A rationalization of the acidic pH dependence for stromelysin-1 (Matrix metalloproteinase-3) catalysis and inhibition

The pH dependence of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) catalysis is described by a broad bell-shaped curve, indicating the involvement of two unspecified ionizable groups in proteolysis. Stromelysin-1 has a third pK(a) near 6, resulting in a uniquely sharp acidic catalytic optimum, which has recently been attributed to His(224). This suggests the presence of a critical, but unidentified, S1' substructure. Integrating biochemical characterizations of inhibitor-enzyme interactions with active site topography from corresponding crystal structures, we isolated contributions to the pH dependence of catalysis and inhibition of active site residues Glu(202) and His(224). The acidic pK(a) 5.6 is attributed to the Glu(202).zinc.H(2)O complex, consistent with a role for the invariant active site Glu as a general base in MMP catalysis. The His(224)-dependent substructure is identified as a tripeptide (Pro(221)-Leu(222)-Tyr(223)) that forms the substrate cleft lower wall. Substrate binding induces a beta-conformation in this sequence, which extends and anchors the larger beta-sheet of the enzyme. substrate complex and appears to be essential for productive substrate binding. Because the PXY tripeptide is strictly conserved among MMPs, this "beta-anchor" may represent a common motif required for macromolecular substrate hydrolysis. The striking acidic profile of stromelysin-1 defined by the combined ionization of Glu(202) and His(224) allows the design of highly selective inhibitors.

Structure-activity relationships and pharmacokinetic analysis for a series of potent, systemically available biphenylsulfonamide matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

A series of biphenylsulfonamide derivatives of (S)-2-(biphenyl-4-sulfonylamino)-3-methylbutyric acid (5) were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). For this series of compounds, our objective was to systematically replace substituents appended to the biphenyl and alpha-position of 5 with structurally diverse functionalities to assess the effects these changes have on biological and pharmacokinetic activity. The ensuing structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies showed that biphenylsulfonamides substituted with bromine in the 4'-position (11c) significantly improved in vitro activity and exhibited superior pharmacokinetics (C(max), t(1/2), AUCs), relative to compound 5. Varying the lipophilicity of the alpha-position by replacing the isopropyl group of 11c with a variety of substituents, in general, maintained potency versus MMP-2, -3, and -13 but decreased the oral systemic availability. Subsequent evaluation of its enantiomer, 11c', showed that both compounds were equally effective MMP inhibitors. In contrast, the corresponding hydroxamic acid enantiomeric pair, 16a (S-isomer) and 16a' (R-isomer), stereoselectivity inhibited MMPs. For the first time in this series, 16a' provided nanomolar potency against MMP-1, -7, and -9 (IC(50)'s = 110, 140, and 18 nM, respectively), whereas 16a was less potent against these MMPs (IC(50)'s = 24, 78, and 84 microM, respectively). However, unlike 11c, compound 16a' afforded very low plasma concentrations following a single 5 mg/kg oral dose in rat. Subsequent X-ray crystal structures of the catalytic domain of stromelysin (MMP-3CD) complexed with inhibitors from closely related series established the differences in the binding mode of carboxylic acid-based inhibitors (11c,c') relative to the corresponding hydroxamic acids (16a,a').

Peripheral injection of arginine8-vasopressin increases Fos in specific brain areas

Learned behaviors and tolerance to ethanol can be maintained by peripheral injection of arginine8-vasopressin (vasopressin) under conditions in which they would otherwise be lost. However, the sites of this action in the brain have not been clearly identified. Using a polyclonal antibody raised against Fos and Fos-like proteins, we have demonstrated increases in immunoreactive Fos and Fos-like proteins in the suprachiasmatic, supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, and lesser increases in piriform cortex and amygdala, of the rat 2 h after a s.c. injection of vasopressin. Our results suggest that the exogenous vasopressin may exert its central action by activating a cellular immediate early gene in specific brain regions.