Reaction of opioid peptides with neutral endopeptidase ("enkephalinase")

Rapid quantification of the delta-opioid receptor selective enkephalin DPDPE in canine cerebrospinal fluid by liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry

An atmospheric pressure ionization liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay was developed and validated for the determination of D-penicillamine(2,5) enkephalin (DPDPE) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from dog. DPDPE and internal standard (D-Ala(2),D-Leu(5) enkephalin=DADLE) were isolated from CSF by reversed-phase C(18) solid-phase extraction with ZipTip micro-cartridges. Aliquots of extracted eluate were injected onto an Agilent Zorbax SB C(18) column (30 x 2.2 mm; 3.5 microm) at a flow-rate of 0.4 ml/min. The isocratic mobile phase of methanol-10 mM ammonium formate (pH 3) (75:25, v/v) was then diverted to waste for 45 s after injection, after which time flow was directed to the single quadrupole mass spectrometer. DPDPE was detected by positive mode selected ion monitoring. Standard curves were linear (r(2)> or =0.991) over the concentration range 1-1000 ng/ml. The efficiency of extraction recovery was greater than 97%, and the intra-assay and inter-assay precisions were within 9% relative standard deviation. DPDPE and the internal standard were stable in the injection solvent at 4 degrees C for at least 48 h. The assay was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of intrathecal DPDPE administration in the dog animal model.

Expression of CD10 by Human T Cells That Undergo Apoptosis Both In Vitro and In Vivo

This study shows that human postthymic T cells express CD10 when undergoing apoptosis, irrespective of the signal responsible for initiating the apoptotic process. Cells from continuous T-cell lines did not normally express CD10, but became CD10+ when induced into apoptosis by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and exposure to CD95 monoclonal antibody, etoposide, or staurosporin. Inhibitors of caspases blocked apoptosis and CD10 expression. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells purified from normal peripheral blood expressed CD10 on apoptotic induction. CD10 was newly synthesized by the apoptosing cells because its expression was inhibited by exposure to cycloheximide and CD10 mRNA became detectable by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in T cells cultured under conditions favoring apoptosis. To show CD10 on T cells apoptosing in vivo, lymph node and peripheral blood T cells from HIV+ subjects were used. These suspensions were composed of a substantial, although variable, proportion of apoptosing T cells that consistently expressed CD10. In contrast, CD10+ as well as spontaneously apoptosing T cells were virtually absent in peripheral blood from normal individuals. Collectively, these observations indicate that CD10 may represent a reliable marker for identifying and isolating apoptosing T cells in vitro and ex vivo and possibly suggest novel functions for surface CD10 in the apoptotic process of lymphoid cells.

Expression of CD10 by Human T Cells That Undergo Apoptosis Both In Vitro and In Vivo

This study shows that human postthymic T cells express CD10 when undergoing apoptosis, irrespective of the signal responsible for initiating the apoptotic process. Cells from continuous T-cell lines did not normally express CD10, but became CD10+ when induced into apoptosis by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and exposure to CD95 monoclonal antibody, etoposide, or staurosporin. Inhibitors of caspases blocked apoptosis and CD10 expression. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells purified from normal peripheral blood expressed CD10 on apoptotic induction. CD10 was newly synthesized by the apoptosing cells because its expression was inhibited by exposure to cycloheximide and CD10 mRNA became detectable by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in T cells cultured under conditions favoring apoptosis. To show CD10 on T cells apoptosing in vivo, lymph node and peripheral blood T cells from HIV+ subjects were used. These suspensions were composed of a substantial, although variable, proportion of apoptosing T cells that consistently expressed CD10. In contrast, CD10+ as well as spontaneously apoptosing T cells were virtually absent in peripheral blood from normal individuals. Collectively, these observations indicate that CD10 may represent a reliable marker for identifying and isolating apoptosing T cells in vitro and ex vivo and possibly suggest novel functions for surface CD10 in the apoptotic process of lymphoid cells.

The Type 2 CD10/Neutral Endopeptidase 24.11 Promoter: Functional Characterization and Tissue-Specific Regulation by CBF/NF-Y Isoforms

The cell surface zinc metalloproteinase CD10/neutral endopeptidase 24.11 ([NEP] neprilysin) functions as part of a regulatory loop to control local concentrations of peptide substrates and associated peptide-mediated signal transduction. The physiologic role of the enzyme depends on available substrates in specific organs and cell types. Although CD10/NEP is expressed on a restricted subset of normal and malignant lymphoid progenitors, the enzyme is also expressed by a variety of epithelial cells. To explore the mechanism of tissue-specific expression of this regulatory enzyme, we characterized the major (type 2) CD10/NEP promoter and identified three functionally active transcription factor binding sites (regions I to III). CBF/NF-Y binds to the inverted CCAAT box in region I, whereas a second positive and a third negative factor bind to regions II and III, respectively. Although region I is required for maximal CD10/NEP-driven luciferase activity in the examined epithelial cell lines, this region is not required for maximal activity in the evaluated lymphoid cell lines. The apparent tissue-specific differences in requirements for region I (and CBF/NF-Y) are of particular interest because lymphoid and epithelial cells express alternatively spliced versions of CBF/NF-Y that differ in biologic activity.

Extensive biliary excretion of the model opioid peptide [D-PEN2,5] enkephalin in rats

PURPOSE

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the enzymatically stable opioid peptide, [D-pen2,5] enkephalin (DPDPE), is excreted extensively into bile.

METHODS

Following an i.v. bolus dose of DPDPE (10 mg/kg) to rats, concentrations of DPDPE in serum, bile, liver homogenate and urine were measured by a novel capillary zone electrophoresis method. Data were analyzed to recover the fundamental pharmacokinetic parameters (volumes of distribution; distribution and elimination rate constants governing DPDPE systemic and biliary disposition). Parallel in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the partitioning of DPDPE between erythrocytes and plasma, as well as to assess the degree of binding of DPDPE to serum proteins.

RESULTS

The majority of the administered dose (approximately 80%) was recovered from bile as intact peptide. DPDPE disposition was best described by a two-compartment model with Michaelis-Menten elimination (Km: 37.5 +/- 11 micrograms/ml; Vmax: 1143 +/- 368 micrograms/min/kg) from the central compartment into bile, suggestive of an active hepatic transport system. DPDPE was associated with a distributional space of 486 +/- 62 ml/kg. In vitro incubation of DPDPE with whole blood showed that approximately 65% of the peptide was associated with erythrocytes. The difference between concentrations of DPDPE in erythrocytes and plasma was statistically significant (29.2 +/- 4.9 vs. 18.1 +/- 3.1 micrograms/ml, p < 0.05), but not between whole blood and plasma (21.3 +/- 2.8 vs. 18.1 +/- 3.1 micrograms/ml, p > 0.05). Concentration-independent binding of DPDPE to serum proteins was evidenced between 10 and 100 micrograms/ml, with an unbound fraction of 0.517 +/- 0.182.

CONCLUSIONS

DPDPE undergoes extensive biliary excretion after i.v. administration in rats. The apparent nonlinearity in the biliary excretion of DPDPE revealed by the pharmacokinetic modeling strongly suggests the existence of an active transport system(s) in hepatocytes which may mediate the rapid disappearance of DPDPE from the systemic circulation.

Development of a capillary zone electrophoresis assay to examine the disposition of [D-pen2,5]enkephalin in rats

A novel capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) assay method was developed to evaluate the systemic disposition of [D-pen2,5]enkephalin (DPDPE) in rats. DPDPE was recovered from serum samples (200 microliters) by solid-phase extraction. Complete resolution of DPDPE and the internal standard ([D-ser2]leucine-enkephalin; DSLET) from other serum components was achieved within 15 min on a 50-microns I.D. capillary column with borate buffer (25 mM, pH 8.3). The peak-height ratio (DPDPE to DSLET) was linear through 100 micrograms/ml, with a detection limit of 250 ng/ml in serum, when absorbance of the column eluent was monitored at 210 nm. Serum samples obtained from rats after a 10 mg/kg intravenous bolus dose of DPDPE were analyzed with the present CZE method. The results suggest that CZE is a useful technique for quantitating therapeutic peptides in biological matrices.

A secreted peptidase involved in T cell beta-endorphin metabolism

Beta-endorphin metabolism by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and the thymoma cell line, EL4, was investigated. In all three cell types, extracellular beta-endorphin was metabolized exclusively by a secreted, metal-dependent, thiol peptidase. The enzyme activity is expressed constitutively in EL4 cells and following activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with anti-CD3 antibody. The enzyme is not one of the proteinases associated with cytolytic T cells and does not appear to be identical with any previously described beta-endorphin metabolizing enzyme. The enzyme cleaves beta-endorphin at approximately equal rates at either of two sites to yield beta-endorphin(1-17) (which is gamma-endorphin), beta-endorphin(1-18), beta-endorphin(18-31) and beta-endorphin(19-31). Evidence in the literature indicates that these N- and C-terminal peptides which contain, respectively, the opioid and non-opioid receptor binding domains of beta-endorphin, are biologically active. Thus, it is likely that this new T cell peptidase has important immunoregulatory activity.

In vitro stability of some reduced peptide bond pseudopeptide analogues of dynorphin A

Eight analogues of DYN A(1-11)-NH2 incorporating the nonhydrolyzable psi [CH2-NH] peptide bond surrogate were tested for their in vitro enzymatic stability in mouse brain homogenates. Results show that the Leu(5)-Arg6 and to a lesser extent the Arg(7)-Ile8 and Ile(8)-Arg9 peptide bonds are the more susceptible to enzymatic cleavage in the native peptide. (Leu5 psi[CH(2)-NH]Arg6)DYN A(1-11)-NH2 exhibits an almost complete resistance to enzymatic cleavage with a half-life greater than 500 min in brain, compared to 42 min for the standard peptide, DYN A(1-11)-NH2.

The ontogeny of enzymes involved in post-translational processing and metabolism of neuropeptides

We quantitated the level of activity of several peptidases to determine if enzymes involved in the post-translational processing and metabolism of peptides are detectable and are altered developmentally in specific regions of the rat brain. Carboxypeptidase H (EC 3.4.17.10), a processing enzyme, located in chromaffin secretory granules was expressed at high levels on postnatal day 0 (P 0, birth) in hypothalamus, cortex and cerebellum (3.48, 4.98, 4.29 pmol/mg/min, respectively). An increase of activity occurred from P 0 to P 7 in both hypothalamus and cortex (7.68, 6.94) with a decrease shown in cerebellum (3.89). After P 7, activity increased by P 90 (adult) in the hypothalamus (7.65), decreased to birth levels in the cortex (4.79) and decreased below birth levels in the cerebellum (2.76). This regional pattern of carboxypeptidase H activity may signify its involvement throughout the life of the rat in the synthesis of specific regional neuropeptides important in development. Enzyme activity for the degradative enzymes, neutral endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11) and metallo endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) did not present the same developmental pattern as seen with the processing enzyme. Neutral endopeptidase activity doubled in the hypothalamus from P 0 to P 7 (3080 pmol/mg/min) and remained constant throughout the maturation of the animal. In the cortex, activity increased significantly from P 0 to P 30 (1171) and remained at that level to P 90. In the cerebellum, activity decreased from P 0 to P 30 (320) and remained at that level to P 90 (304). At birth, metallo endopeptidase activity was highest in cortex (2702 pmol/mg/min), intermediate in hypothalamus (1658) and lowest in cerebellum (1410).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Methionine enkephalin metabolism by murine macrophage ectopeptidase(s)

Ectopeptidases which hydrolyze opioid and other neuropeptides have been identified in brain, kidney and intestine. In this study, identification of the enzymes metabolizing the opioid peptide methionine enkephalin (YGGFM) in murine macrophages was undertaken. Incubation of methionine enkephalin with intact murine peritoneal macrophages results in five products identified as Y, F, FM, GFM and GGFM by amino acid analysis and peptide microsequencing after fractionation by HPLC. The spectrum of metabolites results from at least two distinct aminopeptidase activities. The enzyme hydrolyzing YGGFM to GGFM is identified as the membrane-anchored aminopeptidase N (ApN; EC 3.4.11.2) based on its substrate specificity and inhibitor profile. A distinct bestatin and amastatin sensitive aminopeptidase catalyzes hydrolysis of GGFM to GFM. The macrophage ApN protein has a larger mass and is antigenically distinct from murine kidney ApN, which is suggested to result from glycosylation differences rather than expression of a distinct protein. The ApN catalytic activity and mRNA levels are increased in thioglycollate-elicited as compared to resident peritoneal macrophages. RT-PCR analysis identified a 0.7 kb fragment of the ApN coding sequence which was identical in mouse kidney and thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages and which has 89% identity with the corresponding rat kidney ApN cDNA sequence.

Chronic treatment with neuroleptics alters neutral endopeptidase 24.11 activity in rat brain regions

Chronic administration of neuroleptics has been shown to affect the endogenous levels, mRNA, posttranslational processing, and metabolism of neuropeptides in specific regions of rat brain. Neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) is known to metabolize a variety of neuropeptide substrates, including the enkephalins and neurotensin, thus modifying or terminating the bioactivity of such peptides. In the present study, chronic treatment with haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day, 12 days) increased NEP activity in nucleus accumbens, and chronic treatment with chlorpromazine (4 mg/kg/day, 12 days) increased NEP activity in caudate putamen. Higher dosages with either compound did not significantly alter NEP activity, and none of the treatments altered NEP activity in the hypothalamus. Chronic treatment with apomorphine (5 mg/kg/day, 12 days) decreased NEP activity in both nucleus accumbens and caudate putamen. These data suggest that chronic treatment with neuroleptic drugs may lead to regionally specific alterations in the metabolism of neuropeptides.

Characterization of the thermolysin-like cleavage of biologically active peptides by Xenopus laevis peptide hormone inactivating enzyme

Peptide hormone inactivating endopeptidase (PHIE) is a metalloendopeptidase which was isolated from the skin granular gland secretions of Xenopus laevis [Carvalho, K. M., Joudiou, C., Boussetta, H., Leseney, A. M., & Cohen, P. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 84-88]. This peptidase exhibits a thermolysin-like character and hydrolyzes bonds on the amino terminus of hydrophobic amino acids, performing cleavage of Xaa-Phe, Xaa-Leu, Xaa-Ile, Xaa-Tyr, and Xaa-Trp doublets. When the enzyme recognized a doublet of hydrophobic amino acids such as Phe6-Phe7 of somatostatin-14, Phe7-Phe8 of substance P, Phe4-Leu5 of [Leu5,Arg6]enkephalin, and Tyr4-Ile5 of angiotensin II, cleavage occurred preferentially between these residues. The use of selectively modified carboxy-terminal octapeptide fragments of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) indicated that the enzyme tolerates as substrates only peptides bearing a P'1 bulky hydrophobic amino acid residue. Although a P'1 hydrophobic residue was a necessary condition, it was found in a number of peptides that all potential cleavage sites were not recognized by the enzyme. These data suggested that this metalloendoprotease requires for its thermolysin-like activity a preferred conformation of the peptide chain. Kinetic results obtained using a series of related substrates derived from biologically active peptides of the atrial natriuretic factor, tachykinin, and enkephalin families indicated the presence of an extended binding site accommodating at least six amino acid residues, in contrast to thermolysin (EC 3.4.24.4) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP; EC 3.4.24.11), which hydrolyze shorter homologous peptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ventral mesencephalic and cortical transplants into the rat striatum display enhanced activity for neutral endopeptidase 24.11 ('enkephalinase'; CALLA)

A role for neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) in growth and development is supported by the demonstration that NEP hydrolyses and inactivates a number of peptide growth factors including atrial natriuretic peptide, endothelins, bombesin-like peptides, and opioid peptides, including the enkephalins. In the present study, suspensions of cells obtained from the ventral mesencephalon or cortex of rat embryos (ED14) were implanted into the striatum of the adult rat brain. Three to 15 weeks after transplantation the relative distribution of NEP-positive cellular elements was visualized histochemically. NEP staining in the transplants consistently appeared before NEP staining in the surrounding host striatum supporting a relative increase in NEP activity in the transplants. The NEP staining richly visualized cells of varying size and morphology which lacked the normal organization of the host striatum. The histochemical staining in the transplants and the surrounding host tissue was completely blocked by a 100 nM concentration of the selective NEP inhibitors phosphoramidon or JHF-26, supporting the exclusive localization of NEP by this method. NEP localization in the embryonic (ED14) cortex and ventral mesencephalon was also confirmed, suggesting one possible origin for the NEP-positive cells visualized in the transplants. Fluorescent double-labeling studies for NEP and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or transforming growth factor alpha precursor (TGF alpha p) revealed the presence of rich glial labeling within the transplants for both GFAP and TGFap. NEP-labeled cells in the transplants were closely associated with glial elements, however, only occasional glial elements in the transplants stained for NEP; supporting a non-astrocytic localization for the NEP in the transplants. The marked enhancement of NEP staining in the transplants may have significance for controlling the rate or pattern of growth of the transplanted cells through inactivation of peptide growth factors produced by, or in response to, the transplants.

Glycosylation variants of endopeptidase-24.11 ('enkephalinase')

Anion exchange chromatography resolves two charge variants of rat kidney endopeptidase-24.11 (designated NEP 1 and NEP 2); each was purified to homogeneity using immunoaffinity chromatography. In addition to charge differences the subunit molecular weights of NEP 1 and NEP 2 differ and are 89 and 96 kDa, respectively. Isoelectric focusing resolved 8-10 pl species in the pH range of 5.95-6.20 for NEP 1 and 5.46-6.06 for NEP 2. Removal of sialic acid residues converted the multiple pl species to one form with a pl of 6.32 for NEP 2, and two forms with pls of 6.27 and 6.32 for NEP 1. Endoglycosidase H or F, capable of removing high-mannose and biantennary branched N-linked oligosaccharides, produced a 2-3 kDa decrease in the molecular weight of both NEP 1 and NEP 2. Peptide-N-glycosidase F, capable of removing all classes of N-linked oligosaccharides, produced 8 and 11 kDa decreases in NEP 1 and NEP 2, respectively. Removal of all N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid resulted in 10 and 15 kDa decreases in NEP 1 and NEP 2, respectively. Tryptic epitope maps demonstrated that NEP 2 was cleaved at a slower rate than NEP 1. These analyses demonstrate that rat kidney NEP exhibits sialic acid microheterogeneity resulting in two distinct change variants. The data also indicate that NEP 2 contains more N- and O-linked carbohydrate mass than NEP 1 and may contain a larger polypeptide backbone giving rise to molecular weight differences between these enzyme forms.

Enkephalin hydrolysis by mouse plasma in vitro

Hydrolysis of [Leu]- and [Met]enkephalin was determined in samples of pooled whole mouse plasma in vitro by using HPLC-ECD to measure accumulation of Tyr-containing metabolites. More Tyr-Gly-Gly accumulated from [Met]enkephalin than from [Leu]enkephalin hydrolysis, and [Met]enkephalin's half-life in mouse plasma was approximately half that of [Leu]enkephalin. Comparisons of metabolite formation in the presence versus the absence of inhibitors with high selectivity for various peptidases demonstrated that a bestatin-sensitive aminopeptidase, presumably aminopeptidase M, as well as enkephalinase and angiotensin converting enzyme, participate in the hydrolysis of enkephalin in mouse plasma.

Immunoautoradiographic localisation of enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11) in rat gastrointestinal tract

Enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11, membrane metalloendopeptidase) is a zinc peptidase expressed by neurons and a variety of epithelial cells, and responsible for the inactivation of enkephalins in brain. Its functions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are less well understood although enkephalinase inhibitors were reported to induce a constellation of antisecretory and motor responses. Its localisation in various segments of the rat GI tract was established autoradiographically using a 125I-labelled monoclonal antibody. All along the GI tract, the highest immunoreactivity was found in mucosal layers e.g., in intestinal villi, basal epithelial layers of the oesophagus or gastric cardia, muscularis mucosae of the stomach and large intestine. The immunoreactivity was also high in the stomach submucosae and moderate in the muscularis propria of the caecum. A faint patchy immunoreactivity was also observed in several other layers. This distribution suggests that the membrane peptidase is expressed by enterocytes and a variety of other cells. Its high expression in mucosal layers is consistent with its participation in protein digestion and also in the inactivation of endogenous peptides, particularly the enkephalins, acting at this level to control secretory mechanisms and hydroelectrolytic fluxes. Its presence in submucosal layers may account for some naloxone-reversible motor responses elicited by enkephalinase inhibitors.

Tissue distribution of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 ('enkephalinase') activity in guinea pig trachea

The distribution of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP; 'enkephalinase') activity was studied on tissue sections of the guinea pig trachea using a histochemical method based on the catalytic activity of the enzyme. The specificity for NEP of the histochemical reaction was verified by application of an array of peptidase inhibitors. NEP activity was most prominent on the respiratory epithelium, but occurred also in submucous glands, connective tissue of the lamina propria, perichondrium and chondrocytes. The findings suggest that NEP in the trachea is involved in various functions, cleavage of neurally released peptides being only one of them.

Nicotine-induced alteration in Tyr-Gly-Gly and Met-enkephalin in discrete brain nuclei reflects altered enkephalin neuron activity

Nicotine acts in CNS, but the pathways and mechanisms of its actions are poorly understood. Recent studies suggest an interaction between brain nicotinic receptors and endogenous opioid peptides. Acute administration of nicotine may alter enkephalin release without affecting brain enkephalin level. Tyr-Gly-Gly has been shown previously to be an extraneuronal metabolite of opioid peptides derived from proenkephalin A. Concentrations of Tyr-Gly-Gly in brain were used to provide an index of enkephalin release in vivo. Thus we examined the thesis that nicotine alters brain neuronal enkephalin release, by measuring Tyr-Gly-Gly levels in specific brain nuclei from rats treated with nicotine 0.3 mg/kg SC 10 min before decapitation. Of 30 brain regions investigated, acute nicotine increased Tyr-Gly-Gly immunoreactivity in nucleus accumbens and in lower brain stem areas including dorsal raphe, pontine reticular formation, gigantocellular reticular formation, locus coeruleus, sensory trigeminal nucleus and the caudal part of ventrolateral medulla oblongata. Concomitantly, nicotine produced a significant decrease in native Met-enkephalin in central amygdala, flocculo-nodular lobe of cerebellum, caudal part of the ventrolateral medulla and intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord. It is probable that the effects of nicotine to increase Tyr-Gly-Gly and alter Met-enkephalin concentration are mediated by nicotine-induced release of enkephalin at these brain sites. Furthermore, some of the physiologic and pharmacologic effects of nicotine may be mediated by such enkephalin release.

Effects of beta-endorphin and dynorphin A on cholinergic neurotransmission in canine airway smooth muscle

To determine the effects of the opioid peptides, beta-endorphin and dynorphin A, on airway smooth muscle function and its possible modulation by tissue peptidases, we studied canine bronchial segments under isometric conditions in vitro. Addition of beta-endorphin or dynorphin A did not alter the resting tension. However, beta-endorphin (10(-6) M) but not dynorphin A decreased the contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS, 0.5-40 Hz). This effect was dose-dependent and reversed by naloxone. In contrast, acetylcholine-induced contractions were not affected by these opioids. The beta-endorphin-induced inhibition of the contractile responses to EFS was not augmented by peptidase inhibitors such as thiorphan, captopril, bestatin and leupeptin. These results suggest that beta-endorphin prejunctionally inhibits parasympathetic muscle contraction, and that endogenous peptidases do not play a modulatory role in this effect of beta-endorphin.

High-performance liquid chromatographic system for the separation of dynorphin A (1-17) fragments and its application in enzymolysis studies with rat nerve terminal membranes

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method capable of separating a large number of C- and N-terminal degradation fragments of dynorphin A (1-17) (dyn 1-17) in 1 h has been developed. The system has been applied to study the metabolism profiles of various dyn 1-17-derived peptides following in vitro incubation with rat striatum and spinal cord nerve terminal membranes. In addition to the removal of the N-terminal amino acid Tyr, major sites of cleavage between the following amino acids could be established: Leu5-Arg6 in dyn 1-7 (formation of dyn 1-5); Arg6-Arg7 and Leu5-Arg6 in dyn 1-8 (formation of dyn 1-6 and dyn 1-5, respectively); Arg7-Ile8 in dyn 1-9 (formation of dyn 1-7) and Arg9-Pro10 in dyn 1-10 (formation of dyn 1-9). Studies with inhibitors of the enzymes involved show that dyn 1-5 is formed directly from dyn 1-8 via an endopeptidase insensitive to the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor MK 422 acting on the scissile Leu5-Arg6 bond in dyn 1-8. The method circumvents the use of [3H]Tyr-labelled dynorphins, which have the inherent drawback that fragments lacking the N-terminal Tyr cannot be detected. Owing to the high resolution, also for the larger dynorphins dyn 1-14, dyn 1-15 and dyn 1-16, the chromatographic system should prove especially useful in the elucidation of the enzymolysis pattern of dyn 1-17. Furthermore, the method offers a way to evaluate simultaneously the selectivity of new enzyme inhibitors for several cleavage sites in the same assay.

Fluorescent histochemical localization of neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (enkephalinase) in the rat brainstem

Characterization of the distribution of the peptide-degrading enzyme neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (E.C. 3.4.24.11; NEP; enkephalinase) in the rat brainstem was examined by means of a unique fluorescent histochemical method. Enzyme staining was completely blocked by three potent NEP inhibitors (thiorphan, phosphoramidon, and JHF-26) at a concentration of 50 nM, supporting the specificity of this method to visualize sites of NEP activity selectively. At all levels of the brainstem, NEP was localized to cell bodies, cell processes or terminal-like fields and was localized to more than 90 distinct nuclei or subnuclei. In the mesencephalon these included the central gray, cuneiform n., dorsal and lateral tegmental n., inferior colliculus, interpeduncular n., lateral and medial geniculate n., central linear raphe n., mesencephalic n. of the trigeminal nerve, mammillary nuclei, occulomotor n., red n., superior colliculus, ventral n. of the lateral lemniscus, substantia nigra-ventral tegmental area, and the zona incerta. In the pons, NEP staining was restricted to fewer regions or nuclei, including the dorsal and ventral cochlear n., facial n., motor trigeminal n., principal sensory trigeminal n., parabrachial nuclei, pontine n., the oral and caudal pontine reticular n., pontine olivary nuclei, several pontine tegmental nuclei, pontine raphe nuclei, and the trapezoid n. In the cerebellum, staining was localized largely to the granule cell layer of the cerebellar cortex. Scattered staining was observed in the molecular cell layer. The medulla contained extensive NEP staining localized to nuclei that included the ambiguous n., dorsal motor n. of the vagus, hypoglossal n., inferior olivary n., prepositus hypoglossus n., solitary tract n., nuclei of the spinal tract of the trigeminal n., and the lateral, medial, and superior vestibular nuclei. Nuclei of the medullary reticular formation that were also richly stained for NEP included the raphe magnus n., raphe obscurus n., raphe pallidus n., dorsal, lateral, and ventral reticular nuclei of the medulla, and the gigantocellular, lateral paragigantocellular, linear, paramedian and parvicellular reticular nuclei. The widespread distribution of NEP in the brainstem suggests the existence of a number of functional systems, including the pathways involved in the mechanisms of pain and analgesia, which are potential targets of NEP inhibitors. In most regions, the distribution of NEP closely overlapped with that reported for the enkephalins, and showed a more restricted overlap with the reported distribution of substance P.

Haloperidol-induced increase in striatal concentration of the tripeptide, Tyr-Gly-Gly, provides an index of increased enkephalin release in vivo

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay has been developed for the tripeptide, Tyr-Gly-Gly, which has been shown previously to be an extraneuronal metabolite of opioid peptides derived from proenkephalin A. Using this assay, we found a regional variation in Tyr-Gly-Gly immunoreactivity in rat brain, with highest levels in striatum and lowest in cerebral cortex. Intracerebroventricular administration of the aminopeptidase inhibitor, bestatin; produced a threefold increase in Tyr-Gly-Gly immunoreactivity in rat striatum, whereas thiorphan, an enkephalinase inhibitor, produced a 45% reduction in striatal Tyr-Gly-Gly immunoreactivity. These data suggest that the tripeptide, Tyr-Gly-Gly, is in a dynamic state in the brain, and provide further support for the hypothesis that its concentration in specific brain areas may reflect the release of endogenous enkephalins in these brain areas. Further confirmation of the validity of measurements of brain Tyr-Gly-Gly as indices of enkephalin release under conditions of altered neuronal activity was provided by our demonstration that chronic dopamine receptor blockade with haloperidol increased striatal concentrations of both Met-enkephalin and Tyr-Gly-Gly.

Plasma leucine enkephalin is increased in liver disease

Plasma methionine enkephalin is increased in liver disease and may contribute to some of the clinical manifestations of hepatic failure. To determine if another 'small' opioid peptide is increased in the plasma of patients with liver disease, leucine enkephalin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Its plasma concentration was raised approximately five-fold in patients with acute liver disease (median 1490 pmol/l, range 830-2420) and three-fold in patients with cirrhosis with ascites (960 pmol/l, 470-2900), compared with disease controls (325 pmol/l, 180-740) and healthy controls (305 pmol/l, 180-560). The increase in plasma leucine enkephalin was proportional to the degree of liver damage, as judged in the patients with acute liver disease by its correlation with the prothrombin time (r = 0.691, p less than 0.01) and alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.502, p less than 0.05), and in the patients with cirrhosis by its negative correlation with the plasma albumin (r = -0.743, p less than 0.001). It is unclear whether the raised plasma leucine enkephalin in liver disease is a consequence of diminished hepatic inactivation, increased secretion from sympathetic nerves and adrenal glands, or both.

Changes in levels of the tripeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly as an index of enkephalin release in the spinal cord: effects of noxious stimuli and parenterally-active peptidase inhibitors

The tripeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly (YGG), representing the product of enkephalin hydrolysis by enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11), was characterized and its levels measured in spinal cord perfusates of halothane-anaesthetized rats. During noxious pinching of the muzzle, which is known to trigger enkephalin release, YGG levels were enhanced more markedly and for longer than were those of [Met5]enkephalin (YGGFM), in the same samples. By contrast, neither YGG nor YGGFM levels were affected by pinching the tail. Treatment with carbaphethiol, a parenterally-active aminopeptidase inhibitor, markedly increased YGG levels and lengthened the duration of the increase produced by pinching the muzzle. Treatment with acetorphan, a parenterally-active enkephalinase inhibitor, given alone or in combination with carbaphethiol, completely prevented the rise in YGG triggered by noxious stimulation. By contrast, [Met5]enkephalin levels in the perfusates were increased by the combined administration of the two peptidase inhibitors but these levels were not further enhanced by noxious stimulation. Thus, spinal cord YGG appears to be formed under the influence of enkephalinase and to constitute a sensitive index of enkephalin release.

Fluorescent histochemical localization of neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (enkephalinase) in the rat spinal cord

The localization of neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (E.C. 3.4.24.11; enkephalinase) in rat spinal cord was investigated by a novel fluorescent histochemical method. Enkephalinase was localized by using a coupled enzyme assay based upon the sequential cleavage of the synthetic peptide substrate glutaryl-ala-ala-phe-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide by enkephalinase and exogenous aminopeptidase M. Enzyme distribution was examined in segments from cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral cord. At all spinal cord levels, enkephalinase was localized to discrete regions of the gray matter. The substantia gelatinosa displayed rich enkephalinase staining which overlapped the inner and outer zones of lamina II. A staining pattern similar to that observed in lamina II was observed in the spinal trigeminal nucleus in the medulla. In lamina III the enzyme was associated with small and medium-sized cells. Lamina IV showed staining associated with medium-sized and large cell bodies. The medial boundary of the dorsal gray of laminae IV and V had medium-sized fusiform cells which stained for enkephalinase. In the lateral reticulated areas of lamina V, enkephalinase reaction product was localized to scattered medium-sized and large cells compressed against the white matter of axon bundles. Staining in lamina VI was similar in appearance to lamina V. Enkephalinase reaction product was widely distributed in the ventral horn. Numerous ventral horn motor neurons of varied size and morphology in laminae VIII and XI stained richly for the enzyme. The enzyme was also localized to medium-sized and large cells in lamina X and to cells of the central cervical nucleus. The size and morphology of the cell types associated with the enzyme supported a neuronal association for enkephalinase. The regional distribution of the enzyme overlapped that of enkephalin- and substance-P rich regions of the spinal cord. These findings support a role for enkephalinase in the metabolic regulation of centrally acting neuropeptides.

Common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) is active neutral endopeptidase 24.11 ("enkephalinase"): direct evidence by cDNA transfection analysis

The common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) is a 749-amino acid type II integral membrane protein expressed by most acute lymphoblastic leukemias, certain other lymphoid malignancies with an immature phenotype, and normal lymphoid progenitors. A computer search against the most recent GenBank release (no. 56) indicates that human CALLA cDNA encodes a protein nearly identical to the rat and rabbit neutral endopeptidase 24.11 ("enkephalinase;" EC 3.4.24.11). This zinc metalloendopeptidase, which has been shown to inactivate a variety of peptide hormones including enkephalin, chemotactic peptide, substance P, neurotensin, oxytocin, bradykinin, and angiotensins I and II, had not been identified in lymphoid cells. To determine whether CALLA cDNA derived from human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (Nalm-6 cell line) encodes functional neutral endopeptidase activity, we generated CALLA+ stable transfectants in the CALLA- murine myeloma cell line J558 and analyzed them for enzymatic activity in a fluorometric assay based upon cleavage of the substrate glutaryl-Ala-Ala-Phe 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide at the Ala-Phe bond. Total lysates as well as whole-cell suspensions of the Nalm-6 line and of the CALLA+ transfectants, but not of the CALLA- J558 cells, possessed neutral endopeptidase activity. This enzymatic activity was associated with the cellular membrane fraction and was abrogated by the specific neutral endopeptidase inhibitor phosphoramidon. The unequivocal identification of CALLA as a functional neutral endopeptidase provides insight into its potential role in both normal and malignant lymphoid function.

Characterization of cysteine proteases functioning in degradation of dynorphin in neuroblastoma cells: evidence for the presence of a novel enzyme with strict specificity toward paired basic residues

Two dynorphin-degrading cysteine proteases, I and II, were extracted with Triton X-100 from neuroblastoma cell membrane, isolated from accompanying dynorphin-degrading trypsin-like enzyme by affinity chromatography on columns of soybean trypsin inhibitor-immobilized Sepharose and p-mercuribenzoate-Sepharose, and separated by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose and TSK gel DEAE-5PW columns. Cysteine protease II was purified further by hydroxyapatite chromatography and gel filtration. The molecular weights of cysteine proteases I and II were estimated to be 100,000 and 70,000, respectively, by gel filtration. Both of the enzymes, were inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate, N-ethylmaleimide, and high-molecular-weight kininogen, but not or only slightly inhibited by diisopropylphosphorofluoridate, antipain, leupeptin, E-64, calpain inhibitor, and phosphoramidon. Cysteine protease I cleaved dynorphin(1-17) at the Arg6-Arg7 bond with the optimum pH of 8.0, whereas II cleaved dynorphin(1-17) at the Lys11-Leu12 bond and the Leu12-Lys13 bond with the optimum pH values of 8.0 and 6.0, respectively. These bonds corresponded to those that had been proposed as the initial sites of degradation by neuroblastoma cell membrane. Cysteine protease I was further found to show strict specificity toward the Arg-Arg doublet, when susceptibilities of various peptides containing paired basic residues were examined as substrates for the enzyme.

Methionine enkephalin is increased in plasma in acute liver disease and is present in bile and urine

Plasma immunoreactive methionine enkephalin is increased in cirrhosis. To determine whether it was increased in acute liver disease and chronic renal failure and whether the peptide was present in bile and urine, it was measured by radioimmunoassay in appropriate samples. Plasma immunoreactive methionine enkephalin, while at its peak in 15 patients with acute liver disease (median 425 pmol/l, range 220-1460), was approximately six times greater (P less than 0.001) than in 15 patients with chronic renal failure (70 pmol/l, 50-140), 15 controls with other diseases (75 pmol/l, 50-115) and 15 healthy controls (65 pmol/l, 50-95). In eight of the patients recovering from acute liver disease, the decline of the peptide's plasma level correlated with that of the alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.813, P less than 0.01) and prothrombin time (r = 0.682, P less than 0.05) measured in the simultaneously taken blood. Immunoreactive methionine enkephalin was found to be excreted in bile and urine. The possibility that increased plasma methionine enkephalin, and possibly other opioid peptides, may contribute to some of the manifestations of acute liver failure is worthy of further investigation.

Opioid peptides and primary biliary cirrhosis

Patients with liver disease have increased plasma concentrations of the endogenous opioid peptides methionine enkephalin and leucine enkephalin. As an initial investigation to determine whether opioid peptides contribute to any of the clinical manifestations of hepatic disease nalmefene, a specific opioid antagonist devoid of agonist activity, was given to 11 patients with cirrhosis. They all experienced a severe opioid withdrawal reaction on starting the drug. In the nine patients with primary biliary cirrhosis pruritus was greatly alleviated, fatigue seemed to improve, and plasma bilirubin concentration, which had been rising, showed a modest fall in all except one patient. These results indicate that blocking opioid receptors has an effect on some of the metabolic abnormalities of liver disease.

Enkephalins and learning and memory: a review of evidence for a site of action outside the blood-brain barrier

A series of studies indicate that enkephalins exert dramatic influences on learning and memory in rats and mice, when studied with conditioning tasks that are both negatively and positively motivated. Pharmacological analysis of these enkephalin actions on conditioning suggests that the [leu]enkephalin acts through a delta opioid receptor which is located outside the blood-brain barrier. Control studies indicate that enkephalins do not simply affect the performance of a conditioned response through actions on shock sensitivity or locomotor activity. Characterization of the peripheral enkephalin mechanism that affects behavior suggests an action through an enzymatic system that controls the concentrations of enkephalin present at its receptors in the periphery. This enzymatic mechanism is sensitive to experience, since its activity changes following conditioning, which suggests that it may be a regulatory mechanism for behavior.

Analgesia and the blood-brain barrier transport system for Tyr-MIF-1/enkephalins: evidence for a dissociation

The blood-brain barrier is capable of transporting peptides with anti-opiate (Tyr-MIF-1) and opiate (enkephalins) activity out of the central nervous system. The relationship of this transport system to the various actions of opiates remains unexplored. This study examined the relationship between the rate of transport and opiate-induced analgesia. Both restraint, a stress that provokes an opiate-mediated analgesia, and the administration of morphine (12 mg/kg, i.p.) each induced an inhibition in the rate of transport. Such inhibition exhibited specificity, since the saturable, brain to blood transport of iodide remained unaltered. However, it was possible to dissociate analgesia and inhibition of transport. The onset and peak of analgesia, as measured by tail-flick latency induced by morphine, preceded the onset and peak of the inhibition of transport. Naltrexone, which blocks opiate-mediated analgesia, also induced inhibition of transport without any significant effect on tail-flick latency. (-) Naloxone but not (+) naloxone also weakly inhibited transport. Deprivation of food and water, associated with analgesia possibly mediated by the opiate, beta-endorphin, which is not transported out of the brain by this system, did not alter transport. These results suggest that while inhibition of transport and analgesia may occur together, these events probably represent two separate aspects of the action of opiates, that may even be mediated by separate receptor sites or peptides in the opiate family.

Naloxone-reversible antidiarrheal effects of enkephalinase inhibitors

Thiorphan and acetorphan, two potent inhibitors of enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11 membrane-metalloendopeptidase) significantly reduced the castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats when administered intravenously (or orally, for acetorphan) but not when administered intracerebroventricularly. These effects were more marked during the 90 min period following the castor oil challenge but were still significant up to 4-8 h after the latter. Acetorphan was about 6 times more potent than thiorphan. The antidiarrheal activity of both compounds was completely prevented in rats receiving naloxone subcutaneously but not intracerebroventricularly (in the case of thiorphan). In contrast to loperamide, a peripherally acting opiate receptor agonist, the enkephalinase inhibitors did not significantly reduce gastrointestinal transit as measured in the charcoal meal test. The antidiarrheal activity of enkephalinase inhibitors therefore seems attributable to protection of endogenous opioids, presumably outside the brain, and to reduction of intestinal secretion rather than transit.

Saturable transport of peptides across the blood-brain barrier

Peptides can be transported across the blood-brain barrier by saturable transport systems. One system, characterized with radioactively labeled Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-amide), is specific for some of the small peptides with an N-terminal tyrosine, including Tyr-MIF-1, the enkephalins, beta-casomorphin, and dynorphin (1-8). Another separate system transports vasopressin-like peptides. The choroid plexus has at least one system distinguishable from those above that is capable of uptake and possibly transport of opiate-like peptides. The possibility of saturable transport of other peptides has been investigated to a varying degree. Specificity, stereo-specificity, saturability, allosteric regulation, modulation by physiologic and pharmacologic manipulations, and noncompetitive inhibition have been demonstrated to occur in peptide transport systems and suggest a role for them in physiology and disease.

Origin of the stimulation of food intake by oral administration of enkephalinase inhibitors in sheep

The influence of two enkephalinase inhibitors (thiorphan and acetorphan) orally, parenterally and centrally administered on food intake was tested in hay-fed ewes. When orally administered at a dose of 1 mg/kg, acetorphan, but not thiorphan, produced a biphasic increase in food intake corresponding to a 17.0% increase of daily food intake. Similarly thiorphan (0.1 mg X kg-1) IV administered increased by 19.3% the daily food intake; in contrast acetorphan IV administered produced a early (0-2 h) decrease followed by a late increase in hay consumption without significant (P greater than 0.05) change in the daily food intake. When ICV administered (10 micrograms X kg-1) thiorphan but not acetorphan at the same dose depressed the early (0-2 h) and daily food intake by 43.2% and 25.4% respectively. Pretreatment with naltrexone (0.1 mg X kg-1 IV) blocked the increased food intake induced by oral acetorphan or IV acetorphan and thiorphan but did not affect the anorectic effects of ICV thiorphan. We conclude that enkephalinase inhibitors like thiorphan and acetorphan increase daily food intake in sheep probably by increasing enkephalin levels in peripheral tissues.

On-line post-column fluorescence derivatization of arginine-containing peptides in high-performance liquid chromatography

A selective detection system based on on-line post-column fluorescence derivatization is described for the analysis of arginine-containing peptides by high-performance liquid chromatography. The peptides are automatically converted into fluorescent derivatives with benzoin, a fluorogenic reagent for guanidino compounds, after separation on a reversed-phase column (TSKgel ODS-120T) and detection in an ultraviolet absorption detector. The system permits fluorescence detection at 435 nm emission with irradiation at 325 nm for arginine-containing peptides in as little as picomole amounts. The chromatogram obtained with fluorescence detection only shows peaks corresponding to arginine-containing peptides. The facile detection of arginine-containing fragments in the tryptic digest of beta-melanocyte stimulating hormone as a model compound could be achieved by comparison with a chromatogram obtained with ultraviolet absorption detection at 215 nm.

Proenkephalin is processed in a projection-specific manner in the rat central nervous system

The biosynthesis and posttranslational proteolytic processing of proenkephalin was studied in three projection systems in the rat central nervous system--the caudate-putamen to the globus pallidus, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to the median eminence, and the mossy fiber system of the granule cells of the hippocampus. By using the techniques of in vivo radiolabeling and sequential high-performance liquid chromatographic purification coupled with chemical modification, the biosynthesis of six radiolabeled [Met]enkephalin-containing peptides--[Met5]enkephalin, [Met5,Arg6,Gly7,Leu8]enkephalin, [Met5,Arg6,Phe7]enkephalin, metorphamide, peptide E, and BAM 18P--was followed. In each projection system, radiolabeled enkephalins were purified to constant radiochemical specific activity. However, the posttranslational processing of proenkephalin was found to differ between these three systems, as judged by the relative ratio of these peptides. These findings imply that specific, different physiologies and behaviors may be elicited by the enkephalins based upon the specific [Met]enkephalin-containing peptides that are cleaved from proenkephalin and released in synaptic terminal fields.

Steady-state level and turnover rate of the tripeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly as indexes of striatal enkephalin release in vivo and their reduction during pentobarbital anesthesia

Tyr-Gly-Gly (YGG) was recently shown to be an extraneuronal metabolite of opioid peptides derived from proenkephalin A, formed in brain by the action of "enkephalinase" (membrane metalloendopeptidase, EC 3.4.24.11) and degraded by aminopeptidases. The dynamic state of YGG in mouse striatum was studied by evaluating the changes in its level elicited by inhibitors of these peptidases. Inhibition of YGG synthesis by Thiorphan or acetorphan reduced YGG levels with a t1/2 (mean +/- SEM) of 12 +/- 2 min, indicating an apparent turnover rate (mean +/- SEM) of 18 +/- 2 pmol/mg of protein per hr. An apparent turnover rate of 18 +/- 2 pmol/mg of protein per hr was derived from the rate of YGG accumulation elicited by the aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin. In addition, accumulation of Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met (YGGFM) in an extrasynaptosomal fraction after blockade of its degradation by Thiorphan and bestatin occurred at a rate of 18 +/- 3 pmol/mg of protein per hr, which is likely to reflect the rate of enkephalin release in vivo. Hence, the three series of data suggest that striatal enkephalins rapidly turn over--e.g., with a t1/2 in the 1-hr range. Pentobarbital anesthesia reduced by about 60% the rate of YGG accumulation elicited by bestatin and the extrasynaptosomal YGGFM accumulation elicited by Thiorphan and bestatin. This suggests that the activity of striatal enkephalin neurons is depressed during anesthesia. Pentobarbital (and chloral hydrate) did not affect the steady-state level of YGGFM but rapidly reduced that of YGG. Hence, the steady-state levels of YGG seem a reliable index of changes in enkephalin release, and measuring levels of characteristic fragments might therefore provide a general means of evaluating neuropeptide release in vivo.

The endogenous tripeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly as a possible metabolite of opioid peptides in rat brain: identification, regional distribution, effects of lesions and formation in depolarized slices

Using a sensitive radioimmunoassay, the tripeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly (YGG) which corresponds to the N-terminal sequence of opioid peptides was detected in rat brain and identified by HPLC. Its regional distribution paralleled that of (Met5)enkephalin (YGGFM), a marker of enkephalin neurons. Ablation of these neurons in the striato-pallidal pathway by intrastriatal kainate, induced a significant decrease in YGG levels in caudateputamen and globus pallidus (-49%), consistent with the hypothesis that YGG originates from enkephalin neurons. When pallidal slices were incubated under various conditions, YGG was mainly found in the incubation medium indicating a predominantly extracellular localization. Depolarization of these slices by a K+-stimulus elicited a release of YGGFM accompanied by a marked increase in YGG levels. Bestatin and amastatin further enhanced YGG levels, reflecting the participation of aminopeptidases in the metabolism of the tripeptide and its precursor. Captopril, an inhibitor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) showed no effect on the recovery of YGGFM and YGG. In contrast, the formation of YGG was completely prevented by Thiorphan (IC50 value = 9 nM) and phosphoramidon, two inhibitors of "enkephalinase" (EC 3.4.24.11; membrane metallo-endopeptidase), thus identifying the latter as the YGG-forming enzyme. The K+-induced increase in YGG + YGGFM levels in medium containing bestatin exceeded by about 60% the amount of YGGFM released from tissues, suggesting that YGG was mainly formed by extracellular hydrolysis of the various opioid fragments of the proenkephalin molecule. In vivo, YGG levels of cerebral regions were also markedly reduced in rats treated with acetorphan, a parenterally active "enkephalinase" inhibitor. All data suggest that YGG levels constitute an index of opioid peptide release.

Dissociated effects of inhibitors of enkephalin-metabolising peptidases or naloxone on various nociceptive responses

The antinociceptive effects of Thiorphan, an 'enkephalinase' inhibitor, or bestatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, as well as of their association and the pronociceptive effects of naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, were evaluated in various analgesic tests in mice. These tests could be classified into two groups: (i) those tests in which the two peptidase inhibitors display naloxone-sensitive antinociceptive activity, particularly when administered together, and in which naloxone displays pronociceptive activity (vocalisation, hot-plate jump, writhing), (ii) those tests in which the two peptidase inhibitors and naloxone are ineffective (tail withdrawal, hot-plate licking, tail-flick). In contrast to the above, either morphine or [Met5]enkephalin in subthreshold dosage administrated together with the peptidase inhibitors displayed antinociceptive activity in the two groups of tests. The threshold dosages of morphine were the lowest in tests of the first group. The dissociated and opposite effects of peptidase inhibitors and naloxone per se might reflect a variable participation of endogenous enkephalins (or other opioid peptides) in the control of various nociceptive responses.

Nomenclature for enkephalin degrading peptidases

The use of trivial names for enkephalin degrading peptidases such as "aminoenkephalinase" and "carboxyenkephalinase" imply a specificity and cellular localization which is not inherent in any of the peptidases implicated in the degradation of endogenous enkephalins. Rather than name these enzymes on the basis of one of their many substrates, it is proposed that they be named according to their general reaction type. Such a nomenclature has already been proposed for the enkephalin degrading endopeptidase 24.11 given the trivial name "enkephalinase".

High-performance liquid chromatography of tyrosine-containing peptides by pre-column derivatization involving formylation followed by fluorescence reaction with 1,2-diamino-4,5-dimethoxybenzene

A pre-column fluorescence derivatization method is described for the high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of tyrosine-containing peptides. A tyrosyl residue in the peptide is first formylated in an alkaline medium in the presence of chloroform, and the resulting aldehyde is then converted into a fluorescent derivative by reaction with 1,2-diamino-4,5-dimethoxybenzene. The derivative is separated on a reversed-phase column (LiChrosorb RP-18) by isocratic elution with an aqueous acetonitrile-containing potassium chloride-hydrochloric acid buffer (pH 2.2) and sodium 1-hexanesulphonate. The method is selective and fairly sensitive; the lower limits of detection for the tyrosine-containing peptides tested are in the range 3.4-26.2 pmol in a 100-microliter injection volume.

Study of endogenous Tyr-Gly-Gly, a putative enkephalin metabolite, in mouse brain: validation of a radioimmunoassay, localisation and effects of peptidase inhibitors

The tripeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly, a hydrolysis product of enkephalins and related opioid peptides obtained with 'enkephalinase', was identified and quantified in various regions of mouse brain by means of HPLC and a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay. Similar levels i.e. about 8 pmol/brain were found after the animals were killed by various procedures, including microwave irradiation, suggesting its pre-mortem formation. The distribution of Tyr-Gly-Gly immunoreactivity among brain regions was highly heterogeneous and paralleled to a certain extent the [Met5]enkephalin distribution, molar levels of Tyr-Gly-Gly representing 10-30% of those of the enkephalin. Following gentle homogeneisation of striata in 0.32 M sucrose and centrifugation, 73% of Tyr-Gly-Gly immunoreactivity was recovered in the supernatant, a result consistent with its extracellular localisation in vivo. Administration of enkephalinase inhibitors rapidly elicited marked decrease in Tyr-Gly-Gly immunoreactivity whereas bestatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, elicited 100% increase and captopril, an ACE inhibitor, was without significant effect. These data indicate that the tripeptide is in a dynamic state in the brain and that its levels might reflect the release of endogenous enkephalins or related opioid peptides and their subsequent metabolism by enkephalinase.

Degradation of alpha and beta neo-endorphin by rat brain membrane peptidases

Fractionation of Triton-solubilized rat brain membranes on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose resolves two peptidases which hydrolyze beta-neo-endorphin. One of these peptidases was identified as Angiotensin Converting Enzyme by (a) its sensitivity to inhibition by the specific inhibitors MK422 and captopril, (b) by the identification of reaction products, and (c) by comparison to authentic angiotensin converting enzyme. In contrast, alpha-neo-endorphin hydrolysis by angiotensin converting enzyme could not be detected. The second enzyme active on beta-neo-endorphin was identified as an aminopeptidase. This aminopeptidase is identical to the previously described enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase. The possible involvement of these enzymes in the metabolism of opioid peptides is discussed.

Characterization of membrane-bound aminopeptidases from rat brain: identification of the enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase

Rat brain aminopeptidase activity was solubilized from membranes by incubation with thiols. This novel procedure resulted in the release of the same two aminopeptidases (MI and MII) previously shown to be solubilized by the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. The solubilized aminopeptidases MI and MII were resolved by ion-exchange chromatography and further purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography. Aminopeptidase MI was shown to hydrolyze only the beta-naphthylamides of arginine and lysine whereas aminopeptidase MII exhibited a broad specificity with respect to amino acid beta-naphthylamides. Only aminopeptidase MII hydrolyzed Leu-enkephalin at a significant rate, indicating that this enzyme can account for the membrane-bound enkephalin aminopeptidase activity. The enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase is potently inhibited by opioid (alpha-neo-endorphin and dynorphin) as well as nonopioid (substance P, somatostatin, and angiotensin I) peptides in the range of 0.2-2.0 microM. The regional distribution of aminopeptidases MI and MII in rat brain are rather different, with aminopeptidase MII distribution more closely paralleling the distribution of opiate receptors.

Action of neutral metalloendopeptidase ("enkephalinase") on beta-endorphin

Human beta-endorphin was digested by neutral metalloendopeptidase from rabbit kidney and the products were isolated and identified. Based on the structure and yield of the fragments, the major cleavage sites were identified with the Leu17-Phe18, Gly3-Phe4, Pro13-Leu14 and Ile22-Ile23 peptide bonds of the beta-endorphin structure. The cleavage of the Leu17-Phe18 bond appears to be the rate-limiting step of the enzymic conversion similarly to the previously proposed pathways of beta-endorphin degradation by brain homogenates and synaptic membranes.