Lucifensin II, a defensin of medicinal maggots of the blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

A novel homolog of insect defensin, designated lucifensin II (Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann [Diptera: Calliphoridae] defensin), was purified from hemolymph extract from larvae of the blowfly L. cuprina. The full-length primary sequence of this peptide of 40 amino acid residues and three intramolecular disulfide bridges was determined by electrospray ionization-orbitrap mass spectrometry and Edman degradation and is almost identical to the previously identified sequence of lucifensin (Lucilia sericata Meigen defensin). Lucifensin II sequence differs from that of lucifensin by only one amino acid residue, that is, by isoleucine instead of valine at position 11. The presence of lucifensin II also was detected in the extracts of other larval tissues, such as gut, salivary glands, fat body, and whole body extract.

S'-subsite mapping of polyethylene glycol-modified alpha-chymotrypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin: a comparative study.

Nucleophile specificities of polyethylene glycol-modified alpha-chymotrypsin and the native enzyme were investigated via acyl transfer reactions using Ac-Tyr-OEt as acyl donor and a large series of peptides and amino-acid amides as nucleophiles. In acyl transfer reactions with amino-acid amides both enzymes prefer basic and bulky amino-acid residues. However, peptides with bulky aliphatic or aromatic residues in P1' position were very poor nucleophiles for both enzymes. Surprisingly, peptides having bulky aliphatic or aromatic residues in P2' were preferred by the modified enzyme and were apparently more efficient nucleophiles for both enzymes than those with such residues in P1'. Generally, peptides with a longer chain were weaker nucleophiles in the reactions catalyzed by polyethylene glycol-modified enzyme. In the series of peptides containing a positively charged amino-acid residue in various locations, the order of nucleophilic efficiency is with this location being: P1' > P3' > P2'; this is valid for both enzymes.

Serine/threonine protein phosphatases in the control of cell function.

Reversible protein phosphorylation is a fundamental mechanism by which many biological functions are regulated. Achievement of such control requires the coordinated action of the interconverting enzymes, the protein kinases and protein phosphatases. By comparison with protein kinases, a limited number of protein phosphatase catalytic subunits are present in the cell, which raises the question of how such a small number of dephosphorylating enzymes can counterbalance the action of the more numerous protein kinases. In mammalian cells, four major classes of Ser/Thr-specific phosphatase catalytic subunits have been identified, comprising two distinct gene families. The high degree of homology among members of the same family, PP1, PP2A and PP2B, and the high degree of evolutionary conservation between organisms as divergent as mammals and yeast, implies that these enzymes are involved in fundamental cell functions. Type 1 enzymes appear to acquire specificity by association with targeting regulatory subunits which direct the enzymes to specific cellular compartments, confer substrate specificity and control enzyme activity. In spite of the progress made in determining the structure of the PP2A subunits, very little is known about the control of this activity and about substrate selection. Recent studies have unravelled a significant number of regulatory subunits. The potential existence of five distinct B or B-related polypeptides, some of which are present in multiple isoforms, two A and two C subunit isoforms, raises the possibility that a combinatorial association could generate a large number of specific PP2A forms with different substrate specificity and/or cellular localization. Moreover, biochemical, biological and genetic studies all concur in suggesting that the regulatory subunits may play an important role in determining the properties of the Ser/Thr protein phosphatases and hence their physiological functions.

Studies on lectins. XLIX. The use of glycosyl derivatives of Dextran T-500 for affinity electrophoresis of lectins.

p-Aminophenyl glycosides and glycosylamines were coupled to periodate oxidized Dextran T-500 either directly or through an epsilon-aminocaproic acid spacer. The new glycosylated derivatives of dextran specifically precipitate lectins having the appropriate carbohydrate specificity, and thus were used in the preparation of affinity gels for affinity electrophoresis of lectins. The apparent strength of interaction of several lectins with carbohydrate residues immobilized in this way was less than with carbohydrates immobilized in O-glycosyl polyacrylamide copolymers. The presence of epsilon-aminocaproic spacer had no effect on the strength of interaction. The advantages of this type of macromolecular derivative of the ligand for affinity electrophoresis and some differences between the glycosylated dextrans and O-glycosyl polyacrylamide copolymers are discussed. Dextrans containing bound p-aminophenyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside and p-aminophenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside were used to study the binding properties of concanavalin A and the lectin from Lathyrus sativus seeds. For the investigation of interaction of lectins from Ricinus communis and Glycine soja seeds, dextran derivatives containing bound p-aminophenyl alpha- and beta-D-galactopyranosides and alpha- and beta-D-galactopyranosylamines were used.

Acyl transfer reactions catalyzed by native and modified alpha-chymotrypsin in acetonitrile with low water content.

The characterization of the S' subsite specificity of native and ethylated alpha-chymotrypsin has been studied via acyl transfer reaction in acetonitrile containing 10 vol% of water. Using Ac-Tyr-OEt as acyl donor, we investigated the partitioning of acyl-chymotrypsins between water and amino acid and peptide-derived nucleophiles. For the investigation of S'2 subsite specificity, a series of 19 dipeptides of the general structure Ala-Xaa (Xaa represents all natural amino acids except cysteine) were used. From the values of the apparent partition constants rho app, the order of preference for the P'2 position is estimated to be: positively charged > hydrophilic > or = hydrophobic > aromatic > Pro > negatively charged side chain. Concerning the S'1 specificity, the same preference is deduced based on the study with the series of amino acid amides and Xaa-Ala dipeptides. In contrast to the nucleophilic specificity of alpha-chymotrypsin in aqueous solutions, free dipeptides and hydrophilic amino acid derivatives as nucleophiles exhibit much higher reactivities for acyl transfer in acetonitrile. We have not observed a significant difference in nucleophilic specificity between native and ethylated chymotrypsin.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis in an allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplant recipient: case report and review of literature.

We present a patient who underwent allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT) for chronic myelocytic leukemia. Twenty months after the PSCT he experienced status epilepticus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a focus in the ventral thalamus-hypothalamus region. Using stereotactic biopsy with histology and specific polymerase chain reaction investigation from brain tissue, cerebral toxoplasmosis was diagnosed and treated with antiparasitic therapy. Early recognition of such serious and potentially lethal disease enabled prompt specific treatment. This case report emphasizes the role of stereotactic biopsy in diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis. Other methods such as MRI are non-invasive but not sufficiently specific and sensitive.

Combined solid-phase/solution synthesis of large ribonuclease A C-terminal peptides containing a non-natural proline analog.

Three large peptides corresponding to the 65-124 (60-mer), 72-124 (53-mer), and 77-124 (48-mer) sequence of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) were assembled from either two or three shorter protected peptide fragments by chemical coupling in solution. The fragments were synthesized manually by 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-based solid-phase peptide chemistry in plastic syringes, and subsequently purified by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a silica gel column. The main aim of this work was to incorporate sterically hindered l-5,5-dimethylproline (dmP) as a substitute for Pro(93) into the sequence of RNase A in order to constrain the -Tyr(92)-Pro(93)- peptide group to a single cis-conformation.

Serine proteinase-catalyzed incorporation of D-amino into model peptides in acetonitrile with low water content.

The reactions were studied of N-acyl-L-amino acid esters with various D-amino acid amides catalyzed by free alpha-chymotrypsin, trypsin and proteinase K in acetonitrile containing 80 or 5 vol. % of water. In the medium with low water content the incorporation of D-amino acid amides into peptides proceeded with satisfactory yield sometimes approaching that of analogous L-L dipeptides. In the media with high water content negligible or low yields of L-D dipeptides were achieved. Synthesis of Boc-L-Trp-D-Phe-NH2 catalyzed by alpha-chymotrypsin was performed at molar ratio L: D = 3 : 2 in acetonitrile with 5 vol.% of water and the dipeptide was isolated in larger quantity. However, synthesis of the peptide bond did not occur at all when diastereomeric dipeptides having D-residue in the N-terminal P1' position were used even in the media with low water content.

Protease-catalyzed fragment condensation via substrate mimetic strategy: a useful combination of solid-phase peptide synthesis with enzymatic methods.

The concept of substrate mimetic strategy represents a new powerful method in the field of enzymatic peptide synthesis. This strategy takes advantage of the shift in the site-specific amino acid moiety from the acyl residue to the ester-leaving group of the carboxyl component enabling acylation of the enzyme by nonspecific acyl residues. As a result, peptide bond formation occurs independently of the primary specificity of proteases. Moreover, because of the coupling of nonspecific acyl residues, the newly formed peptide bond is not subject to secondary hydrolysis achieving irreversible peptide synthesis. Here, we report the combination of solid-phase peptide synthesis with substrate mimetic-mediated enzymatic peptide fragment condensations. First, the utility of the oxime resin strategy for the synthesis of peptide fragments in the form of substrate mimetics esterified as 4-guanidinophenyl-, phenyl- and mercaptopropionic acid esters was investigated. The study was completed by using the resulting N(alpha)-protected peptide esters as acyl donors in trypsin-, alpha-chymotrypsin- and V8 protease-catalyzed fragment condensations.

Enzymatic semisynthesis of dicarba analogs of calcitonin.

The semisynthesis of eel[L-alpha-aminosuberic acid]calcitonin (elcatonin) was accomplished by alpha-chymotrypsin-catalyzed coupling of two peptide segments in a single reaction without the protection of any functional group. The eel calcitonin-(10-32)-peptide was prepared by a gene manipulation. The esters of cyclic desamino nonapeptide (segment 1-9) were synthesized by the conventional solution method including a thermolysin-mediated resolution of DL-alpha-aminosuberic acid via one-step tripeptide synthesis leading to the 7-9 sequence. The main aim of this work was to determine the conditions for protease-catalyzed segment condensation while avoiding a concurrent cleavage of other proteolytically labile peptide bonds in the hormone. The alpha-chymotrypsin condensation strategy under usual conditions led to a complicated mixture of split products with an insignificant amount of the required peptide. When the coupling reaction was carried out at 0 degrees C, the reaction resulted in a satisfactory yield of elcatonin with the complete conversion of the acyl donor (1-9 segment) accompanied by negligible concurrent peptide bond digestion. The same strategy was employed for the preparation of analogous dicarba salmon calcitonin using a synthetic elcatonin-(10-32)-peptide. Both calcitonin analogs exhibited hypocalcemic activity corresponding to the international standard of elcatonin. We demonstrate in this work a peptide synthesis based on the combination of genetic engineering, chemical synthesis and proteinase-catalyzed segment condensation. This approach enables effective incorporation of an unnatural amino acid into calcitonins without the side-chain protection.

Protease-catalyzed synthesis of Leu-enkephalin in a solvent-free system.

The total enzymatic synthesis of a model peptide Leu-enkephalin on a preparative scale was accomplished in the so-called solvent-free system. The syntheses were carried out in a rotary glass homogenizer by admixing solid reactants with native proteases and Na2CO3.10H2O. The most feasible way leading to biologically active Leu-enkephalin, was based on the strategy of 2 + (1 + 2) condensation catalyzed by alpha-chymotrypsin, thermolysin and papain for the final segment coupling. Subtilisin was used for the ester hydrolysis of peptide intermediates. Alternative strategies as well as the influence of several reaction conditions on the yield of the protease-catalyzed synthesis of Leu-enkephalin or Leu-enkephalin amide were also investigated.

Nucleophile specificity of subtilisin in an organic solvent with low water content: investigation via acyl transfer reactions.

Nucleophile specificity of subtilisin (subtilopeptidase A) was studied via acyl transfer reactions in acetonitrile containing piperidine and 10 vol% of water. Ac-Tyr-OEt was used as acyl donor and a series of amino acid derivatives, di- and tripeptides of the general structure Xaa-Gly, Gly-Xaa, Gly-Gly-Xaa (Xaa represents all natural L-amino acids except cysteine) were used as nucleophiles. The nucleophilic efficiencies of these peptides were characterized by the values of the apparent partition constants, p(app), determined from the HPLC analysis of the reactions. The order of preference for the P'(1) position was estimated to be: Gly > hydrophilic, positively charged > hydrophobic, aromatic > negatively charged > Leu >>> Pro side chain. For the P'(2) position the order of preference was: Gly > hydrophilic, charged > hydrophobic, aromatic > Pro side chain. The values of p(app) for Gly-Gly-Xaa tripeptides cover a range of only two orders of magnitude, with lower nucleophile efficiency for those with hydrophobic amino acid residues in the P'(3) position. The dipeptide with Pro in P'(1) did not react at all, but a tripeptide having Pro in P'(3) was a very good nucleophile. The negatively charged amino acid residues in the P'(1) position result in very weak nucleophilic behavior, whereas the peptides with Asp or Glu in P'(2) and P'(3) are well accepted. Generally, peptides of the Gly-Xaa or Gly-Gly-Xaa series were better nucleophiles than peptides of the Xaa-Gly series. The length of the peptide chain or amidation of alpha-carboxyl function had no influence on nucleophilic behavior. No significant difference in nucleophile specificity between subtilopeptidase A and nagarse was observed.

Enzymatic approach to the synthesis of taurine-containing peptides.

Subtilisins (subtilopeptidase A, nagarse) and proteinase K were able to catalyze the synthesis of taurine-containing peptides from various N-acylated amino acid or peptide esters and nonprotected taurine. The synthesis was optimized using a model reaction between Boc-Tyr-OMe and taurine. The best results were obtained under strongly alkaline conditions in acetonitrile with low water content as the reaction medium. The choice of the base added to the reaction medium had a substantial effect on the product yield. A preparative synthesis of Tyr-Tau and Ala-Phe-Tau is described.

Resolution of DL-2-aminosuberic acid via protease-catalyzed ester hydrolysis.

Papain-catalyzed regioselective cleavage of alpha-methyl ester in Z-DL-Asu(OMe)-OMe leads to Z-L-Asu(OMe)-OH and Z-D-Asu(OMe)-OMe. Subsequent saponifications yield Z-L-Asu-OH and Z-D-Asu-OH. The enzymatic alpha-ester hydrolysis was also achieved by subtilisin BPN' in organic solvent with low water content.

Studies on peptide amidase-catalysed C-terminal peptide amidation in organic media with respect to its substrate specificity.

Peptide amidase-catalysed amidations of the C- terminal carboxylic group of peptides were studied using model substrates of a large series of N(alpha)-protected di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-peptides in the presence of NH4HCO3 as the ammonium source. The maximal yields of amide syntheses were achieved in a medium consisting of acetonitrile with 20-25 vol% of dimethylformamide and 3 vol% of water. Under these conditions, the substrate specificity of the enzyme was more restricted in the synthetic reaction than was found for the amide hydrolysis. Elongation of the peptide chain had a negative effect on enzymic amidation. Thus the direct amidation of N(alpha)-t-butoxycarbonyl-protected Leu-enkephalin resulted in a low yield of protected enkephalin amide.

The applicability of subtilisin Carlsberg in peptide synthesis.

The synthesis of peptide bonds catalysed by subtilisin Carlsberg was studied in different hydrophilic organic solvents with variable H2O concentration. Z-Val-Trp-OMe and Z-Ala-Phe-OMe were used as acyl donors, and a series of amino acid derivatives, di- and tripeptides of the general structure Xaa-Gly, Gly-Xaa, Gly-Gly-Xaa (Xaa represents all natural L-amino acids except cysteine) and other peptides were used as nucleophiles. A comparative study of the enzymatic synthesis in aqueous DMF (50%, v/v) and acetonitrile containing 10% (v/v) of H2O demonstrated that the yields of peptide products were higher in most cases when acetonitrile with low H2O concentration was used. The acylation of weak nucleophiles was improved in organic solvents with very low H2O concentration (2%). The reactions in anhydrous Bu(t)-OH proceeded with substantially lower velocity. Generally, the restricted nucleophile specificity of the enzyme for glycine and hydrophilic amino acid residues in P1' position, as well as numerous side reactions, limit the utilization of subtilisin in peptide synthesis, especially in the case of the segment condensations. Contrary to the published data, we have proved that proline derivatives were not acylated in any media with the help of subtilisin Carlsberg. Effective ester hydrolysis of a protected nonapeptide corresponding to the N-terminal sequence of dicarba-eel-calcitonin catalysed by subtilisin was achieved.

A convenient incorporation of conformationally constrained 5,5-dimethylproline into the ribonuclease A 89-124 sequence by condensation of synthetic peptide fragments.

The presence of l-5,5-dimethylproline (dmP) within an amino acid sequence results in the formation of an X-dmP peptide bond predominantly locked in a cis conformation. However, the common use of this unnatural amino acid has been hampered by the difficulty of the economical incorporation of the dmP residue into longer peptide segments due to the steric hindrance imposed by the dimethyl moieties. Here, we describe synthesis of the C-terminal 36-residue peptide, corresponding to the 89-124 sequence of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A), in which dmP is incorporated as a substitute for Pro93. The peptide was assembled by condensation of protected 5- and 31-residue peptide fragments, which were synthesized by solid-phase peptide methodology using fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl chemistry. We focused on optimizing the synthesis of the Fmoc-Ser(tBu)-Ser(tBu)-Lys(Boc)-Tyr(tBu)-dmP-OH pentapeptide (residues 89-93) with efficient acylation of the sterically hindered dmP residue. In a comparative study, the reagent O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate was found to be superior to bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate and tetramethylfluoroformamidinium hexafluorophosphate for the synthesis of the -Tyr(tBu)-dmP- peptide bond in solution as well as on a resin.

Differences in the protein-kinase-A-dependent regulation of CFTR Cl- channels and Na+-K+ pumps in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes.

Protein-kinase-A- (PKA-) dependent regulation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- current (I(CFTR)) and Na+-K+ pump current (Ip) was studied in single guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. Both currents were measured simultaneously by means of whole-cell recording at 30 degrees C. The adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin was used to stimulate PKA activity. At -20 mV, forskolin (4 microM) induced a fast activation of I(CFTR) and a delayed stimulation of Ip. Despite the strikingly different time courses, however, the potency of the drug to regulate both currents was identical. Half-maximal activation of I(CFTR) and stimulation of Ip, respectively, were observed at 9.6 x 10(-8) M and 9.9 x 10(-8) M forskolin. Inclusion of a specific peptide inhibitor of PKA in the pipette solution (PKI, 20 microM) blocked forskolin's effect on Ip. However, regardless of the time allowed for cell dialysis, there still was a marked, transient activation of I(CFTR), which could be prevented by: (1) a short pre-activation of I(CFTR) with forskolin or (2) the additional inclusion in the pipette solution of a synthetic peptide (Ht31 peptide, 60 microM) that interferes with PKA binding to its anchoring proteins. Thus, there is a tight functional coupling between PKA and CFTR Cl- channels in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. The coupling is probably due to the close physical proximity of channels and kinases mediated by PKA anchoring proteins. Na+-K+ pumps, on the other hand, though also regulated by PKA, appear to be loosely coupled to the kinases.

The peptides of alpha-aminosuberic acid II. Synthesis of deamino-dicarba-eel-calcitonin sequence 1-9.

The paper describes the synthesis of Asu6-octapeptide derivatives by condensing two alternative pentapeptide fragments with Asu-containing tripeptides. After partial deprotection these linear peptides compounds are subject to cyclization experiments aimed to give the N-terminal [1-9] sequence of deamino-dicarba-eel calcitonin. This is a key substance for the semi-synthesis of the respective analogues of eel calcitonin.

The peptides of alpha-aminosuberic acid I. New intermediates for synthetic studies.

The paper describes the synthesis of alpha-aminosuberic acid derivatives suitable for the synthesis of peptides. These include Z-, Boc- and Fmoc-protection on the alpha-amino group, benzyl ester, Boc-hydrazide and Z-hydrazide as well as the free carboxylic function in the side chain, and methyl ester, benzyl ester or free alpha-carboxylic group. Their use is demonstrated on the synthesis of the respective derivatives of Asu-Val-Leu. The enzyme catalyzed reaction was successfully used both as a route to L-Asu from the D,L-compound as well as for the direct synthesis of the optically active tripeptide derivative from the Z-D,L-Asu-OH.