[Specific covalent attachment of adrenocorticotropin and angiotensin II derivatives to polymeric matrices for use in affinity chromatography (author's transl)]

From Bioinactive ACTH to ACTH Antagonist: The Clinical Perspective

The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a pituitary hormone derived from a larger peptide, the proopiomelanocortin (POMC), as are the MSHs (α-MSH, β-MSH, and γ-MSH) and the β-LPH-related polypeptides (Figure 1A). ACTH drives adrenal steroidogenesis and growth of the adrenal gland. ACTH is a 39 amino acid polypeptide that binds and activates its cognate receptor [melanocortin receptor 2 (MC2R)] through the two regions H₆F₇R₈W₉ and K₁₅K₁₆R₁₇R₁₈P₁₉. Most POMC-derived polypeptides contain the H₆F₇R₈W₉ sequence that is conserved through evolution. This explains the difficulties in developing selective agonists or antagonists to the MCRs. In this review, we will discuss the clinical aspects of the role of ACTH in physiology and disease, and potential clinical use of selective ACTH antagonists.

Targeted immobilization of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides on agarose and on Acrylex polymers

A new strategy was devised for the targeted immobilization of ligands on aminohexyl- and carboxyhexyl-agarose. Selectively protected neurotransmitter amino acids and neuropeptides were coupled to amino or carboxyl group-containing agarose derivatives using activated esters, mixed anhydrides or carbodiimides. After coupling, agarose beads were dehydrated and the protecting groups were cleaved in non-aqueous media with acids (trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid). Agarose beads were rehydrated and applied for affinity chromatography and cell surface recognition. The same compounds were coupled to derivatized polyacrylamide beads containing primary amino (Acrylex A), acyl hydrazide (Acrylex AH-100) or carboxyl (Acrylex C-100) groups. Protecting groups were removed by acidolytic cleavage. Oxytocin, vasopressin, tetra- and pentagastrin, cholecystokinin, leucine-enkephalin and carboxyl-bearing derivatives of the neurotransmitters noradrenaline, dopamine, histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid were immunobilized on agarose and on derivatized polyacrylamide gels.

Methacrylate gels with epoxide groups as supports for immobilization of enzymes in pH range 3-12

Glycidyl methacrylate gels are carriers suitable for attachment of enzymes and for use in affinity chromatography. Experiments on the coupling of glycyl-L-leucine and acetyl-L-leucine to these gels have shown a high pH-dependence of the bond formation between the support and the alpha-amino group (pH optimum 9.7); the coupling reaction between the epoxide group and the carboxyl group is practically pH-independent. Serum albumin and trypsin were attached to a greater extent in acidic than in alkaline media. The effects of time and temperature were also studied. The catalytic action of immobilized trypsin, as well as its use for affinity chromatography of trypsin inhibitor, were studied.