Preparation of functionalized, conformationally constrained DTPA analogues from L- or D-serine and trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline. Hydroxymethyl substituents on the central acetic acid and on the backbone

The enantio- and diastereospecific syntheses of conformationally constrained diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) analogues that are functionalized with a hydroxymethyl linker substituent on the central acetic acid or on the backbone are described. Key synthetic steps include (i) displacement of the 4-hydroxyl group of N-BOC-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline benzyl ester, via activation as the triflate, with suitable amines derived from L- or D-serine, (ii) the low-temperature alkylation of diethylenetriamines with the triflate of benzyl glycolate, thereby minimizing competitive lactamization, to give DTPA pentabenzyl esters, and (iii) deprotection to afford the corresponding DTPA analogues under very mild hydrogenolysis conditions.

Molecular characterization of two light-induced, gamete-specific genes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that encode hydroxyproline-rich proteins

Gametic differentiation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a two-step process, which is controlled by the sequential action of the two extrinsic signals, nitrogen starvation and blue light. The gamete-specific genes GAS28 and GAS29 are expressed in the late phase of gametogenesis. Their light-induced expression is restricted to cells that have completed the first, nitrogen starvation-activated, phase of differentiation. A comparison of the two genes revealed striking similarities as well as differences. Their most prominent shared feature is an extended sequence homology of over 90% in their 5'-untranslated regions, suggesting a role in translational regulation. GAS28 and GAS29 both encode hydroxyproline-rich proteins (HRGPs) of very similar sizes that exhibit typical features of volvocalean cell wall constituents. GAS28 shows a high degree of homology with the Volvox pherophorin gene family, suggesting a relationship between these genes.

Collagen metabolism in osteolathyrism in chick embryos: site of action of beta-amino-propionitrile

Chick embryos were sacrificed at intervals after simultaneous injection of BAPN and proline-C(14), the collagen separated into neutral salt-extractable and residue fractions, and total hydroxyproline and hydroxyproline specific radioactivity determined in each fraction. Extractable collagen, measured as hydroxyproline, increased markedly and had a higher specific activity in BAPN-treated embryos than in corresponding controls. Hydroxyproline of the residue collagen in the treated animals, however, had a lower specific activity. When proline-C(14) was injected 24 hours prior to BAPN, the specific radioactivity of the soluble collagen of treated embryos was similar to that of controls, in spite of the fact that the specific activity of the residue fraction was higher than that of the soluble fraction at the time of BAPN administration. These results suggest that the increased amount of soluble collagen in lathyrism induced by administration of BAPN does not arise from the collagen insoluble prior to administration of the drug, but rather that BAPN acts by blocking the formation of mature collagen fibers, perhaps by preventing the formation of cross-linkages between alpha-collagen chains.

Morphological and chemical studies of collagen formation. II. Metabolic activity of collagen associated with subcellular fractions of guinea pig granulomata

Electron micrographs of thin sections of nuclear, microsomal, and mitochondrial fractions obtained from a carrageenin-induced granuloma showed considerable contamination of the heavier by the lighter fractions. Striated collagen fibrils could be identified in the nuclei + debris fraction. Only a few striated fibrils occurred in the mitochondrial fraction; very fine filaments (diameter 50 A) could be seen in this fraction, but could not be distinguished with certainty from fibrillar material derived from broken nuclei. 35 per cent of the mitochondrial and 80 per cent of the microsomal collagen was extractable by 0.2 M NaCl and could be purified by the standard methods of solution and reprecipitation. The amino acid composition of these collagen fractions determined by ion exchange chromatography was within the range normally found for collagen and gelatin from other mammalian species, allowing for 10 to 20 per cent of some non-collagenous contaminant of the microsomal collagen. Hydroxyproline and proline were isolated by chromatography on paper from hydrolysates of the nuclear, mitochondrial, and microsomal collagen fractions, after incubation of tissue slices with L-¹⁴C-proline. The specific activities of the hydroxyproline from these collagens were in the approximate ratio 1:2:6, while that of bound hydroxyproline derived from the supernatant was only 1, indicating primary synthesis of collagen in the microsomes. Attempts to demonstrate incorporation of L-¹⁴C-proline into collagen or into free hydroxyproline in cell free systems were unsuccessful, nor was it possible to demonstrate non-specific incorporation of L-¹⁴C-valine into TCA-insoluble material by various combinations of subcellular fractions.

Crosslinking density and resorption of dimethyl suberimidate-treated collagen

Collagen was purified from bovine Achilles tendon and crosslinked with dimethyl suberimidate (DMS) and glutaraldehyde (GTA). Under optimal conditions, the shrinkage temperature (Ts) was raised to 74 degrees C for collagen crosslinked with DMS and to 80 degrees C for those crosslinked with GTA. Crosslinking density measurements were done on the hydrothermally denatured collagen by the method based on the Flory-Rehner equation. GTA treatment was found to introduce more number of crosslinks than DMS. The maximum tension attained during heating (after shrinkage has occurred) was greater for GTA-treated collagen than for DMS and control. The control collagen membranes broke during heating (at 73 degrees C), while for the crosslinked membranes the tension kept on increasing up to 100 degrees C. The crosslinking density correlated well with the data determined from the in vitro and in vivo degradation studies. Uncrosslinked and DMS crosslinked collagen membranes were more susceptible to degradation by enzymes in vitro, while GTA-treated collagen was highly resistant to degradation. The biocompatibility of the collagen membranes was studied by subcutaneous implantation in rats. Uncrosslinked collagen membranes degraded within 14 days with the formation of granulation tissue. DMS crosslinked membranes degraded within 21 days and the area was replaced by numerous fibroblasts and newly formed collagen. No calcification was observed. For GTA-treated membranes, necrosis was observed after 7 days implantation and by 14 days the membrane had started to calcify.

COLLAGEN METABOLISM IN THE NORMAL AND LATHYRITIC CHICK

1. Radioisotope incorporation studies of normal and lathyritic chick embryo bone collagen do not demonstrate any interference by lathyrism with collagen synthesis or fibril formation. 2. The results indicate that a portion of the extractable collagen from lathyritic chick embryo bone represents newly synthesized protein. Evidence from a double labeling experiment and from analysis of isotope flow between the extractable and non-extractable pools suggests the extractable lathyritic collagen is heterogeneous. We propose that the lathyritic process affects collagen in all states of aggregation, probably in varying degree. 3. Puromycin, administered intravenously, reduces the amount of extractable collagen in both normal and lathyritic chick embryo bone, and diminishes the incorporation of labeled proline into collagen. 4. Marked fluctuations in incorporation of labeled amino acids into chick embryo bone collagen suggests the occurrence of wide fluctuations in metabolism of this protein.

THE PERIODATE OXIDATION OF AMINO ACIDS WITH REFERENCE TO STUDIES ON GLYCOPROTEINS

1. All alpha-amino acids are oxidized by periodate, but at different rates. 2. The rates of oxidation of individual alpha-amino acids vary with pH. In general, oxidation proceeds more rapidly at alkaline pH. 3. Serine, threonine, cysteine, cystine, methionine, proline, hydroxyproline, tryptophan, tyrosine and histidine are rapidly and extensively oxidized by periodate. 4. Cysteine, cystine, methionine, tryptophan, tyrosine and histidine are oxidized by periodate when they are substituted in the carboxyl and amino groups, as in a polypeptide chain.