Cyclic disulfide analogues of the complement component C3a. Synthesis and conformational investigations

The flexible C-terminal region of the anaphylatoxic peptide C3a was reported to contain the receptor binding site. To elucidate the receptor binding conformation of the C-terminus, as well as to examine a synthetic approach to potential C3a-antagonists, 26 cyclic disulfide bridged C3a analogues were synthesized. Solid phase peptide synthesis was performed on different polymeric supports by individual peptide synthesis, with Fmoc strategy, and simultaneous multiple peptide synthesis, using Boc and Fmoc strategies. Both strategies gave open-chain peptides in comparable yields. Syntheses using the Boc strategy employed the HF-labile 4(methoxy)benzyl group (Mob) for beta-thiol protection of cysteine; in contrast, the TFA-stable protecting groups, acetamidomethyl (Acm) and trityl (Trt), were chosen for syntheses employing Fmoc strategy. Ring closure reactions by iodine oxidation were carried out starting from protected (Acm/Acm, Trt/Acm) or unprotected dithiols. The resulting cyclic C3a analogues were characterized by HPLC, amino acid analysis, and FAB-MS. Conformational investigations using CD spectroscopy and theoretical structural investigations by means of molecular dynamics calculations revealed that slight variations in sequence result in pronounced conformational consequences. The potential of cyclic C3a analogues to activate or to desensitize guinea pig platelets, a standard test system for biological activities of anaphylatoxic peptides like C3a, revealed relatively low activities for cyclic peptides (< 0.1% C3a activity). N-terminal acylation with cationic, arginine-rich sequences like YRRGR- led to amplified biological effects. Three of the synthesized peptides, namely CAALCLAR (P1), YRRGRCGGLCLAR (P5) and YRRGRAhxCGGLCLAR (P8), point in the direction of C3a antagonists.

An alternative to hysterectomy? GnRH analogue combined with hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether GnRH analogues are effective in relieving pelvic pain and congestion and whether menopausal symptoms caused by GnRH analogues can be minimised by supplementation with low dose continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

DESIGN

Open prospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral clinic at a teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Twenty-one women with chronic pelvic pain.

INTERVENTION

Four months' therapy with goserelin 3.6 mg/month combined with continuous oestradiol valerate 1 mg daily and medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg daily.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual analogue scale for pain, menopausal symptoms, bleeding patterns, uterine area, endometrial status, oestradiol concentrations and venogram scores.

RESULTS

Amenorrhoea was maintained in all but two women. Endometrial atrophy was maintained despite HRT supplementation. Two women had moderate menopausal symptoms but none had severe symptoms. Significant reduction of uterine cross sectional area was maintained throughout the study. There was no significant relief of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

HRT supplementation of GnRH analogues abolishes menopausal symptoms and thus may improve patient acceptability. Potentially beneficial effects such as endometrial atrophy, reduction of uterine volume and amenorrhoea were not negated by HRT. This combination is not effective in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain and congestion.

Potency of an oxidation-resistant mutant of secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor in lipopolysaccharide-induced emphysema in hamsters

Secretory leukocyte inhibitor (SLPI) is a potent inhibitor of serine proteinases, but sensitive to oxidative inactivation due to a methionine residue in the active centre of the inhibitor. We compared the potency of an oxidation-resistant mutant of recombinant SLPI with native recombinant SLPI in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced emphysema in the hamster. Application of this oxidation-resistant mutant reduced the induced emphysema by 70 and 85% in two separate series of experiments. In contrast, an equal amount of native rSLPI resulted in significantly lower inhibition, 30 and 23%, respectively (P = 0.002). To demonstrate the effect of oxygen radicals upon a single LPS instillation in the lungs, we measured anti-neutrophil elastase activity in lung lavage fluid at 10 and 24 h after the instillation of a mixture of LPS and native rSLPI. We found that residual native rSLPI was only 70 and 55% active, respectively. The rSLPI-mutant remained 93% active in a similar experiment. The native and mutant inhibitor showed equal potency against proteinases in a granule extract of hamster neutrophils. We conclude that the replacement of methionine by leucine in the inhibitory centre of rSLPI results in a decreased sensitivity to oxidative inactivation and that this alone is sufficient to explain the greater efficiency of the rSLPI-mutant in reducing the extent of LPS-induced emphysema.

Oxidation resistant muteins of antileukoproteinase as potential therapeutic agents

Native antileukoproteinase (ALP) and two oxidant resistant mutants ALP 242 and ALP 231 were synthesized by means of recombinant DNA technology. In the ALP 242 molecule the methionine residue located in the reactive centre of the binding loop is replaced by a leucine residue. In ALP 231 all four methionine residues of the second domain were substituted by leucine residues. The native inhibitor and the two oxidant resistant molecules show comparable inhibitory capacities towards human neutrophil elastase (HLE) and cathepsin G. All three inhibitors were treated with different reactive oxygen species. After incubation with chloramine T or supernatants of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's) a drastic drop of inhibitory capacity of the native molecule was observed. Compared to the native form of ALP the mutant ALP 242 was less inactivated, whereas ALP 231 was nearly totally resistant towards all reactive oxygen. (Heinzel-Wieland R. et al., Biomed Biochim Acta 50: 677-681 (1991)) The intratracheal administration of HLE into the lung of Syrian Hamsters induced mild to moderate emphysematous lesions. The inhibitory potencies of native ALP and the ALP mutants were determined in this animal model by means of intratracheal instillation of the different molecules one hour prior to the administration of HLE. The inhibitory effects of ALP 242 and ALP 231 towards HLE-induced emphysema were significantly better than that of the native molecule. Surprisingly no significant differences between the two mutants were observed. (Rudolphus A. et al., Clin Sci 81: 777-784 (1991)) In a second animal model the emphysema was induced by repeated intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the hamster lungs. This model is characterized by a chronic process of inflammation probably caused by a continuous release of endogenous elastase from infiltrating PMN's. Repeated applications of 1 mg of ALP 242 reduced the LPS-induced emphysema by 70 to 80%. In contrast, equal amounts of the native molecule resulted in significantly lower inhibition of the LPS-induced emphysema, only 23-30% reduction was observed. Repeated applications of 1 mg of ALP 231 reduced the LPS-induced emphysema only about 50%. So far it is not yet clear, why the totally oxidant resistant ALP 231 was less effective than the ALP 242 molecule. (Stolk J. et al., Pulmonary Pharmacology in press (1992))

Synthetic peptides as antagonists of the anaphylatoxin C3a

Peptide compounds resembling the receptor-binding C-terminal domain of the anaphylatoxic peptide C3a were synthesized to examine two kinds of C3a antagonism: (a) specific desensitization of C3a-sensitive cells and (b) competitive binding to the C3a receptor. We used guinea-pig platelets, which express a C3a receptor and specifically release ATP upon stimulation, to evaluate the actions of the C3a analogues. The ATP liberation can be inhibited by pretreatment (i.e. desensitization) of the guinea-pig platelets with substimulatory concentrations of C3a or its analogues. Compared to C3a, several peptides were found with at least a tenfold greater difference between the required concentrations for C3a-specific half-maximal desensitization (DD50) and half-maximal platelet activation (ED50). The most potent compounds were YAAALKLAR and Fmoc-EAALKLAR (Fmoc: 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl) with an ED50/DD50 of 140 +/- 28 and 80 +/- 17, respectively (mean +/- standard deviation). The ED50/DD50 of human C3a was found to be only 6 +/- 2. Some C3a derivatives were also tested in competitive binding studies for their ability to compete with C3a for receptor sites on guinea-pig platelets. Three of them were considered partial antagonists [YRRGRCGGLCLAR, YRRGRXCGGLCLAR and YRRGRXCGALCLAR (X = 6-aminohexanoyl)] because their Ki were smaller than their ED50 (Ki/ED50 = 0.6 +/- 0.3, 0.5 +/- 0.1 and 0.4 +/- 0.2, respectively). Interestingly, the last two compounds also had ED50/DD50 values greater than 60. Common to all three peptides are N-terminal arginine-rich sequences and intramolecular disulfide bridges which introduce conformational constraint.

A comparison of the in vivo biochemical responses to exogenous parathyroid hormone-(1-34) [PTH-(1-34)] and PTH-related peptide-(1-34) in man

PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) is one of the etiological factors associated with hypercalcemia of malignancy in humans and rodents. In both in vivo and in vitro animal systems its actions mimic those of PTH; however, its bioactivity in humans has not previously been assessed. Therefore, we compared the actions of the synthetic human (h) analogs hPTHrP-(1-34) and hPTH-(1-34) when given by iv infusion to 15 healthy subjects, aged 25 +/- 3 yr. Three 12-h test infusions were given to each subject in the order: hPTH-(1-34) at a dose of 8 pmol/kg.h, an equimolar dose (8 pmol/kg.h) of PTHrP-(1-34) (low dose), and a 10-fold higher dose (80 pmol/kg.h) of hPTHrP-(1-34) (high dose). PTH infusion resulted in significant increases from basal values in serum total ionized calcium, urinary phosphate and cAMP, and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2d3]. No significant increases from basal values in any of these variables were observed during low dose PTHrP infusion. However, a 10-fold higher dose of PTHrP significantly increased serum calcium from 2.36 +/- 0.07 to 2.63 +/- 0.16 mmol/L (P less than 0.003), ionized calcium from 1.22 +/- 0.03 to 1.39 +/- 0.09 mmol/L (P less than 0.003), urinary phosphate from 0.21 +/- 0.19 to 0.31 +/- 0.16 mmol/L glomerular filtrate (P less than 0.05), urinary cAMP from 37 +/- 18 to 53 +/- 28 nmol/L glomerular filtrate (P less than 0.01), and serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 from 29.8 +/- 12.1 to 46.0 +/- 20.3 pmol/L (P less than 0.01). For each variable these changes were statistically equivalent to the increases observed during PTH infusion. The molar concentrations of circulating immunoreactive PTH-(1-34) and PTHrP-(1-34) (at the higher dose) achieved during infusion were at a ratio of 1:3. These results suggest that the in vivo actions of synthetic hPTHrP-(1-34) are comparable to those of hPTH-(1-34), but its biological activity after infusion may be less than that of hPTH-(1-34). Moreover, the increased concentrations of serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 observed with administration of hPTHrP-(1-34) are unlike the changes seen in hypercalcemia of malignancy in which levels of this vitamin D metabolite are frequently depressed.

Oxidation-resistant variants of recombinant antileucoprotease are better inhibitors of human-neutrophil-elastase-induced emphysema in hamsters than natural recombinant antileucoprotease

1. Antileucoprotease, being sensitive to oxidative inactivation, can be produced by recombinant techniques. Via site-directed mutagenesis, two mutants of recombinant antileucoprotease were produced in which one or more of the oxidation-sensitive methionine residues were replaced by leucine: in rALP242, methionine-73 was replaced by leucine, and in rALP231, leucine was substituted for four methionine residues. In vitro, native antileucoprotease and the recombinant antileucoprotease preparations have similar inhibitory characteristics towards human neutrophil elastase. We hypothesized that replacement of methionine residues in the antileucoprotease molecule would result in a reduced oxidation sensitivity of the mutants. 2. After incubation of recombinant antileucoprotease and its mutants with increasing dosages of cis-platinum(II)diammine dichloride, we observed that native antileucoprotease and recombinant antileucoprotease were inactivated by this reagent to the same extent. Compared with this, rALP242 was less inactivated, whereas the inhibitory capacity of rALP231 was not influenced by cis-platinum(II)diammine dichloride at all. 3. After incubation of recombinant antileucoprotease, rALP242 and rALP231 with triggered polymorphonuclear leucocytes, which are thought to produce an excess of oxidants, we measured residual inhibitory activities towards human neutrophil elastase of 10%, 55% and 87%, respectively. 4. In vivo, the inhibitory effects of intratracheally administered rALP242 and rALP231 towards human-neutrophil-elastase-induced emphysema were significantly greater than that of recombinant antileucoprotease. There were no significant differences between the mutants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of hysteroscopy in patients having failed IVF/GIFT transfer cycles

Fifty patients who had undergone 2 or more failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo transfer (ET) cycles or failed GIFT cycles where fertilization had been demonstrated, underwent hysteroscopy; 28% were found to have intrauterine abnormalities which may have been responsible for the failure of the IVF-ET or GIFT. Patients with an abnormality found at hysteroscopy had undergone a significantly higher mean number of transfer cycles. These results suggest that intrauterine abnormalities may be a cause for failure of IVF-ET or GIFT and therefore hysteroscopy should be part of the infertility work-up of all patients prior to undergoing IVF treatment.

The embryo comes of age: the first decade of the Fertility Society of Australia

The Fertility Society of Australia was conceived in 1980 and born in 1982. After 10 years its history and achievements are reviewed.

Analysis of the local and systemic immune responses induced in BALB/c mice by experimental respiratory syncytial virus infection

Pulmonary A2 strain respiratory syncytial virus infection of BALB/c laboratory mice persisted for up to 7 days after initial infection with peak virus titres being recovered on day 4. Virus antigen within the lungs was found to be restricted essentially to the alveolar regions. Similarly, pulmonary histopathological changes remained confined to the peri-alveolar regions being consistent with mild pneumonia. Infection was found to elicit a pulmonary major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response which was first detectable 6 days after infection and optimal 7 to 9 days after infection. This local CTL response was preceded by a rapid transient virus-specific lymphocyte transformation response which was detectable only 3 days after intranasal infection. In addition, infection induced rapid interferon production within the lungs which was accompanied by an equally rapid rise in pulmonary natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity. Enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity could be detected after only 1 day post-infection and continued to rise to maximum levels on day 3. This response like the acute CTL response was found to be restricted to the lower respiratory tract. IgG was the first class of virus-specific immunoglobulin to be detected in the lungs of infected animals after experimental infection. However, IgG was not detected until day 10 post-infection, 5 days after the initial decline of virus shedding. Virus-specific IgA although detectable did not appear in the lung until day 24.

Reevaluation of the C3a active site using short synthetic C3a analogues

In 1980 the C-terminal pentapeptide LGLAR (C3a 73-77) was described (Caporale, L. H. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 1980, 255: 10758) as the minimal sequence inducing a C3a-specific activity. We have synthesized C3a-analogue peptides connected to non-peptidic acyl residues known to potentiate biological activity. Starting from the acylated hexapeptide fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl(Fmoc)-aminohexanoyl(Ahx)-ALGLAR+ ++, a related series of shorter peptides was synthesized. C3a-specific activity was measured as ATP release from guinea pig platelets. Even the tripeptide LAR, acylated with Fmoc-Ahx, exhibited C3a-specific activity. With 0.34% C3a activity, it was even more potent than the native LGLAR sequence which has 0.01% activity. N-terminal extension of the acylated tripeptide LAR by adding one to three alanines increased activity tenfold up to 3.26% (Fmoc-Ahx-AAALAR), while N-terminal addition of three glycine residues (Fmoc-Ahx-GGGLAR) only increased activity to 0.83% of native C3a. Furthermore, a stimulus-specific desensitization could be observed. Fmoc-Ahx-R and Fmoc-Ahx-AR exhibited neither activity nor desensitizing capacity, but the addition of four alanines to the dipeptide AR led to a sequence (Fmoc-Ahx-AAAAAR) with a C3a-specific activity of 0.14%. Even arginine prolonged N-terminally with five glycines (Fmoc-Ahx-GGGGGR) exhibited some C3a-specific activity so that for biological activity only the appropriate presentation of arginine seems to be essential.

Characterization of C3a receptor-proteins on guinea pig platelets and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The expression of specific membrane receptors for C3a was determined on guinea pig C3a-sensitive (gp R+) platelets and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (hu PMNL). Binding studies with 125I-labeled C3a from gp or hu sources and Scatchard analysis applied to the binding data revealed the existence of two receptor classes on gp R+ platelets; a high-affinity class with about 200 binding sites/cell and Kd = 1.7 x 10(-9) M, and a relatively low-affinity class with Kd = 10(-8) M and about 500 sites/cell. Hu PMNL express a homogeneous receptor class with Kd = 3 x 10(-8) M and 40,000 sites/cell. Molecular characterization of the C3a receptor on gp R+ platelets was achieved by (a) cross-linking photoaffinity-labeled receptors to bound 125I-labeled C3a; (b) photoaffinity labeling receptors with a 13-amino acid residue C3a analogue 125I-Nap-Ahx-13; and (c) use of chemical cross-linkers like disuccinimidylsuberate to cross-link receptors with 125I-C3a. All three techniques gave rise to very similar labeling patterns. With the photoaffinity labeling methods, a diffuse band pattern was observed with an apparent molecular mass of 95-123 kDa with 125I-C3a as label, and 85-105 kDa with 125I-Nap-Ahx-13 as label. Chemical cross-linking of 125I-C3a revealed three distinct bands with molecular masses of approximately 123, 108 and 95 kDa. Subtracting the contribution of the cross-linked ligands, the C3a receptor on gp R+ platelets appears to be a protein complex, consisting of one to three components with estimated molecular masses between 83-114 kDa.

Inactivation of dopamine beta-hydroxylase by beta-ethynyltyramine: kinetic characterization and covalent modification of an active site peptide

beta-Ethynyltyramine has been shown to be a potent, mechanism-based inhibitor of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). This is evidenced by pseudo-first-order, time-dependent inactivation of enzyme, a dependence of inactivation on the presence of ascorbate and oxygen cosubstrates, the ability of tyramine (substrate) and 1-(3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzyl)imidazole-2-thione (competitive multisubstrate inhibitor) to protect against inactivation, and a high affinity of beta-ethynyltyramine for enzyme. Inactivation of DBH by beta-ethynyltyramine is accompanied by stoichiometric, covalent modification of the enzyme. Analysis of the tryptic map following inactivation by [3H]-beta-ethynyltyramine reveals that the radiolabel is associated with a single, 25 amino acid peptide. The sequence of the modified peptide is shown to be Cys-Thr-Gln-Leu-Ala-Leu-Pro-Ala-Ser-Gly-Ile-His-Ile-Phe-Ala-Ser-Gln-Leu- His*- Thr-His-Leu-Thr-Gly-Arg, where His* corresponds to a covalently modified histidine residue. In studies using the separated enantiomers of beta-ethynyltyramine, we have found the R enantiomer to be a reversible, competitive inhibitor versus tyramine substrate with a Ki of 7.9 +/- 0.3 microM. The S enantiomer, while also being a competitive inhibitor (Ki = 33.9 +/- 1.4 microM), is hydroxylated by DBH to give the expected beta-ethynyloctopamine product and also efficiently inactivates the enzyme [kinact(app) = 0.18 +/- 0.02 min-1; KI(app) = 57 +/- 8 microM]. The partition ratio for this process is very low and has been estimated to be about 2.5. This establishes an approximate value for kcat of 0.45 min(-1) and reveals that (S)-beta-ethynyltyramine undergoes a slow turnover relative to that of tyramine (kcat approximately 50 s(-1), despite the nearly 100-fold higher affinity of the inactivator for enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Photoaffinity labeling of the lumenal K+ site of the gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase

A photoaffinity label for the lumenal K+ site of the gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase has been identified. Seven azido derivatives based upon the reversible K+ site inhibitor SCH 28080 were studied, one of which, m-ATIP (8-(3-azidophenylmethoxy)-1,2,3-trimethylimidazo[1,2-a] pyridinium iodide), was subsequently synthesized in radiolabeled form. In the absence of UV irradiation, m-ATIP inhibited K+ -stimulated ATPase activity in lyophilized gastric vesicles competitively with respect to K+, with a Ki value of 2.4 microM at pH 7.0. Irradiation of lyophilized gastric vesicles at pH 7.0 with [14C]m-ATIP in the presence of 0.2 mM ATP resulted in a time-dependent inactivation of ATPase activity that was associated with an incorporation of radioactivity into a 100-kDa polypeptide representing the catalytic subunit of the (H+ + K+)-ATPase. Both inactivation and incorporation were blocked in the presence of 10 mM KCl but not with 10 mM NaCl, consistent with interaction at the K+ site. The level of incorporation required to produce complete inhibition of ATPase activity was 1.9 +/- 0.2 times the number of catalytic phosphorylation sites in the same preparation. Tryptic digestion of gastric vesicle membranes, labeled with [14C]m-ATIP, failed to release the radioactivity from the membranes suggesting that the site of interaction was close to or within the membrane-spanning sections of this ion pump.

Peptide analogues of the anaphylatoxin C3a; syntheses and properties

The chemical syntheses of C-terminally shortened analogues of C3a, which is the best investigated anaphylatoxin and derives from the third component of complement system, is reported. The peptide assembly was performed with the solid-phase technique using a polyamide support and an orthogonal protection strategy. The base-labile Fmoc group was chosen for N alpha protection in combination with acid-labile side-chain protection. Excellent acylation yields could be obtained using HBTU (O-benzotriazolyl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate) as activating reagent. With this methodology we synthesized eighteen different peptides with the following modifications: Varying the peptide length by sequential addition of glycine or arginine residues, prolongating the N-terminus with the Fmoc- or Fmoc-aminohexanoyl residues and exchanging the glycine in position 74 for alanine or D-alanine. We obtained two C3a analogues, Fmoc-YRAAALALAR and Fmoc-Ahx-YRRGRAAALGLAR, which were shown to be substantially more active than native C3a in the guinea-pig-platelet assay.

Design and biological activity of a new generation of synthetic C3a analogues by combination of peptidic and non-peptidic elements

Based on published X-ray crystallographic data of the anaphylatoxic complement peptide C3a, we have synthesized a series of peptides with appropriate amino acid exchanges and a maximal length of 13 amino acids. N-terminal acylation of these optimized structures with epsilon-aminohexanoic acid and complex aromatic structures like fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, 2-nitro-4-azidophenyl, fluoresceinyl and rhodaminyl leads to a dramatic increase in biological activity. The culmination of our synthetic efforts is a C3a analogue with 13 amino acid residues and a biological activity six times that of native C3a.

Effect of calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide on human intestinal function

The effect of calcium carbonate (6 g daily) and of aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel, 7.2 g daily) on human gastrointestinal function was examined because these popular antacids have a documented effect on fecal fat, an undocumented association with constipation, and a putative ability to ameliorate cocarcinogenic effects of bile acids and fatty acids on colonic mucosa. Intake-output studies were conducted over periods of three weeks during which time dietary intake was controlled (20 g fiber daily), and the order of treatment (control, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide) was randomized. Neither calcium carbonate nor aluminum hydroxide altered the mean intestinal transit time of eight subjects. Calcium carbonate increased daily output of feces from 106 +/- 30 (SD) to 131 +/- 41 g, of fecal fatty acids from 7.9 +/- 1.4 to 16.8 +/- 5.4 mmol, and of fecal 3 alpha-hydroxy-bile acids from 411 +/- 223 to 769 +/- 505 mumol. Aluminum hydroxide increased daily output of feces to 143 +/- 43 g, of fecal fatty acids to 12.4 +/- 5 mmol, and of fecal bile acids to 735 +/- 592 mumol. Both Ca2+ and Al3+ precipitated deoxycholate when these ions were incubated in vitro. These observations help to explain how these two antacids may lower blood lipids and ameliorate the effects of fecal bile acids and fatty acids on colonic mucosa.

Development of a new physicochemical model for brain penetration and its application to the design of centrally acting H2 receptor histamine antagonists

A rational approach to the design of centrally acting agents is presented, based initially upon a comparison of the physicochemical properties of three typical histamine H2 receptor antagonists which do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier with those of the three brain-penetrating drugs clonidine (6), mepyramine (7) and imipramine (8). A good correlation was found between the logarithms of the equilibrium brain/blood concentration ratios in the rat and the partition parameter, delta log P, defined as log P (1-octanol/water)-log P (cyclohexane/water), which suggests that brain penetration might be improved by reducing overall hydrogen-bonding ability. This model has been employed as a guide in the design of novel brain-penetrating H2 antagonists by the systematic structural modification of representatives of different structural types of H2 antagonists. Although marked increases in brain penetration amongst congeners of cimetidine (1), ranitidine (9), and tiotidine (10) were achieved, no compound was found with an acceptable combination of H2 antagonist activity (-log KB in the guinea pig atrium greater than 7.0) and brain penetration (steady-state brain/blood concentration ratio greater than 1.0). Conversely, structural modification of N-[[(piperidinyl-methyl)phenoxy]propy]acetamide (30) led to several potent, novel compounds which readily cross the blood-brain barrier. One of these, zolantidine (SK&F 95282, 41), whose -log KB is 7.46 and steady-state brain/blood ratio is 1.4, has been identified for use in studying histaminergic H2 receptor mechanisms in brain. Comparison of delta log P values with the logarithms of the brain/blood ratios for 20 structurally diverse compounds for which data became available confirms a highly significant correlation and supports the general validity of this model.

The use of a human endometrial carcinoma cell line (RL-95) for in vitro testing of chemotherapeutic agents

RL-95, a moderately well-differentiated adenosquamous endometrial carcinoma cell line, can be used as a model for testing chemotherapeutic agents in vitro. Cells are grown in T-75 flasks, transferred to scintillation vials, and grown for 24 hr. Following this, medium is removed and new medium containing Adriamycin (Adr) and cis-platinum (CP) is added. Effects of the two drugs are measured by cell counts and DNA synthesis. To measure DNA synthesis, cells are incubated with [3H]thymidine (3H-THY) for up to 24 hr. Decreased DNA synthesis is reflected in decreased 3H-THY uptake. Cell kill is obtained with levels of drugs that are clinically achievable. Evidence is presented for increased cytotoxicity with concomitant, rather than sequential, chemotherapy. Results are also confirmed by testing the agent on MCF-7, a well-known breast cancer cell line. The results indicate that (1) endometrial carcinoma responds to Adriamycin and cis-platinum chemotherapeutic agents in vitro, and (2) RL-95 can be used as a model for testing varying concentrations, time of exposure, and combinations of chemotherapeutic agents.

Changes in cerebral blood flow during anaesthesia and surgery in the sitting position

Serial measurements of global cerebral blood flow (CBF) were made in 15 patients undergoing elective neurosurgical procedures in the sitting position, using a modified intravenous 133Xenon technique. The mean supine CBF rose from 43 (+/-3) ml/100g/min to 62 (+/-6) ml/100g/min in the sitting position and remained elevated at the end of surgery at 62 (+/-5) ml/100g/min. Both increases in CBF were statistically significant with respect to baseline supine values.

Recognition of covalent insulin-receptor complexes on viable adipocytes by anti-insulin antibodies

Isolated rat adipocytes were photo-affinity-labelled with B2-(4-azido-2-nitrophenylacetyl)-des-PheB1-insulin or B29-(4-azido-2-nitrophenylacetyl)insulin. Four anti-insulin antibodies (3 monoclonal, 1 polyclonal) were tested for their ability to inhibit the persistent stimulation of lipogenesis caused by the covalently bound insulin [Brandenburg et al. (1980) Nature (London) 286, 821-822]. The polyclonal and 2 monoclonal antibodies, directed against the C-terminus of the B-chain, gave a significant depression, while one antibody, directed against the region A(8-10), was without effect. Under reversible conditions, without irradiation, all antibodies completely inhibited lipogenesis. For the polyclonal antibody this is shown in a dose-dependent way. It is concluded that the effective antibodies can recognize their epitope because it is accessible on the surface of the complex and does not represent part of the receptor-binding surface of insulin. This binding leads to interference with the generation and/or transmittance of the biological signal.

Structure-function relationships of shortened [LeuB25]insulins, semisynthetic analogues of a mutant human insulin

Replacement of B25-phenylalanine by leucine in the insulin sequence causes marked inactivation. The effect of this sequence variation was studied here in des-(B26-30)-insulin. [LeuB25]des-(B26-30)-insulin and its B25-amide were prepared by trypsin-mediated semisynthesis from N-terminally protected des-(B23-30)-insulin and synthetic tripeptides. The relative lipogenic potency in isolated rat adipocytes was 8.0% for the truncated analogue with a free B25-carboxyl function, and 18.1% for the amidated analogue. Binding to cultured human IM-9 lymphocytes was 4% and 9%, respectively. Thus, both shortened insulins are markedly more active than [LeuB25]insulin. The PheB25----LeuB25 substitution in both the shortened and the full sequence has a moderate effect on the CD spectrum, indicating that the gross main chain conformation is largely retained in both molecules. Independent of the substitution an absolute increase of the circular dichroism is observed upon amidation of the B25-carboxyl group.

Herpes simplex virus-stimulated gamma-interferon production by newborn mononuclear cells

Blood mononuclear cells from newborns and from adults, immune or nonimmune to herpes simplex virus, were cultured with IL 2 and herpes simplex virus and the amount of gamma-interferon in the supernatant measured after 3 days. The newborn and nonimmune adult cells made equivalent trace amounts of gamma-interferon in cultures containing either herpes simplex virus or IL 2 alone and there was a 5- to 10-fold increase in cultures containing both. Experiments in which the Leu 11+ cells were either depleted or enriched suggest that this subset of natural killer cells is both necessary and sufficient for gamma-interferon production in the absence of immune T cells.

Biological action and fate of photoaffinity-labelled insulin-receptor complexes

Covalent linking of two photoactivatable insulin derivatives, B2-(2-nitro,4-azidophenylacetyl)-des-PheB1-insulin and B29-(2-nitro,4-azidophenylacetyl)-insulin to viable rat adipocytes gives a system, which contains a fixed stoichiometry between hormone and receptor. The biological signal of prolonged lipogenesis has been used to study several aspects of insulin binding and action: the role of the site of the crosslink between insulin and receptor, recognition of bound photoinsulin by anti-insulin antibodies, the half-life of the biologically active complex, the pH-dependence of the biological signal, and the possible role of internalization. Furthermore, the effect of trypsin on the insulin receptor, as well as the insulin-receptor complex, has been investigated and a refined model of the receptor is presented.

A shortened insulin with full in vitro potency

Des[(B26-30)-pentapeptide]insulin-B25-amide was prepared from protected des-[(B23-30)-octapeptide]insulin (pig) and H-Gly-Phe-Phe-NH2 by trypsin-mediated semisynthesis in a yield of 9% (based on insulin). The analogue was characterized with respect to chemistry, biological function and CD spectroscopy. While des[(B26-30)-pentapeptide]insulin with free carboxylate group exhibited a typical insulin activity of only 25% in vitro, des[(B26-30)-pentapeptide]insulinamide was fully active. Therefore des[(B26-30)-pentapeptide]insulin meets all structural and dynamic requirements for recognition and binding of the receptor as well as exertion of the biological effect, provided that the negative charge in the hydrophobic environment of PheB25 is neutralized.

Biological potency of covalently linked insulin-receptor in rat adipocytes. Comparison with the potency of reversible complexes

Irradiation of photoreactive insulin derivatives in the presence of isolated rat adipocytes produces a prolonged stimulation of lipogenesis in the cells even after exogenous and reversibly bound derivative has been removed by extensive washing. The quantitative nature of this response has now been studied using 125I-B2(2-nitro-4-azidophenylacetyl)des-PheB1-insulin. This derivative possesses nearly full biological potency and binding affinity prior to irradiation. After covalent linkage to adipocytes the efficacy of the derivative is reduced to 25 +/- 4% of the reversibly bound derivative, viz. 4-times as much needs to be covalently associated as reversibly bound to induce the same level of stimulation of lipogenesis. This reduced relative molar potency is due to a reduced ability of specific covalent insulin-receptor complexes to trigger a response.

Biological activity of covalently-linked insulin-receptor complexes in rat adipocytes. Effect of pH

The relative molar potencies of covalently and reversibly-bound insulin-receptor complexes were studied as a function of pH. The insulin derivatives used were 125I-B2 (2-nitro-4-azidophenylacetyl)des-PheB1-insulin and 125I-B29(2-nitro-4-azidophenylacetyl)des-PheB1-insulin. The potencies of both types of reversible complexes were effectively identical and constant between pH 7 and 8. The relative potency of the covalent B2-complex increased from 25 to 75%, and of the covalent B29 complex from 30 to nearly 100%. This indicates that the covalently linked partners in the complex are able to flex about the cross-linkages. Variations in the potency are due to variations in the number of correctly associated, reversibly or covalently bound insulin-receptor complexes. The form of the pH dependance suggests that an ionizable group, possibly an amino group, must be deprotonated to allow effective interaction.

Internalized insulin receptors are recycled to the cell surface in rat hepatocytes

We have followed the fate of cell surface insulin receptors in isolated rat hepatocytes by both a biochemical and a morphological approach. Hepatocytes were labeled with the photoreactive and biologically active 125I-labeled insulin analogue, [2-nitro-4-azidophenylacetylB2]des-PheB1-insulin, under conditions that allow for minimal internalization (2 hr at 15 degrees C). Analysis of the cell-associated radioactivity by NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions followed by autoradiography revealed the specific labeling of a major insulin receptor subunit with Mr 130,000 and a minor degradation product with Mr 125,000. When the cells were exposed at 15 degrees C to trypsin at the end of the association period, these two bands were no longer observed, indicating that the labeled receptors were at the cell surface. This trypsin sensitivity of the receptor disappeared within 30-60 min of incubation of the cells at 37 degrees C, reflecting the internalization of the hormone-receptor complexes. Over the subsequent 4 hr of incubation, this was followed by a progressive reappearance of the receptor complexes at the cell surface, as indicated by the recovery of trypsin sensitivity of the labeled insulin receptors. An identical (both chronologically and quantitatively) journey of the insulin receptors was observed when the labeled material was studied by quantitative electron microscopic autoradiography. Thus, when the cells were incubated at 37 degrees C there was a rapid decrease (30-60 min) in the percentage of autoradiographic grains associated with the plasma membrane, followed by a progressive increase in this percentage over the subsequent 4 hr of incubation. In conclusion, using a biochemical and morphological approach to trace the photoaffinity-labeled insulin receptor, we have shown that the internalized hormone-receptor complex is recycled back to the cell surface.

Internalization and molecular processing of insulin receptors in isolated rat adipocytes

The cellular fate of insulin receptors in isolated rat adipocytes was studied by using a biologically active photosensitive insulin derivative, B2(2-nitro-4-azidophenylacetyl)-des-PheB1-insulin (NAPA-DP-insulin), to photoaffinity label the insulin receptors. Insulin receptors specifically labeled with 125I-labeled NAPA-DP-insulin were identified by NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Under nonreducing conditions, specific bands of Mr 330,000, 295,000, and 260,000 were identified; under disulfide reducing conditions, these were converted into Mr 125,000 and 90,000 subunits. When cells labeled at 16 degrees C were immediately trypsinized, all of the receptor bands were degraded into lower molecular weight fragments, indicating that the labeled receptors were all on the cell surface. However, when the labeled cells were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 hr prior to trypsin exposure, approximately equal to 30% of the receptors were found to be trypsin insensitive, indicating that this fraction was translocated intracellularly. Processing of the insulin receptors appeared to occur; incubation at 37 degrees C (but not at 16 degrees C) resulted in generation of a Mr 115,000 component from the Mr 125,000 subunit as well as in the disappearance of the Mr 330,000 and 295,000 species. Inclusion of chloroquine during photoaffinity labeling at 16 degrees C and during the subsequent incubation at 37 degrees C showed that this agent (i) increased the trypsin-insensitive (intracellular) receptor pool, (ii) blocked conversion of the Mr 125,000 subunit into the Mr 115,000 component, and (iii) prevented the disappearance of the Mr 330,000 and 295,000 species. These studies show that insulin-receptor complexes are internalized and processed intracellularly at a chloroquine-sensitive site(s).

Cross-linked [DAlaA1]Insulins. Evidence for a change in the conformation of the insulin monomer at its receptor

[(Boc-DAla)2A1,B1]Insulin was produced by reaction of insulin with phenylisothiocyanate, protection of the B29-epsilon-amino function with the Msc residue, Edman degradation, reaction of A2 and B2 with Boc-DAla-ONSu, and removal of the Msc group. This derivative was used to prepare [DAla2A1,B1]insulin, a B29-B29' dimer, and N alpha A1, N epsilon B29-diaminosuberoyl-[DAla2 A1,B1]-insulin. These derivatives had lipogenic potencies similar to those already reported for analogous derivatives of native insulin (87%, 2.8%, and 8.7% respectively). This suggests that the low activities observed for A1-B29 cross-linked insulins is not due to perturbation of the N-terminus of the A chain. It is argued that the hindrance of a slight conformational adjustment involving the C-terminus of the B chain by the cross-link is a more likely explanation.

Biochemical and morphological evidence that the insulin receptor is internalized with insulin in hepatocytes

There is morphological and biochemical evidence that insulin is internalized in hepatocytes. The present study was designed to investigate the fate of the insulin receptor itself, subsequently to the initial binding step of the hormone to the hepatocyte plasma membrane. The insulin receptor was labeled with a 125I-photoreactive insulin analogue (B2[2-nitro,4-azidophenylacetyl]des-PheB1-insulin). This photoprobe was covalently coupled to the receptor by UV irradiation of hepatocytes after an initial binding step of 2-4 h at 15 degrees C. At this temperature, only limited (approximately 20%) internalization of the ligand occurred. In a second step, hepatocytes were resuspended in insulin-free buffer and further incubated for 2-4 h at 37 degrees C. After h at 37 degrees C, no significant radioactivity could be detected in non-UV-irradiated cells, whereas 12-15 % of the radioactivity initially bound remained associated to UV-irradiated cells. Morphological analysis after electron microscopy revealed that approximately 70% of this radioactivity was internalized and preferentially associated with lysosomal structures. SDS PAGE analysis under reducing conditions revealed that most of the radioactivity was associated with a 130,000-dalton band, previously identified as the major subunit of the insulin receptor in a variety of tissues. Internalization of the labeled insulin-receptor complex at the end of the 37 degrees C incubation was further demonstrated by its inaccessibility to trypsin. Conversely, at the end of the association step, the receptor (also characterized as a predominant 130,000-dalton species) was localized on the cell surface since it was cleaved by trypsin. We conclude that in hepatocytes the insulin receptor is internalized with insulin.

[LeuB24]- and [LeuB25]insulins are not antagonists of lipogenesis in adipocytes

Semisynthetic human [LeuB24]-and [LeuB25]insulins were investigated to determine whether they show antagonistic properties towards insulin-stimulated lipogenesis in isolated fat cells. In contrast to other reports, we could detect only an additive agonistic effect when constant concentrations (e.g. 0.3 ng/ml) of the analogues were mixed with varying concentrations of insulin, or when constant concentrations (e.g. 0.3 ng/ml, 0.6 ng/ml) of insulin were mixed with varying concentrations of the analogues. Similar results were obtained with mixtures of insulin and NA2-acetyl- or NA2-propionyl-des-GlyA1-insulins. These results do not support the contention that a diabetic state could be caused by either of these mutant human insulins.

Covalent linking of photoreactive insulin to adipocytes produces a prolonged signal

The first step of insulin's many cellular functions is specific binding to receptors on the plasma membrane of target cells. The subsequent molecular basis of insulin action, particularly the coupling mechanism(s) involved in transmitting the biological message, remains largely unknown. Our approach to the problem centres on the application of a series of well characterized photo-insulins carrying an aryl-azido or nitro-aryl-azido group in positions A1, B1, B2 or B29 (refs 2--4). Specific binding to membrane components could be demonstrated with B1-, B29- (ref. 5) and A1-photo-insulins as well as a B2-derivative. We now report that lipogenesis is increased to, and maintained at, near-maximal levels for several hours after photoinduced covalent binding of B2- (2-nitro,4-azidophenylacetyl)-des-PheB1-insulin (Napa-DP-insulin) to living adipocytes.