the screening effect is considered. This energy is of the same order of magnitude as the enthalpy change for the unfolding of avian PP (approximately 30 kcal/mol), strongly indicating that the charge-dipole interactions are of significant importance for the stability of the three-dimensional structure of the PP-fold peptides.

Different binding epitopes on the NK1 receptor for substance P and non-peptide antagonist

Non-peptide ligands for peptide receptors have been discovered in several systems through file screening programs, but the mechanism of action for these candidate drugs is obscure as they do not chemically resemble the native peptides. The compound CP 96345 is a high-affinity, non-peptide antagonist of the substance P (NK1) receptor, which is important in pain perception and neurogenic inflammation. Here we identify epitopes on the NK1 receptor responsible for the specific binding of CP 96345 by systematic exchange of corresponding segments between the NK1 receptor and the homologous NK3 (neurokinin B) receptor, which does not bind the non-peptide ligand. Non-conserved residues, in two epitopes around the top of transmembrane segment V and in one epitope at the top of transmembrane segment VI, are essential for the specific action of CP 96345 on the NK1 receptor, but are surprisingly not important for the binding of the natural peptide ligand, substance P. Susceptibility to the non-peptide antagonists can be conveyed to the previously unresponsive NK3 receptor by mutational transfer of this discontinuous epitope from the NK1 receptor.

Impaired pancreatic polypeptide response to a meal in type 1 diabetic patients: vagal neuropathy or islet cell dysfunction?

The pancreatic polypeptide (PP) response to a mixed meal was investigated in seven insulin-dependent diabetics without measurable signs of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, and in seven healthy subjects. Since acute changes in metabolic regulation might influence the meal-induced PP response, the insulin-dependent diabetic patients were studied during normo- and hyperglycemic experimental conditions at blood glucose levels of 5 and 15 mmol/l, respectively. The PP response was identical on the two occasions, the response being significantly smaller than in the healthy subjects. Thus, PP response is independent of short-term changes in metabolic control. Since the response was attenuated in the insulin-dependent diabetic patients, who had no otherwise measurable signs of neuropathy, the PP response to a meal could be a sensitive indicator of dysfunction of the reflex arc controlling PP secretion in insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Alternatively, the reduction in PP secretion in these patients reflects dysfunction of the PP secreting cells of the pancreas. Iv injection of cholecystokinin-8 elicited a small but significant increase in PP concentrations, while iv secretin did not increase PP concentrations at all in healthy subjects. These stimuli are therefore less suitable in the assessment of vagal neuropathy.

Efficient amidation of C-peptide deleted NPY precursors by non-endocrine cells is affected by the presence of Lys-Arg at the C-terminus

Post-translational processing of peptide precursors producing amidated, biologically active peptides generally occurs in specially differentiated endocrine or neural cells. However, we have previously shown that a C-peptide-deleted precursor of neuropeptide Y (NPY1-39) in which the precursor terminates in the sequence Gly-Lys-Arg was partially amidated by the non-endocrine cell line, CHO. In the present study we show that two other non-endocrine cell lines, NIH 3T3 and BHK, also possess amidating activities and that the NPY1-39 precursor was completely converted to NPY1-36 amide by the NIH 3T3 cell line. The role of the two basic residues (Lys-Arg) in the C-terminus was studied by transfection of a construct encoding a NPY precursor terminating with glycine alone. Both the CHO and NIH 3T3 cell lines, transfected with this construct, secreted a significantly smaller fraction of NPY reactive material as amidated NPY compared to the fraction of amidated NPY secreted by the cells transfected with the NPY1-39 precursor. It is concluded that the capacity to perform C-terminal amidation appears to be a universal feature of eukaryotic cells and that the carboxypeptidase E-like enzyme influences the amidation process, beyond its known ability to remove the C-terminal basic residues.

Immunohistochemical and chromatographic identification of peptides derived from proneuropeptide Y in the human frontal cortex

Proneuropeptide Y (proNPY) is posttranslationally processed to NPY(1-36)amide and the C-terminal flanking peptide of NPY (CPON). Antisera directed against the N-terminal part of NPY, CPON, or CysNPY(32-36)amide were used to identify peptide fragments processed from proNPY in biopsies of human frontal cortical specimens obtained from patients who underwent surgical treatment of profound cerebral tumors. Gel filtration and radioimmunoassays of human cortical extracts revealed that the NPY immunoreactivity was found only as NPY(1-36)amide, indicating that all NPY is present in an amidated form. In contrast, no intact proNPY was identified. NPY/CPON-immunoreactive neurons were observed to be nonspiny with long axonal processes mostly orientated longitudinally in the direction of the superficial layers. Bundles of immunoreactive fibers in the underlying white matter were orientated toward superficial layers of the neocortex, indicating a subcortical origin of some NPY/CPON nerve fibers. Axonal terminals were distributed throughout the neocortex, with highest numbers observed in layer I. Some fibers penetrated from the superficial layer I into the overlying pial surface. Many fibers were also observed in proximity to intracortical blood vessels, and some of these fibers originated from the cortical neurons, indicating that NPY could play a role as an intracortical autoregulator of the tonus of cerebral arterioles. Together these results indicate that NPY(1-36)amide and CPON are present in intracortical neurons as two independent molecules and that NPY may be involved in synaptic processes and regulation of blood flow in the human brain.

Sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments and solution structure of bovine pancreatic polypeptide

Sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments for the 36 residue bovine pancreatic polypeptide (bPP) have been completed. The secondary and tertiary structure of bPP in solution has been determined from experimental NMR data. It is shown that bPP has a very well-defined C-terminal alpha-helix involving residues 15-32. Although regular secondary structure cannot be clearly defined in the N-terminal region, residues 4-8 maintain a rather ordered conformation in solution. This is attributed primarily to the hydrophobic interactions between this region and the C-terminal helix. The two segments of the structure are joined by a turn which is poorly defined. The four end residues both at the N-terminus and the C-terminus are highly disordered in solution. The overall fold of the bPP molecule is very closely similar to that found in the crystal structure of avian pancreatic polypeptide (aPP). The RMS deviation for backbone atoms of residues 4-8 and 15-32 between the bPP mean structure and the aPP crystal structure is 0.65 A, although there is only 39% identity of the residues. Furthermore, the average conformations of some (mostly from the alpha-helix) side chains of bPP in solution are closely similar to those of aPP in the crystal structure. A large number of side chains of bPP, however, show significant conformational averaging in solution.

Stable expression of high affinity NK1 (substance P) and NK2 (neurokinin A) receptors but low affinity NK3 (neurokinin B) receptors in transfected CHO cells

Stable CHO cell clones which selectively express all three rat tachykinin receptors were established by transfection. The binding of radiolabled substance P and neurokinin A (substance K) to CHO clones expressing the NK1 and NK2 receptors, respectively, were saturatable and of high affinity (Kd = 0.17 nM (NK1); 3.4 nM (NK2)). Scatchard analysis of the binding data indicated for both receptors binding to a single population of binding sites, and competition binding studies showed that the binding specificities of the receptors corresponded to those of classical NK1 and NK2 receptors. In contrast, the binding of eledoisin to the NK3 receptor expressed in the transfected CHO cells was of low affinity (IC50 = 240 nM) compared to the high affinity of the receptor found when it was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells (IC50 = 8 nM). However, in both cases the receptor exhibited the specificity of a classical NK3 receptor. The established cell clones may provide an important tool for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms involved in binding, activation, and coupling of receptors for tachykinin peptides.

Processing of pro-CGRP in a rat medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line transfected with protease inhibitors

A rat medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line, CA77, was used to study the effect of a series of biosynthesized protease inhibitors on the proteolytic cleavage of the endogenously synthesized pro-CGRP. This cell line efficiently converted the pro-CGRP to mature CGRP as assessed by chromatography of cell extracts followed by radioimmunoassay for CGRP. CA77 cells were transfected with expression vectors encoding protease inhibitors: the Arg-serpins, alpha 1-antitrypsin Pittsburgh (358 Met----Arg) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, the Kazal type serine protease inhibitor, pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor, and the general thiol protease inhibitor, cystatin C. Only the chromatography of cell extracts from CA77 cells transfected with a plasmid encoding cystatin C showed an apparent higher content of unprocessed pro-CGRP as compared to non-transfected cells. No effect on pro-CGRP processing could be measured in the CA77 cells transfected with plasmids encoding the three serine protease inhibitors. CA77 cells were also transfected with two constructs encoding chimeric proteins consisting of cystatin C and the precursor for neuropeptide Y. Release experiments using 8-bromo cAMP as the secretagogue showed that the chimer was co-released with CGRP. However, no effect of this chimer upon pro-CGRP processing could be detected. It is concluded that the processing of pro-CGRP in the CA77 cell line was very efficient and that four different protease inhibitors and two cystatin C/NPY chimers synthesized by this neuroendocrine cell line had only minimal effect upon the processing of CGRP.

Comparison of peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidation activity in medullary thyroid carcinoma cells, pheochromocytomas, and serum

With an assay based on the radioimmunological detection of the formation of the C-terminal amide function on a neuropeptide Y-like substrate, amidation enzyme activity with apparent Mr of 56,000 and 38,000 was found in pheochromocytoma extracts. The larger molecular form of amidating enzyme was also expressed and secreted from medullary thyroid carcinoma cells in a dexamethasone-suppressible way. Serum contained high levels of amidating enzyme activity with no difference between normal subjects and patients with pheochromocytomas. However, the majority of the amidating activity in serum was of much larger size, Mr between 80 and 105,000, compared to that released from the endocrine cells. No major difference was found between the molecular forms of amidation enzyme from tissues and from serum either in respect of enzyme kinetics or in respect of requirements for the cofactors copper and ascorbate. The major serum forms of enzyme were relatively independent of exogenous copper; however, they could still be quenched by cobber chelating agents. It is concluded that the molecular weight forms of the amidating enzyme circulating in serum are much larger than the soluble enzyme stored and secreted from most endocrine tissues.

Primary structure and conformational analysis of peptide methionine-tyrosine, a peptide related to neuropeptide Y and peptide YY isolated from lamprey intestine

A peptide belonging to the pancreatic-polypeptide-fold family of regulatory peptides has been isolated from the intestine of an Agnathan, the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). The primary structure of the peptide (termed peptide methionine-tyrosine) was established as Met-Pro-Pro-Lys-Pro-Asp-Asn- Pro-Ser-Pro10-Asp-Ala-Ser-Pro-Glu-Leu-Ser-Lys-Tyr20-Met-Leu- Ala-Val-Arg-Asn- Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu30-Ile-Thr-Arg-Gln-Arg-Tyr CONH2. This sequence shows stronger structural similarity with pig neuropeptide Y (64%), particularly in the COOH-terminal region, than with pig peptide tyrosine--tyrosine (61%) or with pig pancreatic polypeptide (42%). Molecular modelling and dynamic simulation, based upon sequence similarity with turkey pancreatic polypeptide, indicates that the conformations of the polyproline-helix-like region (residues 1-8) and the alpha-helical region (residues 15-30) in turkey pancreatic polypeptide are conserved in peptide methionine-tyrosine, and that non-bonded interactions between these domains have preserved the overall polypeptide fold in the molecule. The substitution of the otherwise totally conserved Gly9 residue by serine in lamprey peptide methionine-tyrosine, however, results in a preferred structure in which the conformation of the beta-turn between the two helical domains (residues 9-14) is appreciably different.

CHO cells synthesize amidated neuropeptide Y from a C-peptide deleted form of the precursor

Post-translational processing of peptide precursors producing amidated, biologically active peptides is generally believed to occur only in specially differentiated endocrine or neural cells. Previously it has been shown that endoproteolytic processing of peptide precursors is very inefficient in non-endocrine cells like CHO cells. We have studied the processing of a C-peptide-deleted precursor of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in which the precursor terminates in the sequence Gly-Lys-Arg and does not require any dibasic specific endoproteolytic processing. Following transfection of CHO cells with an expression plasmid encoding this mutated NPY precursor, between 50 and 80 percent of the synthesized NPY was secreted from stable transfectants as authentic amidated NPY as assessed by both a C-terminal amide specific radioimmunoassay and by isoelectric focusing. It is concluded that amidated peptides can be produced in non-endocrine cells provided they are presented with a precursor which does not have to be endoproteolytically processed.