Porcine pulmonary surfactant preparations contain the antibacterial peptide prophenin and a C-terminal 18-residue fragment thereof

Paradoxical Bactericidal Effects of Hydrophobic Lung Surfactant Proteins and Their Peptide Mimics Using Liposome Molecular Trojan

Lung surfactant, besides alveolar stability, also provides defence against pathogens by surfactant proteins (SP), SP-A and SP-D. The hydrophobic proteins SP-B and SP-C enhance surface activity. An unusual and paradoxical effect of bovine LS and synthetic model LS with SP-B/-C was bactericidal to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Bacterial proliferation were investigated with bovine lung surfactant extract (BLES), dipalmitoylphosphatdylcholine, palmitooleylglycerol, in combination with SP-B/-C using standard microbiological colony forming unit (CFU) counts and structural imaging. BLES and other surfactant-SP-B/-C mixtures inhibit bacterial growth in the concentration range of 0 -7.5 mg/mL, at > 10 mg/mL paradoxical growth of both the bacterial species suggest antibiotic resistance. The lipid only LS have no effect on bacterial proliferation. Smaller peptide mimics of SP-B or SP-B_1-25, were less efficient than SP-C_ff. Ultra structural studies of the bacterial CFU using electron and atomic force microscopy suggest some membrane damage of S. aereus at inhibitory concentration of BLES, and some structural alteration of E. coli at dividing zones, suggesting utilization and incorporation of surfactant lipid species by both bacteria. The results depicted from in vitro studies are also in agreement with protein-protein interactions obtained from PatchDock, FireDock and ClasPro algorithm. The MD-simulation decipher a small range fluctuation of gyration radius of the LS proteins and their peptide mimics. The studies have alarming implications in the use of high dosages (100 mg/mL/kg body weight) of exogenous surfactant for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome, genetic knock-out abnormalities associated with these proteins, and the novel roles played by SP-B/C as bactericidal agents.

Seventy-Five Years of Research on Protein Binding

This review summarizes evidence that the impact of protein binding of the activity of antibiotics is multifaceted and more complex than indicated by the numerical value of protein binding alone. A plethora of studies has proven that protein binding of antibiotics matters, as the free fraction only is antibacterially active and governs pharmacokinetics. Several studies have indicated that independent from protein binding of immunoglobulin G, albumin, α1-acid-glycoprotein, and pulmonary surfactant acted synergistically with antibacterial agents, thus suggesting that some intrinsic properties of serum proteins may have mediated serum-antibiotic synergisms. It has been demonstrated that IgG and albumin permeabilized Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and facilitated the uptake of poorly penetrating antibiotics. Alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein and pulmonary surfactant also exerted a permeabilizing activity, but proof that this property results in a sensitizing effect is missing. The permeabilizing effect of serum proteins may explain why serum-antibiotic synergisms do not represent a general phenomenon but are limited to specific drug-bug associations only. Although evidence has been generated to support the hypothesis that native serum proteins interact synergistically with antibiotics, systematic and well-controlled studies have to be performed to substantiate this phenomenon. The interactions between serum proteins and bacterial surfaces are driven by physicochemical forces. However, preparative techniques, storage conditions, and incubation methods have a significant impact on the intrinsic activities of these serum proteins affecting serum-antibiotic synergisms, so these techniques have to be standardized; otherwise, contradictory data or even artifacts will be generated.

[The new possibility for the treatment of acute cough]

Acute cough associated with influenza and acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) is one of the most common complaints prompting the patient to visit a general practitioner or an otorhinolaryngologist based at the outpatient clinic. Acute cough during ARVI in the practically healthy subjects is as a rule non-productive, frequently dry, and becomes resolved within 2-3 weeks. In certain cases, however, the cough during ARVI can be productive with the well apparent abnormal expectoration of sputum especially in the aged and elderly subjects, young children, and patients suffering from the chest injuries, dry pleuritis, and other disorders. The early prescription of mucoactive preparations can prevent the development of subacute cough. In such cases, it is recommended to use the mucokinetic ambroxol that improves the mucociliary clearance (MCC) and does not require strong exertion for sputum expectoration. An important aspect in the mechanism of action of ambroxol is the stimulation of surfactant production, antioxidation effect, the improvement of rheological properties of bronchial mucus, ant-inflammatory and antiviral effects. The application of the new pharmaceutical dose form of ambroxol, neo-bronchol (orally disintegrating tablets), produces a very rapid effect (within 1 day after the intake) due to the fast absorption of this medication in the oral cavity, its rapid penetration into the circulatory system and achievement of the high concentration in blood plasma. The volatile metabolites of ambroxol that form as a result of tablet disintegration, such as ambroxol itself, menthol, and cineol, exert the mucolytic, antiseptic, and antibacterial actions, after they reach the trachea and bronchi. Irrigation of the receptors present in the inflamed mucous membrane of the larynx, pharynx, and nasal cavity, with these volatile substances produces an immediate cough-suppressive effect. It is concluded that the preparations of neo-bronchol (orally disintegrating tablets) can be recommended for the inclusion in the combined treatment of the patients presenting with acute and chronic diseases accompanied by the excretion of viscous and difficult-of-discharge bronchial mucus (such as acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma with difficulty in sputum discharge, and bronchoectatic disease).

Effect of recombinant prophenin 2 on the integrity and viability of Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is the causal agent of trichomoniasis, which is associated with preterm child delivery, low birth weight, and an increased risk of infection by human papilloma virus and human immunodeficiency virus following exposure. Several reports have established increasing numbers of trichomoniasis cases resistant to metronidazole, the agent used for treatment, and it is therefore important to identify new therapeutic alternatives. Previously, our group reported the effect of tritrpticin, a synthetic peptide derived from porcine prophenin, on T. vaginalis; however, the hemolytic activity of this small peptide complicates its possible use as a therapeutic agent. In this study, we report that the propeptide and the processed peptide of prophenin 2 (cleaved with hydroxylamine) affected the integrity and growth of T. vaginalis and that pro-prophenin 2 displays some resistance to proteolysis by T. vaginalis proteinases at 1 h. Its effect on T. vaginalis as well as its low hemolytic activity and short-time stability to parasite proteinases makes prophenin 2 an interesting candidate for synergistic or alternative treatment against T. vaginalis.

Exogenous porcine surfactants increase the infiltration of leukocytes in the lung of rats

BACKGROUND

Several studies have investigated the influence of exogenous surfactants on inflammatory response in the lung, however results reported about effects of surfactants on the lung infiltration of leukocytes are controversial. Our previous study noticed that treatment of porcine surfactant (PS) significantly increased the lung infiltration of leukocytes in rats with acute lung injury (ALI). The objective of this study was to verify the effect of exogenous PS on the lung infiltration of leukocytes in vivo and investigate the possible mechanisms involved in vitro.

METHODS

The number of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of rats with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI was determined after treatment with different concentrations of PS, dexamethasone (Dex) or PS + Dex. The effect of PS and Curosurf, a commercially available porcine surfactant, on human peripheral neutrophil migration was determined by the Boyden Chamber Assay.

RESULTS

Instillation of PS significantly increased the number of leukocytes in BALF of normal rats and rats with LPS-induced ALI. Most of the increased leukocytes were neutrophils. Dex significantly decreased the number of leukocytes and TNF-alpha concentration in BALF caused by LPS, but did not significantly reduce the number of leukocytes increased by PS. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that both PS and Curosurf had direct chemotactic effects on neutrophils.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that PS contain chemoattractant(s) which induce the infiltration of leukocytes, especially neutrophils, into lung.

Dependence of lung injury on surface tension during low-volume ventilation in normal open-chest rabbits

To evaluate the role of pulmonary surfactant in the prevention of lung injury caused by mechanical ventilation (MV) at low end-expiratory volumes, lung mechanics and morphometry were assessed in three groups of eight normal, open-chest rabbits ventilated for 3-4 h at zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) with physiological tidal volumes (Vt = 10 ml/kg). One group was left untreated (group A); the other two received surfactant intratracheally (group B) or aerosolized dioctylsodiumsulfosuccinate (group C) before MV on ZEEP. Relative to initial MV on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP; 2.3 cmH(2)O), quasi-static elastance (Est) and airway (Rint) and viscoelastic resistance (Rvisc) increased on ZEEP in all groups. After restoration of PEEP, only Rint (124%) remained elevated in group A, only Est (36%) was significantly increased in group B, whereas in group C, Est, Rint, and Rvisc were all markedly augmented (274, 253, and 343%). In contrast, prolonged MV on PEEP had no effect on lung mechanics of eight open-chest rabbits (group D). Lung edema developed in group C (wet-to-dry ratio = 7.1), but not in the other groups. Relative to group D, both groups A and C, but not B, showed histological indexes of bronchiolar injury, whereas all groups exhibited an increased number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in alveolar septa, which was significantly greater in group C. In conclusion, administration of exogenous surfactant largely prevents the histological and functional damage of prolonged MV at low lung volumes, whereas surfactant dysfunction worsens the functional alterations, also because of edema formation and, possibly, increased inflammatory response.

Influence of modified natural and synthetic surfactant preparations on bacterial killing by polymorphonuclear leucocytes

In addition to its biophysical functions, surfactant plays an important role in pulmonary host defense. In this investigation we studied the influence of various commercially available surfactants on the phagocytosis of bacteria that are common pathogens in the neonatal period. Group B streptococci (GBS), Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were cultured with isolated human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and non-specific serum in the presence or absence of different modified natural (Curosurf, Alveofact, Survanta) or totally synthetic, protein-free surfactant preparations (Exosurf, Pumactant). Prior to and after 30 and 60 min of incubation with PMN at different surfactant concentrations (1, 10 or 20 mg/ml), the number of viable bacteria was determined by colony counting. Killing of S. aureus by PMN was not influenced by any of the surfactants. Alveofact and Curosurf had no significant negative impact on phagocytosis. At 20 mg/ml, Curosurf even reduced the number of viable E. coli. Survanta at 10 and 20 mg/ml and Exosurf at all concentrations impaired the killing of non-encapsulated GBS and E. coli. Pumactant at 1-20 mg/ml interfered with the phagocytosis of E. coli. In further experiments we demonstrated that Curosurf did not interfere with the phagocytosis of an encapsulated GBS-strain opsonised by a specific antiserum either. In additional experiments we analysed the influence of the different surfactants on the release of reactive oxygen metabolite by PMN and found that the changes in nitroblue tetrazolium reduction did not necessarily correlate with the findings of the studies on killing. In conclusion, we found that killing by PMN was influenced by the bacterial species and the composition and concentration of the different surfactant preparations. The strongest impairment in phagocytic function of PMN was observed with the protein-free synthetic surfactant Exosurf, a phospholipid preparation that contains the alcohols hexadecanol and tyloxapol as spreading agents.

Antibacterial activities of the cathelicidins prophenin (residues 62 to 79) and LL-37 in the presence of a lung surfactant preparation

The antibacterial activities of the cathelicidin peptides LL-37 and an 18-residue C-terminal fragment of prophenin, corresponding to positions 62 to 79 of native prophenin (PF-18), were analyzed in the presence of a modified surfactant preparation isolated from minced porcine lungs. At low micromolar concentrations, both LL-37 and PF-18 showed significant activities against different serotypes of group B streptococci, with LL-37 being more active on a molar basis. The surfactant preparation at a concentration of 10 mg/ml partly blocked the antibacterial activity of 9 microM LL-37 and completely blocked the antibacterial activity of 9 microM PF-18. However, 10 mg of the surfactant preparation per ml had only minor inhibitory effects on LL-37 and PF-18 at 90 microM. Addition of up to 900 microM PF-18 did not affect the surface properties of the surfactant preparation. These data suggest that surfactant preparations containing antimicrobial peptides could be useful for the local treatment of pulmonary infections.

Surfactant therapy for respiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates: a comparative review

Exogenous surfactant therapy has been part of the routine care of preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) since the beginning of the 1990s. Discoveries that led to its development as a therapeutic agent span the whole of the 20th century but it was not until 1980 that the first successful use of exogenous surfactant therapy in a human population was reported. Since then, randomized controlled studies demonstrated that surfactant therapy was not only well tolerated but that it significantly reduced both neonatal mortality and pulmonary air leaks; importantly, those surviving neonates were not at greater risk of subsequent neurological impairment. Surfactants may be of animal or synthetic origin. Both types of surfactants have been extensively studied in animal models and in clinical trials to determine the optimum timing, dose size and frequency, route and method of administration. The advantages of one type of surfactant over another are discussed in relation to biophysical properties, animal studies and results of randomized trials in neonatal populations. Animal-derived exogenous surfactants are the treatment of choice at the present time with relatively few adverse effects related largely to changes in oxygenation and heart rate during surfactant administration. The optimum dose of surfactant is usually 100 mg/kg. The use of surfactant with high frequency oscillation and continuous positive pressure modes of respiratory support presents different problems compared with its use with conventional ventilation. The different components of surfactant have important functions that influence its effectiveness both in the primary function of the reduction of surface tension and also in secondary, but nonetheless just as important, role of lung defense. With greater understanding of the individual surfactant components, particularly the surfactant-associated proteins, development of newer synthetic surfactants has been made possible. Despite being an effective therapy for RDS, surfactant has failed to have a significant impact on the incidence of chronic lung disease in survivors. Paradoxically the cost of care has increased as surviving neonates are more immature and consume a greater proportion of neonatal intensive care resources. Despite this, surfactant is considered a cost-effective therapy for RDS compared with other therapeutic interventions in premature infants.

Mucoactive drugs for asthma and COPD: any place in therapy?

Airway mucus hypersecretion is a clinical and pathophysiological feature of a number of severe respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The importance of mucus hypersecretion to the morbidity and mortality of asthma is acknowledged, whereas in COPD it appears to affect only certain groups of patients, particularly the elderly and those prone to chest infections. Treatment with compounds that alter mucus is perceived as a therapeutic option, in particular in continental Europe, and numerous compounds have been developed and are available for clinical use worldwide. However, acceptance (or otherwise) of these drugs in guidelines for management of asthma or COPD has been hampered by lack of information from well designed clinical trials. In addition, the mechanism of action of most of these drugs is unknown and is it likely that any beneficial effects are due to activities other than, or in addition to, effects on mucus. Current information indicates that the most effective use of mucolytic drugs is long-term therapy for reduction of exacerbations of COPD. Cost-effective treatment would be in patients with poor lung function who have frequent or prolonged exacerbations or are repeatedly admitted to hospital.

Antibacterial peptides in stimulated human granulocytes: characterization of ubiquitinated histone H1A

Antibacterial peptides were isolated from human peripheral granulocytes of a healthy donor who had been treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and cortisol. Peptides were solubilized in acidified chloroform/methanol, and partitioned in chloroform/methanol/water. Water- soluble polypeptides were separated by cation-exchange and reversed-phase chromatography. Several previously characterized antibacterial polypeptides were identified; defensins 1-3, defensin 4, lysozyme, eosinophil cationic protein, and calgranulin A. In addition, several histone fragments were isolated and exhibited activity against the Gram- positive bacterium Bacillus megaterium strain Bm11. These fragments included two C-terminal fragments of histone H1A, three C-terminal fragments of histone H1D, one fragment of histone H1B, and two fragments of histone H4. The molecular masses of both histone H1A fragments, as determined by electrospray (ES) MS, were 270 Da higher than those calculated from their amino acid sequences. The two histone H1A fragments corresponded to Lys152-Lys222 (7527 +/- 1 Da) and Lys167-Lys222 (6023 +/- 1 Da). Tandem MS (MS/MS) of the 7.5 kDa and 6.0 kDa fragments indicated that the post-translational modification is on Lys222, the epsilon-amino group of which was conjugated with the alpha-carboxyl group of the tripeptide Arg-Gly-Gly. This finding was substantiated by digestion of the 7.5-kDa polypeptide with trypsin and analysis of the resulting peptides by ES MS and MS/MS. The tripeptide Arg-Gly-Gly corresponded uniquely to the three C-terminal residues of ubiquitin, demonstrating the presence of ubiquitinated histone H1A.

Interaction of bacterial lipopolysaccharide with mouse surfactant protein C inserted into lipid vesicles

Infection of the respiratory tract is a frequent cause of lung pathologies, morbidity, and death. When bacterial endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] reaches the alveolar spaces, it encounters the lipid-rich surfactant that covers the epithelium. Although binding of hydrophilic surfactant protein (SP) A and SP-D with LPS has been established, nothing has been reported to date on possible cross talks between LPS and hydrophobic SP-B and SP-C. We designed a new binding technique based on the incorporation of surfactant components to lipid vesicles and the separation of unbound from vesicle-bound LPS on a density gradient. We found that among the different hydrophobic components of mouse surfactant separated by gel filtration or reverse-phase HPLC, only SP-C exhibited the capacity to bind to a tritium-labeled LPS. The binding of LPS to vesicles containing SP-C was saturable, temperature dependent, related to the concentrations of SP-C and LPS, and inhibitable by distinct unlabeled LPSs. Unlike SP-A and SP-D, the binding of SP-C to LPS did not require calcium ions. This LPS binding capacity of SP-C may represent another antibacterial defense mechanism of the lung.

Cutaneous injury induces the release of cathelicidin anti-microbial peptides active against group A Streptococcus

Cathelicidins are a family of peptides thought to provide an innate defensive barrier against a variety of potential microbial pathogens. The human and mouse cathelicidins (LL-37 and CRAMP, respectively) are expressed at select epithelial interfaces where they have been proposed to kill a number of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. To determine if these peptides play a part in the protection of skin against wound infections, the anti-microbial activity of LL-37 and CRAMP was determined against the common wound pathogen group A Streptococcus, and their expression was examined after cutaneous injury. We observed a large increase in the expression of cathelicidins in human and murine skin after sterile incision, or in mouse following infection by group A Streptococcus. The appearance of cathelicidins in skin was due to both synthesis within epidermal keratinocytes and deposition from granulocyctes that migrate to the site of injury. Synthesis and deposition in the wound was accompanied by processing from the inactive prostorage form to the mature C-terminal peptide. Analysis of anti-microbial activity of this C-terminal peptide against group A Streptococcus revealed that both LL-37 and CRAMP potently inhibited bacterial growth. Action against group A Streptococcus occurred in conditions that typically abolish the activity of anti-microbial peptides against other organisms. Thus, cathelicidins are well suited to provide defense against infections due to group A Streptococcus, and represent an important element of cutaneous innate immunity.

Electrospray and tandem mass spectrometry in biochemistry

Over the last 20 years, biological MS has changed out of all recognition. This is primarily due to the development in the 1980s of 'soft ionization' methods that permit the ionization and vaporization of large, polar, and thermally labile biomolecules. These developments in ionization mode have driven the design and manufacture of smaller and cheaper mass analysers, making the mass spectrometer a routine instrument in the biochemistry laboratory today. In the present review the revolutionary 'soft ionization' methods will be discussed with particular reference to electrospray. The mass analysis of ions will be described, and the concept of tandem MS introduced. Where appropriate, examples of the application of MS in biochemistry will be provided. Although the present review will concentrate on the MS of peptides/proteins and lipids, all classes of biomolecules can be analysed, and much excellent work has been done in the fields of carbohydrate and nucleic acid biochemistry.

Peptide repertoire of human cerebrospinal fluid: novel proteolytic fragments of neuroendocrine proteins

Polypeptides in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), isolated by phase separation in chloroform-methanol-water and reversed-phase HPLC, were characterised by sequence analysis and mass spectrometry. This identified the presence of peptide fragments of testican, neuroendocrine specific protein VGF, neuroendocrine protein 7B2, chromogranin B/secretogranin I, chromogranin A, osteopontin, IGF-II E-peptide and proenkephalin. The majority of these fragments were generated by proteolysis at dibasic sites, suggesting that they are derived by activities related to prohormone convertase(s). Several of the fragments have previously not been detected, and their functions in CSF or elsewhere are unknown. A characteristic feature of all these fragments is a very high content of acidic residues, in particular glutamic acid. In addition to the fragments of neuroendocrine proteins, endothelin-binding receptor-like protein 2, ribonuclease 1, IGF-binding protein 6, albumin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein 1, prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase, apolipoprotein A1, transthyretin, beta2-microglobulin, ubiquitin, fibrinopeptide A, and C4A anaphylatoxin were found.

Structural features and biological activities of the cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptides

Cathelicidins are a numerous group of mammalian proteins that carry diverse antimicrobial peptides at the C-terminus of a highly conserved preproregion. These peptides, which become active when released from the proregion, display a remarkable variety of sizes, sequences, and structures, and in fact comprise representatives of all the structural groups in which the known antimicrobial peptides have been classified. Most of the cathelicidin-derived peptides exert a broad spectrum and potent antimicrobial activity and also bind to lipopolysaccharide and neutralize its effects. In addition, some of them have recently been shown to exert other activities and might participate in host defense also by virtue of their ability to induce expression of molecules involved in a variety of biological processes. This review is aimed at providing a general overview of the cathelicidins and of the peptides derived therefrom, with emphasis on aspects such as structure, biological activities in vitro and in vivo, and structure/activity relationship studies.

Influence of modified natural or synthetic surfactant preparations on growth of bacteria causing infections in the neonatal period

Connatal bacterial pneumonia is common in neonates. Animal studies and initial clinical reports indicate that surfactant dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of severe neonatal pneumonia. Since respiratory distress syndrome and connatal pneumonia may be difficult to differentiate in the first hours of life, neonates with respiratory failure due to bacterial infections might receive surfactant. Under such conditions surfactant components might be catabolized by bacteria and promote bacterial growth. We therefore investigated the influence of three modified natural (Curosurf, Alveofact, and Survanta) and two synthetic (Exosurf and Pumactant) surfactant preparations on the growth of bacteria frequently cultured from blood or tracheal aspirate fluid in the first days of life. Group B streptococci (GBS), Staphyloccocus aureus, and Escherichia coli were incubated in a nutrient-free medium (normal saline) for 5 h at 37 degrees C, together with different surfactants at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, and 20 mg/ml. With the exception of E. coli, incubation in saline alone led to a variable decrease in CFU. In the presence of Alveofact, Exosurf, and Pumactant the decline in bacterial numbers was less marked than in saline alone. Curosurf was bactericidal in a dose-dependent fashion for GBS and had a strong negative impact on the growth of a GBS subtype that lacked the polysaccharide capsule. In contrast, Survanta (10 and 20 mg/ml) significantly promoted the growth of E. coli, indicating that surfactant components may actually serve as nutrients. We conclude that bacterial growth in different surfactant preparations is influenced by microbial species and the composition and dose of the surfactant. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms behind our findings and to evaluate the effects of surfactant on bacterial growth in vivo.

Characterisation of variant forms of prophenin: mechanistic aspects of the fragmentation of proline-rich peptides

Prophenin 1 (PF-1) is a 79-residue polypeptide originally isolated from porcine leukocytes. Its amino acid sequence has been determined by a combination of mass spectrometry and Edman degradation (Harwig SSL. et al. FEBS Lett. 1995; 362: 65). Prophenin (PF) and variants thereof are also found in organic extracts of porcine pulmonary tissue (Wang Y. et al. FEBS Lett. 1999; 460: 257). In the present study we have characterised the variant forms of PF found in these extracts using nano-electrospray (nano-ES) high resolution and tandem mass spectrometry. The major forms of PF found in these extracts by nano-ES mass spectrometry are the 80-residue polypeptides prophenin-2-Pyr (PF-2-Pyr) and prophenin-2-Gln (PF-2-Gln). Prophenin-2-Pyr is refractory to Edman degradation due to the presence of an N-terminal pyroglutamic residue. In PF-2-Gln the N-terminal residue is glutamine and the C-terminus is amidated. In porcine pulmonary extracts PF-1 is present to only a minor extent. Other shorter polypeptides are also found in these extracts including 18- and 17-residue C-terminal fragments of PF. The primary structure of PF is highly unusual in that it shows four almost perfect decamer repeats of FPPPN(V/F)PGPR and, out of the 79/80 residues, 42 are proline and 14 are phenylalanine. Tryptic digestion of PF gives peptides containing the decamer repeat and collision-induced dissociation of these peptides provides an insight into the fragmentation mechanisms of proline-rich peptides. Facile cleavage within the Pro-Pro-Pro sequence of these peptides suggests the involvement of a cyclic peptide in the fragmentation mechanism. Fragmentation mechanisms that account for the formation of fragment ions at other cleavage sites are also discussed.