Hormone-receptor interations. Synthesis of a biologically active cysteinyl-angiotensin derivative and its use for the preparation of spin-labelled and polymer-supported molecules

Synthesis and pharmacological properties of TOAC-labeled angiotensin and bradykinin analogs

Angiotensin II (AngII) and bradykinin (BK) derivatives containing the TOAC (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid) spin label were synthesized by solid phase methodology. Ammonium hydroxide (pH 10, 50 degrees C, l h) was the best means for reverting nitroxide protonation occurring during peptide cleavage. EPR spectra yielded rotational correlation times for internally labeled analogs that were nearly twice as large as those of N-terminally labeled analogs. Except for TOAC(1)-AngII and TOAC(0)-BK, which showed high intrinsic activities, other derivatives were inactive in smooth muscle preparations. These active paramagnetic analogs may be useful for conformational studies in solution and in the presence of model and biological membranes.

First synthesis of a fully active spin-labeled peptide hormone

For the first time in the electron spin resonance (ESR) and peptide synthesis fields, a fully active spin-labeled peptide hormone was reported. The ESR spectra of this alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) analogue (acetyl-Toac0-alpha-MSH) where Toac is the paramagnetic amino acid probe 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid, suggested a pH-independent conformation and a more restricted movement comparatively to the free Toac. Owing to its equivalent biological potency in a skin pigmentation assay as compared to the native alpha-MSH and its unique characteristic (paramagnetic, naturally fluorescent and fully active), this analogue is of great potential for investigation of relevant physiological roles reported for alpha-MSH.

Purification of bovine adrenal-cortex plasma-membrane vesicles containing a highly corticotropin-sensitive adenylate-cyclase system and angiotensin-II-binding sites

The purpose of this experimental investigation was to provide a purified plasma membrane fraction containing a highly hormone-responsive adenylate cyclase system. Bovine adrenal cortex was homogenised and a washed pellet (450 000 X g - min) was fractionated by zonal centrifugation in a sucrose and dextran gradient. Adenylate cyclase activity was purified up to 60-fold to a specific activity of 55, 340 and 210 pmol of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) produced/minute per mg of protein at 38 degrees C for the basal, adrenocorticotrophin and fluoride-activated states, respectively. The time course of the adenylate cyclase activity is linear. The concentration necessary for half-maximal stimulation by adrenocorticotrophin-(1-24)-tetracosipeptide is 0.5 muM. The high hormone-responsiveness of the membrane preparation allows one to demonstrate activation of adenylate cyclase by very weakly agonistic adrenocorticotrophin fragments. The F- activated state can be detergent-dispersed by Lubrol and shows a Km (ATP) different from that of either the basal or adrenocorticotrophin-stimulated state. Other marked enzymes such as 5'-nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphatase and cytochrome oxidase were followed during purification. The plasma membrane fraction shows rather homogeneous, relatively large vesicles (mean diameter 0.5 mum). It contains high-affinity binding sites for angiotensin II (about 2 pmol per mg protein) with an apparent association constant of 2 X 10(7) (1/mol) at 12 degrees C. The yield, 20 mg of membrane protein per preparation, may make it a tool in either affinity-labelling studies with the peptide hormones mentioned or the starting point for solubilisation and purification of adenylate cyclase.