The Proteolytic Stability of ‘Designed’β-Peptides Containingα-Peptide-Bond Mimics and of Mixedα,β-Peptides: Application to the Construction of MHC-Binding Peptides

Whereas alpha-peptides are rapidly degraded in vivo and in vitro by a multitude of peptidases, substrates constructed entirely of or incorporating homologated alpha-amino acid (i.e., beta-amino acid) units exhibit a superior stability profile. Efforts made so far to proteolytically hydrolyze a beta-beta peptide bond have not proved fruitful; a study aimed at breaching this proteolytic stability is discussed here. A series of such bonds have been designed with side-chain groups similar in relative positions (constitution) and three-dimensional arrangements (configuration) as found about alpha-peptidic amide bonds. Increasing the prospect for degradation would permit the tuning of beta-peptide stability; here, however, no cleavage was observed (1, 2, 4-6, Table 1). Peptides comprised of alpha- and beta-amino acids (mixed alpha,beta-peptides, 8-11) are expected to benefit from both recognition by a natural receptor and a high level of proteolytic stability, ideal characteristics of pharmacologically active compounds. Beta3-peptides containing alpha-amino acid moieties at the N-terminus are degraded, albeit slowly, by several peptidases. Of particular interest is the ability of pronase to cleave an alpha-beta peptide bond, namely that of alphaAla-beta3 hAla. Significantly, successful hydrolysis is independent of the configuration of the beta-amino acid. Some of the alpha,beta-peptides discussed here are being investigated for their binding affinities to class I MHC proteins. The computer-programming steps required to prepare alpha,beta-peptides on an automated peptide synthesizer are presented.

Magnesium and biological activity of oxytocin analogues modified on aromatic ring of amino acid in position 2

For the purpose of evaluating substitution effects in the ortho, meta or para positions of the aromatic ring of tyrosine or phenylalanine in position 2 of oxytocin on uterotonic activity in vitro in the presence and absence of magnesium ions, six new analogues of oxytocin ([D- and L-m-methylphenylalanine2]oxytocin, [D- and L-m-methoxyphenylalanine2]oxytocin and [D- and L-o-methyltyrosine2]-oxytocin) were synthesized and several previously described analogues resynthesized. For the phenylalanine series, it is found that, in the absence of magnesium ions, substitution of the ortho and meta positions leads to loss of intrinsic activity (the analogues are antagonists) in contrast to the para position. In the tyrosine series, only methyl substitution in the meta position has this effect (substitution of ortho position only attenuates the agonistic biological activity). Addition of Mg ions restores to a certain degree the agonistic activity in the case of the o-methylphenylalanine analogue and enhances the agonistic activity of o-methyltyrosine oxytocin. All other analogues keep the original qualities as in the absence of Mg. Molecular modelling calculations of the structure of the above analogues was carried out to help explain these findings of the molecular level.

Tandem Protocol for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Different Polyfunctional beta-Amino Acids and 3-Amino-Substituted Carbohydrates

Conjugate addition of homochiral amidocuprates or lithium amides based on (R)-N-(1-phenylethyl)(trimethylsilyl)amine to alpha,beta-unsaturated esters proceeds stereoselectively and allows the synthesis of beta-amino acids. Trapping of the intermediate ester enolate with D(2)O affords the corresponding deuterated compounds. anti-alpha-Alkyl-beta-amino acids are obtained stereoselectively after transmetalation of the lithium/copper ester enolate to the titanium ester enolate and trapping with carbon electrophiles. Both diastereomers of beta-homothreonine, other precursors of 3-amino-substituted carbohydrates, and stereoselectively in position 2 deuterated analogues are formed from enantiomerically pure gamma-alkoxy-substituted enoates. The product distribution observed is complementary to published results regarding 1,4-addition to gamma-silyloxy-substituted enoates. The anti/syn selectivity can be explained by assuming transition state geometries where the delivery of the nitrogen nucleophile is controlled by lithium "chelation" between reagent and substrate. In one case the product configuration can be controlled by the reagent irrespective of the substrate stereochemistry; in other cases the topicity of the addition is complementary to published results. For instance, erythro- or threo-configured 2,3-dideoxy-3-aminopentoses are accessible via this route.

Intestinal absorption of aspartame decomposition products in adult rats

The dipeptide sweetener aspartame (N-L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine, 1-methyl ester; alpha-APM) is relatively stable in dry powder form. However, when exposed to elevated temperature, extremes of pH and/or moisture, alpha-APM is converted into a variety of products. In aqueous solution alpha-APM decomposes to yield methanol, two isomeric forms of L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine (Asp-Phe) [alpha-Asp-Phe and beta-Asp-Phe], and APM's diketopiperazine cyclo-Asp-Phe. Depending on beverage storage conditions, individuals drinking alpha-APM-sweetened beverages may consume small quantities of these three compounds. Relatively little has been published about the metabolism of beta-Asp-Phe and cyclo-Asp-Phe. We compared the absorption and metabolism of alpha-Asp-Phe, beta-Asp-Phe, and cyclo-Asp-Phe with that of L-phenylalanine (Phe) in adult rats. Steady-state perfusion studies of rat jejunum indicated rapid carrier-assisted uptake of Phe and alpha-Asp-Phe, but only slow passive diffusion of beta-Asp-Phe and cyclo-Asp-Phe from the lumen. Homogenates of rat intestinal mucosa, liver, and cecal contents, as well as homogenates of pure cultures of Escherichia coli B, catalyzed the hydrolysis of alpha-Asp-Phe, but not cyclo-Asp-Phe. Homogenates of E coli and rat cecal contents, but not homogenates of rat liver or intestinal mucosa catalyzed the hydrolysis of beta-Asp-Phe.

Importance of the N-terminal domain of the type I angiotension II antagonist [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II for receptor blockade

Analogues of the Type I angiotensin (ANG) antagonist, [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II, in which the N-terminal dipeptide was modified were synthesized by the solid phase method and purified by reversed-phase HPLC. Antagonist potencies (pA2) of the peptides were determined on the rat isolated uterus using ANG II as the agonist. Substitution of the Arg residue occupying position 2 of [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II (pA2 8.1) by Gly, Ala, Nle, Phe, Pro or Sar reduced the antagonist potency to pA2 = 7.0, 6.8, 6.7, 6.8, 5.8 and 5.3, respectively. Deletion of the N-terminal Sar residue in these same peptides gave pA2 = 6.8, 5.7, 5.5, 5.9, 6.1 and 7.5, respectively. The characteristically long duration of action of [Sar1,Ile8] was absent for all of these analogues including (des1, Sar2, Ile8]ANG II. These findings demonstrate that the antagonist potencies of Type I angiotensin antagonists for smooth muscle receptors, and also the long duration of action, are dependent on the location of positive charges within the peptide and on the conformation of the molecule in determining favorable electrostatic interactions with the receptor. A model is proposed in which the two positively charged loci on the angiotensin molecule (N-terminus and Arg) interact with two corresponding anionic binding sites on the smooth muscle receptor. The possibility that the prolonged duration of action of [Sar1, Ile8]ANG II results from binding to a different site on the angiotensin receptor from that occupied by ANG II is discussed in relation to the present findings.

Separation of protein hormones

The purpose of this review is to highlight modern techniques in HPLC and electrophoresis used for protein hormone separations. The advent of biotechnological methods for production of synthetic polypeptides and recombinant proteins will have a significant future impact on the types of therapeutics and metabolites that need to be monitored in the clinical laboratory. The protein hormone examples given in this work were selected because of the comprehensive body of separation science literature and not necessarily for their future importance in medicine. The intention was to present an array of general methods and techniques which may be useful to the clinical investigator for analysis of any protein hormone.

The high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of diastereomers and structural analogs of angiotensins I and II

Diastereomers, alpha- and beta-aspartic acid forms, and partial sequences of angiotensin I and II were resolved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Nearly all of the peptides which were examined contained significant amounts of peptides whose amino acid composition differed from the designated peptide. This chromatographic procedure combined with amino acid analysis clearly offers the investigator a rapid method for analyzing and quantifying the purity of angiotensins which are intended for use as reference substances for radioimmunoassay and biological assay.

Synthesis and biological activities of [beta-Malyl1]- and [beta-Malyl1, Leu8]-angiotensin II analogues

The synthesis of [beta-Malyl1]- and [beta-Malyl1, Leu8]-angiotensin II using a solid phase procedure is reported. The replacement of the N-terminal amino group of aspartic acid by a hydroxyl group gives analogues with lower affinity than [Asn1]- and [Asn1, Leu8]-AII. However, the isoster [beta-Malyl1]-AII shows higher potency than [Asn1]-AII and this may be due to metabolic or enzymatic resistance.

Role of the two N-terminal residues of angiotensin II in the production of tachyphylaxis

The structural requirements for the production of angiotensin tachyphylaxis in the guinea-pig ileum were studied by analyzing the tachyphylactic properties of the following synthetic analogues of angiotensin II (AII): [1-sarcosine]AII, [1-betaine]AII; [1-guanidinoacetic]AII; betainyl-AII; [2-lysine]AII; [2-ornithine]AII. In the non-atropinized ileum, no tachyphylaxis was observed with any of the following analogues: [2-lysine]AII, [2-ornithine]AII, [2-ornithine]AII, [1-betaine]AII and betainyl-AII. [1-Guanidinoacetic]AII induced tachyphylaxis, but to a smaller degree than AII, while [1-sarcosine]AII was significantly more tachyphylactic than AII. Similar results were obtained in the atropinized ileum, except that moderate tachyphylaxis was also observed with betainyl-AII and [1-betaine]AII. The analogues with lysine or ornithine residues in position 2 did not induce tachyphylaxis under any of the conditions studied. It is concluded that, besides the protonated N-terminal amino group, the guanidino group of the Arg2 side-chain is essential for the manifestation of angiotensin tachyphylaxis in the guinea-pig ileum.

On standardizing the determination of the plasma renin activity

Basically, the determination of the plasma renin activity (PRA) consists of the in vitro generation of angiotensin I and the radioimmunological determination of angiotensin I. Since both steps can be performed in several ways, the results from different laboratories can hardly be compared. In this paper we have described the results of our attempts to standardize both steps of the PRA determination currently in use in our laboratory, against Research Standard A for Angiotensin I and the International Reference Preparation of Human Renin, both obtained from the Medical Research Council.

Synthesis of histidine2-angiotensin II analogues

The synthesis of histidine2-angiotensin II analogues, namely H-Asp-alpha-(im-Bzl)His-Val-Tyr-Ile-(im-Bzl)His-Pro-Phe-OH and H-Asp-beta-(im-Bzl)His-Val-Tyr-Ile-(im-Bzl)His-Pro-Phe-OH, are described. Also a new route leading to the synthesis of alpha-benzyl-L-aspartate, using N-trityl-L-aspartate di-benzyl ester as the starting material, is reported.