Patient preferences for osteoarthritis pain and chronic low back pain treatments in the United States: a discrete-choice experiment

OBJECTIVE

To quantify preferences for attributes of potential analgesic treatments for moderate-to-severe pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and/or chronic low back pain (CLBP) as relevant to injectable nerve growth factor (NGF)-inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids.

METHODS

We used a discrete-choice experiment (DCE) to elicit preferences for attributes of OA and CLBP pharmaceutical treatments, and a best-worst scaling (BWS) exercise to further characterize the relative importance of treatment-related side-effect risks. The survey was completed online by 602 US residents with self-reported chronic, moderate-to-severe OA pain and/or CLBP who had tried, had contraindications for, or were unwilling to take currently available pharmaceutical therapies. In the DCE, respondents repeatedly chose between two hypothetical treatments defined by six attributes (symptom control; treatment-related risks of (1) severe joint problems, (2) heart attack, and (3) physical dependence; mode/frequency of administration; and cost). In the BWS exercise, respondents evaluated ten side-effect risks. Random-parameters logit models were estimated; conditional relative attribute importance, maximum acceptable risks, and willingness to pay were calculated.

RESULTS

The most important DCE attributes were improving symptom control (scaled conditional relative importance, 10.00) and reducing risk of physical dependence (6.99). The three most important BWS attributes were, in rank order, risks of stroke, physical dependence, and heart attack. Respondents were willing to accept a > 4% treatment-related risk of severe joint problems for even modest symptom improvement.

CONCLUSION

A pharmaceutical treatment with a risk of severe joint problems was viewed as an acceptable alternative to other treatments with comparable efficacy but risks associated with NSAIDs or opioids.

Application of fragment based virtual screening towards inhibition of bacterial N-acetyglucosaminidase$

A structure-based approach is applied for the development of inhibitors of bacterial N-acetyglucosaminidase (autolysin). Autolysins are enzymes involved in the degradation of peptidoglycan and therefore participate in bacterial cell growth and different lysis phenomena. Several studies indicate that by the inhibition of autolysins, and consequently of bacterial cell division, antibacterial activity can be obtained, thus paving the road to a novel group of therapeutics against human pathogens. As crystal structures of the autolysin E (AtlE)-ligand complexes were obtained in our laboratories, fragment-based virtual screening was the method of choice for the initial studies. Fragment libraries from various databases were merged to increase the number of compounds for the virtual screening. Twenty-four commercially available virtual hits were selected and subjected to quantitative analysis of binding interactions using the surface plasmon resonance technique. Twelve fragments showed fragment-AtlE interactions. For F1, the top hit of the virtual screening, a K_D of 228 µM was determined, while other fragments displayed non-stoichiometric binding. Blind docking of potential binders uncovers three possible allosteric sites. Ligands of N-acetyglucosaminidase identified in our study represent valuable information for the further development of AtlE inhibitors, which could in future represent antibacterial agents acting by a novel mode of action.

Comparison of in silico tools for binding site prediction applied for structure-based design of autolysin inhibitors

Autolysin E (AtlE) is a bacteriolytic enzyme which plays an important role in division and growth of bacterial cells and therefore represents a promising potential drug target. Its 3D structure has been recently elucidated. We used in silico prediction tools to study substrate or ligand (inhibitor) binding regions of AtlE. We applied several freely available tools and a commercial tool for binding site identification and compared results of the prediction. Calculation time, number of predictions and output data provided by specific software vary according to the different approaches utilized by specific method categories. Despite different approaches, binding sites in similar locations on the protein were predicted. Specific amino acid residues that form these binding sites were predicted as binding residues. The predicted residues, especially those with predicted highest conservation score, could theoretically have catalytic and binding properties. According to our results, we assume that E138, which has the highest conservation score, is the catalytic residue and F161, G162 and Y224, which are also highly conserved, are responsible for substrate binding. Ligands developed with binding specificity towards these residues could inhibit the catalysis and binding of the substrate of AtlE. The molecules with inhibitory potency could therefore represent potential new antibacterial agents.

Opioids for chronic low-back pain

BACKGROUND

The use of opioids in the long-term management of chronic low-back pain (LBP) appears to be increasing. Despite this trend, the benefits and risks of these medications remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of opioids in adults with chronic LBP.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We electronically searched CENTRAL, CINAHL and PsycINFO to May 2006; MEDLINE and EMBASE to May 2007. We supplemented our search by reviewing references in relevant systematic reviews and identified trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials assessing the use of opioids (as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies) for longer than four weeks, in adults with chronic LBP. Studies were included if they compared non-injectable opioids to other treatments. Comparisons between opioids were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed methodological quality and extracted data onto a pre-designed form. Results were statistically pooled using RevMan 4.2. We reported on pain and function using standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and on side effects using absolute risk difference (RD) with 95% CI.

MAIN RESULTS

We included four trials. Three compared tramadol to placebo. Pooled results revealed that tramadol was more effective than placebo for pain relief, SMD 0.71 (95% CI 0.39 to 1.02), and improving function, SMD 0.17 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.30). The two most common side effects of tramadol were headaches, RD 9% (95% CI 6% to 12%) and nausea, RD 3% (95% CI 0% to 6%). One trial comparing opioids to another analgesic (naproxen) found opioids were statistically significant for relieving pain but not improving function. When re-calculated, the results were not statistically significant for either pain relief (SMD -0.58; 95% CI -1.42 to 0.26) or improving function (SMD -0.06; 95% CI -0.88 to 0.76) .

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Despite concerns surrounding the use of opioids for long-term management of chronic LBP, there remain few high-quality trials assessing their efficacy. The trials in this review, although achieving high internal validity scores, were characterized by a lack of generalizability, inadequate description of study populations, poor intention-to treat analysis, and limited interpretation of functional improvement. Based on our results, the benefits of opioids in clinical practice for the long-term management of chronic LBP remains questionable. Therefore, further high-quality studies that more closely simulate clinical practice are needed to assess the usefulness, and potential risks, of opioids for individuals with chronic LBP.

Molecular dynamics of the compensatory response to myocardial infarct

Myocardial infarct via occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary in rats caused overriding depression in transcription, signal transduction, inflammation and extracellular matrix pathways in the infarct zone within 24 h. In contrast, remote zone gene expression was reciprocally activated during the immediate post-infarct period. Infarct zone signal transduction occurred primarily through TGFbeta1 induction while the remote zone exhibited elevated WNT, NOTCH, GPCR and transmembrane signaling. A minimal day 1 acute phase, inflammatory response was detected in the infarct zone while interleukins (IL1alpha, IL1beta, IL6, IL12alpha, IL18) and the TNFalpha superfamily were activated in the remote zone. Different cytochrome subsets were activated in each left ventricular region on day 1 while anti-oxidant genes were elevated only in the remote zone. The infarct zone exhibited mixed early transcription factor activation across all binding domains with a balance favoring constitutive gene activation and differentiation pathways as opposed to cell proliferation. In contrast, the remote zone exhibited activation of extensive developmental transcription factors involved in specification of cell phenotype, tissue-specific interactions and position-specific cell proliferation on day 1. The day 28 infarct zone response mirrored the day 1 remote zone response including activation of genes associated with matrix remodeling (metallothionein and metalloproteinase 9, 12, 23), as well as genes associated with cell proliferation and phenotype specification (MYC, EGR2, ATF3, HOXA1) recapitulating developmental histogenesis programs.

Inhibition of papain-like cysteine proteases and legumain by caspase-specific inhibitors: when reaction mechanism is more important than specificity

We report here that a number of commonly used small peptide caspase inhibitors consisting of a caspase recognition sequence linked to chloromethylketone, fluoromethylketone or aldehyde reactive group efficiently inhibit other cysteine proteases than caspases. The in vitro studies included cathepsins B, H, L, S, K, F, V, X and C, papain and legumain. Z-DEVD-cmk was shown to be the preferred irreversible inhibitor of most of the cathepsins in vitro, followed by Z-DEVD-fmk, Ac-YVAD-cmk, Z-YVAD-fmk and Z-VAD-fmk. Inactivation of legumain by all the inhibitors investigated was moderate, whereas cathepsins H and C were poorly inhibited or not inhibited at all. Inhibition by aldehydes was not very potent. All the three fluoromethylketones efficiently inhibited cathepsins in Jurkat and human embryonic kidney 293 cells at concentrations of 100 microM. Furthermore, they completely inhibited cathepsins B and X activity in tissue extracts at concentrations as low as 1 microM. These results suggest that data based on the use of these inhibitors should be taken with caution and that other proteases may be implicated in the processes previously ascribed solely to caspases.

Insulin effect on leucine kinetics in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin-induced glucose disposal is impaired in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To determine whether insulin-induced suppression of protein breakdown also is impaired, we measured leucine flux (an index of protein breakdown) in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. To avoid the confounding effects of a difference in baseline glucose, glucose concentration in the diabetic subjects was normalized by means of an overnight insulin infusion. Despite higher plasma insulin levels (33.5+/-0.05 vs 132+/-2.7 pmol/l, p<01) diabetic subjects had similar amino acid concentrations and leucine flux (96.9+/-5.8 vs 93.4+/-3.7 micromol/kg/h) as nondiabetic subjects. Infusion of insulin (0.5 mU/kg/min) increased insulin levels (p<0.01) to identical levels in both groups (218+/-16 vs 222+/-19), but the glucose infusion required to maintain euglycemia was higher (p<0.01) in nondiabetic than in diabetic subjects, indicating insulin resistance to glucose disposal in the diabetic subjects. In contrast, leucine flux (81.3+/-4.8 vs 81.6+/-3.4 micromol/kg/h) reached identical levels in both groups. The individual and total amino acid levels also were comparable in both groups. We conclude that suppression of whole body protein turnover in response to an acute increase in insulin is normal in people with T2DM. However, chronic adaptation to high insulin levels occurs, thereby enabling protein breakdown and amino acid concentration to remain within the normal range in people with T2DM.

Lysosomal cysteine proteases: facts and opportunities

From their discovery in the first half of the 20th century, lysosomal cysteine proteases have come a long way: from being the enzymes non-selectively degrading proteins in lysosomes to being those responsible for a number of important cellular processes. Some of the features and roles of their structures, specificity, regulation and physiology are discussed.

Remotely sensed biological production in the equatorial Pacific

A combination of ship, buoy, and satellite observations in the tropical Pacific during the period from 1992 to 2000 provides a basin-scale perspective on the net effects of El Niño and La Niña on biogeochemical cycles. New biological production during the 1997-99 El Niño/La Niña period varied by more than a factor of 2. The resulting interannual changes in global carbon sequestration associated with the El Niño/La Niña cycle contributed to the largest known natural perturbation of the global carbon cycle over these time scales.

Crystal structure of the soluble form of equinatoxin II, a pore-forming toxin from the sea anemone Actinia equina

BACKGROUND

Membrane pore-forming toxins have a remarkable property: they adopt a stable soluble form structure, which, when in contact with a membrane, undergoes a series of transformations, leading to an active, membrane-bound form. In contrast to bacterial toxins, no structure of a pore-forming toxin from an eukaryotic organism has been determined so far, an indication that structural studies of equinatoxin II (EqtII) may unravel a novel mechanism.

RESULTS

The crystal structure of the soluble form of EqtII from the sea anemone Actinia equina has been determined at 1.9 A resolution. EqtII is shown to be a single-domain protein based on a 12 strand beta sandwich fold with a hydrophobic core and a pair of alpha helices, each of which is associated with the face of a beta sheet.

CONCLUSIONS

The structure of the 30 N-terminal residues is the largest segment that can adopt a different structure without disrupting the fold of the beta sandwich core. This segment includes a three-turn alpha helix that lies on the surface of a beta sheet and ends in a stretch of three positively charged residues, Lys-30, Arg-31, and Lys-32. On the basis of gathered data, it is suggested that this segment forms the membrane pore, whereas the beta sandwich structure remains unaltered and attaches to a membrane as do other structurally related extrinsic membrane proteins or their domains. The use of a structural data site-directed mutagenesis study should reveal the residues involved in membrane pore formation.

Biochemical characterization of human cathepsin X revealed that the enzyme is an exopeptidase, acting as carboxymonopeptidase or carboxydipeptidase

Cathepsin X, purified to homogeneity from human liver, is a single chain glycoprotein with a molecular mass of approximately 33 kDa and pI 5.1-5.3. Cathepsin X was inhibited by stefin A, cystatin C and chicken cystatin (Ki = 1.7-15.0 nM), but poorly or not at all by stefin B (Ki > 250 nM) and L-kininogen, respectively. The enzyme was also inhibited by two specific synthetic cathepsin B inhibitors, CA-074 and GFG-semicarbazone. Cathepsin X was similar to cathepsin B and found to be a carboxypeptidase with preference for a positively charged Arg in P1 position. Contrary to the preference of cathepsin B, cathepsin X normally acts as a carboxymonopeptidase. However, the preference for Arg in the P1 position is so strong that cathepsin X cleaves substrates with Arg in antepenultimate position, acting also as a carboxydipeptidase. A large hydrophobic residue such as Trp is preferred in the P1' position, although the enzyme cleaved all P1' residues investigated (Trp, Phe, Ala, Arg, Pro). Cathepsin X also cleaved substrates with amide-blocked C-terminal carboxyl group with rates similar to those of the unblocked substrates. In contrast, no endopeptidase activity of cathepsin X could be detected on a series of o-aminobenzoic acid-peptidyl-N-[2,-dinitrophenyl]ethylenediamine substrates. Furthermore, the standard cysteine protease methylcoumarine amide substrates (kcat/Km approximately 5.0 x 103 M-1.s-1) were degraded approximately 25-fold less efficiently than the carboxypeptidase substrates (kcat/Km approximately 120.0 x 103 M-1.s-1).

Crystal structure of the apoptotic suppressor CrmA in its cleaved form

BACKGROUND

Cowpox virus expresses the serpin CrmA (cytokine response modifier A) in order to avoid inflammatory and apoptotic responses of infected host cells. The targets of CrmA are members of the caspase family of proteases that either initiate the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis (caspases 8 and 10) or trigger activation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and interleukin-18 (caspase 1).

RESULTS

We have determined the structure of a cleaved form of CrmA to 2.26 A resolution. CrmA has the typical fold of a cleaved serpin, even though it lacks the N-terminal half of the A helix, the entire D helix, and a portion of the E helix that are present in all other known serpins. The reactive-site loop of CrmA was mutated to contain the optimal substrate recognition sequence for caspase 3; however, the mutation only marginally increased the ability of CrmA to inhibit caspase 3. Superposition of the reactive-site loop of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor on the cleaved CrmA structure provides a model for virgin CrmA that can be docked to caspase 1, but not to caspase 3.

CONCLUSIONS

CrmA exemplifies viral economy, selective pressure having resulted in a 'minimal' serpin that lacks the regions not needed for structural integrity or inhibitory activity. The docking model provides an explanation for the selectivity of CrmA. Our demonstration that engineering optimal substrate recognition sequences into the CrmA reactive-site loop fails to generate a good caspase 3 inhibitor is consistent with the docking model.

Crystal structure of cathepsin X: a flip-flop of the ring of His23 allows carboxy-monopeptidase and carboxy-dipeptidase activity of the protease

BACKGROUND

Cathepsin X is a widespread, abundantly expressed papain-like mammalian lysosomal cysteine protease. It exhibits carboxy-monopeptidase as well as carboxy-dipeptidase activity and shares a similar activity profile with cathepsin B. The latter has been implicated in normal physiological events as well as in various pathological states such as rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and cancer progression. Thus the question is raised as to which of the two enzyme activities has actually been monitored.

RESULTS

The crystal structure of human cathepsin X has been determined at 2.67 A resolution. The structure shares the common features of a papain-like enzyme fold, but with a unique active site. The most pronounced feature of the cathepsin X structure is the mini-loop that includes a short three-residue insertion protruding into the active site of the protease. The residue Tyr27 on one side of the loop forms the surface of the S1 substrate-binding site, and His23 on the other side modulates both carboxy-monopeptidase as well as carboxy-dipeptidase activity of the enzyme by binding the C-terminal carboxyl group of a substrate in two different sidechain conformations.

CONCLUSIONS

The structure of cathepsin X exhibits a binding surface that will assist in the design of specific inhibitors of cathepsin X as well as of cathepsin B and thereby help to clarify the physiological roles of both proteases.

Lysosomal cysteine proteases: more than scavengers

Lysosomal cysteine proteases were believed to be mainly involved in intracellular protein degradation. Under special conditions they have been found outside lysosomes resulting in pathological conditions. With the discovery of a series of new cathepsins with restricted tissue distributions, it has become evident that these enzymes must be involved in a range of specific cellular tasks much broader than as simple housekeeping enzymes. It is therefore timely to review and discuss the various physiological roles of mammalian lysosomal papain-like cysteine proteases as well as their mechanisms of action and the regulation of their activity.

Structure-based development of pyridoxal propionate derivatives as specific inhibitors of cathepsin K in vitro and in vivo

We found that pyridoxal phosphate shows considerable inhibition of cathepsins. CLIK-071, in which the phosphate ester of position 3 of pyridoxal phosphate was replaced by propionate, strongly inhibited cathepsin B. Three new types of synthetic pyridoxal propionate derivatives showing specific inhibition of cathepsin K were developed. New synthetic pyridoxal propionate derivatives, -162, -163, and -164, in which the methyl arm of position 6 of CLIK-071 was additionally modified, strongly inhibited cathepsin K and cathepsin S weakly, but other cathepsins were not inhibited. CLIK-166, in which the position 4 aldehyde of CLIK-071 is replaced by a vinyl radical and position 5 is additionally modified, showed cathepsin K-specific inhibition at 10(-5) M. Pit formation due to bone collagen degradation by cathepsin K of rat osteoclasts was specifically suppressed by administration of CLIK-164, but not by inhibitors of cathepsin L or B.

Inhibition mechanism of cathepsin L-specific inhibitors based on the crystal structure of papain-CLIK148 complex

Papain was used as an experimental model structure to understand the inhibition mechanism of newly developed specific inhibitors of cathepsin L, the papain superfamily. Recently, we developed a series of cathepsin L-specific inhibitors which are called the CLIK series [(1999) FEBS Lett. 458, 6-10]. Here, we report the complex structure of papain with CLIK148, which is a representative inhibitor from the CLIK series. The inhibitor complex structure was solved at 1.7 A resolution with conventional R 0.177. Unlike other epoxisuccinate inhibitors (E64, CA030, and CA074), CLIK148 uses both prime and nonprime sites, which are important for the specific inhibitory effect on cathepsin L. Also, the specificity for cathepsin L could be explained by the existence of Phe in the P2 site and hydrophobic interaction of N-terminal pyridine ring.

Longitudinal prospective study of headache during pregnancy and postpartum

Chronic headache fluctuates in response to changes in hormonal levels. Headache generally improves with rising estrogen levels, and worsens with falling levels. Headache should, therefore, predictably improve with pregnancy and worsen postpartum. Several retrospective studies have confirmed this pattern. In this study, 49 pregnant women with chronic headache (18 with migraine, 16 with tension-type, and 15 with combined migraine and tension-type) were followed prospectively. Headache activity was recorded daily throughout pregnancy and for 3 months postpartum. Overall, there was a 30% improvement in headache between the second and third trimesters for the entire sample. This was not statistically significant. Headache improved significantly for 41% of the women, with a slightly greater tendency for headache to improve in women with migraine compared to those with tension-type or combined migraine and tension-type headaches. Headache activity was not influenced by history of menstrual migraine, history of headache change with prior pregnancies, parity, or breast-feeding. In general, women reporting headache at the end of their first trimester continued to report headache throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Structure based development of novel specific inhibitors for cathepsin L and cathepsin S in vitro and in vivo

Specific inhibitors for cathepsin L and cathepsin S have been developed with the help of computer-graphic modeling based on the stereo-structure. The common fragment, N-(L-trans-carbamoyloxyrane-2-carbonyl)-phenylalanine-dimethyla mide, is required for specific inhibition of cathepsin L. Seven novel inhibitors of the cathepsin L inhibitor Katunuma (CLIK) specifically inhibited cathepsin L at a concentration of 10(-7) M in vitro, while almost no inhibition of cathepsins B, C, S and K was observed. Four of the CLIKs are stable, and showed highly selective inhibition for hepatic cathepsin L in vivo. One of the CLIK inhibitors contains an aldehyde group, and specifically inhibits cathepsin S at 10(-7) M in vitro.

The p41 fragment story

The discovery of a fragment from the p41 form of invariant chain tightly bound to cathepsin L provided the first direct link between MHC class II molecules and the regulation of activity of lysosomal cysteine proteases. We recently determined the crystal structure of this p41 invariant chain fragment in complex with cathepsin L [EMBO J. 18, 793-803 (1999)]. This structure explains the specificity of the observed interactions and actually provides a tool, which can be utilized by means of molecular biology, to explore and understand the specificity of thyroglobulin type I domains and thus allow the design of specific inhibitors of papain-like cysteine proteases. The structure further supports the hypothesis that the thyroglobulin type I and II domains present in various proteins, sometimes in multiple repeats, are regulatory elements of the processing of these proteins by proteolytic cleavage.

The effects of partner insistence of condom usage on perceptions of the partner, the relationship, and the experience

The present study examined the effects of an individual insisting on condom usage on how he or she is viewed by their partner. Participants were led through a realistic role-play scenario in which, after dating a new partner for "a while", they engaged in sexual intercourse. Results were such that after first time sex, participants indicated feeling more responsible, less at-risk, and less worried when a condom was used than when no condom was used. Participants evaluated their partner as more responsible, more caring, and less likely to have a sexually transmitted disease when a condom was used. Further, when a condom was used, the relationship was evaluated as enhanced, closer, more intimate, and more likely to be long lasting. The insistence of condom use by the participant's partner also resulted in less guilt and regret regarding the sexual experience itself. These results generally held true for both male and female participants.

Crystal structure of MHC class II-associated p41 Ii fragment bound to cathepsin L reveals the structural basis for differentiation between cathepsins L and S

The lysosomal cysteine proteases cathepsins S and L play crucial roles in the degradation of the invariant chain during maturation of MHC class II molecules and antigen processing. The p41 form of the invariant chain includes a fragment which specifically inhibits cathepsin L but not S. The crystal structure of the p41 fragment, a homologue of the thyroglobulin type-1 domains, has been determined at 2.0 A resolution in complex with cathepsin L. The structure of the p41 fragment demonstrates a novel fold, consisting of two subdomains, each stabilized by disulfide bridges. The first subdomain is an alpha-helix-beta-strand arrangement, whereas the second subdomain has a predominantly beta-strand arrangement. The wedge shape and three-loop arrangement of the p41 fragment bound to the active site cleft of cathepsin L are reminiscent of the inhibitory edge of cystatins, thus demonstrating the first example of convergent evolution observed in cysteine protease inhibitors. However, the different fold of the p41 fragment results in additional contacts with the top of the R-domain of the enzymes, which defines the specificity-determining S2 and S1' substrate-binding sites. This enables inhibitors based on the thyroglobulin type-1 domain fold, in contrast to the rather non-selective cystatins, to exhibit specificity for their target enzymes.

Crystal structure of the complex formed by the membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase with the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2, the soluble progelatinase A receptor

The proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) towards extracellular matrix components is held in check by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The binary complex of TIMP-2 and membrane-type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) forms a cell surface located 'receptor' involved in pro-MMP-2 activation. We have solved the 2.75 A crystal structure of the complex between the catalytic domain of human MT1-MMP (cdMT1-MMP) and bovine TIMP-2. In comparison with our previously determined MMP-3-TIMP-1 complex, both proteins are considerably tilted to one another and show new features. CdMT1-MMP, apart from exhibiting the classical MMP fold, displays two large insertions remote from the active-site cleft that might be important for interaction with macromolecular substrates. The TIMP-2 polypeptide chain, as in TIMP-1, folds into a continuous wedge; the A-B edge loop is much more elongated and tilted, however, wrapping around the S-loop and the beta-sheet rim of the MT1-MMP. In addition, both C-terminal edge loops make more interactions with the target enzyme. The C-terminal acidic tail of TIMP-2 is disordered but might adopt a defined structure upon binding to pro-MMP-2; the Ser2 side-chain of TIMP-2 extends into the voluminous S1' specificity pocket of cdMT1-MMP, with its Ogamma pointing towards the carboxylate of the catalytic Glu240. The lower affinity of TIMP-1 for MT1-MMP compared with TIMP-2 might be explained by a reduced number of favourable interactions.

Revised definition of substrate binding sites of papain-like cysteine proteases

A review of kinetic and structural data has enabled us to reconsider the definition of substrate binding sites in papain-like cysteine proteases. Only three substrate binding sites, S2, S1 and S1', involve main as well as side chain contacts between substrate and enzyme residues. Interactions between the enzymes and the substrate P3 and P2' residues are based on side chains (an exception is cathepsin B which is a carboxydipeptidase), so their interaction surface spreads over a relatively wide area. The location and definition of substrate binding sites beyond S3 and S2' is even more questionable.

Crystal structure of porcine cathepsin H determined at 2.1 A resolution: location of the mini-chain C-terminal carboxyl group defines cathepsin H aminopeptidase function

BACKGROUND

Cathepsin H is a lysosomal cysteine protease, involved in intracellular protein degradation. It is the only known mono-aminopeptidase in the papain-like family and is reported to be involved in tumor metastasis. The cathepsin H structure was determined in order to investigate the structural basis for its aminopeptidase activity and thus to provide the basis for structure-based design of synthetic inhibitors.

RESULTS

The crystal structure of native porcine cathepsin H was determined at 2.1 A resolution. The structure has the typical papain-family fold. The so-called mini-chain, the octapeptide EPQNCSAT, is attached via a disulfide bond to the body of the enzyme and bound in a narrowed active-site cleft, in the substrate-binding direction. The mini-chain fills the region that in related enzymes comprises the non-primed substrate-binding sites from S2 backwards.

CONCLUSIONS

The crystal structure of cathepsin H reveals that the mini-chain has a definitive role in substrate recognition and that carbohydrate residues attached to the body of the enzyme are involved in positioning the mini-chain in the active-site cleft. Modeling of a substrate into the active-site cleft suggests that the negatively charged carboxyl group of the C terminus of the mini-chain acts as an anchor for the positively charged N-terminal amino group of a substrate. The observed displacements of the residues within the active-site cleft from their equivalent positions in the papain-like endopeptidases suggest that they form the structural basis for the positioning of both the mini-chain and the substrate, resulting in exopeptidase activity.

A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache

A provocative double-blind study of headache was performed using chocolate as the active agent and carob as the placebo. The chocolate and carob samples were formulated to duplicate products used in an earlier study (1) in which strong differential effects between the ability of chocolate and carob to trigger headache in migraine were shown. Sixty-three women with chronic headache (50% migraine, 37.5% tension-type, 12.5% combined migraine and tension-type) participated in the study. After 2 weeks of following a diet that restricted vasoactive amine-rich foods, each subject underwent double-blinded provocative trials with two samples of chocolate and two of carob presented in random order. Diaries were maintained by the subjects throughout the study, monitoring diet and headache. The results demonstrated that chocolate was not more likely to provoke headache than was carob in any of the headache diagnostic groups (chi2(2)=0.36, p=0.83). Interestingly, these results were independent of subjects' beliefs regarding the role of chocolate in the instigation of headache (chi2(1)=0.73, p=0.39). Headache diagnosis and the concomitant use of additional vasoactive amine-containing foods were also not associated with chocolate acting as a headache trigger. Thus, contrary to the commonly held belief of patients and physicians, chocolate does not appear to play a significant role in triggering headaches in typical migraine, tension-type, or combined headache sufferers.

Crystal structure of the wild-type human procathepsin B at 2.5 A resolution reveals the native active site of a papain-like cysteine protease zymogen

The structure of the wild-type human procathepsin B has been refined to a crystallographic R-value of 0.18 and R-free of 0.23 exploiting the data obtained from new crystals that diffract beyond 2.5 A resolution. The structure confirms two previously presented, lower-resolution structures. The structure of the propeptide chain folds on the surface of the enzyme domains and blocks access of substrate to the already formed active site. Abundant solvent molecules fill the cavities between the propeptide and the enzyme part of the molecule. The propeptide structure is compared with a substrate model in the S2, S1, S1' and S2' binding sites. In this crystal form the cathepsin B occluding loop residues adopt yet another conformation. The structures show that the occluding loop region between the residues Cys108 and Cys119 behaves quite independently from the rest of the structure and easily adapts to changes in environment. The variety of the observed conformations of the occluding loop is in agreement with other data showing that the loop is responsible for limiting cathepsin B activity to that of a carboxydipeptidase. The region before Cys108 is essentially the same as in the mature structure, whereas the region from Cys119 to Thr125 is raised compared to the mature form by the propeptide squeezed between it and the enzyme domains, surface. The structure strongly suggests that processing of procathepsin B during its autoactivation is not unimolecular.

E-64 analogues as inhibitors of cathepsin B. On the role of the absolute configuration of the epoxysuccinyl group

A series of trans-epoxysuccinyl-peptide derivatives based on the natural inhibitor E-64 were synthesized in the (2R,3R) and (2S,3S) configuration in order to analyze the role of the stereochemistry of this residue in dictating inhibitory potency and selectivity for cysteine proteases. We confirmed that binding of E-64 like trans-epoxysuccinyl compounds is remarkably favored by the (2S,3S) configuration, but we also found that CA030-type compounds are stronger inhibitors in the (2R,3R) configuration than the related diastereomers. Consequently, the structural requirements for exploiting both the S and S' subsites are not additive and a structure-based design of bis-peptidyl derivatives of trans-epoxysuccinic acid to increase selective inhibition becomes even more difficult. Additional contrasting effects were observed for the pH optima required in the electrostatic interactions at the S and S' subsites.

Structural and functional aspects of papain-like cysteine proteinases and their protein inhibitors

Cysteine proteinases are widely distributed among living organisms. According to the most recent classifications (Rawlings and Barrett, 1993, 1994), they can be subdivided on the basis of sequence homology into 14 or even 20 different families, the most important being the papain and the calpain families. The papain-like cysteine proteinases are the most abundant among the cysteine proteinases. The family consists of papain and related plant proteinases such as chymopapain, caricain, bromelain, actinidin, ficin, and aleurain, and the lysosomal cathepsins B, H, L, S, C and K. Most of these enzymes are relatively small proteins with Mr values in the range 20000-35000 (reviewed in Brocklehurst et al., 1987; Polgar, 1989; Rawlings and Barrett, 1994; Berti and Storer, 1995), with the exception of cathepsin C, which is an oligomeric enzyme with Mr approximately 200000 (Metrione et al., 1970; Dolenc et al., 1995). A number of cysteine proteinases are located within lysosomes. Four of them, cathepsins B, C, H and L, are ubiquitous in lysosomes of animals, whereas cathepsin S has a more restricted localisation (Barrett and Kirschke, 1981; Kirschke and Wiederanders, 1994). The enzymes, except cathepsin C, are endopeptidases (reviewed in Kirschke et al., 1995), although cathepsin B was found also to be a dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase (Aronson and Barrett, 1978) and cathepsin H also an aminopeptidase (Koga et al., 1992). Cathepsin C is a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase, but at higher pH it exhibits also dipeptidyl transferase activity (reviewed in Kirschke et al., 1995). Among the lysosomal cysteine proteinases, cathepsin L was found to be the most active in degradation of protein substrates, such as collagen, elastin and azocasein (Barrett and Kirschke, 1981; Maciewicz et al., 1987; Mason et al., 1989), arid cathepsin B the most abundant (Kirschke and Barrett, 1981). All the enzymes are optimally active at slightly acidic pH, although their pH optima for degradation of synthetic substrates vary from 5.5 for cathepsin L to 6.8 for cathepsin H (reviewed in Kirschke et al., 1995). Several other lysosomal cysteine proteinases, such as cathepsins N, T and K, are known, although their properties are less well characterised (reviewed in Kirschke et al., 1995). In particular cathepsin K has attracted recent interest (Bromme et al., 1996; Shi et al., 1995; Bossard et al., 1996; Drake et al., 1996) and was found to be expressed specifically in osteoclasts (Drake et al., 1996) with properties similar to cathepsin L (Bossard et al., 1996).

Crystal structures of human procathepsin B at 3.2 and 3.3 Angstroms resolution reveal an interaction motif between a papain-like cysteine protease and its propeptide

A wild-type human procathepsin B was expressed, crystallized in two crystal forms and its crystal structure determined at 3.2 and 3.3 Angstroms resolution. The structure reveals that the propeptide folds on the cathepsin B surface, shielding the enzyme active site from exposure to solvent. The structure of the enzymatically active domains is virtually identical to that of the native enzyme [Musil et al. (1991) EMBO J. 10, 2321-2330]: the main difference is that the occluding loop residues are lifted above the body of the mature enzyme, supporting the propeptide structure.