CIDEP effects of intramolecular quenching of singlet and triplet excited states by nitroxide radicals in oligopeptides: a potentially useful new method for investigating peptide secondary structures in solution.

Two hexapeptides, each bearing one photoactive alpha-amino acid (Bin or Bpa) and one nitroxide-containing TOAC residue, have been synthesized and fully characterized. FT-IR absorption measurements indicate that a 3(10)-helical conformation is adopted by these peptides in solution. As two amino acid units separate the photoactive residue from TOAC in the peptide sequences, the two moieties face each other at a distance of about 6 A after one complete turn of the ternary helix. Irradiation by a light pulse from an excimer laser populates the excited states localized on the chromophores. An intramolecular interaction between the singlet (Bin) or triplet (Bin and Bpa) excited states and the doublet state of the TOAC nitroxide makes a spin-selective decay pathway possible, that produces transient spin polarization. In addition, in order to determine whether the intramolecular exchange interaction occurs through-bond or through-space, we have prepared linear and cyclic TOAC-Bin dipeptide units. A CIDEP study revealed that a through-space intramolecular interaction is operative. The observation of spin polarization makes the two helical hexapeptides suitable models to test the possibility of application of this novel technique to conformational studies of peptides in solution.

High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of novel atropic alpha,alpha-disubstituted-beta-amino acids, either on different beta-cyclodextrin-bonded phases or as their 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-L-alanine amide derivatives.

The high-performance liquid chromatographic enantioresolution of free and N- and/or C-protected derivatives of (R,S)-2',1':1,2;1",2":3,4-dinaphthcyclohepta-1,3-diene-6-aminometh yl-6- carboxylic acid (beta 2-Bin) by direct and indirect methods is reported. The direct separation was carried out on native and different derivatized beta-cyclodextrin-bonded phases. The indirect resolution was achieved by applying pre-column derivatization with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-L-alanine amide. The effects of different parameters such as the mobile phase composition and the structures of the compounds on the enantiomeric resolution are discussed.

Synthesis, conformational study, and spectroscopic characterization of the cyclic C alpha, alpha-disubstituted glycine 9-amino-9-fluorenecarboxylic acid.

A series of terminally blocked peptides (to the pentamer level) from L-Ala and the cyclic C alpha, alpha-disubstituted Gly residue Afc and one Gly/Afc dipeptide have been synthesized by solution method and fully characterized. The molecular structure of the amino acid derivative Boc-Afc-OMe and the dipeptide Boc-Afc-Gly-OMe were determined in the crystal state by X-ray diffraction. In addition, the preferred conformation of all of the model peptides was assessed in deuterochloroform solution by FT-IR absorption and 1H-NMR. The experimental data favour the conclusion that the Afc residue tends to adopt either the fully-extended (C5) or a folded/helical structure. In particular, the former conformation is highly populated in solution and is also that found in the crystal state in the two compounds investigated. A comparison with the structural propensities of the strictly related C alpha, alpha-disubstituted Gly residues Ac5c and D phi g is made and the implications for the use of the Afc residue in conformationally constrained analogues of bioactive peptides are briefly examined. A spectroscopic (UV absorption, fluorescence, CD) characterization of this novel aromatic C alpha, alpha-disubstituted Gly residue is also reported.

Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV-beta--further characterization and comparison to dipeptidyl-peptidase IV activity of CD26.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV-beta (DPP IV-beta) is a novel protein which shows a peptidase activity similar to the T-cell-activation antigen CD26. To further characterize this DPP IV-beta and confirm its cell surface expression, we have developed a purification strategy using the CD26- cell line C8166. The purification process includes biotinylation of cell surface proteins before preparation of cell extracts and processing by gel-filtration, ion-exchange and lectin chromatographies. Consistent with the molecular mass of DPP IV-beta estimated by gel-filtration chromatography, the final purified fraction, manifesting a typical DPP IV activity, showed a major biotinylated 75-80-kDa band in SDS/PAGE, thus suggesting the monomeric nature of this enzyme. Kinetic parameters of DPP IV-beta and the sensitivity to a new family of irreversible DPP IV inhibitors, were studied in comparison to CD26. Both enzymes followed a Michaelis kinetics with different Km values for Gly-Pro-NH-Np (NH-Np, para-nitroanilide) hydrolysis (0.28+/-0.05 mM and 0.12+/-0.02 mM). More significant differences were observed in the sensitivity to inhibitors, which exerted a much higher activity on CD26 than on DPP IV-beta. These differences permitted us to study DPP IV-beta expression in CD26-expressing cells, showing the expression of this new enzyme in all lymphoid cells tested, and a rapid enhancement in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated or protein-A-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results indicate that, although DPP IV-beta and CD26 are coexpressed and manifest a typical DPP IV activity, there are distinct features in their catalytic activities that may confer to each enzyme a complementary role in peptide processing.

Specific and irreversible cyclopeptide inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity of the T-cell activation antigen CD26.

The dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity of CD26 is characterized by its post-proline-cleaving capacity that plays an important but not yet understood role in biological processes. Here we describe a new family of specific and irreversible inhibitors of this enzyme. Taking into account the substrate specificity of DPP IV for P2-P1><-P1' cleavage, we have designed and synthesized cyclopeptides c[(alphaH2N+)-Lys-Pro-Aba-(6-CH2-S+R2)-Glyn] 2TFA- (Aba = 3-aminobenzoic acid, R = alkyl) possessing a proline at the P1 position and a lysine in the P2 position, which allows the closing of the cycle on its side chain. These molecules show a free N-terminus, necessary for binding to the CD26 catalytic site, and a latent quinoniminium methide electrophile, responsible for inactivation. Treatment of c[alphaZ-Lys-Pro-Aba-(6-CH2-OC6H5)-Glyn], obtained by peptide synthesis in solution, with R2S/TFA simutaneously cleaved the Z protecting group and the phenyl ether function and led to a series of cyclopeptide sulfonium salts. These cyclopeptides inhibited rapidly and irreversibly the DPP IV activity of CD26, with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. Further studies were carried out to investigate the effect of the modification of the ring size (n = 2 or 4) and the nature of the sulfur substituents (R = Me, Bu, Oct). Cycle enlargement improved the inhibitory activity of the methylsulfonio cyclopeptide, whereas the increase of the alkyl chain length on the sulfur atom had no apparent effect. Other aminopeptidases were not inhibited, and a much weaker activity was observed on a novel isoform of DPP IV referred to as DPP IV-beta. Thus, this new family of irreversible inhibitors of DPP IV is highly specific to the peptidase activity of CD26.

Urethane protected amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides and fluorides (U-NCAs and U2AAFs).

In order to obtain peptide analogues containing a central pyrrolide bond, as potential mechanism-based inhibitors of the HIV-1 proteinase, activated derivatives of amino acids were required. Treatment of a N,N-bis(Boc) amino acid pyridinium salt with cyanuric fluoride in dichloromethane furnished the correspondingbis(Boc) amino acid fluoride (Boc2AAF). Use of the Vilsmeier reagent in acetonitrile, instead of the cyanuric fluoride, led to a N-Boc amino acid N-carboxyanhydride (Boc-NCA). From a mixed N-Z,N-Boc amino acid salt a N-Z,N-Boc amino acid fluoride and a Z-NCA were respectively obtained. The very sensitive Young test showed that during the coupling of the N-benzoyl-L-Leucine N-carboxyanhydride or the N-benzoyl N-Boc-L-leucyl fluoride with ethyl glycinate the degrees of racemization were weak. Owing to the electronegativity and the small size of the fluorine atom, thebis(urethane) amino acid fluorides are efficient acylating agents for amines and pyrrole anions.

New mechanism-based inactivators of trypsin-like proteinases. Selective inactivation of urokinase by functionalized cyclopeptides incorporating a sulfoniomethyl-substituted m-aminobenzoic acid residue.

In order to obtain selective suicide substrates of trypsin-like proteases including plasminogen activators, plasmin, and thrombin, a series of cyclopeptides cyclo[Arg or Lys-aB(CH2X)-Gly4], in which a substituted o- or m-aminobenzoyl group constitutes a latent electrophile, have been prepared. Treatment of the corresponding phenyl ethers cyclo[P1-aB(CH2OC6H5)-Gly4] with HBr/HOAc or R1R2S/TFA gives the bromides (X = Br) or the sulfonium salts (X = +SR1R2 with R1 = R2 = Me or R1 = Me and R2 = C6H5), respectively. These water-soluble cyclopeptides behave as time-dependent inhibitors of bovine trypsin and human urokinase (u-PA) but have no effect on tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and no or poor effect on plasmin and thrombin. The compounds containing a m-aminobenzoic acid residue are more efficient inactivators than their anthranilic analogues. The kinetic criteria expected for a suicide inhibition are met. A mechanism of inhibition involving the formation of a quinonimmonium methide intermediate is proposed. The activity of the inhibitors is very sensitive to the nature of the X benzylic substituent. An increased efficiency for the inactivation of human urokinase is observed with the sulfonium salts. The selectivity of the inactivation of u-PA compared to t-PA could be of therapeutical significance in controlling cell proliferation and invasion.

A cyclopeptidic suicide substrate preferentially inactivates urokinase-type plasminogen activator.

c[Arg-aB-(CH2+SCH3 phi)-Gly4] was designed and studied as a mechanism-based inactivator (suicide substrate) for plasminogen activators (u-PA and t-PA) and plasmin. This compound inhibited u-PA and fulfills criteria expected for the involvement of an enzyme-activated inhibitor: first-order and irreversible process, saturation kinetics, protection by substrate. The limiting first-order rate constant kinact and the apparent enzyme-inhibitor dissociation constant KI were 0.021 s-1 and 9 microM, respectively at pH 7.5 and 25 degrees C. The activation of plasminogen by u-PA is compromised after this enzyme has been treated by the reagent. Plasmin and t-PA were inactivated 40- and 2330-fold less efficiently than u-PA, respectively.

Acyloxybenzyl halides, inhibitors of elastases.

3-Benzyl-6-chloromethyl-3,4-dihydrocoumarin inhibits human leucocyte elastase (HLE) and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) through a mechanism-based process characterized by the following apparent enzyme-inhibitor dissociation constants, Ki, and limiting inactivation rate constants k2: 200 microM (HLE), 69 microM (PPE) and 5.10(-2) s-1 (HLE), 17.7.10(-2) s-1 (PPE) at pH 8.0, 37 degrees C. Bis(4-acyloxyphenyl)methane derivatives with a benzylic halogen as potential leaving group have also been synthesized and studied. They transiently inactivate PPE and HLE through the formation of an acyl-enzyme.

Susceptibility of plasminogen activators to suicide inactivation.

Halomethylated derivatives of dihydrocoumarins are efficient enzyme-activated inhibitors ("suicide" substrates) of plasminogen activators. Kinetic analysis indicate that the one-chain and two-chain forms of the human plasminogen activator are inhibited by 3,4-dihydro-3-benzyl-6-chloromethylcoumarin through a mechanism-based inactivation characterized by the following kinetic parameters (4 degrees C, pH 6.8) : k2 equal to 0.02 s-1 and 0.03 s-1 (for one- and two-chain tissue plasminogen activators, respectively) and Ki equal to 0.16 mM for both forms. Human urokinase and human tissue-type plasminogen activator can be discriminated on the basis of their inhibition by this suicide substrate. The design of a new series of suicide substrates of serine proteases (functionalized cyclopeptides possessing a potential alkylating function closely related to that found in halomethylated derivatives of dihydrocoumarins) is described.

Synthesis and enzymic hydrolysis of cyclic peptides containing an anthranilic acid residue.

Two cyclic peptides cyclo (Phe-MeAnt-Glyn) with MeAnt = 5-methyl-anthranilic acid residue, n = 4 (3b) and n = 6 (4b), have been synthesized in solution and their reaction with alpha-chymotrypsin analyzed. The polyglycyl chain was prepared by the phosphazo method; cyclization at the Gly-Phe site occurred in good yield using the azide method. Catalysis of the hydrolysis of peptides 3b and 4b by alpha-chymotrypsin was characterized at 37 degrees by the apparent second-order rate constants kcat/Km 0.12 and 1.15 M-1 S-1, respectively, in agreement with the usual acceleration observed upon enlargement of the size of the peptidic ring in cyclic peptides. alpha-Chymotrypsin specifically split the Phe-MeAnt amide bond in cyclopeptide 4b. This specific orientation suggests that analogous structures with a functionalized methylene group instead of the methyl substituent can be used in the design of suicide substrates for serine proteases.