[Characterization of urokinase type plasminogen activator modified by phenylglyoxal]

A chemical modification of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) with phenylglyoxal under mild conditions resulted in the scu-PA derivatives with various numbers of the modified Arg residues. The study of properties of the resulting derivatives demonstrated that the modification of 4-12 Arg residues did not cause any loss of the activator, fibrinolytic, and potential amidase activities of the activator. The scu-PA with four modified Arg residues was found to be the most stable derivative in human blood plasma; it causes a more efficient lysis of plasma clots than the native activator. Three of four modified Arg residues are supposed to be within the 178RRHRGGS184 cluster, which was localized in the superficial loop of the scu-PA globule and was shown to interact with the complementary series of negatively charged residues in the molecule of the main plasma inhibitor PAI-1. The neutralization of positively charged Arg residues in this cluster decreases the affinity of scu-PA and the double chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator for PAI-1, which results in an enhancement of the stability in plasma and the fibrinolytic efficiency of the activator. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2002, vol. 28, no. 4; see also http://www.maik.ru.

[Replication protein RepN encoded by the RC plasmid of thermophilic bacterium Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum: mutational analysis and deletion mapping of domains responsible for its lethal effect]

Amino acid sequence analysis of the product encoded by repN of Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum (Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum) pNB2, which is capable of rolling-circle (RC) replication, revealed all known motifs conserved among replication (Rep) proteins that initiate RC replication of plasmids related to pC194/pUB110. Using the T7 expression system in Escherichia coli, RepN was identified as a 35K protein. Its lethal effect on bacterial cells was unusually high for a protein of the kind. Mutation analysis of the potential active centers (Y85F and Y211F) showed that the lethal effect of RepN is not associated with its putative topoisomerase (relaxase) activity. On evidence of deletion mapping, the lethal effect was attributed to the N- and C-terminal domains, each accounting for about 30% of the total protein. The RepN fragments essential for the lethal effect were found to share a motif, which showed no appreciable homology to known conserved motifs. The high lethal effect of RepN was assumed to result from duplication of the motif and to play an adaptive role, providing for the stable maintenance of the AT-rich plasmid in thermophilic bacterial cells.

Probability description of ligand-receptor interactions. Evaluation of reliability of events with small and supersmall doses. I. Kinetics of ligand-receptor interactions

We have developed mathematical methods for describing ligand-receptor interactions (LRI) using Markov chains. Under some conditions, the mean value of ligand-receptor complexes obtained using Markov chains coincides with that obtained from the law of mass action. Using the calculated ratio of standard deviation to mean number of ligand-receptor complexes, we show that with small concentrations of ligand-receptor complexes LRI must be described using probability methods. Using data from the literature, we show that LRI description using the mass-action law under these conditions can cause significant errors in interpretation of experimental data.

[Inactivation and stabilization of urokinase fibrinolytic activity in vitro]

When incubated at 30 degrees C and pH 7.4, urokinase lost fibrinolytic activity (i.e., the plasminogen-activating activity measured by the time of fibrin clot lysis) but completely retained amidase activity. The enzyme inactivation rate depended on the urokinase concentration and, at concentrations of more than 1.5 microM, was described by a second order equation, which indicated that the enzyme underwent autolytic degradation (kaut = 3.8 x 10(-3) M-1 min-1). During incubation, urokinase (54 kDa) was converted into its low-molecular-mass form (33 kDa) and products of the A-chain degradation. The amidase activity did not correlate with the fibrinolytic activity in the cases when the enzyme molecule underwent local unfolding or partial degradation. The optimum mixture of agents for stabilizing the fibrinolytic activity of urokinase was found.

Kinetics of homeostatic behavior of receptor-enzyme systems under the action of physiologically active compounds

We describe two types of models. In the first one it is assumed that regulation of enzyme activity occurs by the product of the enzyme reaction. In the second it is assumed that concomitant action of ligand occurs on at least two targets with opposite effects (dual-action model). Kinetic analysis of models of the first type shows that homeostatic response with respect to the key metabolite of the receptor-enzyme system is possible only if the enzyme kinetics are described by the equation of zero order. In 'dual-action' models, the homeostatic behavior of the system is defined by the mechanisms of compensation of the ligand primary effect.

[Kinetics of fibrin lysis by plasmin: inhibition by fibrin degradation products]

A kinetics of lysis of 125I-labeled fibrin coagulates by plasmin was studied. The strong competitive inhibition of fibrinolysis by the products of fibrin degradation was found. On the basis of the integral analysis of the complete kinetic curves of the fibrinolysis products accumulation, the Michaelis constant Km, the catalytic constant of the reaction of fibrinolysis by plasmin kcat, and the constant of inhibition by the reaction products Ki were determined to be 1.3 microM, 1.36 min-1, and 0.12 microM, respectively. The results obtained showed that the efficiency of plasmin inhibition by the reaction products exceeds that of plasmin interaction with the substrate. Thus, the process of fibrinolysis is regulated by a negative feedback mechanism.

Competitive inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenase-catalysed linoleate oxidation by arachidonic and 5-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acids

Linoleic and arachidonic acids are competing substrates for 5-lipoxygenase from barley. When these two substrates are added simultaneously, arachidonic acid acts as a competitive inhibitor of linoleic acid oxidation with Ki of 20 microM, the same value as the Michaelis constant for arachidonate oxygenation by this enzyme (22 +/- 3 microM). Linoleic acid hydroperoxide accumulated in the reaction mixture does not inhibit the enzymatic process, while arachidonic acid hydroperoxy product (5-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid) inhibits it with very low Ki equal to 0.5 microM.

[Synthesis of new platelet aggregation inhibitors substituted with pyridylisoxazoles and their 4,5-dihydroanalogs]

A number of substituted pyridylisoxazoles and their 4,5-dihydro analogs were synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of substituted nitrile oxides to either alkenes or alkynes. The synthesized compounds inhibit arachidonic acid-induced aggregation of human thrombocytes at concentrations of 10(-6) to 10(-3) M. Due to low toxicity, these compounds can be regarded as potential antithrombosis medicines.

[Lipophilic derivatives of caffeic acid as lipoxygenase inhibitors with antioxidant properties]

We have prepared two lipophilic derivatives of caffeic acid at the carboxylic function--caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an active component of propolis, and N,N'-dicyclohexyl-O-(3,4-dihydroxycinnamoyl)-isourea. Both substances inhibit barley 5-lipoxygenase and soybean 15-lipoxygenase at micromolar concentrations. The inhibition is uncompetitive, dose-dependent and reversible. The caffeic acid derivatives also exhibit antioxidant properties and at a concentration 5-10 microM completely block the production of the reactive oxygen species in human neutrophils and in the cell-free xanthine/xanthine oxidase system.

Inhibition of the respiratory burst in mouse macrophages by ultra-low doses of an opioid peptide is consistent with a possible adaptation mechanism

The respiratory burst induced by phorbol myristate acetate in mouse macrophages was inhibited by ultra-low doses (10(-15)-10(-13) M) of an opioid peptide [D-Ala2]methionine enkephalinamide. The effect disappeared at concentrations above and below this range. The inhibition approached 50% and was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Increasing the time of the opioid incubation with cells brought about a shift in the maximal effect to lower concentrations of the opioid (from 10(-13) to 5 x 10(-15) M) and led to a decrease in the value of the effect, fully in accord with the previously proposed adaptation mechanism of the action of ultra-low doses.

Supercooperativity in platelet aggregation: substituted pyridyl isoxazoles, a new class of supercooperative platelet aggregation inhibitors

The phenomenon of supercooperativity in platelet aggregation is manifested by the occurrence of clear-cut thresholds in dose-response relationships; in such cases the Hill coefficient has unusually high values. Approximation, by the Hill equation, of the relationship of the rate of arachidonate-induced platelet aggregation to the concentrations of either the inducer or inhibitors such as substituted pyridyl isoxazoles (synthesized by us), indomethacin, and pinane thromboxane A2, demonstrated that the Hill coefficients ranged from 30 to 100. 3-(3-Pyridyl)-5-phenylisoxazole, which exhibited maximal anti-aggregatory activity among the synthesized compounds, inhibited neither cyclooxygenase nor thromboxane synthase. The compounds affected the signal transduction pathway at/or posterior to the stage of thromboxane A2 reception.

[Synthesis and biological activity of new analogs of beta-casomorphine-5]

Four new analogues of beta-cazomorphine-5 modified at the C-end with ethylenediamine- and glycine-containing derivatives were synthesized by the standard method of peptide chemistry (mixed anhydrides, carbodiimide, activated esters): H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly-EtDA-Gly-II (I) H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly-EtDA-Gly-Gly-II (II) H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly-EtDA-Gly-Gly-CO-CH3 (III) H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly-EtDA-Gly-Gly-CO-CH2-CH2-COOH (IV) The level of affinity and the degree of selectivity of the peptides towards the mu- and delta-opioid receptors of the rat brain lyophilized membranes were studied by the radioreceptor method. All the new peptides displayed analgetic activity, largely depending upon their structure.

[Binding of an acylated plasminogen activator-streptokinase complex with fibrin and the fibrinolytic response in vitro]

Affinity and fibrinolytic properties of streptokinase and two new preparations of acylated plasminogen-streptokinase activator complexes, produced by dissimilar procedures, were studied. Even after 1-min exposure, blood clot lysis carried out by the acyl activating complex was continued in blood plasma more than for 4 hrs, while the streptokinase produced blood clot lysis was accomplished within 1.5 hrs. After 1-min contact with clot in blood plasma the rates of lysis by streptokinase and these acylated plasminogen-streptokinase activator complexes types 1 and 2 constituted 23%, 37% and 63%, respectively, as compared with the rates detected during permanent contact of thrombolytics with blood clot. The activator properties of the thrombolytic agents itself and its stability in blood plasma were of importance even in similar affinity ability of free and acylated activating complexes.

[Inhibition of esterase by L-lysine, the activator and fibrinolytic activity of the plasmin-streptokinase activator complex]

The effect of L-lysine on some reactions catalysed by plasmin and the plasmin-streptokinase activator complex has been studied. The constants for competitive inhibition by L-lysine of the benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine p-nitrophenyl ester hydrolysis by the activator (Ki 116 mM), of the plasminogen activation by the activator (Ki 8 mM) and of fibrinolysis by plasmin (Ki 3 mM) were determined. It was found that L-lysine at concentrations below 0.05 M, which do not affect the activator's esterase activity, does inhibit fibrinolysis by plasmin and the activator complex. The effect of L-lysine on fibrinolysis under the action of the activator is complex: it inhibits both the activation of clot-entrapped plasminogen by the activator and lysis of fibrin by the plasmin formed. This inhibitory action of L-lysine is largely related to the fact that it lowers the sorption of the activator, plasminogen and plasmin on fibrin, competing with fibrin for their lysine-binding sites as well as worsens the activator-plasminogen binding.

[Enzyme immunoassay of human chorionic beta-gonadotropin in biological fluids using photographic detection]

Potentialities of a new detection method making use of photographic information transformers were demonstrated as exemplified by enzyme immunoassay of human chorionic beta-gonadotropin. Commercial enzyme immunoassay kits for measurements of human chorionic beta-gonadotropin manufactured by Diaplus joint venture were used in the study. The results of traditional spectrophotometric detection and photographic detection were in good correlation, the correlation coefficient r being equal to 0.882. The sensitivity of the method permits reliable testing of clinically significant gonadotropin concentrations in biologic fluids.

[Prostaglandin H synthase. Chemical modification of histidine residues in various forms of the enzyme by diethylpyrocarbonate]

Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) as apo- and holoenzyme and the enzyme inactivated during the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2 has been modified by diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC). DEPC (40 mol/l mol protein) rapidly, but quantitatively differently interacted with the three forms of the enzyme (pH 6.0, 25 degrees C). The exhausted reaction with DEPC corresponded to modification of seven histidine residues in apo-PGHS and four residues in holo-PGHS. All of the 18 histidine residues were available for modification in the enzyme inactivated during the catalysis. The modification of apo-PGHS was accompanied by a concerted loss of the combined cyclooxygenase plus peroxidase and peroxidase activities. The velocities of the tryptic cleavage of the three forms of the enzyme into the 33 and 38 kDa polypeptides were essentially different, but the modification of each enzyme form did not affect the velocity of its cleavage. Two of the three histidine residues essential for the interaction with the heme within the 38 kDa fragment might be His-309 and His-388. Based on the comparison of availability for the reaction with DEPC of all the 18 histidine residues in the enzyme molecule inactivated by the interaction with arachidonic acid and on the abnormally high velocity of the tryptic cleavage of this form of PGHS, a hypothesis has been put forward about the fast and dramatic changes in the protein structure in the course of catalysis.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester as a lipoxygenase inhibitor with antioxidant properties

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an active component of propolis extract, inhibits 5-lipoxygenase in the micromolar concentration range. The inhibition is of an uncompetitive type, i.e. the inhibitor binds to the enzyme-substrate complex but not to the free enzyme. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester also exhibits antioxidant properties. At a concentration of 10 microM, it completely blocks production of reactive oxygen species in human neutrophils and the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system.

Direct influence of morphine on the release of arachidonic acid and its metabolites

The influence of 10(-10)-10(-6) M morphine on the release of [3H]arachidonic acid and its metabolites ([3H]AAM) from prelabeled resident peritoneal murine macrophages was investigated. Morphine enhanced [3H]AAM release from A23187- and LPS-stimulated macrophages, as well as the basal release of [3H]AAM. Dose-response curves showed a maximum at 10(-8) M morphine. Naloxone had no effect on morphine enhancement of [3H]AAM release. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that [3H]AAM may be involved in the effects of morphine.