Guanidination of ovine luteinizing hormone and effects on activity

Undissociable chemically cross-linked and single-chain gonadotropins

Undissociable gonadotropins can be obtained either by chemical cross-linking of the natural heterodimeric hormones or by expressing recombinant single-chain molecules through the fusion of their α and β polypeptide sequences. These undissociable hormones are not more active than their natural heterodimeric counterparts indicating that the β-subunit seatbelt embracing the α-subunit ensures the αβ heterodimer stability in physiological conditions. The main interests of single-chain gonadotropins are that 1/only one single plasmid is required to produce an active recombinant hormone, 2/the two subunits' domains are constantly present in equal amounts and 3/they remain in close proximity even at low concentration for forming the hormone bioactive 3D structure. These undissociable gonadotropins have been shown to exhibit excellent stability and activity but they have not yet been commercialized probably because of immunogenicity risks and cost of production. Nevertheless, they might be used as a basis for the development of chemically simpler and cheaper ligands of LH and FSH receptors.

Human RNASET2: A Highly Pleiotropic and Evolutionary Conserved Tumor Suppressor Gene Involved in the Control of Ovarian Cancer Pathogenesis

Ovarian cancer represents one of the most malignant gynecological cancers worldwide, with an overall 5-year survival rate, being locked in the 25-30% range in the last decade. Cancer immunotherapy is currently one of the most intensively investigated and promising therapeutic strategy and as such, is expected to provide in the incoming years significant benefits for ovarian cancer treatment as well. Here, we provide a detailed survey on the highly pleiotropic oncosuppressive roles played by the human RNASET2 gene, whose protein product has been consistently reported to establish a functional crosstalk between ovarian cancer cells and key cellular effectors of the innate immune system (the monocyte/macrophages lineage), which is in turn able to promote the recruitment to the cancer tissue of M1-polarized, antitumoral macrophages. This feature, coupled with the ability of T2 ribonucleases to negatively affect several cancer-related parameters in a cell-autonomous manner on a wide range of ovarian cancer experimental models, makes human RNASET2 a very promising candidate to develop a "multitasking" therapeutic approach for innovative future applications for ovarian cancer treatment.

Effect of amino group modification of ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) by N-succinimidyl 6-[3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate]hexanoate, a long chain N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) on immunological and biological properties: a comparative study with SPDP modified oLH

The epsilon-NH2 groups of ovine luteinizing hormone has been modified with the long chain N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyl dithiopropionate (LC-SPDP). The LC-SPDP modification primarily occurs in -NH2 groups of the alpha-subunit. Although, the sequential modification of lysine residue in alpha-subunit led to progressive reduction in the receptor binding and immunological properties but the steroidogenic activity was relatively unaffected. The immunoreactivity and receptor binding properties of LC-SPDP modified oLH molecule were more affected comparative to SPDP modified derivatives. This suggested that the increase in hydrophobic carbon chain in LC-SPDP-oLH molecules resulted into the drastic inhibition in the immunological and biological properties. However, the steroidogenic potential of LC-SPDP/or SPDP-oLH derivative was comparable. The present study clearly demonstrate that a single -NH2 group modification with LC-SPDP would generate the site for the conjugation to the toxin/carrier proteins and the resultant oLH-S-S-toxin conjugate would retain significant immunological and biological properties of the hormone molecule.

A comparative study of adenylate cyclase activity and progesterone synthesis in ovine corpora lutea stimulated by different chemical derivatives or natural analogs of ovine LH

The adenylate cyclase activation by ovine native LH, natural analogs (porcine LH, hCG) and chemical derivatives of LH (methylated, ethylated, isopropylated, guanidinated) was studied in purified plasma membranes of ovine corpora lutea, including the regulatory effects of guanyl 5'-yl imidophosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and Mg2+. The Ka app. for native LH (about 15 nM) was independent of Gpp(NH)p and Mg2+. Similar maximal activation of the enzyme was obtained by using ovine LH or natural analogs, but differences were remarked concerning the Ka app. values of these hormones. Porcine LH was equipotent with ovine LH; on the contrary, hCG exhibited a lower Ka app. value (3 nM). All chemical derivatives (Me-LH, Et-LH, Iso-LH and Gu-LH) exhibited Ka app. higher than native (about 2- to 4-fold), but similar maximal activation. No modification was observed in the regulatory effects of Gpp(NH)p and Mg2+ on the adenylate cyclase activation as a consequence of structural modifications of the hormone. A comparison of the steroidogenic activity on intact luteal cells and the adenylate cyclase activation ability on purified plasma membranes of the derivatives mentioned above evidenced some interesting discrepancies. The drop in adenylate cyclase activation potency of Me-LH was not reflected in its steroidogenic activity (Me-LH was equipotent with native LH); on the contrary, the capacity of Gu-LH to stimulate adenylate cyclase was not so much decreased as was its steroidogenic potency which was almost abolished.

Human chorionic gonadotropin: acetylation of tyrosyls with N-acetylimidazole

When human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was treated with a 20-fold molar excess of N-acetylimidazole in aqueous solution, two tyrosyls were acetylated, resulting in a 50% reduction in in vivo biological activity. With increased quantities of reagent, the number of tyrosyls acetylated increased but with no further decrease in the biological activity. In vitro biological activity (binding to hCG receptors) of the hormone was not affected at all. Acetylation in urea increased tyrosyl modification, accompanied by acetylation of some lysyls, yielding a product in which all seven tyrosyls were acetylated and both in vivo and in in vitro biological activities were completely abolished. Deacylation with hydroxylamine partially restored biological activity of some but not all of the modified products. When individual hCG subunits were treated with the same reagent, the number of tyrosyls acetylated in each subunit again increased with increasing amounts of reagent, up to three in the alpha subunit and two in the beta subunit in the absence of urea. The tyrosyls in the beta subunit appeared less reactive to the reagent than those in the alpha subunit. Subunits modified to these extents retained ability to recombine as examined by gel electrophoresis, but the recombined products varied considerably in both in vivo and in vitro biological activities. A completely tyrosyl-acetylated product of hCG-alpha did not combine with intact hCG-beta, while fully modified hCG-beta did with intact hCG-alpha.

Preparation of lutropin with acetyl or acetimidinyl substituents on the amino groups of the beta-subunit

The free amino groups in ovine lutropin beta subunit were acylated with acetic anhydride and methyl acetimidinate-HCl to produce the corresponding acetyl and acetimidinyl ovine lutropin beta derivative. These two derivatives recombined with ovine lutropin alpha as well as native ovine lutropin beta, but produced lutropin derivatives which were 33-50% less active than the ovine lutropin alpha + ovine lutropin beta in biological assays.