Structural characterization of the covalent attachment of leukotriene A3 to leukotriene A4 hydrolase

Leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolase catalyzes the conversion of the unstable epoxide LTA4 [5(S)-trans-5,6-oxido-11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid] into proinflammatory LTB4. During the process of catalyzing this reaction, the enzyme is suicide inactivated by its substrate. In addition, LTA3, and analogue of LTA4 that lacks the C14-C15 double bond, is a potent suicide inhibitor of LTA4 hydrolase. We have synthesized [3H]LTA3 and used this ligand to demonstrate that LTA3 can covalently label LTA4 hydrolase and that this labeling is specifically competed for by bestatin and LTA4. Incubation of recombinant human LTA4 hydrolase with LTA3 followed by proteolysis (endoproteinase Lys-C) resulted in a peptide map with a single modified peptide defining the location of the LTA3 covalent attachment region. This modified 21-amino-acid peptide had a UV absorption spectrum corresponding to a conjugated triene chromophore which established conservation of this structural unit after covalent interaction of LTA3 with LTA4 hydrolase. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis of the 21-amino-acid peptide adduct revealed an abundant MH+ at m/z 2658, consistent with the predicted nominal mass of the sequenced peptide with the addition of a single LTA3 moiety. Proteolysis of LTA4 hydrolase modified with LTA3 was performed sequentially with endo-Asp-N and endo-Lys-C. The resulting peptide isolated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was analyzed by mass spectroscopy revealing two related peptides, D371-K385 (m/z 2018.0) and D375-K385 (m/z 1577.8), both of which retained the elements of LTA3. Postsource decay of m/z 1577.8 resulted in an abundant ion at m/z 536 and an ion of lesser abundance at m/z 856 consistent with cleavage between V381 and P382 that supported assignment of the modified tyrosine residue at Y383. These results suggest nucleophilic attack of a tyrosine residue (Y383) at the conjugated triene epoxide of LTA3 resulting in a triene ether carbinol covalent adduct.

The maculatin peptides from the skin glands of the tree frog Litoria genimaculata: a comparison of the structures and antibacterial activities of maculatin 1.1 and caerin 1.1

Six peptides have been isolated and characterized from the dorsal glands of the tree frog Litoria genimaculata. One of these is the known hypotensive peptide caerulein; the others have been named maculatins. The amino acid sequences of the maculatin peptides have been determined using a combination of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and automated Edman sequencing. Four of the maculatin peptides show antibiotic activity, with maculatin 1.1 [GLFGVLAKVAAHVVPAIAEHF(NH2)] showing the most pronounced activity, particularly against gram-positive organisms. Maculatin 1.1 resembles the known caerin 1 antibiotic peptides, except that four of the central amino acid residues (of the caerin 1 system) are missing in maculatin 1.1. A comparison of the antibiotic activity of maculatin 1.1 with those of caerin 1.1 is reported.

New caerin antibacterial peptides from the skin glands of the Australian tree frog Litoria xanthomera

The secretion of the skin glands of the 'orange-thighed frog' Litoria xanthomera contains seven peptides. One of these is the know hypotensive peptide caerulein. Two new peptides, caerin 1.6 [GLFSVLGAVAKHVLPHVVPVIAEKL(NH2)], and caerin 1.7 [GLFKVLGSVAKHLLPHVAPVIAEKL(NH2)] show antibacterial properties. Two other peptides lack the first two amino acid residues of caerins 1.6 and 1.7 and show no antibacterial activity. The identification of the peptides in Litoria xanthomera confirms that this species is related to Litoria caerula, Litoria gilleni and Litoria splendida but not as closely as those three species are related to each other.

New caerin antibacterial peptides from the skin glands of the Australian tree frog Litoria xanthomera. Part 2. Sequence determination using mass spectrometry and associated techniques

Mass spectrometric sequencing, enzymic digestion and Edman degradation provide the structures of the two antimicrobial peptides from the skin glands of the Australian tree frog Litoria xanthomera as:- Gly Leu Phe Ser Val Leu Gly Ala Val Ala Lys His Val Leu Pro His Val Val Pro Val Ile Ala Glu Lys Leu (NH2) (caerin 1.6), and Gly Leu Phe Lys Val Leu Gly Ser Val Ala Lys His Leu Leu Pro His Val Ala Pro Val Ile Ala Glu Lys Leu (NH2) (caerin 1.7).

Identification and relative quantitation of F2-isoprostane regioisomers formed in vivo in the rat

F2-isoprostanes are a complex mixture of isomers formed in four regioisomeric family types by free radical-initiated oxidation of arachidonic acid present in membrane phospholipids. F2-isoprostanes isolated from the livers of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride were separated by initial reverse phase HPLC and detected using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with the characteristic loss of 44 u (C2H4O) from the common 1,3-diol cyclopropane ring found in these eicosanoids. Collision induced decomposition of the carboxylate anions from the separated F2-isoprostanes formed abundant ions characteristic for regioisomers of Type I (m/z 115), Type III (m/z 127), and Type IV (m/z 193), which made possible characterization of these three family subtypes by LC/MS/MS. Capillary GC/MS was employed to further identify the F2-isoprostane regioisomers using electron ionization mass spectrometry and to obtain characteristic mass spectra of the pentafluorobenzyl ester trimethylsilyl ether derivatives. Quantitation of the F2-isoprostanes separated by both reverse-phase HPLC and capillary GC/MS was carried out using negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The most abundant isomers identified were Type I and IV regioisomers constituting 33 and 25% of the total products, respectively. As expected, the Type II and III regioisomer products were of less abundance. Over 45 F2-isoprostanes could be separated in this complex mixture, suggesting random production of each regioisomeric subtype in this in vivo model.

Mass spectrometric analysis of four regioisomers of F2-isoprostanes formed by free radical oxidation of arachidonic acid

F2-isoprostanes are complex metabolites of arachidonic acid generated via nonenzymatic free radical oxidation and are isomeric to prostaglandin F2α, enzymatically produced by prostaglandin H2 synthase. In theory, four distinct regioisomeric families are possible. These regioisomeric families have a common 1,3-diol cyclopentane structural feature, but differ by the comparative length of two attached alkyl chains and the position of a third hydroxyl group. Eight synthetic PGF2α isomers were found separable by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the elution of these isomers from the HPLC column by monitoring the characteristic loss of 44 u (C2H4O) from the 1,3-diol cyclopentane ring. Catalytic reduction, derivatization, and electron ionization mass spectrometric techniques were used to obtain definitive information as to the location of the side chain hydroxyl position in these isomers through abundant α-cleavage ions. Free radical oxidation of arachidonic acid was used to generate a complex mixture of F2-isoprostanes, which were separated by HPLC and capillary GC. Members of each of the four specific regioisomeric isoprostane families could be identified in this mixture from the predicted α-cleavage ions. Although many epimers within a single family type could be separated, the four regioisomeric families were substantially superimposed in their HPLC and GC elution. The Type I and Type IV regioisomers were the major F2-isoprostane products, but the complexity of the isomers required more than a simple GC-mass spectrometry assay to precisely identify a particular stereoisomer within a regioisomeric family (e. g., 8-epi-PGF2α). Type I F2-isoprostanes are unique noncyclooxygenase products and may be more specific targets to measure lipid peroxidation in vivo.

The structures of the frenatin peptides from the skin secretion of the giant tree frog Litoria infrafrenata

The granular dorsal glands of the giant tree frog Litoria infrafrenata contain five peptides including caerulein (a known neuropeptide), and four new peptides named franatins 1 (MH+ = 1140 Da), 2 (1423), 3 (2180), 4 (2493). The amino acid sequences of the frenatins are detailed: their structures do not correspond to those of peptides isolated from other amphibians or animals. Frenatin 3, Gly-Leu-Met-Ser-Val-Leu -Gly-His-Ala-Val-Gly-Asn-Val-Leu-Gly-Gly-Leu-Phe-Lys-Ser-(OH), has wide spectrum antimicrobial properties.

The Structures of New Peptides From the Australian Red Tree Frog 'Litoria rubella'. The Skin Peptide Profile as a Probe for the Study of Evolutionary Trends of Amphibians

Seventeen peptides have been isolated and characterized from specimens of the red tree frog 'Litoria rubella', collected from 15 locations throughout Australia. These can be classified into two families of peptides, viz. ( i ) the tryptophyllins L, of which Phe Pro Trp Leu (NH2), Phe Pro Trp Pro (NH2) and pGlu Phe Pro Trp Pro (NH2) are the major constituents, (ii) two types of rubellidins, the first of which is unique to 'Litoria rubella' [e.g. Val Asp Phe Phe Ala (OH)], and the second [e.g. Gly Leu Gly Asp Ile Leu Gly Leu Leu Gly Leu (NH2)], containing peptides of the caeridin type (like those isolated from Litoria caerulea and Litoria splendida). These peptides show no significant antimicrobial activity. The tryptophyllins are thought to be neuromodulators or neurotransmitters, but the roles of the anionic rubellidin peptides in the amphibian integument are not understood. A comparison of the skin peptide profiles of live specimens of 'Litoria rubella' collected from different locations suggests that there are a number of discrete populations (perhaps different species or subspecies) in ( i ) an area from Kakadu National Park to the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory, (ii) in and around Alice Springs, (iii) in the north of South Australia, and (iv) in several areas of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. In addition, there appear to be evolving populations along the eastern seaboard of Queensland.

Two Isomeric α and β Aspartyl Dodecapeptides and Their Cyclic Amino Succinyl Analogue From the Australian Green Tree Frog Litoria gilleni

Three related peptides, caeridins 1.1-1.3, have been isolated from the green tree frog Litoria gilleni. Caeridins 1.1 and 1.2 are dodecapeptides differing only in having α and β Asp at residue 4 [viz. Gly Leu Leu Asp Gly Leu Leu Gly Thr Leu Gly Leu (NH2)]. Caeridin 1.3 is the corresponding cyclic amino succinyl derivative derived formally by cyclization of Asp(4) and Gly (5). Hydrolysis of caeridin 1.3 yields caeridin 1.1 and 1.2 in the ratio 3:1. This constitutes a rare case of the isolation of three such related peptides from a natural system.

A simple method for differentiating Leu and Ile in peptides. The negative-ion mass spectra of [M-H]- ions of phenylthiohydantoin Leu and Ile

Phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) amino acid derivatives are formed during sequential Edman degradation of peptides and proteins. Isomeric Leu and Ile (which differ only in respectively having iso-butyl and sec-butyl chains, and are often difficult to distinguish by conventional mass spectrometric techniques) may be readily identified by the characteristic decompositions of the [M-H]- ions of their PTH derivatives. The Leu spectrum shows major loss of propane, while that of the Ile derivative shows elimination of both methane and ethane. This method may be used routinely with 10 microgram quantities of peptide material.

Characterization of underivatized tetrapeptides by negative-ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

The [M-H]- ions derived from tetrapeptides generally show two different collision-induced backbone cleavages which allow the determination of the amino acid sequence of the peptide. The first of these involves the formation of the carboxylate anions of either constituent amino acids or fragment peptides. In the second, amino acids or fragment peptides are eliminated as neutrals. There are a number of residues which undergo characteristic side-chain fragmentations irrespective of their position in the tetrapeptide, e.g. Ser, Thr, Cys, Met, Phe, and Tyr. However, there are also some residues which, when situated at the C-terminal end of the peptide, promote pronounced fragmentation at the C-terminal position which occurs to the exclusion of the normal backbone cleavages. We conclude that the data obtained from these negative-ion cleavages are analytically useful, and complement those provided by the cognate positive-ion technique.

The Structures of Four Tryptophyllin and Three Rubellidin Peptides From the Australian Red Tree Frog Litoria rubella

The peptide content of the glandular secretions of Litoria rubella specimens collected from Derby and Lake Argyle (Kimberley region of Western Australia) and from near Darwin in the Northern Territory are all quite different; this suggests that there are different frog populations in these three areas. These different populations may be indicative of either different species or different sub-species of frog. There are two separate families of peptides in the glandular secretion of 'Litoria rubella': ( i ) those corresponding to the tryptophyllin family (tetra- to hepta -peptides all containing the residues Pro and Trp ), and (ii) the rubellidinins ( pentapeptides all containing two Phe residues at positions 3 and 4). To ate, no biological activity has been found for any of these peptides, but it is suspected that the tryptophyllins may be neurotransmitters or neuromodulators.

Collision-Induced Dissociations of Deprotonated Dipeptide Methyl Esters Containing Serine or Threonine

The collision-induced mass spectra (MS/MS) of (M - H)- ions derived from dipeptide methyl esters containing serine or threonine lack the characteristic backbone cleavage of the underivatized peptides (which provide primary sequencing data). Instead, competitive fragmentation occurs through the ester and α-side chain functions. For example, Ser methyl esters lose both CH2O (from the side chain) and MeOH ( MeO comes from the methyl ester). Isomeric dipeptides may be differentiated by competitive fragmentations; for example [ Gly Ser( OMe )-H]- fragments first by loss of CH2O, while [Ser Gly ( OMe )-H]-, in contrast, shows initial elimination of MeOH. The structures of the product ions in these spectra have been probed by deuterium labelling and MS/MS/MS studies.

Collision-Induced Dissociations of Deprotonated Peptides. Dipeptides Containing Asn, Arg and Lys

The presence and position of Asn, Arg and Lys residues in dipeptides may be determined from a consideration of the collisional activation mass spectra of the (M-H)- ions formed by fast atom bombardment. All spectra show the basic dipeptide cleavage, i.e. NH2CH(R1)CONHCH(R2)CO2- → NH2C(R1)CONHCH(R2)CO2H → NH2C(R1)=C=O + -NHCH(R2)CO2H. There are a number of fragmentations characteristic of a particular α side chain: for example, Arg loses HN=C=NH (42 u).