The angiotensin IV analog Nle-Tyr-Leu-psi-(CH2-NH2)3-4-His-Pro-Phe (norleual) can act as a hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met inhibitor.

The angiotensin (Ang) IV analog norleual [Nle-Tyr-Leu-psi-(CH2-NH2)(3-4)-His-Pro-Phe] exhibits structural homology with the hinge (linker) region of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and is hypothesized to act as a hinge region mimic. Norleual competitively inhibited the binding of HGF to its receptor c-Met in mouse liver membranes, with an IC(50) value of 3 pM. Predictably, norleual was able to inhibit HGF-dependent signaling, proliferation, migration, and invasion in multiple cell types at concentrations in the picomolar range. Ex vivo studies demonstrated that norleual exhibited potent antiangiogenic activity, an attribute that would be predicted for a HGF/c-Met antagonist. Furthermore, norleual suppressed pulmonary colonization by B16-F10 murine melanoma cells, which are characterized by an overactive HGF/c-Met system. Together, these data suggest that AngIV analogs exert at least some of their biological activity through interference with the HGF/c-Met system and may have utility as therapeutic agents in disorders that are dependent on an intact HGF/c-Met system. Finally, the ability of norleual to induce marked biological responses in human embryonic kidney cells, which do not express insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP), coupled with the observed effects of norleual on the HGF/c-Met system, casts doubt on the physiological significance of AngIV-dependent inhibition of IRAP. [Corrected]

A novel angiotensin analog with subnanomolar affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme.

This study demonstrates that a novel angiotensin I analog, angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)), possesses a high affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is substantially greater than the endogenous substrates. This assessment is based on data derived from a variety of techniques. First, the binding characteristics of (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) were examined. Equilibrium saturation isotherms utilizing guinea pig lung membranes revealed that (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) bound a single high-affinity site in the presence of EDTA exhibiting a K(d) of 0.15 +/- 0.02 nM with a B(max) = 4295 +/- 535 fmol/mg of protein. Competition studies revealed the following rank order of binding affinity: (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) >> bradykinin >> angiotensin I. Next, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that chemically cross-linked (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) specifically bound a protein of M(r) 173,000 that had the same molecular weight as ACE. Utilizing in vitro autoradiography, the binding distributions of (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and the ACE inhibitor, (125)I-351A, were also compared. These experiments demonstrated that the binding distributions of (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and (125)I-351A are identical in the guinea pig lung and testes. Finally, the purification of ACE from guinea pig serum was monitored with (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and (125)I-351A binding. These results demonstrated that the binding site for (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and (125)I-351A copurified. These experiments indicate that the novel angiotensin I analog, (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) binds to ACE and suggest that there are critical binding sites outside the catalytic domains of ACE that determine binding specificity and affinity.

Structural analysis of angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) from selected bovine tissues.

The angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) receptor is widely distributed in both species and tissues. This broad distribution appears to be reflected in an equally diverse repertoire of physiological actions that are mediated through AT4 receptors. This breadth of location and function of AT4 receptors encourages speculation that multiple AT4 isoforms might exist. In this study, we compared the structural properties of bovine AT4 receptors from adrenals, kidney, heart, thymus, bladder, aorta, and hippocampus. These comparisons were made using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or HPLC analysis of AT4 receptors that had been covalently radiolabeled with the AT4-specific photoprobe 125I-benzoyl phenylalamine-angiotensin IV. Except for the hippocampal AT4 receptor, the binding subunit in all tissues had a molecular mass of approximately 165 kDa and associated with additional subunits via disulfide linkages. The hippocampal receptor was significantly smaller (150 kDa) and did not appear to possess other disulfide-linked subunits. The receptor was highly glycosylated in all tissues examined. Peptide mapping following cleavage of 125I-labeled receptor with endopeptidase C or cyanogen bromide resulted in complex cleavage patterns. Together these mapping studies demonstrated the uniqueness of the hippocampal receptor and further suggested that other AT4 isoforms may exist and be variably distributed among bovine tissues. In agreement with the peptide mapping studies, differences in the binding pattern of several AngIV analogs were observed among the various tissues.

Characterization and purification of the bovine adrenal angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) using [125I]benzoylphenylalanine-angiotensin IV as a specific photolabel.

The Ang IV receptor, AT4, has been shown to play important roles in various mammalian tissues. In this study, structural properties of the AT4 receptor from bovine adrenals are described using a novel photoactive analog of Ang IV, [125I]Benzoylphenylalanine-Ang IV (BP-Ang IV), recently developed in our laboratory. [125I]BP-Ang IV is identical to Ang IV with regards to binding specificity and affinity and is easily cross-linked to the AT4 receptor under UV light, thus greatly facilitating the structural analysis of the AT4 receptor by SDS-PAGE. Comparisons between the native, reduced and nonreduced forms of the AT4 receptors by SDS-PAGE revealed that this receptor consists of multiple subunits. The subunit containing the Ang IV binding site (designated as the alpha subunit) has a molecular weight of approximately 165 kDa and contained approximately 20% N-linked carbohydrates. A subunit similar to the adrenal alpha subunit of the AT4 receptor was identified in all of the bovine tissues examined. Hippocampus and aorta contained additional [125I]BP-Ang IV bound protein bands with molecular weights of 150 and 125 kDa, respectively. Further, the alpha subunit was purified to homogeneity using a method that integrates electrofractionation with conventional protein purification techniques.

Autoradiographic identification of kidney angiotensin IV binding sites and angiotensin IV-induced renal cortical blood flow changes in rats.

The present investigation initially determined that specific binding sites for the hexapeptide angiotensin IV (AngIV) are present in the rat kidney cortex and outer medulla but not in the inner medulla, using in vitro autoradiographic techniques. This binding site has been termed AT4, is distinct from the previously characterized AT1 and AT2 sites, and does not bind the specific AT1 receptor antagonist DuP753 or the AT2 receptor antagonist PD123177. Renal artery infusions of AngIV produced a dose-dependent increase in cortical blood flow without altering systemic blood pressure. In contrast, the infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) induced a dramatic decrease in cortical blood flow, accompanied by a significant elevation in systemic blood pressure. The infusion of [D-Val(1)]AngIV, an analog that does not bind at the AT4 receptor site, and the C-terminal truncated analogs AngIV (1-4) and AngIV (1-5) that possess lower affinity for this site, produced no change in cortical blood flow. The infusion of [Nle1]AngIV and [Lys1]AngIV, analogs that bind with high affinity at the AT4 receptor site, produced increases in cortical blood flow with no influence on blood pressure. Pretreatment with a specific AT4 receptor antagonist, Divalinal-AngIV, completely blocked AngIV-induced elevations in blood flow, but failed to influence AngII-induced decreases in blood flow, suggesting that these ligands are acting at different receptor sites. Pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-Monomethyl-L-Arginine, also blocked subsequent AngIV-induced increases in cortical blood flow. These data support the notion that AngIV exerts a unique influence upon renal hemodynamics via the AT4 receptor subtype, and suggest that AngIV-induced elevations in blood flow may be mediated by nitric oxide.

Characterization of the binding properties and physiological action of divalinal-angiotensin IV, a putative AT4 receptor antagonist.

Divalinal-Ang IV [V psi (CH2-NH2)YV psi (CH2-NH2)HPF] is being employed increasingly as a specific AT4 antagonist. This use, which necessitates a comprehensive physiological and pharmacological evaluation of Divalinal-Ang IV's functional and receptor binding characteristics in order to ensure its efficacy and specificity, was the stimulus for this study using bovine adrenal membranes. [125I]Ang IV and [125I]Divalinal-Ang IV were shown to bind with high affinity to a similar number of binding sites, suggesting that both bound the same receptor. This notion was verified by competition curves using [125I]Ang IV and [125I]Divalinal-Ang IV that indicated identical rank order affinities for several angiotensin-related peptides and 100% cross-displacement by Ang IV and Divalinal-Ang IV. Furthermore, an autoradiographic comparison of [125I]Ang IV and [125I]Divalinal-Ang IV in 20 microns sections of bovine adrenals revealed near identical binding distributions characterized by heavy binding in the glomerulosa layer and the medulla. Physiological studies in which test compounds were injected into the internal carotid of the rat and cerebral blood flor (CBF) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry indicated that pretreatment with Divalinal-Ang IV, but not DuP 753 or PD123177, blocked the increased flow observed with Ang IV infusion. Conversely, DuP 753, but not Divalinal-Ang IV or PD123177, inhibited the decrease in flow witnessed with Ang II. Metabolic stability studies utilizing rat kidney homogenates as a peptidase source, demonstrated that the structural changes present in Divalinal-Ang IV greatly increased its resistance to metabolism as compared to Ang IV. Together, these studies show that Divalinal-Ang IV is a stable, efficacious and specific inhibitor of AT4 receptors.

AT4 receptor structure-binding relationship: N-terminal-modified angiotensin IV analogues.

The effect of structural changes in the N-terminal amino acid of AIV, with respect to AT4 receptor binding, was examined by competition with [125I]AIV in bovine adrenal membranes. Analogues with modifications of the first residue alpha-amino group possessed lower affinities than the primary amine-containing parent compound. Peptides with a residue 1 alpha-carbon in the D conformation exhibited poor affinity for the AT4 receptor. Modifications of the residue 1 R-group demonstrate that a straight chain aliphatic moiety containing four carbons is optimal for receptor-ligand binding, as evidenced by the extremely high affinity of [Nle1]AIV (Ki = 3.59 +/- 0.51 pM). Replacement of the 1-2 peptide bond of AIV with the methylene bond isostere psi (CH2-NH), increased the Ki approximately fivefold, indicating that the peptide bond may be replaced while maintaining relatively high-affinity receptor binding.

AT4 receptor binding characteristics: D-amino acid- and glycine-substituted peptides.

The ability of angiotensin IV (AIV) analogs to compete for [125I]AIV binding in heat-treated bovine adrenal membranes was examined. Angiotensin IV displayed a Ki of 2.63 +/- 0.12 nM. Peptides containing mono-substitutions with glycine or the corresponding D-amino acid in positions one, two, or three possessed K(i)s greater than 100 nM. Conversely, substitutions at positions four, five, and six produced peptides with Kis less than 8 nM. These data suggest that the N-terminal domains of the AIV peptide are critical for receptor binding, while the C-terminal domains play a less decisive role in receptor specificity.

Central angiotensin IV binding sites: distribution and specificity in guinea pig brain.

Our laboratory has reported previously that a unique binding site specific for the hexapeptide angiotensin (A)II(3-8), now referred to as AIV, is present in a number of tissues including bovine adrenal gland, rabbit and guinea pig heart and guinea pig kidney, liver, lung, uterus and brain. The present results extend previous findings in the guinea pig brain and identify binding sites for AIV in the neocortex, paleocortex, hippocampus, medial habenula, superior and inferior colliculi, caudate putamen, thalamus, dorsal tegmentum, central gray, red nucleus, inferior olivary, oculomotor and hypoglossal nuclei and cerebellum. Binding of [125I]AIV in selected regions was shown to be of high affinity (Kd = 0.60-1.47 nM), saturable (maximal number of binding sites = 181-449 fmol/mg of protein) and specific. This binding site was shown to be distinct from the AT1 and AT2 sites with Ki values > 10(-4) M for DuP 753, CGP42112A and PD123177. Changes at the N-terminal of the peptide, either by removal of the valine or by extension of the peptide, resulted in a large decrease in binding affinity. In contrast, C-terminal extensions resulted in little change in affinity for the binding site. Guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) was shown to have no effect on binding, suggesting that the guinea pig brain binding site is not G-protein-linked. Potential functions associated with this newly discovered A binding site are discussed.

Elucidation of a specific binding site for angiotensin II(3-8), angiotensin IV, in mammalian heart membranes.

Data are presented describing a new angiotensin binding site in rabbit and guinea pig heart, distinct from AT1 and AT2, that demonstrates high specificity and affinity for the hexapeptide fragment angiotensin II(3-8), which will be referred to here as angiotensin IV (AIV). Equilibrium binding in rabbit heart membranes was achieved in 2 hr at 37 degrees C and produced a calculated kinetic KD of .174 +/- .018 nM. Saturation equilibrium binding data for rabbit and guinea pig heart were best fit to a one-site model with Hill coefficients near unity. Guinea pig membranes exhibited a KD = 1.33 +/- .02 nM and a Bmax = 144 +/- 19 fmol/mg protein, and rabbit heart membranes had a KD = 1.70 +/- .50 nM and a Bmax = 731 +/- 163 fmol/mg protein. The binding site showed a high specificity for AIV, although it exhibited low affinity for angiotensin II, angiotensin III, Sar1,Ile8-angiotensin II, DuP 753, CGP42112A and PD123177. A large number of nonangiotensin-related peptides were unable to compete effectively for 125I-AIV binding. Deletions made from the C-terminal end of AIV caused a decrease in affinity: AIV > AII(3-7) >> AII(3-6) >> AII(3-5). Extension of the C-terminal end of AIV corresponding to the amino acids of human angiotensinogen caused little change in affinity. GTP gamma S had no effect on binding, suggesting non-G protein linkage. Binding was widely distributed throughout the heart; it was observed on cardiocytes and blood vessels as well as in the epicardium and the endocardium.

Discovery of a distinct binding site for angiotensin II (3-8), a putative angiotensin IV receptor.

We report here the discovery of a unique and novel angiotensin binding site and peptide system based upon the C-terminal 3-8 hexapeptide fragment of angiotensin II (NH3(+)-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-COO-) (AII(3-8) (AIV)). This fragment binds saturably, reversibly, specifically, and with high affinity to membrane-binding sites in a variety of tissues and from many species. The binding site is pharmacologically distinct from the classic angiotensin receptors (AT1 or AT2) displaying low affinity for the known agonists (AII and AIII) and antagonist (Sar1,Ile8-AII). Although a definitive function has not been assigned to this system in many of the tissues in which it resides, AIV's interaction with endothelial cells may involve a role in endothelial cell-dependent vasodilation. Consequent to this action, AIV is a potent stimulator of renal cortical blood flow.

Identification of an AII(3-8) [AIV] binding site in guinea pig hippocampus.

A unique angiotensin binding site specific for the hexapeptide, AII(3-8), has been identified in guinea pig hippocampus. This binding site, which is present in the pyramidal cell layer of CA1, CA2, CA3 of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, binds AII(3-8) with high affinity (KD = 1.29 +/- 0.18 nM) in a saturable manner (Bmax = 449 +/- 62 fmol/mg protein). The N-terminal structure of the binding ligand is paramount in determining the binding affinity. The C-terminal requirements seem less stringent as evidenced by the binding affinity of AII(3-7) (KD = 20.9 +/- 2.1 nM). Neither AII, AIII,Sar1, Ile8-AII, Dup 753 nor CGP42112A appear to bind, indicating that this binding site is neither the AT1 nor AT2 sites described for AII/AIII. Autoradiographic analysis of hippocampus binding confirms the inability of Sar1,Ile8-AII to compete for [125I]AII(3-8) binding. Conversely AII(3-8) was unable to displace [125I]Sar1,Ile8-AII binding.

Intracerebroventricularly infused [D-Arg1]angiotensin III, is superior to [D-Asp1]angiotensin II, as a pressor agent in rats.

Two D-amino acid substitution angiotensin analogues were compared against native angiotensin II (AII) and angiotensin III (AIII) for their resistance to brain tissue-induced degradation and for pressor potency when intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) infused in Sprague-Dawley rats. The in vitro results indicate that [D-Asp1]AII was very resistant to degradation, AII and [D-Arg1]AIII were degraded at similar rates, while AIII was the most rapidly degraded. In vivo results revealed that AII, AIII and [D-Arg1]AIII produced greater pressor responses than [D-Asp1]AII. Intracerebroventricular pretreatment with the aminopeptidase A inhibitor, amastatin, significantly reduced the subsequent pressor response to i.c.v. infused [D-Asp1]AII presumably by inhibiting its conversion to AIII. In contrast, pretreatment with the aminopeptidase B inhibitor, bestatin, potentiated the subsequent pressor response to i.c.v. infused [D-Arg1]AIII, presumably by inhibiting the conversion of [D-Arg1]AIII to the less active hexapeptide AII(3-8). Next, i.c.v. pretreatment with the specific angiotensin receptor antagonist, [Sar1, Thr8]AII (Sarthran) was found to greatly diminish the subsequent pressor responses to i.c.v. infused [D-Asp1]AII and [D-Arg1]AIII, suggesting that these analogues are having their effect at the same brain angiotensin receptor site. These results support the hypothesis that AIII, or AIII-like ligands, may serve as the active form of brain angiotensin.

Structure-function analyses of brain angiotensin control of pressor action in rats.

The present investigation examined the relative pressor potencies of intracerebroventricularly infused angiotensin (ANG) II, successively shortened COOH-terminal fragments through ANG II(5-8), and the analogues [Sar1]ANG II through [Sar1]ANG II(5-8). The results indicate that ANG II, ANG III, [Sar1]ANG II, and [Sar1]ANG III were identical with respect to pressor responses in the alert free-moving rat. In addition, ANG II(3-8) and [Sar1]ANG II(3-8) exhibited 68-70% of the activity of the above compounds, whereas the activity of the shorter COOH-terminal fragments dropped to approximately 13-35%. Pressor responses caused by each of the active forms of angiotensin could be substantially reduced by pretreatment with the specific angiotensin receptor antagonist [Sar1,Thr8]ANG II (Sarthran), suggesting either that these ligands are acting at multiple receptors for ANG II and its fragments, which are all blocked by Sarthran, or that the ligands are acting at a common receptor site. These results, coupled with other recent findings, suggest that the brain angiotensin receptor may be designed to preferentially interact with ANG II and/or ANG III or other angiotensin analogues that structurally resemble ANG III such as [Sar1]ANG II. It is concluded that ANG III's importance as a centrally active ligand has been underestimated and that ANG III may be an active form of angiotensin in the brain.