"Kassinin" in mammals: the newest tachykinins

Antimicrobial Peptides and Copper(II) Ions: Novel Therapeutic Opportunities

The emergence of new pathogens and multidrug resistant bacteria is an important public health issue that requires the development of novel classes of antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising platform with great potential for the identification of new lead compounds that can combat the aforementioned pathogens due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and relatively low rate of resistance emergence. AMPs of multicellular organisms made their debut four decades ago thanks to ingenious researchers who asked simple questions about the resistance to bacterial infections of insects. Questions such as "Do fruit flies ever get sick?", combined with pioneering studies, have led to an understanding of AMPs as universal weapons of the immune system. This review focuses on a subclass of AMPs that feature a metal binding motif known as the amino terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) motif. One of the metal-based strategies of hosts facing a pathogen, it includes wielding the inherent toxicity of copper and deliberately trafficking this metal ion into sites of infection. The sudden increase in the concentration of copper ions in the presence of ATCUN-containing AMPs (ATCUN-AMPs) likely results in a synergistic interaction. Herein, we examine common structural features in ATCUN-AMPs that exist across species, and we highlight unique features that deserve additional attention. We also present the current state of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms behind their antimicrobial activity and the methods available to study this promising class of AMPs.

Tachykinin expression and localization in developing feline neocortex

Developmental patterns of expression and localization of tachykinins in feline neocortex were determined by qualitative immunohistochemical means. Three observations were obtained. (1) By midgestation, tachykinins were progressively accumulated in an infrequent (<1%) population of interneurons (sparse dendritic spines) settled mainly in superficial and deep sites. (2) Tachykinins were in a sparse axonal innervation showing horizontal elaboration in layers I and VI and vertical elaboration within the intervening layers (II-V) of true cortical plate. (3) Tachykinin innervation of the capillary beds arose in conjunction with tachykinin interneurons instead of extending from basal cerebral or meningeal vasculature. These patterns indicate that tachykinin local circuit neurons of feline neocortex are derived, at least in part, from early-generated neocortical preplate neurons that initiate tachykinin expression after they settle into the marginal zone of primitive neocortex. In addition to their roles in peptidergic modulation of synaptic connectivity in neocortex, this innervation may participate in trophic developmental interactions leading to the establishment of neocortical vasculature.

Passive immunization with an anti-substance P antibody prevents substance P- and neurokinin A-induced bronchospasm in anesthetized guinea-pigs

In a guinea-pig model of asthma, active immunization against substance P (SP) prevented the development of airways' hyperresponsiveness and reduced bronchospastic responses to SP (i.v.). The rat-mouse heterohybridoma NC1/34 secretes a specific, rat IgG1, anti-substance P antibody (alpha-SP Ab) which was isolated and purified by passing supernatant from cultures through thiophilic gel. Purity of antibody was about 50% (SDS-PAGE). The relative affinities of the alpha-SP Ab for SP, neurokinin A (NKA) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were estimated by ELISA using a constant amount of SP coupled (glutaraldehyde) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) to capture the antibody, alone and in the presence of increasing concentrations of the neuropeptides. At alpha-SP Ab dilutions of 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 32,000, CGRP did not prevent antibody binding to SP-BSA conjugate bound to the plates, but both SP and NKA prevented binding. In this system, the relative affinity of the alpha-SP Ab, at dilutions of 1 in 5,000 and 1 in 10,000, was about 50 times greater for SP than NKA. Whether passive immunization with alpha-SP Ab prevented bronchospastic responses to SP and NKA (i.v.), in vivo, was determined in groups of anesthetized guinea-pigs by recording pulmonary flow resistance (RL) and dynamic pulmonary elastance (EL). Injection of alpha-SP Ab (i.v., 5:1 molar ratio: alpha-SP Ab:SP total dose) did not alter baseline values of RL and EL, but markedly inhibited increases in RL and EL induced by SP and NKA (i.v.) without affecting responses to methacholine (i.v.). A control, "irrelevant" rat IgG-type antibody at a similar concentration had no effect on responses to SP or NKA. These findings indicate that passive immunization with a monoclonal alpha-SP Ab can prevent the bronchospastic effects of exogenous SP and NKA in guinea-pigs.

Solution conformation of a cyclic neurokinin antagonist: a NMR and molecular dynamics study

The solution structure of a hexapeptide, cyclo (Gln-Trp-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met), which is a selective NK-2 antagonist, has been studied by a combination of two-dimensional nmr and molecular dynamics (MD) techniques. The simulation based on nmr and MD data resulted in the convergence to a family of structures. Free molecular dynamics for 50 ps in the presence of DMSO solvent molecules shows that the structure is energetically stable. One intramolecular hydrogen bond between the amide proton of Gln and the carbonyl oxygen of Gly was revealed. This result is consistent with the results from the measurement of the temperature coefficient of the amide protons. The extent of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the amide protons of the peptide and DMSO was also revealed by the free MD simulation. The resulting structure of the cyclic peptide contains a variation type I' beta-turn in the Gly-Leu-Met-Gln segment. Comparison of the structure of this peptide with that of other NK-2 antagonist cyclic hexapeptides was made, and the activity of cyclic antagonists appears to be inversely related to the conformational rigidity of the cyclic peptides.

Neurokinin A coexists with substance P and serotonin in ventral medullary spinally projecting neurons of the rat

The coexistence of neurokinin A (NKA) with substance P (SP) and serotonin (5-HT) in ventral medullary neurons of the parapyramidal region and nucleus raphe pallidus of the rat was studied using multiple immunofluorescence labeling. Nearly all of the NKA-immunoreactive (IR) cells in the parapyramidal region and raphe pallidus were SP-IR nd 5-HT-IR, whereas about 70% of the SP-IR neurons and about 60% of the 5-HT-IR neurons contained NKA-IR. There were no apparent differences in the patterns of coexistence between parapyramidal and raphe pallidus neurons. NKA-IR neurons, which colocalized SP-IR and 5-HT-IR, were studied for projections to the lumbar and thoracic spinal cord by use of retrograde transport of fluorescent tracer. Whereas about 50% of the retrogradely labeled neurons of the parapyramidal region and raphe pallidus contained NKA-IR, nearly all of the NKA-IR neurons projected to the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord. In addition, some NKA-IR neurons in the ventral medulla were retrogradely labeled with tracer from localized injections into the thoracic intermediolateral cell column. In summary, this study demonstrated that NKA-IR is colocalized with SP-IR in bulbospinal serotonergic neurons of the parapyramidal region and raphe pallidus, which are known to regulate sensory, motor, and autonomic activities of the spinal cord.

A transitory population of substance P-like immunoreactive neurones in the developing cerebral cortex of the mouse

Immunocytochemical methods were used to investigate the developmental expression of substance P (SP) in mouse cerebral cortex. SP-like-immunoreactive cells were first detected at postnatal day 0 (P0), their numbers being notably increased by P2. Immunopositive cells were especially abundant in layer VIb and in the subjacent future white matter, although they were also present in layer V. Between P5 and P8 the number of SP-like-immunoreactive cells gradually decreased, being almost completely absent by P12. At these stages cells were only observed in the deepest cortical layers. From P16 onwards, the adult pattern of SP-like immunoreactivity emerged with a few immunopositive cells scattered throughout the cortical layers. The present data show a transitory population of SP-like-immunoreactive cells present in the mouse cerebral cortex during the first postnatal week. On the basis of close correlations of SP-like expression with the distribution or transitory populations and the timing of cell death in rodents, we propose that most of the SP-like-immunoreactive cells reported here would probably disappear by cell death.

Actinomycin D is a competitive and selective antagonist at NK2 tachykinin receptors

The ability of actinomycin D, a known antineoplastic agent, to affect NK1 NK2 and NK3 tachykinin (TK) receptor types was assessed on several in vitro bioassays. Actinomycin D was completely ineffective as a TK antagonist in the guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle (GPI) and on the rat portal vein (RPV) (two issues containing NK1, and NK3 TK receptors, respectively) while it was a weak competitive antagonist in the endothelium-denuded rabbit pulmonary artery (RPA) and in the hamster trachea (HT) (tissues containing the NK2A and NK2B receptor subtypes, respectively). Furthermore actinomycin D was able to displace [125I]-His-NKA from NK2 receptor sites of the rat small intestine smooth muscle membranes. Although actinomycin D is about 3 orders of magnitude weaker as an NK2 antagonist as compared to the most effective ligands available, it could represent a starting point in the development of non-peptidic NK2 receptor antagonists.

Competitive antagonists discriminate between NK2 tachykinin receptor subtypes

1. We have compared the ability of various tachykinins and selective tachykinin receptor agonists to induce contraction of the endothelium-denuded rabbit pulmonary artery (RPA) and hamster trachea (HT) and have estimated the affinity of some newly developed NK2 selective antagonists in the same tissues. 2. In confirmation of previous findings, experiments with the agonists indicated that NK2 receptors are the main if not the sole mediators of the response to tachykinins in both RPA and HT. No evidence for significant degradation of neurokinin A (NKA) was found in either tissue when experiments were repeated in the presence of a mixture of peptidase inhibitors (thiorphan, captopril and bestatin, 1 microM each). 3. The peptide antagonists tested were: Peptide I = [Tyr5, D-Trp6,8,9, Arg10]-NKA(4-10); Peptide II = [Tyr5, D-Trp6,8,9, Arg10]-NKA(3-10); Peptide III = Ac-Leu-Asp-Gln-Trp-Phe-Gly-NH2. The three peptides produced a concentration-dependent rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to NKA in both RPA and HT with no significant depression of the maximal response attainable. The slopes of the Schild plots were not significantly different from unity, indicating a competitive antagonism. Peptides I and II were about 100 times more potent in the RPA than in the HT, while Peptide III was about 100 times more potent in the HT than RPA. 4. The pA2 values obtained in these two tissues with the three antagonists were not significantly different when tested in the absence or presence of peptidase inhibitors, or when a selective NK2 receptor agonist, [beta Ala8]-NKA(4-10) was used instead of NKA. Similar pA2 values were obtained after 15 or 90min of incubation with the antagonists. Peptides I, II and III had no inhibitory effect on contractions produced by noradrenaline in the RPA or by carbachol in the HT. 5. Peptides I, II and III showed weak or no antagonistic activity toward the vasodilatator effect of substance P in the dog carotid artery (NK, receptor-mediated) or toward the contractile effect of neurokinin B in the rat portal vein (NK3 receptor-mediated). 6. These results provide pharmacological evidence for heterogeneity of NK2 receptors in the RPA and HT. The NK2 receptors present in these tissues are not discriminated by natural tachykinins or selective agonists, but are recognized with very different affinity by NK2 receptor antagonists.

Six novel tachykinin- and bombesin-related peptides from the skin of the Australian frog Pseudophryne güntheri

Six novel peptides belonging to the tachykinin and bombesin families were isolated and sequenced from extracts of the skin of the Australian myobatrachid frog Pseudophryne güntheri. One of these peptides (PG-L) was of the bombesin family and may be considered an N-elongation of the litorin/ranatensin molecule, with which it shares an identical spectrum of activity on isolated smooth muscle preparations. The other five peptides were of the tachykinin family with two of these peptides (PG-SPI and PG-SPII) related to substance P and three (PG-KI, PG-KII and PG-KIII) to kassinin. In contrast to the basic nature of substance P, the PG-SP peptides showed a clear acidic character and displayed a more potent and sustained action on isolated smooth muscle preparations and rat blood pressure than did substance P. Two of the three PG-K peptides were more potent than kassinin; PG-KIII was considerably less potent. PG-KI and PG-KII were also present in a deamidated, poorly active, form.

Patterns of tachykinin expression and localization in developing feline neostriatum

The development of tachykinins in the neostriatum was determined qualitatively in order to characterize the ontogeny of an early-forming neostriatal peptidergic system. Tachykinins were detected by immunohistochemistry in fetal, postnatal, and adult cats. Neostriatal cells and neurites expressed tachykinins as early as fetal age 30 and increased in frequency progressively with age. Initial tachykinin expression occurred in neostriatal neurons during their postmitotic migration. In the head of the caudate nucleus, clusters of tachykinin-containing cells and fibers formed between fetal days 35 and 45, when the distribution of labeled neurons changed from a dispersed to an aggregated pattern. Between fetal days 45 and 50, tachykinin-rich neuronal clusters increased in frequency and were distributed throughout the rostral caudate nucleus. In contrast to neurons in clusters, neurons in the complementary neuropil expressed tachykinins largely postnatally. Postnatal morphological maturation of tachykinin-containing neurons paralleled the morphogenesis of medium spiny neostriatal cells. In addition, the caudate nucleus and putamen followed different spatiotemporal gradients of tachykinin expression. These results indicate that tachykinins are expressed in neostriatal neurons during the early ontogeny of the neostriatum and may function as trophic factors before synaptogenesis.

In vivo pharmacology of [beta Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10), a selective NK-2 tachykinin receptor agonist

We studied the effect of [beta Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10), a newly developed selective NK-2 tachykinin receptor agonist, on various parameters in anaesthetized rats (blood pressure, urinary bladder motility, plasma extravasation) and guinea-pigs (salivation, increase of pulmonary insufflation pressure) as compared to the response produced by tachykinins. [beta Ala8]Neurokinin A-(4-10) was as active as, or more active than, neurokinin A (NKA) or NKA-(4-10) in producing rat bladder contraction or bronchospasm in guinea-pigs, two effects known to involve activation of NK-2 receptors. On the other hand, the synthetic peptide was weakly active, if active at all, in producing hypotension or plasma extravasation in the rat bladder as well as salivation in guinea-pigs, effects known to involve activation of NK-1 receptors. These findings provide evidence that [beta Ala8]NKA-(4-10) acts as a selective NK-2 agonist in vivo and that it can be used to explore the distribution and function of NK-2 receptors.

Neuropeptide K-like immunoreactivity in human dental pulp

Nerve fibres displaying such immunoreactivity were revealed by indirect immunofluorescence. Neuropeptide K-like immunoreactive fibres, entering the pulp within large nerve trunks, were distributed around blood vessels as well as in the stroma. Some immunoreactive fibres were also observed in the para-odontoblastic region. In view of the biological activity of neuropeptide K, it is tentatively proposed that it may act in the dental pulp as a regulatory peptide involved in neurogenic inflammation, blood flow regulation and sensory transmission.

The hamster isolated trachea: a new preparation for studying NK-2 receptors

Mammalian tachykinins (substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B) produced a concentration-related contraction of the hamster isolated trachea with the following order of potency: NKA congruent to NKB much greater than substance P (SP). NKA and NKB were 280 and 203 times more potent than SP, respectively. The action of NKA, NKB or SP was not significantly modified in presence of thiorphan (10 microM), atropine (1 microM), mepyramine (1 microM) or indomethacin (5 microM). [Nle10]NKA-(4-10) or [beta Ala8]NKA-(4-10), two selective NK-2 receptor agonists, displayed good activity while other synthetic agonists, selective for NK-1 or NK-3 receptors, had little or no effect. The contractile response to tachykinins did not undergo appreciable desensitization and was promptly reversed by washing out. These data indicate that NK-2 receptors are the main if not the sole mediators of the response of the hamster isolated trachea to tachykinins, whose action is independent from cholinergic nerves, histamine release or prostaglandin production. Further, no significant peptide degradation by a thiorphan-sensitive mechanism occurs in this organ.

Neurokinin-alpha injected into the ventral tegmental area elicits a dopamine-dependent behavioral activation in the rat

Neurokinin-alpha (NKA) and substance P (SP), neuropeptides of the tachykinin family, have been identified in dopaminergic areas of rat brain. It has previously been shown that SP microinjected into the ventral tegmental area (VTA), site of the dopaminergic A10 (DA-A10) cell bodies, causes a behavioral activation characteristic of dopamine agonists. The present experiment measured open field behavior following bilateral VTA injections of NKA (0.02, 0.2, 2.0 micrograms/0.5 microliters). NKA induced a dose-dependent behavioral activation at lower concentrations of NKA than previously reported with SP. Medium and high doses of NKA produced significant increases in locomotion and rearing in both the center and periphery of the open field. Grooming decreased with dose, although this effect was not significant. In a second experiment, the behavioral activation by NKA (2.0 micrograms) was blocked by pretreatment with haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg), confirming that the NKA-induced effect is mediated by dopamine. Although the VTA contains both SP and NKA, receptors binding NKA exist here in greater density than those binding SP. Thus NKA may be the tachykinin in this region that preferentially interacts with DA-A10 neurons mediating behavioral arousal.

Tachykinin-like immunoreactivity in the mammalian urinary bladder: correlation with the functions of the capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves

The tachykinin-like immunoreactivity of the urinary bladder has been measured in various species by means of an antiserum (K12) having negligible cross-reactivity with substance P. The rank order for bladder content of tachykinin-like immunoreactivity was guinea-pig greater than mice greater than rat, similar to that found for substance P-like immunoreactivity. In all three species, both substance P- and tachykinin-like immunoreactivities were depleted by systemic capsaicin desensitization. The time course for depletion of substance P- and tachykinin-like immunoreactivities of the rat bladder following extrinsic denervation was almost superimposable. At reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography, the major constituent of tachykinin-like immunoreactivity of the rat bladder co-eluted with neurokinin A. In vitro, the contractile response of the rat bladder to capsaicin (1 microM) was directly proportional to bladder tachykinin-like immunoreactivity while the response to field stimulation was not. In vivo, the volume threshold for reflex micturition was inversely proportional to bladder tachykinin-like immunoreactivity while amplitude of micturition contraction was not. Similar correlations were found in a previous study for substance P-like immunoreactivity. The contractile response to capsaicin or neurokinin A of the rat isolated bladder were significantly reduced by incubation with phenoxybenzamine at a concentration reported to produce a selective alkylation of neurokinin-2 receptors, while the response to substance P or KCl was unaffected. These findings indicate that multiple neurokinins co-exist in those bladder sensory nerves which are capsaicin-sensitive in adult rats. Both substance P- and tachykinin-like immunoreactivities in the rat bladder appear to be good functional markers of the sensory and "efferent" functions mediated by capsaicin-sensitive nerves, consistent with the hypothesis of a transmitter role for the corresponding peptides.

Receptor binding sites for substance P and substance K in the canine gastrointestinal tract and their possible role in inflammatory bowel disease

The mammalian tachykinins, substance P, substance K (neurokinin A) and neuromedin K (neurokinin B), are putative peptide neurotransmitters in both the brain and peripheral tissues. We used quantitative receptor autoradiography to localize and quantify the distribution of binding sites for radiolabeled substance P, substance K and neuromedin K in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Substance P binding sites were localized to smooth muscle cells in the muscularis mucosa and muscularis externa, the smooth muscle and endothelium of arterioles and venules, neurons in the myenteric plexus, mucosal epithelial cells, exocrine cells and lymph nodules. Substance K binding sites were distributed in a pattern distinct from substance P binding sites and were localized to smooth muscle cells in the muscularis mucosa and muscularis externa, the smooth muscle and endothelium of arterioles and venules, and neurons of the myenteric plexus. Neuromedin K binding sites were not observed in any area of the canine gastrointestinal tract although they were localized with high specific/non-specific binding ratios in the canine spinal cord. These results indicate that there are at least two distinct types of tachykinin receptor binding sites in the canine gastrointestinal tract, one of which probably recognizes substance P and the other substance K as endogenous ligands. In correlation with previous physiological data, these substance P and substance K receptor binding sites appear to be involved in the regulation of a variety of gastrointestinal functions including gastric motility, mucosal ion transport, hemodynamics, digestive enzyme secretion and neuronal excitability. In addition these results demonstrate that receptor binding sites for substance P and substance K are expressed by cells involved in mediating inflammatory and immune responses. These data, together with our studies on surgical specimens from patients with inflammatory bowel disease, suggest that in a pathophysiological state tachykinins and their receptors may play a role in inflammatory bowel disease and should permit a rational approach to designing neuropeptide antagonists which may prove effective in treating inflammatory diseases.

Contractile response of the human isolated urinary bladder to neurokinins: involvement of NK-2 receptors

The contractile response to substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and arginin-neurokinin B (Arg-NKB) (a water soluble analogue of NKB) was investigated in detrusor muscle strips from the dome of the urinary bladder obtained from patients undergoing total cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder base. Spontaneous activity and response to nerve stimulation indicated that the material used in this study has characteristics similar to those described for 'normal' human detrusor muscle. All neurokinins induced a concentration-related contraction with sensitivity at nM concentrations and the following rank order of potency: NKA (90) greater than Arg-NKB (22) greater than SP (1). These findings indicate the involvement of NK-2 receptors in the contractile response of human detrusor muscle to neurokinins.

The sensory-efferent function of capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons

Capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons convey to the central nervous system signals (chemical and physical) arising from viscera and the skin which activate a variety of visceromotor and neuroendocrine reflexes integrated at various levels (intramurally in peripheral organs, at level of prevertebral ganglia, spinal and supraspinal level). Much evidence is now available that peripheral terminals of certain sensory neurons, widely distributed in skin and viscera have the ability to release, upon adequate stimulation, their transmitter content. In addition to the well-known "axon reflex" arrangement, the capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons have the ability to release the stored transmitter also from the same terminal which is excited by the environmental stimulus. The efferent function of these sensory neurons is realized through the direct and indirect (i.e. mediated by activation of other cells) effects of released mediators. The action of released transmitters on postjunctional elements covers a wide range of effects which may have a physiological or pathological relevance. Development of drugs capable of controlling the sensory-efferent functions of the capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons represent a new and very promising area of research for pharmacological treatment of various human diseases.

Biogenic amines and active peptides in the skin of fifty-two African amphibian species other than bufonids

1. Extracts prepared from dried or fresh skins of 52 African amphibian species, other than bufonids, were subjected to chemical (colour reactions) and biological screening, to determine occurrence and contents of aromatic biogenic amines and peptides active on smooth muscle preparations and blood pressure. 2. Only indolealkylamines were detectable in the skins. They were represented by 5-hydroxytryptamine, its N-methylated derivatives and tryptamine. The indolealkylamines considered included the alkaloid trypargine, a carboline derivative resulting from the condensation of tryptamine with arginine. 3. The peptide families identified in skin extracts of the African frogs were as follows: caeruleins (caerulein, [Asn2, Leu5] caerulein), tachykinins (kassinin, [Glu2, Pro5] kassinin, hylambatin), bradykinins [( Hyp3] bradykinin), xenopsin, thyrotropin releasing hormone, peptide PYLa and the magainins I and II. The last five peptides have been so far identified only in the skin of Xenopus laevis, together with their precursors. 4. Since numerous other peptide molecules await isolation, elucidation of structure, and definition of possible biological activities, the array of peptides occurring in the skin of African amphibians, as in that of Australian and American amphibians, is destined to increase.