Site-specific introduction of an electroactive label into a non-electroactive enzyme (beta-lactamase I).

A cysteine residue was introduced close to the active site of beta-lactamase I by site-directed mutagenesis to replace tyrosine-105 and was subsequently modified with an electroactive SH-specific reagent, N-(2-ferrocene-ethyl)maleimide. The resulting modified enzyme became electroactive, showing good quasireversible electrochemistry which was characteristic of the attached ferrocene moiety while retaining its specific enzymatic activity. In the presence of a suicide substrate, 6beta-iodopenicillanic acid, the redox potential shifted +20 mV suggesting that the label was sensitive to changes in the active site of the enzyme.

N-(2-ferrocene-ethyl)maleimide: a new electroactive sulphydryl-specific reagent for cysteine-containing peptides and proteins.

We report the synthesis and application of a specific electroactive label, N-(2-ferrocene-ethyl)maleimide, which provides new redox properties to organic compounds and proteins possessing sulphydryl groups. Its reaction conditions with the cysteine-containing peptide, glutathione, and a terminal monooxygenase enzyme, cytochrome P450cam are presented. The labelled peptide and enzyme acquired reversible electrochemical properties due to the attached ferrocene moiety.

Electron transfer reactions of metalloproteins at peptide-modified gold electrodes.

The electron transfer reactions of four small redox proteins, cytochrome c. ferredoxin, plastocyanin and azurin, have been investigated at novel peptide-modified gold electrodes. These proved to be effective and selective in facilitating electron transfer. Good, quasi-reversible electron transfer was achieved selectively at different peptide-protein configurations by changing the pH or the ionic strength of the solution. The use of peptides as promoters for protein electrochemistry opens up the possibility of designing very specific electrode surfaces for larger molecules like enzymes.

Characterization of rat brain opioid receptors by [Tyr-3,5-3H]1, D-Ala2, Leu5-enkephalin binding.

[Tyr-3,5-3H]1, D-Ala2, Leu5-enkephalin [( 3H]DALA) was used for labeling the opioid receptors of rat brain plasma membranes. The labeled ligand was prepared from [Tyr-3,5-diiodo]1, D-Ala2, Leu5-enkephalin by catalytic reductive dehalogenation in the presence of Pd catalyst. The resulting [Tyr-3,5-3H]1, D-Ala2, Leu5-enkephalin had a specific activity of 37.3 Ci/mmol. In the binding experiments steady-state level was reached at 24 degrees C within 45 min. The pseudo first order association rate constant was 0.1 min-1. The dissociation of the receptor-ligand complex was biphasic with k-1-s of 0.009 and 0.025 min-1. The existence of two binding sites was proved by equilibrium studies. The high affinity site showed a KD = 0.7 nM and Bmax = 60 fmol/mg protein; the low affinity site had a KD = 5 nM and Bmax = 160 fmol/mg protein. A series of opioid peptides inhibited [3H]DALA binding more efficiently than morphine-like drugs suggesting that labeled ligand binds preferentially to the delta subtype of opioid receptors. Modification of the original peptides either at the C or N terminal ends of the molecules resulted in a decrease in their affinity.

Melphalan potently substitutes the N-terminal Tyr of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin methyl ester.

In search of an affinity label of the opioid receptor, the nitrogen mustard melphalan, Mel, was built into the peptide chain of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin (DALE) methyl ester in different positions. We report now that in contrast to the previous observations that an intact Tyr in position 1 is essential for opioid activity [(1980) Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 20, 81-110], substitution of Tyr by Mel did not result in a loss of the binding affinity. Mel1, Leu5-enkephalin-OMe competed for the binding sites of [3H]naloxone as potently as DALE did; IC50 values for both compounds were 50 nM. Mel substitution has led to one order potency decrease in binding to the delta-sites. 0.5-1 microM of the compound irreversibly inactivates 50% of the binding sites of [3H]naloxone, and 5-10 microM of that of [3H]DALE. These results shed new light on the structural requirements established for opioid peptides. In addition, the new derivative can be used as an affinity label of the opioid receptor.

A new potential affinity label for the opiate receptor.

D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin (DALA) was elongated with the methyl ester of melphalan (Mel), a nitrogen mustard on the C-terminus. The new derivative, DALA-Mel-OMe might be a potential affinity label of the opiate receptor. The compound shows high affinity in displacement experiments with an IC50 of 10 nM and 100 nM against 3H-D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin and 3H-naloxone, respectively. 10-100 microM of DALA-Mel-OMe causes a significant inhibition of 3H-naloxone binding, which effect can't be reversed by extensive washes. This irreversible blockade is significantly but only partially protected by high concentrations of naloxone and Leu-enkephalin. Our results suggest that DALA-Mel-OMe binds irreversibly to the opiate receptor, but nonspecific labelling also occurs.

Met-enkephalin inhibits mineralocorticoid production in isolated human aldosteronoma cells.

In vitro application of the morphinomimetic met-enkephalin resulted in inhibition of mineralocorticoid production by aldosterone-producing adenomas. Aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, and corticosterone production by adrenocortical cells isolated from aldosteronomas has been studied under basal conditions and after stimulation with ACTH-(1-24). The blocking effect of met-enkephalin on the rate of aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, and corticosterone release was significant at a concentration as low as 10(-11) M (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.01, and P less than 0.001, respectively). Dose-dependent inhibition of steroid biosynthesis became more apparent with increasing amounts of met-enkephalin in the incubation medium (10(-11)-10(-5) M); at a concentration of 10(-5) M, met-enkephalin decreased the production of aldosterone by 45%, that of deoxycorticosterone by 51%, and that of corticosterone by 44%. Increased steroid biosynthesis stimulated by ACTH-(1-24) was also significantly blocked by met-enkephalin. In a concentration of 10(-5) M, met-enkephalin produced significant decreases in aldosterone (P less than 0.001), deoxycorticosterone (P less than 0.05), and corticosterone (P less than 0.001) production compared to the peak values obtained after stimulation with 0.85 X 10(-10) M ACTH-(1-24). These data allow us to conclude that the inhibitory effect of met-enkephalin on mineralocorticoid production exerted at the level of the adrenals might be complementary to the factor(s) thought to be involved in the regulation of adrenal steroid production, playing a role similar to that of the biogenic amines originating in the adrenal medulla and regulating the adrenal cortex by a peripheral neurohumoral paracrine mechanism.