Synthesis and solution conformation of [Trp1, Val5]-angiotensin II

[Trp1, Val5]-Angiotensin II was synthesized by the solid-phase method and purified by partition chromatography on Sephadex G-25 and by ion-exchange chromatography on Sephadex SP-25. Relative to [Val5]-angiotensin II, the analog displayed 36% smooth muscle activity in a preparation of the superior mesenteric artery. Conformational aspects of the analog were revealed by fluorescence techniques. The fluorescence emission maximum at 350 nm suggests a completely aqueous environment for the tryptophanyl residue in [Trp1, Val5]-angiotensin II. Singlet-singlet resonance energy transfer between Tyr in position 4 and Trp in position 1 was evaluated for a calculation of the intramolecular distance between these two residues on the basis of the Förster equation. From the relative increase of tryptophan fluorescence a transfer efficiency of greater 0.9 was obtained, which is compatible with the observed complete quenching of tyrosine fluorescence in the analog. The computed average intramolecular distance of less than 8 A precludes an extended conformation for the N-terminal sequence encompassing residues 1 through 4 at neutral pH and suggests the existence of a loop in this part of the molecule. The results are discussed in relation to the various models proposed for the solution conformation of angiotensin II.

Morphine-like activity of sheep beta-lipotropin and of its tryptic fragments

Sheep beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) (sequence 1-91) was selectively cleaved with trypsin after blocking the epsilon-amino groups of lysine with citraconic anhydride. The resulting peptides were purified by a combination of cation-exchange chromatography and high-voltage electrophoresis. The purified fragments were then tested for their morphine-like activity in the mouse vas deferens bioassay. The active peptides were 61-91 and 61-80 were about as active as the synthetic methionine-enkephalin, and in turn these were about 100 times more active than beta-LPH itself. The inhibition of electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens by these peptides is reversed by naloxone, and suggests a competitive character of interaction. It is thus concluded that the active core for the morphine like activity in the mouse vas deferens bioassay is the fragment 61-65 of beta-LPH.

Substrate specificity of tonin from rat submaxillary gland

The substrate specificity of tonin from rat submaxillary gland was examined with a series of synthetic peptides encompassing the C-terminus of the decapeptide substrate angiotensin I. In contrast to angiotensin I-converting enzyme from plasma or lung, only angiotensin I, (des-Asp1)-angiotensin I, and (des-Asp1, des-Arg2)-angiotensin I are substrates of tonin with Km values of 34.5 muM, 39.3 muM, and 54.4 muM, respectively, while the shorter C-terminal peptides are not hydrolyzed. Thus, the N-terminal sequence extending from position 1 to 3 is the enzymatic binding site for tonin. Turnover numbers of 33.4 sec-1, 42.8 sec-1, and 6.5 sec-1 are observed for the hydrolysis of angiotensin I, (des-Asp1)-angiotensin I, and (des-Asp1, des-Arg2)-angiotensin I, respectively. The relative percentage rates of hydrolysis (proportional to V/Km) at low substrate concentrations ([S] less than less than Km) are almost identical for (des-Asp1)-angiotensin I, angiotensin I, and the tetradecapeptide substrate, indicating that these three peptides are equally good substrates at low physiological concentrations. The observed high specificity of the enzyme lends support to the possible important role of tonin for local conversion in tissue. The conversion of (des-Asp1)-angiotensin I to (des-Asp1)-angiotensin II (angiotensin III) is of particular interest in relation to the recently suggested, potential role of the latter peptide in aldosterone release.

Study of adrenocorticotropic hormone conformation by evaluation of intramolecular resonance energy transfer in N -dansyllysine 21 -ACTH-(1-24)-tetrakosipeptide

The solution conformation of ACTH was studied by intramolecular resonance energy transfer and fluorescence depolarization with the synthetic, biologically active, derivative N(epsilon)-dansyllysine(21)-ACTH-(1-24)-tetrakosipeptide. The Förster parameters involved in energy transfer from the donor Trp(9) to the dansyl acceptor attached to the side chain of Lys(21) were determined from measurements with ACTH fragments containing either the donor or the acceptor alone. From determinations of the fluorescence quantum yields of the donor in the derivative and in the native ACTH-(1-24)-tetrakosipeptide, it was shown that besides energy transfer no additional quenching of the donor fluorescence is introduced by the presence of the acceptor. The short measured rotational relaxation time of the dansyl chromophore reflects the flexibility of the lysine side chain and justifies the use of an average value for the orientation factor in the distance calculations. The calculated intramolecular distance is remarkably independent of solvent, indicating a "random coil" situation with regard to residues 9-21.