Antidiuretic and pressor activities of vasopressin analogs with L-alaninamide and D-alaninamide substitutions at position 9

Analogs of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and lysine vasopressin (LVP)--with an L-alaninamide residue or a D-alaninamide residue replacing the naturally occurring glycinamide in position 9--lose virtually all pressor activity but retain from 10 to 70% of the antidiuretic activity of their parent hormones. These findings, in conjunction with the data of others on the biological consequences of alterations in positions 7 and 8, show that the antidiuretic receptor will tolerate considerably more structural alteration in the C-terminal tripeptide "tail" of the vasopressins than will the pressor receptor.

Solid phase synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 8-D-homoarginine-vasopressin and 1-deamino-8-D-homoarginine-vasopressin

Fully protected 8-D-lysine-vasopresin and 1-deamino-8-D-lysine-vasopressin were synthesized by the solid phase method. Selective removal of the lysine protection and reaction with 1-guanyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole converted D-lysine into D-homoarginine. The title compounds were then obtained by treatment with sodium in liquid ammonia and oxidation in dilute aqueous solution. Although the antidiuretic activities are lower than for the corresponding D-argining derivatives, the even lower pressor effects make the new analogues highly specific antidiuretic agents. The A/P ratios for 8-D-homoarginine-vasopressin and its 1-deamino derivative are 100 and 3,300, respectively.

The effects of N-terminal part modification of arginine vasopressin analogues with 2-aminoindane-2-carboxylic acid: a highly potent V2 agonist

In this study we present the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of nine new analogues of arginine vasopressin modified in the N-terminal part of the molecule with 2-aminoindane-2-carboxylic acid (Aic). The peptides were tested for their in vitro uterotonic and in vivo pressor and antidiuretic activities. One of the new peptides, [Mpa1,Aic2,Val4,D-Arg8]VP, exhibited an antidiuretic activity similar to that of [Mpa1,D-Arg8]VP, thus being one of the most potent antidiuretic vasopressin analogues reported to date.

Influence of conformationally constrained amino acids replacing positions 2 and 3 of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its analogues on their pharmacological properties

Synthesis of thirteen new analogues of arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been described. Amino acid residues at positions 2 and 3 of AVP, [3-mercaptopropionic acid (Mpa)(1)]AVP (dAVP), [Mpa(1),d-Arg(8)]VP (dDAVP) and [Mpa(1),Val(4),d-Arg(8)]VP (dVDAVP) were replaced with one amino acid residue using sterically constrained non-proteinogenic amino acids, 4-aminobenzoic acid (Abz), cis-4-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (ach) or its trans-isomer (Ach). In the case of a potent V(1a) antagonist, [1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid (Cpa)(1)]AVP, only one similar analogue has been prepared by replacing positions 2 and 3 with Abz. Unfortunately, all new peptides were inactive in bioassays for the pressor, antidiuretic and uterotonic in vitro activities in the rat.

Design and Synthesis of the First Selective Agonists for the Rat Vasopressin V1bReceptor: Based on Modifications of Deamino-[Cys]arginine Vasopressin at Positions 4 and 8

The neurohypophyseal peptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) mediate a wide variety of peripheral and central physiological and behavioral effects by acting on four different G-protein coupled receptors, termed V1a (vascular), V1b (pituitary), V2 (renal), and OT (uterine). We recently reported that d[Cha4]AVP (A), d[Leu4]AVP (B), d[Orn4]AVP (C), and d[Arg4]AVP (D) have high affinity and are selective agonists for the human V1b receptor. However, peptides A-D were subsequently shown to be potent antidiuretic agonists in the rat and are, thus, not selective V1b agonists in the rat. Peptides A-D served as leads for the studies reported here. They were modified at position 8 by Lys, ornithine (Orn), diaminobutyric acid (Dab), and diaminopropionic acid (Dap) to give d[Cha4,Lys8]VP (1), d[Cha4,Orn8]VP (2), d[Cha4,Dab8]VP (3), d[Cha4,Dap8]VP (4), d[Leu4,Lys8]VP (5), d[Leu4,Orn8]VP (6), d[Leu4,Dab8]VP (7), d[Leu4,Dap8]VP (8), d[Orn4,Lys8]VP (9), d[Orn4,Orn8]VP (10), d[Arg4,Lys8]VP (11), d[Arg4,Orn8]VP (12), and d[Arg4,Dab8]VP (13). All peptides were synthesized by the Merrifield solid-phase method. Their binding and functional properties were evaluated in rat AVP V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors and on the rat OT receptor expressed either in native tissues or in stably transfected cells. They were also examined in rat vasopressor, antidiuretic, and in in vitro (no Mg++) oxytocic assays. Functional studies performed on chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the different AVP/OT receptors confirm that d[Cha4,Lys8]VP (1), d[Cha4,Dab8]VP (3), d[Leu4,Lys8]VP (5), and d[Leu4,Dap8]VP (8) are the first selective agonists for the rat V1b receptor. These selective V1b agonists are promising new tools for studies of the role of the V1b receptor in the rat.

Analogues of neurohypophyseal hormones, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin, conformationally restricted in the N-terminal part of the molecule

It is generally accepted that the conformation of the N-terminal part of neurohypophyseal hormones analogues is important for their pharmacological activity. In this work, we decided to investigate how the substitution of positions 2 and 3 with the ethylene-bridged dipeptide would alter the pharmacological properties of OT, [Mpa1]OT, and [Cpa1]OT (OT=oxytocin; Mpa=3-mercaptopropionic acid; Cpa=1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid) and to investigate how a bulky 3,3-diphenyl-L-alanine residue incorporated in position 2 of AVP, [Mpa1]AVP, and [Cpa1]AVP (AVP=arginine vasopressin) would change the pharmacological profile of the compounds. The next analogues, [Val4]AVP, [Mpa1,Val4]AVP, and [Cpa1,Val4]AVP, had N-benzyl-L-alanine introduced at position 3. The last peptide was designed by Cys1 substitution in AVP by its sterically restricted bulky counterpart, alpha-hydroxymethylcysteine. All the peptides were tested for their in vitro uterotonic, pressor, and antidiuretic activities in the rat. The results of these assays showed that the reduction of conformational freedom of the N-terminal part of the molecule had a significant impact on pharmacological activities.

Analogues of arginine vasopressin modified in position 2 and 3 with conformationally constrained dipeptide fragments

This study describes the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of ten new analogues of arginine vasopressin (AVP) containing a conformationally constrained dipeptide fragment in the N-terminal part of their molecules. Amino acid residues in positions 2 and 3 of AVP and some of its agonistic analogues were replaced with -Phe-Phe and D-Phe-D-Phe, dipeptides having a -CH2-CH2- link bridging two nitrogens. All the new peptides were tested for vasopressor and antidiuretic activities. Four peptides with pA2 values ranging from 5.96 to 7.21 turned out to be weak or moderately potent V1a antagonists. The results supplied new information about the structure-activity relationship of AVP analogues. As some of these were unexpected, they point to the need for caution when extrapolating previously known effects of modifications to analogues having conformationally constrained fragments in their molecules.

Influence of enantiomers of 1-naphthylalanine in position 2 of VAVP and dVAVP on their pharmacological properties

In this study, we described the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of four new analogues of arginine vasopressin (AVP). Two peptides are substituted in position 2 with L-1-naphthylalanine (L-1-Nal) or its D-enantiomer and in position 4 with valine. In the further two compounds, we combined the above modifications with placement into position 1 of 3-mercaptopropionic acid residue (Mpa). All new peptides were tested for vasopressor and antidiuretic activities. We also estimated the uterotonic activities of these compounds in vitro. Urine samples prior and after peptide administration were analyzed for electrolytes excretion. All analogues are potent oxytocin antagonists. One of them, namely [L-1-Nal2,Val4]AVP, which appears practically not to interact with V1a and V2 receptors, is exceptionally selective. Our results open new possibilities for the design of very potent and selective oxytocin antagonists in vitro.

Cis/trans conformational equilibrium across the N-methylphenylalanine- N-methylphenylalanine peptide bond of arginine vasopressin analogs

Two cyclic analogs of vasopressin, -Pro-Arg-Gly-NH(2) (1) and -Pro-Arg-Gly-NH(2) (2) were synthesized by the solid phase method. Their structure was determined in aqueous solution by two-dimensional NMR techniques and simulated annealing algorithm from an extended template in X-PLOR. The total chemical shift correlation spectroscopy and rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy of the peptides displayed four distinct sets of residual proton resonances. This suggests that both analogs adopt four families of conformations in H(2)O/D(2)O (9 : 1) (one major and three minor species). In further analysis only signals of major species (M) and of one minor species (m(1)) were considered. The major species of both peptides include a trans peptide bond between the first and second residue, and a cis form between the second and third residue. In the minor species, all peptide bonds were found to exist in trans geometry.

Highly Potent 1-Aminocyclohexane-1-Carboxylic Acid Substituted V2 Agonists of Arginine Vasopressin

The synthesis and some pharmacological properties of two sets of analogues, one consisting of six peptides with 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (Acc) in position 2 and the other with the amino acid in position 3, have been described. All the peptides were tested for their pressor, antidiuretic, and uterotonic in vitro activities. The Acc(2) modification has been shown to selectively modulate the activities of the analogues. Four of the compounds were highly potent antidiuretic agonists with different pressor and uterotonic activities. On the other hand, the 3-substituted counterparts failed to exhibit any of the activities. One exception was provided by the [Mpa(1),Acc(3),Val(4),D-Arg(8)]VP analogue, which exhibited antidiuretic activity matching that of AVP, yet, unlike AVP, it was fairly selective.

[1-deamino-4-cyclohexylalanine] arginine vasopressin: a potent and specific agonist for vasopressin V1b receptors

To date, there are no vasopressin (VP) agonists that exhibit a high affinity and selectivity for the VP V1b receptor with respect to the V1a, V2, and oxytocin receptors. In this study, we describe the synthesis and pharmacological properties of [1-deamino-4-cyclohexylalanine] arginine vasopressin (d[Cha4]AVP). Binding experiments performed on various membrane preparations revealed that d[Cha(4)]AVP exhibits a nanomolar affinity for V1b receptors from various mammalian species (rat, bovine, human). It exhibits high V1b/V1a and V1b/oxytocin selectivity for rat, human, and bovine receptors. Furthermore, it exhibits high V1b/V2 specificity for both bovine and human vasopressin receptors. Functional studies performed on biological models that naturally express V1b receptors indicate that d[Cha4]AVP is an agonist. Like VP, it stimulated basal and corticotropin-releasing factor-stimulated ACTH secretion and basal catecholamine release from rat anterior pituitary and bovine chromaffin cells, respectively. In vivo experiments performed in rat revealed that d[Cha4]AVP was able to stimulate both ACTH and corticosterone secretion and exhibits negligible vasopressor activity. It retains about 30% of the antidiuretic activity of VP. This long-sought selective VP V1b receptor ligand with nanomolar affinity will allow a better understanding of V1b-mediated VP physiological effects and is a promising new tool for V1b receptor structure-function studies.

Chemical syntheses and biological studies on dimeric chimeras of oxytocin and the V(2)-antagonist, d(CH(2))(5)[D-Ile(2), Ile(4)]arginine vasopressin

Parallel and antiparallel heterodimers have been synthesized that combine into a single molecule the neurohypophyseal hormone oxytocin and the potent vasopressin V(2)-antagonist d(CH(2))(5)[D-Ile(2), Ile(4)]arginine vasopressin. Solid-phase synthesis with N(alpha)-9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry, featuring appropriate combinations of orthogonal protecting groups for the thiols [S-(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)sulfenyl (Snm); S-acetamidomethyl (Acm); S-triphenylmethyl (Trt)], was used to assemble the required linear nonapeptide amide monomer intermediates, which were then brought together in defined ways by solution reactions to provide the two heterodimers. The first disulfide bridge was formed by a directed approach involving attack by the free thiol of the 1-beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid (Pmp) residue of one monomer onto the Snm group of a cysteine residue on the other monomer; the inverse directed strategy failed due to steric hindrance. The second disulfide bridge was formed by iodine co-oxidation of Cys(Acm) residues on adjacent chains. Biological studies revealed that both the parallel and antiparallel chimeras lack pressor activity, have low uterotonic activity, and have diuretic activities comparable to that of the monomeric V(2)-antagonist. Sodium excretion depends on experimental conditions. Thus, with a 4% water load, both chimeras display effects similar to that of an equimolar mixture of oxytocin and V(2)-antagonist, i.e., lower sodium excretion than that resulting from administration of oxytocin alone but higher than that when V(2)-antagonist was administered alone. However, when no water load was used, the parallel chimera proved to be more effective in promoting sodium excretion than either oxytocin alone or an equimolar mixture of oxytocin and V(2)-antagonist.

Solid phase synthesis and biological activities of [Arg8]-vasopressin methylenedithioether

Solid phase synthesis of [Arg8]-vasopressin methylenedithioether, an analog of vasopressin which contains an extra methylene group between the two sulfur atoms of Cys1 and Cys6, is described. Methylene insertion occurred easily when the thiol free peptide on a solid support was treated with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in dichloromethane at room temperature for 3 h. The uterotonic in vitro, pressor, and antidiuretic activities of the compound were reduced in comparison to [Arg8]-vasopressin by one order of magnitude.

Analogs of arginine vasopressin modified in position 3 with (R)-alpha-hydroxymethylphenylalanine

This study describes the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of three new analogs of arginine vasopressin (AVP) substituted in position 3 with (R)-alpha-hydroxymethylphenylalanine ([R]-HmPhe). All new peptides were tested for vasopressor and antidiuretic as well as uterotonic activity. None of the 3 analogs showed any pressor activity and their uterotonic activity was negligible. Only analog [Mpa1,(R)-HmPhe3]AVP exhibited significant antidiuretic activity.

Synthesis and antidiuretic activities of novel glycoconjugates of arginine-vasopressin

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) was acylated with various acyl azides (2a-j) in pH 9.1 buffer to give AVP derivatives (11a-j) modified at the tyrosine side chain with a carbohydrate via a spacer arm. Glycoconjugates of AVP modified at the N-terminal amide (12a-e) were also synthesized from AVP and carboxylic acids (3a-e) using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole as coupling agent. Analogues (11a-j) exhibited greater in vivo antidiuretic activity than AVP. AVP and glycoconjugates (12a-e) were stable in rat plasma. On the other hand, glycoconjugates (11a-i) were found to readily convert to AVP according to first order kinetics. Hence, 11a-j are considered to be prodrugs of AVP.

Biologically active analogues of arginine vasopressin containing conformationally restricted dipeptide fragments

In this study we described the synthesis and pharmacological properties of five new analogues of arginine vasopressin (AVP). Four of these analogues contained ethylene-bridged dipeptide Phe-Phe in positions 2 and 3; one had two N-Me-Phe residues. All new peptides were tested for vasopressor and antidiuretic activities. We also estimated the uterotonic activities of these compounds in vitro. Three analogues were highly potent V1-antagonists. One of them, namely [Cpa1,(Phe-Phe)2,3,Val4]AVP, which seemed to not interact with either V2 and oxytocic receptors, was outstandingly selective. It is interesting that the high antipressor potency of our second peptide, [(N-Me-Phe)2,3]AVP, was achieved without modification of position 1. Our results open new possibilities for the design of very potent and selective V1-antagonists of AVP.

Properties of a new radioiodinated antagonist for human vasopressin V2 and V1a receptors

A vasopressin receptor antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid), 2-o-ethyl-D-tyrosine, 4-valine, 9-tyrosylamide] arginine vasopressin (d(CH2)5[o-ethyl-D-Tyr2,Val4,Tyr-NH9(2)]AVP), has been prepared. This antagonist is a potent antiantidiuretic, antivasopressor and antioxytocic peptide with pA2 values of 7.69-7.94 and affinities of 1.12-11.0 nM. When radioiodinated at the phenyl moiety of the tyrosylamide residue at position 9, this peptide was demonstrated to bind to vasopressin V2 and V1a receptors with a dissociation constant of 0.22-0.75 nM. This ligand is a good tool for further studies on human vasopressin V2 receptor localization and characterization, when used in combination with a selective vasopressin V1a ligand.

Chimeric strategies for the rational design of bioactive analogs of small peptide hormones

The aim of this study was to evaluate a variety of synthetic strategies pertinent to the development of chimeric analogs of the structurally divergent nonapeptide hormones arginine vasopressin (AVP) and bradykinin (BK). Single-chain peptides combining AVP and BK directly, AVP(1-9)-BK(1-9) or via a flexible aminohexanoic acid (epsilonAhx) linker, AVP(1-9)-epsilonAhx-BK(1-9), bind with relatively high affinity to the bovine kidney medulla B2a bradykinin receptor (B2a BKR). Significantly, amino-terminal extended chimeric analogs of BK, including AVP(1-9)-BK(1-9) and galanin(1-13)-BK(1-9), are functional B2 BKR agonists. These findings illustrate that chimeric peptides can activate G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in a manner analogous to that of endogenous monomeric agonists. Further development, combining the sequences of receptor subtype-selective antagonists, produced high-affinity chimeric antagonists of the V1a vasopressin receptor (V1a VPR) and the B2a BKR. We also determined the pharmacological characteristics of high-affinity chimeric hormone analogs derivatized with the membrane targeting function of mastoparan. Homodimers of an amino-terminal extended BK analog and a V1a-selective antagonist represent the first examples of new classes of B2 BKR and V1a VPR antagonists, respectively. These findings are discussed in relation to the GPCR binding site for small peptides and the development of novel biological probes and therapeutic agents.

Influence of L-naphthylalanine in position 3 of AVP and its analogues on their pharmacological properties

We describe the synthesis and pharmacological properties of two series of analogues: one which consists of three peptides having L-1-naphthylalanine in position 3 and the second composed of analogues substituted in position 3 with L-2-naphthylalanine. All peptides were tested in bioassays for pressor and antidiuretic activities. We also checked the uterotonic activity in vitro. We observed that the activity of counterparts in both series is, in two cases, strikingly different. One of the new analogues, [(L-2-Nal)3,(D-Arg)8]VP is among the most potent antagonists of the vasopressor response to AVP. Moreover, it is the first potent V1 antagonist devoid of antiuterotonic activity. This analogue was designed without modification of position 1, which was previously thought to be essential for substantial pressor antagonism. Two other peptides, [Mpa1;(L-2-Nal)3;(D-Arg)8]VP and [Mpa1,(L-1-Nal)3,D-Arg)8]VP, are highly potent V2 agonists. The second analogue is highly selective. With the exception of [(L-2-Nal)3]AVP, which showed weak antioxytocic activity, (L-Nal)3 modification resulted in the almost complete removal of interaction of our analogues with oxytocic receptors in vitro. Our results suggest that position 3 in AVP and its analogues is important not only for binding and recognition as previously though, but also for pressor, antidiuretic and uterotonic activities. We also assume that the hindering effect caused by bulky naphthyl moiety has a significant impact on the bioactive conformations of molecules which contain Nal residue, and can thus influence their interaction with V1, V2 and oxytocic receptors.

Constrained refinement based on NOE and chemical shift information: the monomer form of arginine-vasopressin-like insect factor

Via the refinement process of the monomer form of an arginine-vasopressin-like insect factor, the paper analyses the most relevant NMR information to define the solution structure of a flexible peptide. The relative importance of the different NOE constraints is discussed.

The use of proton chemical shifts to define the solution structure of a dimeric peptide

For flexible peptides, nuclear Overhauser Effects (NOE) experiments do not provide enough information to ensure a correct definition of their solution structure. The use of distance constraints, derived from the knowledge of proton chemical shifts, is developed to restrict the number of possible conformations. In the case of flexible molecules, randomization appears as an important factor of the correct estimation of the chemical shifts from the 3D structure. The refinement of the solution structure of the highly flexible AVP-like parallel dimer is described to illustrate this process.

Peptide synthesis using novel S-sulfocysteine derivatives

New cysteine S-sulfonate derivatives, Boc-Cys(SO3Na)-ONa 2 and Fmoc-Cys(SO3Na)-ONa 3, were prepared and their utility for peptide synthesis examined. The Fmoc derivative 3 was used in the solid-phase peptide synthesis of Arg8-vasopressin 9 via the Bunte salt 7. Satisfactory S-sulfonate stability was observed when p-cresol scavenged the cleavage from the resin. The intermediate 7 was purified by ion-exchange chromatography prior to S-sulfonate cleavage with tributylphosphine.

An exploration of the effects of L- and D-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid substitutions at positions 2, 3 and 7 in cyclic and linear antagonists of vasopressin and oxytocin and at position 3 in arginine vasopressin

We have investigated the effects of mono-substitutions with the conformationally restricted amino acid, 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic) at position 3 in arginine vasopressin (AVP), at positions 2, 3 and 7 in potent non-selective cyclic AVP V2/V1a antagonists, in potent and selective cyclic and linear AVP V1a antagonists, in a potent and selective oxytocin antagonist and in a new potent linear oxytocin antagonist Phaa-D-Tyr(Me)-Ile-Val-Asn-Orn-Pro-Orn-NH2 (10). We report here the solid-phase synthesis of peptide 10 together with the following Tic-substituted peptides: 1. [Tic3]AVP: 2. dICH2)5[D-TIc2]VAVP: 3, d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2Tic3]VAVP: 4, d(CH2)5[Tic2Ala-NH2(9)]AVP: 5. d(CH2)5[Tyr]Me)2.Tic3,Ala-NH2(9)]AVP: 6. d(CH2)5 [Tyr(Me)2,Tic7]AVP: 7, Phaa-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Lys-Tic-Arg-NH2: 8, desGly-NH2,d[CH2]5[Tic2,Thr4]OVT: 9. desGly-NH2d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2Thr4, Tic7[OVT; 11, Phaa-D-Tic-Ile-Val-Asn-Orn-Pro-Orn-NH2, using previously described methods. The protected precursors were synthesized by the solid-phase method, cleaved, purified and deblocked with sodium in liquid ammonia to give the free peptides 1-11 which were purified by methods previously described. Peptides 1-11 were examined for agonistic and antagonistic potency in oxytocic (in vitro, without Mg2+) and AVP antidiuretic (V2-receptor) and vasopressor (V1a-receptor) assays. Tic3 substitution in AVP led to drastic losses of V2, V1a and oxytocic agonistic activities in peptide 1, L- and D-Tic2 substitutions led to drastic losses of anti-V2/anti-V1a and anti-oxytocic potencies in peptides 2, 4, 8 and 11 (peptide 2 retained substantial anti-oxytocic potency; pA2 = 7.25 +/- 0.025). Whereas Tic3 substitution in the selective V1a antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Ala-NH2(9)]AVP(C) led to a drastic reduction in anti-V1a potency (from anti-V1a pA2 8.75 to 6.37 for peptide 5, remarkably, Tic3 substitution in the V2/V1a antagonist d(CH2)5(D-Tyr(Et)2]VAVP(B) led to full retention of anti-V2 potency and a 95% reduction in anti-V1a potency. With an anti-V2 pA2 = 7.69 +/- 0.05 and anti-V1a pA2 = 6.95 +/- 0.03. d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2, Tic3]VAVP exhibits a 13-fold gain in anti-V2/anti-V1a selectivity compared to (B). Tic7 substitutions are very well tolerated in peptides 6, 7 and 9 with excellent retention of the characteristic potencies of the parent peptides. The findings on the effects of Tic3 substitutions reported here may provide promising leads to the design of more selective and possibly orally active V2 antagonists for use as pharmacological tools and as therapeutic clinical agents for the treatment of the syndrome of the inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).

Lateral mobility of the antagonist-occupied V2 vasopressin receptor in membranes of renal epithelial cells

The lateral mobility of membrane integral receptors has been implicated as playing a significant role in signal transduction. The adenylate cyclase-coupled vasopressin V2 receptor has been shown to be highly laterally mobile in membranes of LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells at physiological temperature using a fluorescent vasopressin agonist, with lateral mobility of the V2 receptor proposed to play a role in both adenylate cyclase activation and ligand induced receptor internalization and down-regulation. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of two new fluorescent antagonists [(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid)1,D-Tyr2,Ile4,Lys9(N6-fluoresceinylaminothiocarbonyl )]AVP (FL-AVP-anta) and [(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid)1,D-Tyr2,Ile4,Lys9(N6-tetramethylrhodamylaminothioca rbonyl)]AVP (TR-AVP-anta) for the V2 receptor. The latter was used to determine the parameters of lateral mobility of the V2 receptor in the non-activated antagonist-occupied form. Using fluorescence photobleaching techniques, results were largely comparable to those for agonist-occupied receptor, indicating high mobility at 37 degrees C. Antagonistic properties of the V2 receptor ligands are apparently not related to decreased receptor lateral mobility. Photobleaching measurements, however, did show that in contrast to V2 agonist, V2 antagonist did not induce receptor immobilization due to aggregation with time at 37 degrees C, indicating that this could be of mechanistic importance in the internalization process.

Synthesis and binding characteristics of two sulfhydryl-reactive probes for vasopressin receptors

The present study describes the synthesis and receptor binding affinities of the sulfhydryl-reactive vasopressin analogs deamino[Dab(N delta-N-maleoyl-beta-alanin e)4]AVP (1a) and deamino[Lys(N epsilon-N-maleoyl-beta-alanine)8VP (2a). The analogs were obtained by introducing the sulfhydryl-reactive maleoyl-beta-analyl group at the delta-amino group of Dab4 in deamino[Dab4]AVP (1) and at the epsilon-amino group of Lys8 in deamino[Lys8]VP (2), which were synthesized by the solid-phase method. Furthermore, the analog modified at Dab4 was prepared as tritium labeled compound (1b) after catalytic iodine tritium exchange at Tyr2 in deamino[Dab4]AVP. The sulfhydryl-reactive vasopressin analogs retained high binding affinity for the V2 vasopressin receptor in membranes derived from bovine kidney inner medulla. Apparent dissociation constants Kd of 45 nM (compound 1a) and 15 nM (compound 2a) were determined. Incubation of the ligand receptor complexes at pH 5.5 resulted in dissociation of the sulfhydryl-reactive vasopressin analogs from the V2 receptor. No indications of a covalent reaction between analogs 1a, 2a and 1b and sulfhydryl groups in or close to the hormone binding site of the V2 receptor were found.

Design, synthesis and some uses of receptor-specific agonists and antagonists of vasopressin and oxytocin

Selective agonists and antagonists are powerful tools for studies on AVP and OT receptors and on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of AVP and OT. Here we show how some of these peptides and their radiolabelled derivatives were designed. We also present examples of the currently available cyclic and linear OT and AVP agonists and antagonists from our laboratories.

Design and synthesis of heterofunctional V1a-selective vasopressin receptor ligands with lysine at position 9

A peptide analogue of [8-arginine]vasopressin (AVP) with Lys substituted for Gly at position 9 ([d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)2LysNH2(9)]AVP; ALVP) has been synthesized as a precursor for the production of heterofunctional vasopressin receptor ligands. Three heterofunctional ligands have been prepared by attaching biotin and a photoreactive cross-linker capable of iodination, either alone or in combination, to the epsilon-amino group of Lys at position 9 in ALVP. The binding characteristics of these novel ligands have been determined at the V1a and V2 vasopressin receptors by employing membrane preparations of rat liver and kidney respectively. All of the analogues synthesized during the course of this study bound selectively, and with high affinity, to the V1a vasopressin receptor subtype. Our results demonstrate that the strategies described in this paper provide a convenient means of synthesizing heterofunctional vasopressin receptor ligands with preservation of subtype-specific, high affinity binding characteristics. These parameters establish the potential value of the analogues as probes for investigating V1a receptor structure and function.

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of new V1/V2 antagonists of arginine-vasopressin with structural changes at their N-terminals

In an effort to develop more effective and selective V2-antagonists of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) we designed and synthesized four new analogs of this hormone. The peptides were designed in order to explore how the combination of modification of thioacids occupying position 1 and substitutions of positions 2 and 4 by D-Phe and Ile respectively, will influence their antagonistic properties. Three of the reported analogs are moderately potent V1/V2 antagonists.

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of potent and selective antagonists of the vasopressor (V1-receptor) response to arginine-vasopressin

We report the solid-phase synthesis of eight position-9-modified analogues of the potent V1-receptor antagonist of arginine-vasopressin, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid),2-O-methyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP) (1-8) and five position-9-modified analogues of the closely related beta,beta-dimethyl less potent V1 antagonist, [1-deaminopenicillamine,2-O-methyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (dPTyr(Me)AVP) (9-13). In d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP the C-terminal Gly-NH2 was replaced by (1) ethylenediamine (Eda), (2) methylamine (NHMe), (3) Ala-NH2, (4) Val-NH2, (5) Arg-NH2, (6) Thr-NH2, (7) Gly-Eda, (8) Gly-N-butylamide (Gly-NH-Bu); in dPTyr(Me)AVP the C-terminal Gly-NH2 was replaced by (9) Ala-NH2, (10) Val-NH2, (11) Thr-NH2, (12) Arg-NH2, and (13) Tyr-NH2. All 13 analogues were tested for agonistic and antagonistic activities in in vivo rat vasopressor (V1-receptor) and rat antidiuretic (V2-receptor) assays. They exhibit no evident vasopressor agonism. All modifications in both antagonists were well-tolerated with excellent retention of V1 antagonism and striking enhancements in anti-V1/anti-V2 selectivity. With anti-V1 pA2 values of 8.75, 8.73, 8.86, and 8.78, four of the analogues of d-(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP (1-3 and 6) are equipotent with d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP (anti-V1 pA2 = 8.62) but retain virtually none of the V2 agonism of d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP. They are in fact weak V2 antagonists and strong V1 antagonists with greatly enhanced selectivity for V1 receptors relative to that of d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP. With anti-V1 pA2 values respectively of 8.16, 8.05, 8.04, 8.52, and 8.25, all five analogues (9-13) of dPTyr(Me)AVP are at least as potent V1 antagonists as dPTyr(Me)AVP (pA2 = 7.96) and three of these (9, 12, 13) actually show enhanced V1 antagonism over that of dPTyr(Me)AVP. In fact, the Arg-NH2(9) analogue (12) is almost equipotent with d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP. These new V1 antagonists are potentially useful as pharmacological tools for studies on the cardiovascular roles of AVP. Furthermore the analogues of dPTyr(Me)AVP may be useful in studies on the role(s) of AVP in the V1b-receptor-mediated release of ACTH from corticotrophs.

Two highly effective V1/V2 antagonists of vasopressin containing novel thioacids at position 1

In an attempt to develop more effective and selective V1/V2 antagonists of arginine vasopressin (AVP), two analogues have been designed and synthesized. In position 1 they contain thioacids that include a heteroatom in the cyclohexane ring. The 4-thio-4-tetrahydrothiopyraneacetic acid modification of position 1 used in one of them had advantages over the 1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid substituted compound used as reference. The new compound was weaker at lower doses, but elicited a greater response at higher doses, whereas the reference compound reached its plateau earlier. Although the 4-thio-4-tetrahydropyraneacetic acid substitution used in the second compound resulted in a less potent analogue on a weight basis, this substitution also confers enhanced overall efficacy in terms of magnitude of effect.

Biotinyl analogues of vasopressin as biologically active probes for vasopressin receptor expression in cultured cells

Biotinyl analogues of [Arg8]vasopressin were synthesized with the biotinyl moiety at position 4. This involved the substitution of 2, 4-diaminobutyric acid (Dab) for Gln4 in [1-deamino-Arg8]vasopressin to give the parent peptide des-[Dab4,Arg8]vasopressin. Two biotinyl analogues with different spacers between the side chain of Dab4 and the biotinyl residue were then prepared and characterized in detail. The analogues retained high binding affinities for the V2-receptor in both bovine kidney membranes and LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells and for the V1-receptor in rat liver membranes. Both analogues were as potent as [Arg8] vasopressin in stimulating the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the production of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in LLC-PK1 cells, with concentration dependence consistent with receptor binding affinities. Avidin or streptavidin did not appear to reduce receptor binding or biological activity of the biotinyl analogues. The use of the biotinylated vasopressin analogue des-[Dab-(biotinylamido)hexanoyl4, Arg8]vasopressin together with fluorescein-labeled streptavidin as a fluorescent probe for the V2-receptor in LLC-PK1 cells demonstrated the following: 1) Specific binding of the biotinyl analogue shown by quantitative single-cell fluorescence measurements using the technique of fluorescence microphotolysis; 2) the V2-receptor visualized by fluorescence microscopy; and 3) the expression of the V2-receptor detected by flow cytometry.

Cysteinyl methyl ester of AVP(4-8), a potent agonist on the maintenance of passive avoidance in rats

A series of short AVP analogs with D- or L-arginine forming the C-terminal was synthesized, and their peripheral effects, i.e., vasoconstrictor and antidiuretic activities, and behavioral effects in enhancing retention in passive avoidance in rats were evaluated. We found that: 1) AVP(4-8) and its cysteinyl methyl ester were more potent in the behavioral response than its D-Arg homologs; 2) the methyl ester derivative was the most effective analog in this behavioral test among the peptides we synthesized, with a potency 40 times as high as AVP; 3) neither the D- nor the L-Arg short derivatives of AVP showed any peripheral effects up to a dose thousands of times greater than AVP. The results support the contention that arginine in the short analogs plays an important role in their behavioral response associated with a relatively steady peptide conformation.

Efficient solution phase synthesis of [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)- 2-(O-ethyl-D-tyrosine)-4-valine-9-desglycine]arginine vasopressin

A convergent synthesis of the peptide [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)- 2-(O-ethyl-D-tyrosine)-4-valine-9-desglycine]arginine vasopressin (1), based on the classical solution phase method, was developed. The molecule is assembled by a 3 + 4 coupling via the azide method; then the disulfide bridge is installed by iodine treatment of the bis-acetamidomethyl protected thiols, and the terminal arginine amide added by a 7 + 1 coupling. The method has been used to prepare gram quantities of 1 in more than 98% purity and in 13% yield (based on tetrapeptide intermediate 13) after a single stage purification. The method appears to be particularly suitable for the large scale preparation of 1 and other vasopressin congeners. A novel, albeit low level, transfer of acetamidomethyl group from the sulfur of cysteine to the asparagine amide side-chain was detected following hydrogen chloride treatment of Boc-containing intermediates.

Processing endoprotease recognizes a structural feature at the cleavage site of peptide prohormones. The pro-ocytocin/neurophysin model

Pro-ocytocin/neurophysin convertase is a divalent cation-dependent endoprotease isolated from both bovine corpus luteum and neurohypophyseal secretory granules. The putative pro-ocytocin/neurophysin converting enzyme cleaves the Arg12-Ala13 bonds of both pro-ocytocin/neurophysin (1----20) and pro-ocytocin/neurophysin obtained by hemisynthesis. The minimal efficient substrate structure allowing recognition by this processing endoprotease was defined by measuring its cleavage efficiency and the inhibitory properties of a set of 34 selectively modified derivatives of the (1----20) NH2-terminal domain of the ocytocin/neurophysin precursor. The data demonstrate that: (i) the basic Lys11-Arg12 doublet, although necessary, is not sufficient; (ii) a minimal substrate length of nine amino acids (residues 7-15 or 8-16) is essential; (iii) those amino acids around the Lys-Arg doublet which contribute to the formation of a possible beta-turn-alpha-helix secondary structure are critical; (iv) substrate recognition by the enzyme may involve several subsites in which structural determinants, situated on both sides of the basic doublet, participate; (v) the NH2-terminal sequence of neurophysin plays a critical role in the correct reading of the cleavage sequence by the processing endoprotease. It is proposed, first, that this type of structural feature may constitute the basis of a general coding system for endoproteases involved in the processing of polypeptide hormone precursors; second, that in addition to its role in the intragranular packaging of the nonapeptide hormone, neurophysin plays a key role in the correct processing of its common precursor with ocytocin.

Synthesis and some pharmacologic properties of five novel V1 or V1/V2 antagonists of AVP

Based on [1-(1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid),2-(O-ethyl-D-tyrosine),4-valine]-8-arginine-vasopressin as a model, five new analogues of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) were designed and synthesized. Four of them have in position 1 a large lipophilic substituent, whereas the fifth contains pchloro-D-phenylalanine at position 2. We found that the anti-antidiuretic potency with 1-mercapto-4-methycyclohexaneacetic acid is higher than with 1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid (model peptide) in position 1 and this analogue is among the most potent antagonists of the antidiuretic response to AVP known to date. Upon further increase of the size of substituents, antagonistic potency was significantly decreased or totally eliminated. As for the substitution of p-chloro-D-phenylalanine in position 2, we conclude that this modification leads to substantial decrease of the V2 antagonistic potency.

A minor modification of residue 1 in potent vasopressin antagonists dramatically reduces agonist activity

[1-(beta,beta-Pentamethylene-beta-mercaptopropionic acid),2-(O-ethyl)-D- tyrosine,4-valine,9-desglycine]arginine-vasopressin (SK&F 101926, 1), a potent in vivo and in vitro vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, was recently tested in human volunteers and shown to be a full antidiuretic agonist. A new animal model for vasopressin activity has been developed in dogs that duplicates the clinical agonist findings exhibited with SK&F 101926. In this model we have discovered that substitution of a cis-4'-methyl group on the Pmp moiety at residue 1 of vasopressin antagonists results in substantially reduced agonist activity compared to the unsubstituted molecule (SK&F 101926). The corresponding analogue with a trans-4'-methyl group exhibits more agonist activity than the cis molecule. These findings can be explained by viewing the biological activities of compounds such as 1 as the interaction of the vasopressin receptor with a number of discrete molecular entities, conformers of 1, which present different pharmacophores. Models have been developed to assist in the understanding of these results.

Tritiation of [8-L-arginine, 9-desglycineamide] vasopressin

Tritiated vasopressin analogue, [8-L-arginine, 9-desglycineamide]-vasopressin was prepared from its diiodo-derivative by means of catalytic reductive dehalogenation. The reaction products were purified by reversed-phase HPLC resulting in a labelled peptide with high specific radioactivity (629 TBq/mmol).

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of three new analogues of arginine-vasopressin modified in positions 1,2,4 and 9

We have synthesized three new analogues of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) to determine some of the structural features that account for antagonistic potency. These analogues are as follows: 4-glutamic acid (gamma-N,N-diethylamide)-8-arginine-vasopressin (I), N,N-diethylamide 1-(1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid)-2-0-methyltyrosine- 4-glutamic acid (gamma-N,N-diethylamide)-8-arginine-vasopressin (II) and 1-(1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid)-2-0-methyltyrosine-4-glutamic acid (gamma-glycine amide)-8-arginine-vasopressin (III). Analogues II and III are weak and moderate antagonists of the vasopressor response to AVP, respectively. Analogue III only exhibits a weak anti-antidiuretic activity. Analogue I lacks antagonistic effects in both systems.

Synthesis of 8-D-arginine vasopressin analogues, modified in position 1 as antagonists of the vasopressor response to the parent hormone

The synthesis of three new arginine vasopressin (AVP) analogues with changes at position 1 and 8 is reported. They are: 1-(1-mercapto-4-methylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-8-D-arginine-vasopressin, 1-(4-tert-butyl-1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid)-8-D-arginine-vasopressin and 1-(1-mercapto-4-phenylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-8-D-arginine-vasopressin. They all proved to be potent and selective antagonists of the vasopressor response to AVP. They lacked antagonism in the antidiuretic assay (AD), but retained small agonism in this system. The Arg8 substitution instead of Arg8 in case of the described AVP analogues did not lead to any significant change of antagonistic potency or selectivity.

Synthesis of arginine-vasopressins, modified in positions 1 and 2, as antagonists of the vasopressor response to the parent hormone

In an attempt to determine some of the structural features in position 1 that account for antivasopressor activity, eight new 1-(beta, beta-dialkyl-substituted) analogues of 1-(3-mercaptopropanoic acid)-8-arginine-vasopressin and 1-(3-mercaptopropanoic acid)-2-O-methyltyrosine-8-arginine-vasopressin have been designed and synthesized. The protected precursors required for these peptides were obtained by a combination of solid-phase and solutions methods. Some of the reported analogues, namely 1-(1-mercapto-4-methylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-8-arginine-vasopressin, 1-(1-mercapto-4-methylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-2-O-methyltryosine-8-arginine-vasopressin, 1-(4-tert-butyl-1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid)-2-O-methyltyrosine-8-arginine- vasopressin, 1-(1-mercapto-4-phenylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-8-arginine-vasopressin and 1-(1-mercapto-4-phenylcyclohexaneacetic acid)-2-O-methyltyrosine-8-arginine- vasopressin, are among the most potent and selective antagonists of the vasopressor response to arginine-vasopressin reported to date.

Potent V2 vasopressin antagonists with structural changes at their C-terminals

A variety of structural changes were made in the C-terminals of four potent antidiuretic (V2) antagonists. The parent analogs were all derivatives of [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin, d(CH2)5AVP, namely d(CH2)5[D-Phe2,Ile4]AVP, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Ile4]AVP, d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2, Val4]AVP and d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2,Ile4]AVP. A number of amino acid amides were substituted for the C-terminal 9-glycinamide without reducing their V2-antagonistic potencies in rats. Many non-amino acid structures were also tolerated at the C-terminals of these antagonists and this end of these peptides can be prolonged without interfering with antagonistic potencies. Such altered V2-antagonists may be useful for the development of radioactive ligands, affinity labels and in affinity columns for studies on antidiuretic receptors. These C-terminal modifications also provide useful information for the further development of potent and specific V2-antagonists which can be valuable pharmacological tools and also promise to become useful clinically for the treatment of excessive water retention.

Synthesis of three NH2-terminally extended arginine-vasopressins with prolonged biological activities

The synthesis of three novel AVP-analogues, extended by 1-3 amino acids at their NH2-2-termini in accordance with the sequence of the bovine arginine-vasopressin neurophysin II precursor, is reported. The compounds were assayed for their antidiuretic and vasopressor activities with particular attention to the duration of the effects. All compounds showed high potency, based on the intensity, and prolonged effects in both test systems compared with AVP.

4-Proline and 4-hydroxyproline analogs of arginine vasopressin: role of the proline substitution in the two beta-turns of vasopressin

[4-L-Proline]arginine vasopressin, [4-D-proline]arginine vasopressin, [4-hydroxyproline]arginine vasopressin and [4-proline, 7-hydroxyproline] arginine vasopressin were synthesized and found to have antidiuretic activities of 91 +/- 4, 1.7 +/- 0.2, 1.0 +/- 0.1 and 4.4 +/- 1.0 units/mg, respectively. None of these analogs exhibited a significant level of rat pressor activity. The observed activities of these and other analogs with substitutions at position 4 and/or 7 are discussed on the basis of hypotheses and data bearing on the solution conformation of vasopressins.

Sequence redesign and the assembly mechanism of the oxytocin/bovine neurophysin I biosynthetic precursor

The structural organization of neurohypophysial hormone biosynthetic precursors and the interdependence between intramolecular folding and precursor self-association were examined using sequence-engineered mutants of the semisynthetic oxytocin/bovine neurophysin precursor (pros-OT/BNPI). In [N alpha 1-Ac,N epsilon 30,71-diacetimidyl, Ala2,des-His106] Pro-Ot/BNPI or [N alpha 1-Ac,Ala2]pros-OT/BNPI), two structural elements (Tyr2 and free alpha-amino group) were eliminated which were predicted to be critical for intramolecular conformation by stabilizing contact between hormone and neurophysin domains. This mutant was used to test the dependence of precursor self-association on intramolecular conformation. In the second mutant precursor, [N alpha 30,71-diacetimidyl,D-Pro7,D-Leu8,des-His106]p ro-OT/BNPI (or [D-Pro7,D-Leu8]pros-OT/BNPI), the stereochemistry at L-Pro7-L-Leu8 was changed to test the extent to which precursor conformation depends on ordered structure in the processing/spacer sequence which connects the interacting hormone and neurophysin I domains. Intramolecular conformation was characterized for the precursor and mutants by analytical affinity chromatography on immobilized hormone analog Met-Tyr-Phe and by circular dichroism. Data obtained by both methods showed that, while pros-OT/BNPI is folded, with hormone domain occupying the hormone-binding site of the neurophysin domain, the alpha-acetyl-Ala2 mutant is not so organized intramolecularly. When pros-OT/BNPI and the alpha-acetyl-Ala2 mutant were eluted on immobilized BNPII to measure self-association propensity, the native-like precursor was found to bind with 12-15-fold higher affinity than the assembly mutant. Thus, while pros-OT/BNPI assumes a molecular structure containing a high-affinity self-association surface induced by intramolecular hormone domain-neurophysin domain interaction, [N alpha 1-Ac,Ala2]pros-OT/BNPI does not. The results with the alpha-acetyl-Ala2 mutant show that intramolecular domain-domain interaction is the obligatory "trigger" which induces the high-affinity precursor self-association that likely drives precursor to aggregated forms in the concentrated intragranular environment that exists in peptide hormone-synthesizing cells. In contrast, affinity chromatographic and circular dichroism properties of the D-Pro7,D-Leu8 mutant show that this intramolecular trigger is dependent, but only weakly, on the conformation of the peptide sequence between domains, as judged by native-like interaction properties below 40 degrees C but lowered stability to elevated temperature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Synthesis and biological activities of arginine-vasopressin analogues with 4-hydroxyproline in position 7

Three arginine-vasopressin (AVP) analogues in which the proline residue in position 7 was substituted with 4-hydroxyproline were synthesized by solid-phase techniques, and their biological activities were evaluated by antidiuretic, pressor, and uterotonic bioassays. The [7-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline]AVP, the 1-desamino[7-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline]AVP, and the 1-desamino[7-cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline]AVP analogues showed a high antidiuretic and strikingly high uterine activity, a sharp decrease in pressor activity, and a better antidiuretic and uterine to pressor selectivity than the parent compound, arginine-vasopressin. The uterine activities are the highest so far assayed in AVP analogues with replacements in position 7.

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 18 potent O-alkyltyrosine-substituted antagonists of the vasopressor responses to arginine-vasopressin

Using the Merrifield solid-phase method, we have synthesized 18 new 2-O-alkyltyrosine-substituted analogues (where alkyl = methyl and ethyl) of the arginine-vasopressin (AVP) vasopressor antagonists [1-deaminopenicillamine]-arginine-vasopressin (dPAVP), [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-diethylpropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin (dEt2AVP), and [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5AVP) and of their 8-D-arginine (d(R2)DAVP) analogues, their 4-valine (dR2VAVP) analogues, and their 4-valine,8-D-arginine (d(R2)VDAVP) analogues [where R = CH3 or C2H5 and 2R = (CH2)5]. These analogues were tested for agonistic and antagonistic activities in in vivo rat vasopressor and rat antidiuretic and in vitro rat uterus assay systems. Although many exhibit very low antidiuretic activities, none of the new analogues antagonize antidiuretic responses to AVP. They exhibit no evident pressor activities and are in fact all highly effective antagonists of the vasopressor responses to AVP. They are also potent antagonists of the in vitro oxytocic responses to oxytocin, both in the absence and in the presence of Mg2+. These analogues together with their corresponding antivasopressor pA2 values are as follows: 1. dPTyr(Et)AVP, 8.40 +/- 0.08; 2. dEt2Tyr(Me)AVP, 8.53 +/- 0.06; 3. dEt2Tyr(Et)AVP, 8.46 +/- 0.08; 4. d(CH2)5Tyr(Et)AVP, 8.47 +/- 0.04; 5. dPTyr(Me)DAVP, 8.31 +/- 0.08; 6. dPTyr(Et)DAVP, 8.27 +/- 0.06; 7. dEt2Tyr(Me)DAVP, 8.57 +/- 0.03; 8. dEt2Tyr(Et)DAVP, 8.33 +/- 0.06; 9. d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)DAVP, 8.41 +/- 0.05; 10. d(CH2)5Tyr(Et)DAVP, 8.45 +/- 0.05; 11. dPTyr(Me)VAVP, 8.36 +/- 0.07; 12. dPTyr(Et)VAVP, 8.07 +/- 0.13; 13. dEt2Tyr(Me)VAVP, 8.29 +/- 0.08; 14. dEt2Tyr(Et)VAVP, 8.42 +/- 0.06; 15. dPTyr(Me)VDAVP, 7.84 +/- 0.06; 16. dPTyr(Et)VDAVP, 8.46 +/- 0.03; 17. dET2Tyr(Me)VDAVP, 8.35 +/- 0.10; 18. dEt2Tyr (Et)VDAVP, 8.19 +/- 0.07. Seven of these analogues are clearly more potent vasopressor antagonists than their respective unalkylated tyrosine-containing parents. In the remaining 11, antagonistic potency was not changed significantly. In no instance did 2-O-alkyltyrosine substitution decrease antagonistic potency. With pA2 values equal to or greater than 8.40, nine of these antagonists (numbers 1-4, 7, 9, 10, 14, and 16) are among the most potent vasopressor antagonists reported to date. They could thus serve as additional valuable pharmacological tools in studies on the roles of AVP in the control of blood pressure in normal and in pathophysiological conditions. These findings may also provide useful clues to the design of more potent and selective antagonists of AVP.

Synthesis, antidiuretic and pressor activities of [arginine4]arginine-vasopressin and two related analogues

Using well-established solid-phase techniques, three new analogues of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) were synthesized. In these the glutamine residue in position 4 was replaced with an additional arginine. The new analogues were: [Arginine4]arginine-vasopressin ([Arg4]AVP), [2-thiopropionic acid1,arginine4]arginine-vasopressin (d[Arg4]AVP) and [1-thiocyclohexaneacetic acid1,arginine4]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5[Arg4]AVP). [Arg4]AVP showed about the same antidiuretic activity as AVP but had only about 40% of its pressor activity. Unexpectedly, deamination caused a drop in the antidiuretic activity to about 50%. d(CH2)5[Arg4]AVP had practically negligible antidiuretic and low pressor effects.

Synthesis and characterization of iodinated vasopressin antagonists which retain high affinity for the vasopressin receptor

The mono- and di-iodinated analogs of lysine and arginine vasopressin have been prepared previously but not well characterized chemically. Their biological activities are greatly reduced with respect to LVP or AVP. In this paper we report a convenient synthesis of iodinated AVP agonists and antagonists, their purification by high performance liquid chromatography, and their characterization by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. In contrast to the results obtained with agonists, the mono-iodinated vasopressin antagonist retains virtually the full receptor activity of its non-iodinated parent. This should allow the preparation of labeled vasopressin antagonists of high specific activity for receptor characterization and isolation.

Potent and selective antagonists of the antidiuretic responses to arginine-vasopressin based on modifications of [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid),2-D-isoleucine,4- valine]arginine-vasopressin at position 4

As part of a program in which we are attempting (a) to obtain more potent and/or more selective antagonists of the antidiuretic responses to arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and (b) to delineate the structural features at positions 1-9 required for antidiuretic antagonism, we have synthesized 13 new analogues of the antidiuretic antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid),2-D-isoleucine,4- valine]arginine-vasopressin [d(CH2)5[D-Ile2]VAVP] in which the valine residue at position 4 has been replaced by the L-amino acids Abu, Ile, Thr, Ala, Ser, Nva, Gln, Leu, Lys, Cha, Asn, Orn, and Phe and two new analogues of the antidiuretic antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid),2-D-phenylalanine,4- valine]arginine-vasopressin [d(CH2)5[D-Phe2]VAVP] with the Val4 residue replaced by Ser and Orn. These analogues are 1, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Abu4]AVP; 2, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Ile4]AVP; 3, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Thr4]AVP; 4, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Ala4]AVP; 5, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Ser4]AVP; 6, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Nva4]AVP; 7, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2]AVP; 8, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Leu4]AVP; 9, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Lys4]AVP; 10, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Cha4]AVP; 11, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Asn4]AVP; 12, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Orn4]AVP; 13, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Phe4]AVP; 14, d(CH2)5[D-Phe2,Ser4]AVP; and 15, d(CH2)5[D-Phe2,Orn4]AVP. The protected peptide precursors for these peptides were prepared by the solid-phase method, followed by ammonolytic cleavage. The free peptides 1-15 were obtained by deblocking with Na in NH3, oxidation of the resultant disulfhydryl compounds with dilute K3[Fe(CN)6], and purification on Sephadex G-15 in a two-step procedure with 50% HOAc and 0.2 M HOAc as eluants. Analogues 1-15 were tested in rats for agonistic and antagonistic activities by antidiuretic, vasopressor, and oxytocic assays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)