Vasopressin analogs with high and specific antidiuretic activity

A systematic approach to structure-activity studies is described. Its application to the vasopressin field made possible the preparation of vasopressin analogs with very high and very specific antidiuretic activity, analogs with increased pressor specificity, and analogs with high agonistic-antagonistic properties.

Secondary interactions in mesentericopeptidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of peptide ester and 4-nitroanilide substrates

Five substrate series with the formulae Z-(Gly)n-Phe-OMe, Z-(Ala)n-Phe-OMe, Ac-(Ala)n-Phe-OMe, Z-(Gly)n-Phe-NA, and Suc-(Gly)n-Phe-NA (n = 0-2) (Z-benzyloxycarbonyl) were synthesized and used to study the active site of mesentericopeptidase (EC 3.4.21). The elongation of the peptide chain in all series leads to a 100- to 300-fold increase of kcat/Km. This indicates an extended substrate binding site, comprising at least three subsites (S1-S3). The sequence P1-P3 that fits these subsites is Phe-Ala-Ala. Mesentericopeptidase responds to the elongation of the peptide chain in the series Ac-(Ala)n-Phe-OMe in a way similar, but not identical, to subtilisin Carlsberg and subtilisin BPN'. The poor amidolytic activity of mesentericopeptidase and subtilisins toward 4-nitroanilides with peptide sequences matching the S1-S3 subsites is discussed in terms of unfavorable S'1-P'1 interaction.

Steric effect exerted by the proline residue on the antecedent alanine residue

Five model tetrapeptides: Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala, Pro-Ala-Ala-Ala, Ala-Pro-Ala-Ala, Ala-Ala-Pro-Ala and Ala-Ala-Ala-Pro, were synthesized and measured in D2O by 13 C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. The spectra analysis led us to the conclusion that for each model (irrespective of pD) in conformational equilibrium, the predominant conformation is the one in which side methyl of alanine preceding proline residue eclipses alanine carbonyl group. The influence of pD changes in cis-trans isomerism of Ala-Pro amide bond was also investigated.