Secretory protein 7B2 is associated with pancreatic hormones within normal islets and some experimentally induced tumors.

7B2 is a novel neuroendocrine polypeptide which belongs to an entirely new superfamily of proteins. In extension of previous reports on 7B2, these studies concern its expression in endocrine pancreatic tissue. They have been performed using specific antibodies prepared against two distinct synthetic fragments of 7B2 comprising amino acids 23-39 and 117-128 of the native human molecule isolated from pituitary gland. Pancreatic insulin-secreting tumors produced in transgenic mice contain high amounts of 21,500- to 22,000-dalton forms of 7B2. Using light microscopy (immunocytochemical colocalization with different pancreatic hormones), immunoreactivity to 7B2 (IR-7B2) was consistently found within cells producing insulin and glucagon and less consistently within pancreatic polypeptide-containing cells. As in previous reports concerning the brain, adenohypophysis, and thyroid gland, IR-7B2 could be detected by electron microscopy within secretory granules of alpha- and beta-like cells in islets. Furthermore, the IR-7B2 level was higher in extracts of insulin-producing tumors of the transgenic mice that contained the hybrid insulin II gene. In addition, IR-7B2 could be detected immunocytochemically in three of seven tumors produced in the rat by streptozotocin-nicotinamide treatment.

Identification and localization of 7B2 protein in human, porcine, and rat thyroid gland and in human medullary carcinoma.

The novel, highly conserved polypeptide 7B2, which belongs to a new protein superfamily, was isolated from human and porcine hypophysis. The availability of a specific antibody to a synthetic fragment enabled 7B2 localization in a number of neurocrine and endocrine tissues and revealed its secretory character. 7B2 was purified from thyroid homogenates by HPLC chromatography and characterized by gel permeation chromatography (dimeric mol wt, approximately 40,000) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (monomeric mol wt, 20,750). By immunocytochemistry 7B2 was colocalized with calcitonin in parafollicular cells and identified within secretory granules by electron microscopy. Three of nineteen human medullary carcinoma cases showed immunoreactive 7B2 within the early and late hyperplasia stages and neoplasia. Results suggest that 7B2 may play a role in endocrine function, possibly as a secretory substance, and may be a histochemical marker in addition to calcitonin for medullary carcinoma.

Stereoselective carbonyl reductases from rat skin and leukocyte microsomes converting 12-ketoeicosatetraenoic acid to 12(S)-HETE.

Cell-free preparations from rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes and skin were found to catalyze the reduction of 12-keto-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-KETE) to 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). The reductase activity was associated with the microsomal fraction and showed a marked preference for NADH over NADPH as reducing cofactor. Characterization of the reaction product by chiral phase HPLC of the methyl ester derivative indicated that 12-KETE reduction generated almost exclusively 12(S)-HETE. The results demonstrate that rat skin and leukocyte microsomes possess an NADH-dependent 12-KETE reductase activity that forms 12(S)-HETE as a major product. The identification of stereoselective 12-KETE reductases provides a basis for further defining the role these enzymes may play in the regulation of 12-KETE levels and in the protection against degradation of 12-KETE to the pro-inflammatory 12(R)-HETE by selectively generating 12-HETE of the S configuration.

Chromogranin B (secretogranin I), a putative precursor of two novel pituitary peptides through processing at paired basic residues.

During the course of reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) purification of the 7B2 peptide originally isolated in our laboratory from human pituitary gland extracts, two novel peptides were identified and purified to homogeneity. The complete amino acid sequence of the first one was established in 1985 and recently found to be entirely homologous to positions 420-493 of the just published chromogranin B sequence. This peptide, denoted GAWK, could originate from chromogranin B following specific cleavage at the basic amino acids flanking both termini of GAWK. Moreover, another peptide isolated in our laboratory from the same source and denoted CCB has been discovered and its sequence is also part of the same chromogranin B molecule. Here again, this peptide, occupying positions 597-653 and located at the COOH-terminal region of chromogranin B, could derive from specific processing at basic amino acids, Arg-Lys-Lys, present at positions 594-596. In a manner reminiscent of the relationship between pancreastatin and chromogranin A, it is proposed that both GAWK and CCB are produced from chromogranin B after specific processing at basic amino acids. These data are thus in favor of a putative role of chromogranins as precursors to potentially bioactive peptides.

Substituted thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indoles as potent, selective, and orally active inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. Synthesis and biological evaluation of L-691,816.

Thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indoles are a new class of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors. SAR studies have demonstrated that the thiopyran ring, the 5-phenylpyridine substituent, and an acidic functional group on a four-carbon C-2 side chain are all required for optimal inhibitor potency. In contrast, the indolic nitrogen may be substituted with a variety of lipophilic groups. As a result of the SAR investigation, 44 (L-691,816; 5-[3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-[(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methoxy ]- 4,5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indol-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpro pyl]-1H- tetrazole) has been identified as a potent inhibitor of the 5-LO reaction both in vitro and in a range of in vivo models. Compound 44 inhibits 5-HPETE production by both rat and human 5-LO and LTB4 synthesis in human PMN leukocytes (IC50s 16, 75, and 10 nM, respectively). The mechanism of inhibition of 5-LO activity by compound 44 appears to involve the formation of a reversible deadend complex with the enzyme and does not involve reduction of the nonheme iron of 5-LO. Compound 44 is highly selective for 5-LO when compared to the inhibition of human FLAP, porcine 12-LO, and also ram seminal vesicle cyclooxygenase. In addition, 44 is orally active in a rat pleurisy model (inhibition of LTB4, ED50 = 1.9 mg/kg; 8 h pretreatment) as well as in the hyperreactive rat model of antigen-induced dyspnea (ED50 = 0.1 mg/kg; 2-h pretreatment). Excellent functional activity was also observed in both the conscious allergic monkey and sheep models of asthma. In the latter case, the functional activity observed correlated with the inhibition of urinary LTE4 excretion.

Thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indoles as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors: synthesis, biological profile, and resolution of 2-[2-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-[(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methoxy]-4,5 -dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indol-2-yl]ethoxy]butanoic acid.

Leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors have potential as new therapies for asthma and inflammatory diseases. The recently disclosed thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indole class of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors has been investigated with particular emphasis on the side chain bearing the acidic functionality. The SAR studies have shown that the inclusion of a heteroatom (O or S) in conjunction with an alpha-ethyl substituted acid leads to inhibitors of improved potency. The most potent inhibitor prepared contains a 2-ethoxybutanoic acid side chain. This compound, 14d (2-[2-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-[(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methox y]- 4,5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indol-2-yl]ethoxy]-butanoic acid, L-699,333), inhibits 5-HPETE production by human 5-LO and LTB4 biosynthesis by human PMN leukocytes and human whole blood (IC50s of 22 nM, 7 nM and 3.8 microM, respectively). The racemic acid 14d has been shown to be functionally active in a rat pleurisy model (inhibition of LTB4, ED50 = 0.65 mg/kg, 6 h pretreatment) and in the hyperreactive rat model of antigen-induced dyspnea (50% inhibition at 2 and 4 h pretreatment; 0.5 mg/kg po). In addition, 14d shows excellent functional activity against antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in the conscious squirrel monkey [89% inhibition of the increase in RL and 68% inhibition in the decrease in Cdyn (0.1 mg/kg, n = 3)] and in the conscious sheep models of asthma (iv infusion at 2.5 micrograms/kg/min). Acid 14d is highly selective as an inhibitor of 5-LO activity when compared to the inhibition of human 15-LO, porcine 12-LO and ram seminal vesicle cyclooxygenase (IC50 > 5 microM) or competition in a FLAP binding assay (IC50 > 10 microM). Resolution of 14d affords 14g, the most potent diastereomer, which inhibits the 5-HPETE production of human 5-LO and LTB4 biosynthesis of human PMN leukocytes and human whole blood with IC50s of 8 nM, 4 nM, and 1 microM respectively. The in vitro and in vivo profile of 14d is comparable to that of MK-0591, which has showed biochemical efficacy in inhibiting ex vivo LTB4 biosynthesis and urinary LTE4 excretion in clinical trials.

Naphthalenic lignan lactones as selective, nonredox 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Synthesis and biological activity of (methoxyalkyl)thiazole and methoxytetrahydropyran hybrids.

Combinations of structural elements found in (methoxyalkyl)thiazole 1a and methoxytetrahydropyran 2a with a naphthalenic lignan lactone produce the potent 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors 3 and 4. While the nature of link Y-Z has a major effect on the in vitro activity of compounds 1 and 2, inhibitors 3 and 4 retain their potencies with either an oxymethylene (Y = O, Z = CH2) or a methyleneoxy (Y = CH2, Z = O) link. Compound 4b inhibits the oxidation of arachidonic acid to 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid by 5-LO (IC50 = 14 nM) and the formation of leukotriene B4 in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (IC50 = 1.5 nM) as well as in human whole blood (IC50 = 50 nM). Compound 4b is a selective 5-LO inhibitor showing no significant inhibition of human 15-lipoxygenase or porcine 12-lipoxygenase or binding to human 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein up to 10 microM and inhibits leukotriene biosynthesis by a direct, nonredox interaction with 5-LO. Compound 15, the open form of lactone 4b, is well absorbed in the rat and is transformed into the active species 4b. In addition, 15 is orally active in the rat pleurisy model (ED50 = 0.6 mg/kg) and in the functional model of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in allergic squirrel monkeys (95% inhibition at 0.3 mg/kg).

Novel, nonpeptidic cyanamides as potent and reversible inhibitors of human cathepsins K and L.

Compounds containing a 1-cyanopyrrolidinyl ring were identified as potent and reversible inhibitors of cathepsins K and L. The original lead compound 1 inhibits cathepsins K and L with IC(50) values of 0. 37 and 0.45 M, respectively. Modification of compound 1 by replacement of the quinoline moiety led to the synthesis of N-(1-cyano-3-pyrrolidinyl)benzenesulfonamide (2). Compound 2 was found to be a potent inhibitor of cathepsins K and L with a K(i) value of 50 nM for cathepsin K. Replacement of the 1-cyanopyrrolidine of compound 2 by a 1-cyanoazetidine increased the potency of the inhibitor by 10-fold. This increase in potency is probably due to an enhanced chemical reactivity of the compound toward the thiolate of the active site of the enzyme. This is demonstrated when the assay is performed in the presence of glutathione at pH 7.0 which favors the formation of a GSH thiolate anion. Under these assay conditions, there is a loss of potency in the 1-cyanoazetidine series due to the formation of an inactive complex between the GSH thiolate and the 1-cyanoazetidine inhibitors. 1-Cyanopyrrolidinyl inhibitors exhibited time-dependent inhibition which allowed us to determine the association and dissociation rate constants with human cathepsin K. The kinetic data obtained showed that the increase of potency observed between different 1-cyanopyrrolidinyl inhibitors is due to an increase of k(on) values and that the association of the compound with the enzyme fits an apparent one-step mechanism. (13)C NMR experiments performed with the enzyme papain showed that compound 2 forms a covalent isothiourea ester adduct with the enzyme. As predicted by the kinetic analysis, the addition of the irreversible inhibitor E64 to the enzyme-cyanopyrrolidinyl complex totally abolished the signal of the isothiourea bond as observed by (13)C NMR, thereby demonstrating that the formation of the covalent bond with the active site cysteine residue is reversible. Finally, compound 2 inhibits bone resorption in an in vitro assay involving rabbit osteoclasts and bovine bone with an IC(50) value of 0.7 M. 1-Cyanopyrrolidine represents a new class of nonpeptidic compounds that inhibit cathepsin K and L activity and proteolysis of bone collagen.

Thiopyranol[2,3,4-c,d]indoles as inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, and leukotriene C4 synthase.

The attachment of an arylacetic or benzoic acid moiety to the thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indole nucleus results in compounds which are highly potent and selective 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors. These compounds are structurally simpler than previous compounds of similar potency in that they contain a single chiral center. From the data presented, 2-[[1-(3-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-[(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methoxy]- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indol-2-yl]methoxy]-phenylacetic acid, 14b, was shown to inhibit 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) production by human 5-LO (IC50 of 18 nM). The acid 14b is highly selective as an inhibitor of 5-LO activity when compared to the inhibition of ram seminal vesicle cyclooxygenase (IC50 > 5 microM) or human leukocyte leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolase (IC50 > 20 microM). In addition, 14b was inactive in a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) binding assay at 10 microM. In vivo studies showed that 14b is bioavailable in rat and functionally active in the hyperreactive rat model of antigen-induced dyspnea (74% inhibition at 0.5 mk/kg po; 2 h pretreatment). In the conscious squirrel monkey model of asthma, 14b showed excellent functional activity at 0.1 mg/kg against antigen-induced bronchoconstriction (94% inhibition of the increase in RL and 100% inhibition in the decrease in Cdyn; n = 4). Resolution of this compound gave (-)-14b, the most potent enantiomer (IC50 = 10 nM in the human 5-LO assay), which was shown to possess the S configuration at the chiral center by X-ray crystallographic analysis of an intermediate. Subsequent studies on the aryl thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indole series of inhibitors led to the discovery of potent dual inhibitors of both FLAP and 5-LO, the most potent of which is 2-[[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)-4, 5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indol-2-yl]methoxy]phenylacetic acid, 19. Acid 19 has an IC50 of 100 nM for the inhibition of 5-HPETE production by human 5-LO and is active in a FLAP binding assay with an IC50 of 32 nM. Furthermore, thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indoles such as 1 and 14b are capable of inhibiting the LTC4 synthase reaction in a dose dependent manner (IC50s of 11 and 16 microM, respectively, compared to that of LTC2 at 1.2 microM) in contrast to other, structurally distinct 5-LO inhibitors. It has also been observed that the thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indole class of compounds strongly promotes the translocation of 5-LO from the cytosol to a membrane fraction in the presence or absence of the ionophore A23187.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Dioxabicyclooctanyl naphthalenenitriles as nonredox 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors: structure-activity relationship study directed toward the improvement of metabolic stability.

Naphthalenic lignan lactone 3a (L-702,539), a potent and selective 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor, is extensively metabolized at two different sites: the tetrahydropyran and the lactone rings. Early knowledge of the metabolic pathways triggered and directed a structure-activity relationship study aimed toward the improvement of metabolic stability in this series. The best modifications discovered, i.e., replacement of the lactone ring by a nitrile group, replacement of the tetrahydropyran ring by a 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanyl moiety, and replacement of the pendant phenyl ring by a 3-furyl ring, were incorporated in a single molecule to produce inhibitor 9ac (L-708,780). Compound 9ac inhibits the oxidation of arachidonic acid to 5-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid by 5-LO (IC50 = 190 nM) and the formation of leukotriene B4 in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (IC50 = 3 nM) as well as in human whole blood (IC50 = 150 nM). The good inhibitory profile shown by naphthalenenitrile 9ac is accompanied by an improved resistance to oxidative metabolism. In addition, 9ac is orally active in the functional model of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in allergic squirrel monkeys (95% inhibition at 0.1 mg/kg).

Substituted (pyridylmethoxy)naphthalenes as potent and orally active 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors; synthesis, biological profile, and pharmacokinetics of L-739,010.

Dioxabicyclooctanyl naphthalenenitriles have been reported as a class of potent and nonredox 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors. These bicyclo derivatives were shown to be metabolically more stable than their tetrahydropyranyl counterparts but were not well orally absorbed. Replacement of the phenyl ring in the naphthalenenitrile 1 by a pyridine ring leads to the potent and orally absorbed inhibitor 3g (L-739,010, 2-cyano-4-(3-furyl)-7-[[6-[3-(3-hydroxy-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1] octanyl)]-2-pyridyl]methoxy]naphthalene). Compound 3g inhibits 5-HPETE production by human 5-LO and LTB4 biosynthesis by human PMN leukocytes and human whole blood (IC50S of 20, 1.6, and 42 nM, respectively). Derivative 3g is orally active in the rat pleurisy model (inhibition of LTB4, ED50 = 0.3 mg/kg) and in the anesthetized dog model (inhibition of ex vivo whole blood LTB4 and urinary LTE4, ED50 = 0.45 and 0.23 microgram/kg/min, respectively, i.v. infusion). In addition, 3g shows excellent functional activity against ovalbumin-induced dyspnea in rats (60% inhibition at 0.5 mg/kg, 4 h pretreatment) and Ascaris-induced bronchoconstriction in conscious sheep (50% and > 85% inhibition in early and late phases, respectively at 2.5 micrograms/kg/min, i.v. infusion) and, more particularly in the conscious antigen sensitive squirrel monkey model (53% inhibition of the increase in RL and 76% in the decrease of Cdyn, at 0.1 mg/kg, po). In rats and dogs, 3g presents excellent pharmacokinetics (estimated half-lives of 5 and 16 h, respectively) and bioavailabilities (26% and 73% when dosed as its hydrochloride salt at doses of 20 and 10 mg/kg, respectively, in methocel suspension). Based on its overall biological profile, compound 3g has been selected for preclinical animal toxicity studies.

Biochemical and pharmacological profile of a tetrasubstituted furanone as a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor.

1. DFU (5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulphonyl)phenyl-2(5H)-furan one) was identified as a novel orally active and highly selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor. 2. In CHO cells stably transfected with human COX isozymes, DFU inhibited the arachidonic acid-dependent production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with at least a 1,000 fold selectivity for COX-2 (IC50 = 41 +/- 14 nM) over COX-1 (IC50 > 50 microM). Indomethacin was a potent inhibitor of both COX-1 (IC50 = 18 +/- 3 nM) and COX-2 (IC50 = 26 +/- 6 nM) under the same assay conditions. The large increase in selectivity of DFU over indomethacin was also observed in COX-1 mediated production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by Ca2+ ionophore-challenged human platelets (IC50 > 50 microM and 4.1 +/- 1.7 nM, respectively). 3. DFU caused a time-dependent inhibition of purified recombinant human COX-2 with a Ki, value of 140 +/- 68 microM for the initial reversible binding to enzyme and a kappa 2 value of 0.11 +/- 0.06 s-1 for the first order rate constant for formation of a tightly bound enzyme-inhibitor complex. Comparable values of 62 +/- 26 microM and 0.06 +/- 0.01 s-1, respectively, were obtained for indomethacin. The enzyme-inhibitor complex was found to have a 1:1 stoichiometry and to dissociate only very slowly (t1/2 = 1-3 h) with recovery of intact inhibitor and active enzyme. The time-dependent inhibition by DFU was decreased by co-incubation with arachidonic acid under non-turnover conditions, consistent with reversible competitive inhibition at the COX active site. 4. Inhibition of purified recombinant human COX-1 by DFU was very weak and observed only at low concentrations of substrate (IC50 = 63 +/- 5 microM at 0.1 microM arachidonic acid). In contrast to COX-2, inhibition was time-independent and rapidly reversible. These data are consistent with a reversible competitive inhibition of COX-1. 5. DFU inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PGE2 production (COX-2) in a human whole blood assay with a potency (IC50 = 0.28 +/- 0.04 microM) similar to indomethacin (IC50 = 0.68 +/- 0.17 microM). In contrast, DFU was at least 500 times less potent (IC50 > 97 microM) than indomethacin at inhibiting coagulation-induced TXB2 production (COX-1) (IC50 = 0.19 +/- 0.02 microM). 6. In a sensitive assay with U937 cell microsomes at a low arachidonic acid concentration (0.1 microM), DFU inhibited COX-1 with an IC50 value of 13 +/- 2 microM as compared to 20 +/- 1 nM for indomethacin. CGP 28238, etodolac and SC-58125 were about 10 times more potent inhibitors of COX-1 than DFU. The order of potency of various inhibitors was diclofenac > indomethacin approximately naproxen > nimesulide approximately meloxicam approximately piroxicam > NS-398 approximately SC-57666 > SC-58125 > CGP 28238 approximately etodolac > L-745,337 > DFU. 7. DFU inhibited dose-dependently both the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema (ED50 of 1.1 mg kg-1 vs 2.0 mg kg-1 for indomethacin) and hyperalgesia (ED50 of 0.95 mg kg-1 vs 1.5 mg kg-1 for indomethacin). The compound was also effective at reversing LPS-induced pyrexia in rats (ED50 = 0.76 mg kg-1 vs 1.1 mg kg-1 for indomethacin). 8. In a sensitive model in which 51Cr faecal excretion was used to assess the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract in rats, no significant effect was detected after oral administration of DFU (100 mg kg-1, b.i.d.) for 5 days, whereas chromium leakage was observed with lower doses of diclofenac (3 mg kg-1), meloxicam (3 mg kg-1) or etodolac (10-30 mg kg-1). A 5 day administration of DFU in squirrel monkeys (100 mg kg-1) did not affect chromium leakage in contrast to diclofenac (1 mg kg-1) or naproxen (5 mg kg-1). 9. The results indicate that COX-1 inhibitory effects can be detected for all selective COX-2 inhibitors tested by use of a sensitive assay at low substrate concentration. The novel inhibitor DFU shows the lowest inhibitory potency against COX-1, a consistent high selectivity of inhibition of COX-2 over COX-1 (>300 fold) with enzyme, whole cell and whole blood assays, with no detectable loss of integrity of the gastrointestinal tract at doses >200 fold higher than efficacious doses in models of inflammation, pyresis and hyperalgesia. These results provide further evidence that prostanoids derived from COX-1 activity are not important in acute inflammatory responses and that a high therapeutic index of anti-inflammatory effect to gastropathy can be achieved with a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

Criteria for the identification of non-redox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase.

Methoxyalkyl thiazoles have been identified as a novel series of selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors with anti-inflammatory properties (Bird et al., J Med Chem 34: 2176-2186, 1991). Based on their structure, it was proposed that the potency of these compounds is not due to redox or iron-chelating properties. In the studies reported here, it was found that the model compounds 1-[3-(naphth-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propy l methyl ether (ICI 211965) and 3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-(5- phenylpyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-4,5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2 ,3,4-c,d]indol-2- yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid (L-689,065) (1) are inactive as reducing substrates in the 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides, (2) inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed reaction of reducing agents with lipid hydroperoxides, and (3) strongly inhibit the turnover-dependent inactivation of 5-lipoxygenase. These three observations with ICI 211965 and L-689,065 are in contrast to the behavior of other potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors from other structural classes, such as L-670,630, BW A4C, and zileuton, which all function as reducing substrates for 5-lipoxygenase. The data indicate that methoxyalkyl thiazoles and thiopyranoindoles are reversible dead-end inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and that the effects of inhibitors on the pseudoperoxidase activity and rate of enzyme inactivation provide simple tests to distinguish between redox and non-redox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase.

Inhibition of human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase by a 4-hydroxybenzofuran, L-656,224. Evidence for enzyme reduction and inhibitor degradation.

Detailed studies of the interaction of L-656,224 (2-[(4'-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-propyl-7- chlorobenzofuran) with 5-lipoxygenase were conducted using the enzymes from human and pig leukocytes. L-656,224 was a potent inhibitor of these 5-lipoxygenases although its efficiency varied with enzyme concentration. L-656,224 also stimulated the pseudoperoxidase activity of 5-lipoxygenase as measured by the consumption of 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD), indicating that this compound can reduce the enzyme. Furthermore the inhibitor was degraded rapidly by both cell-free leukocyte extracts and purified 5-lipoxygenase after incubation with 13-HPOD, ATP and calcium ions. The degradation of L-656,224 was also observed during inhibition of the lipoxygenase reaction and occurred mainly after the initial lag phase of the reaction when hydroperoxides begin to accumulate. A single major radioactive product was formed after incubation of [3H]L-656,224 with purified 5-lipoxygenase in the presence of 13-HPOD. This product was unstable and could not be isolated. During the course of the pseudoperoxidase reaction, [3H]L-656,224 covalently labelled the enzyme, suggesting that a chemically reactive species had been formed. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that L-656,224 reduces the oxidized form of the 5-lipoxygenase to an inactive form, with degradation of the inhibitor and regeneration of the active enzyme with hydroperoxides.

Sensitivity of immunoaffinity-purified porcine 5-lipoxygenase to inhibitors and activating lipid hydroperoxides.

The requirement for hydroperoxide activation and the effect of inhibitors from different structural classes on 5-lipoxygenase activity were determined on the immunoaffinity-purified enzyme from porcine leukocytes. The 5-lipoxygenase activity was measured using a continuous spectrophotometric assay monitoring the increase in conjugated diene formation (A235) upon incubation of the enzyme with arachidonic acid. Under standard assay conditions, the reaction progress curves showed little or no lag phase, with a rapid first-order decay in enzyme activity (T1/2 = 0.7 to 1.1 min). Both the initial rate of the reaction and total product formation were stimulated by the addition of ATP, Ca2+ and phosphatidylcholine (PC). PC (24 micrograms/ml) was also found to increase the recovery of radiolabeled arachidonic acid from the assay mixture and thus part of the stimulation may be due to an increase in substrate availability and reduction of surface adsorption effects. The requirement of hydroperoxides for the initiation of the reaction was shown by the induction of 0.1 to 1-min lag phases using NaBH4 or glutathione peroxidase and by the reduction in lag times by 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) and 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD). The following compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of the 5-lipoxygenase reaction and caused a 50% decrease in product accumulation (IC50) at the indicated concentrations: quercetin, L-651,896, L-656,224, MTPPH and L-651,392 (0.3-0.5 microM); diphenyldisulfide (2-5 microM); phenidone (5-10 microM); AA861 (4-10 microM) and BW755C (4-15 microM). In addition, the presence of inhibitors extended the initial lag phase of the reaction and increased the dependence of the initiation of the reaction on exogenous lipid hydroperoxides. The inhibition by phenidone was accompanied by a 2-fold increase in the rate of enzyme inactivation, whereas other compounds such as AA861 and L-656,224 did not show this effect. The results indicate that the presence of inhibitors can modify the kinetics of 5-lipoxygenase at the levels of the initiation of the reaction and the rate of enzyme inactivation, with variations depending on the structural class of the inhibitor and the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides.

Mechanism of selective inhibition of human prostaglandin G/H synthase-1 and -2 in intact cells.

Selective inhibitors of prostaglandin synthase-2 (PGHS-2) possess potent anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties but demonstrate reduced side-effects (e.g. gastrotoxicity) when compared with nonselective inhibitors of PGHS-1 and -2. We investigated the mechanism of the differential inhibition of human PGHS-1 (hPGHS-1) and -2 (hPGHS-2) in intact cells by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and examined factors that contribute to the increased potency of PGHS inhibitors observed in intact cells versus cell-free systems. In intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines stably expressing the hPGHS isozymes, both PGHS isoforms exhibited the same affinity for arachidonic acid. Exogenous and endogenous arachidonic acid were used as substrates by both CHO [hPGHS-1] and CHO [hPGHS-2] cell lines. However, differences were observed in the ability of the hPGHS isoforms to utilize endogenous arachidonic acid released intracellularly following calcium ionophore stimulation or released by human cytosolic phospholipase A2 transiently expressed in the cells. Cell-based screening of PGHS inhibitors demonstrated that the selectivities and potencies of PGHS inhibitors determined using intact cells are affected by substrate concentration and differ from that determined in cell-free microsomal or purified enzyme preparations of PGHS isozymes. The mechanism of inhibition of PGHS isozymes by NSAIDs in intact cells involved difference in their time-dependent inhibition. Indomethacin displayed time-dependent inhibition of cellular hPGHS-1 and -2. In contrast, the selective PGHS-2 inhibitor NS-398 exhibited time-independent inhibition of hPGHS-1 but time-dependent inhibition of hPGHS-2 in intact cells. Reversible inhibition of cellular CHO [hPGHS-1] and CHO [hPGHS-2] was observed with the nonselective NSAIDs ibuprofen and indomethacin, whereas inhibition by the selective PGHS-2 inhibitor DuP-697 was reversible against hPGHS-1 but irreversible against hPGHS-2.

Two-dimensional immunoblotting analysis and immunocytochemical localization of the secretory polypeptide 7B2 in adrenal medulla.

The soluble proteins of bovine chromaffin granules were subjected to 2D-electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting with an antiserum against the pituitary peptide 7B2. One immunoreactive spot was visualized at a position corresponding to a molecular weight of 24,000 and to a pI of 5.2. Using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) pre-embedding immunocytochemical technique for electron microscopy, 7B2 has been localized within secretory granules with diameters of approximately 115 and 190 nm in noradrenergic and adrenergic cells respectively. These data establish that in chromaffin granules 7B2 represents a minor component of the acidic proteins which include the chromogranins A and B, secretogranin II and the enkephalin-containing peptides.

Characterization of the activity of purified recombinant human 5-lipoxygenase in the absence and presence of leukocyte factors.

Purified recombinant human 5-lipoxygenase was used to investigate the catalytic properties of the protein in the presence and absence of leukocyte stimulatory factors. Recombinant human 5-lipoxygenase was purified to apparent homogeneity (95-99%) from a high expression baculovirus system by chromatography on ATP-agarose with a yield of 0.6 mg of protein per 100 ml of culture (2 x 10(8) cells) and a specific activity of 3-6 mumol of 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) per mg of protein in the presence of ATP, Ca2+, and phosphatidylcholine as the only factors. In the absence of leukocyte factors, the reaction catalyzed by the purified recombinant enzyme showed a half-time of maximal 5-HPETE formation of 0.5-0.7 min and was sensitive to the selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors BW755C (IC50 = 13 microM) and L-656,224 (IC50 = 0.8 microM). The reaction products of arachidonic acid oxidation were 5-HPETE and 6-trans- and 12-epi-6-trans-leukotriene B4, the nonenzymatic hydrolysis products of leukotriene A4 (LTA4), indicating that the purified protein expressed both the 5-oxygenase and leukotriene A4 synthase activities (ratio 6:1). The microsomal fraction and the 60-90% ammonium sulfate precipitate fraction from sonicated human leukocytes did not increase product formation by the isolated enzyme when assayed in the presence of ATP, Ca2+, and phosphatidylcholine. These factors were found to stabilize 5-lipoxygenase during preincubation of the enzyme at 37 degrees C with the assay mixture but they failed to stimulate enzymatic activity when added at the end of the preincubation period. The results demonstrate that human 5-lipoxygenase can be isolated in a catalytically active form and that protein factors from leukocytes protect against enzyme inactivation but are not essential for enzyme activity.

Evaluation of the role of conserved His and Met residues among lipoxygenases by site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant human 5-lipoxygenase.

The 5-, 12-, and 15-lipoxygenases contain a highly conserved sequence of the form His-(X)4-His-(X)4-His-(X)17-His-(X)8-His which represents a potential binding site for non heme iron to the protein. The importance of selected amino acids within this His cluster for the activity of human 5-lipoxygenase was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis using bacteria and insect cells expression systems. After single mutation of each of the 5 His residues at positions 363, 368, 373, 391, and 400 by Ser, Cys, or Lys, measurable levels of 5-lipoxygenase activity could be recovered in Escherichia coli only for the Ser363 and Cys363 mutants, with most amino acid substitutions causing a decrease in the levels of expression of the soluble protein. In contrast, 25-80% of soluble 5-lipoxygenase activity was recovered after the replacement of several of the hydrophobic amino acids in this region: Tyr384 by Ser or Phe; Phe394 by Trp and Val375 by Ala. Met436 could be replaced by Leu with little effect on 5-lipoxygenase activity or turnover inactivation half-time. High levels of mutant 5-lipoxygenases containing a Ser residue instead of His at each of the five positions were also expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells infected with recombinant baculovirus. The specific activity (58-75% of control) and the reaction time course of the Ser363, Ser391, and Ser400 mutants were comparable with that of native 5-lipoxygenase whereas inactive proteins were obtained for the Ser368 and Ser373 mutants. These results show that His368 and His373 residues are important for 5-lipoxygenase activity and that the other conserved His363, His391, His400, and Met436 residues are not crucial for the catalytic cycle or for the mechanism of self-inactivation of 5-lipoxygenase.