Proton NMR investigation of Ln3+ complexes of thymopoietin 32-36.

The pentapeptide Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr (TP5) is a biologically active fragment of thymopoietin, the thymic hormone that induces selective T-cell differentiation. The formation of lanthanide(III) complexes of TP5 is demonstrated through the observation of Tb3+ fluorescence enhancement. The equilibria, stoichiometry and solution conformation of the La3+, Pr3+ and Yb3+ complexes of TP5 have been investigated using NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the dissociation constants of two methyl ester analogs of TP5 have been studied. Evidence is presented supporting an interaction between the arginine guanidino N epsilon H and the aspartate carboxylate of TP5. Binding of Ln3+ appears to be accompanied by a disruption (or weakening) of this interaction and a concomitant increase in the 180 degrees rotamer population for the aspartate carboxylate group. The observed trends in the magnitudes of the dissociation constants and the rotamer populations appear to suggest that, although a significant amount of monodentate complexes may also exist, the metal ion binds predominantly to both carboxylates in a bidentate fashion.

Biologically active analogs of thymopentin with enhanced enzymatic stability.

Thymopentin, a synthetic pentapeptide fragment of thymopoietin (residues 32-36, Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr) is biologically active but susceptible to proteolytic digestion. Analogs were synthesized and studied for biological activity and susceptibility to peptidases. Amino acid changes were incorporated at positions known to not affect activity adversely and N-terminal acetylation and C-terminal amidation were used to increase resistance to proteolytic degradation by exopeptidases. Ac-Pro2-TP5-NH2 and Aib2-TP5-NH2 retained activity and were shown to exhibit a high degree of stability when incubated in human serum.

Detection and quantitation of low levels of protected and unprotected (R)-amino acids in the synthesis of thymopentin, an immunoregulatory peptide.

Two chiral chromatographic procedures (HPLC and capillary GC) were developed to monitor the extent of epimerization of protected and unprotected amino acids used in a synthesis of thymopentin, an immunoregulatory peptide currently in clinical trials. The capillary GC method allowed the detection of the (R)-enantiomer in the presence of the (S)-enantiomer at levels of greater than or equal to 0.2%, while the HPLC method allowed similar detection at levels of greater than or equal to 0.1%.

[Stability evaluation of thymopentin in preparation process].

OBJECTIVE: To observe whether thymopentin is stable in the preparation process. METHODS: Using HPLC method, we investigated the influence of different temperature, sonification time and pH value on thymopentin. RESULTS: The optimum storage condition for preservation of thymopentin was found to be a freezing environment. Thymopentin would not be degraded in the water bath of 60 degrees C for 24 hours or in different phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (pH 2, 5, 5, 7) under 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The sonification time within 15 minutes was determined to be safe for the preparation. CONCLUSION: The experiment result indicates that thymopentin is stable during the whole preparation process.

Design of a novel thymopoietin analogue based on conformational analyses.

A novel cyclic peptide c(Arg-Pro-Asp-D-Val-Tyr) related to thymopentin--the immunostimulant pentapeptide contained in thymic hormones--was designed on the basis of theoretical computer modeling. We applied molecular dynamics/energy minimization techniques and restrained molecular dynamics to determine the preferred conformation of this peptide. The linear precursor of the peptide is biologically active and probably exists in a highly motile dynamical equilibrium of different conformations. Our calculations show that the cyclic peptide consists of a single conformational family containing a beta turn at position Pro 2. Experimental support for this conclusion was derived from 2-D NOE data in aqueous solution for the closely related analogue c(Arg-Lys-Glu-D-Val-Tyr). Synthesis and biological testing of the cyclic peptide is therefore indicated.

Syntheses and effects of human splenin (hSP) fragment 32-48 and an analog on the reduced B-lymphocytes of uremic patients.

A heptadecapeptide, H-Arg-Lys-Ala-Val-Tyr-Val-Glu-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Gln-Ser-Leu-Thr-Ala-Glu-His-OH , corresponding to amino acids 32 to 48 of human splenin (hSP) and an analog in which the amino acid residue at position 34 is changed from Ala to Glu, were synthesized. These peptides were synthesized using conventional solution synthesis and were tested for their effect on reduced B-lymphocytes of uremic patients. Incubation of peripheral lymphocytes isolated from uremic patients with these two synthetic heptadecapeptides, hSP fragment 32-48 and [Glu34]hSP fragment 32-48, had an enhancing effect on the reduced B-lymphocytes, but synthetic bovine thymopoietin II (bTP-II) fragment 32-49 had no effect under the same conditions.

Immuno-regulating peptides, I. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of thymopentin analogs.

Seventeen peptides, related to thymopoietin pentapeptide, L-arginyl-L-lysyl-L-aspartyl-L-valyl-L-tyrosine (thymopentin) were synthesized by the stepwise strategy in solution. Of these, L-arginyl-L-lysyl-L-aspartic acid and L-arginyl-L-lysyl-L-aspartyl-L-valine, shortened from the C-terminus of the pentapeptide, exhibit significant immuno-stimulating potencies, exceeding those of thymopentin, both in vitro and in vivo immunological tests. Studies on the structure-activity relationships suggest that the potencial active site of thymopoietins is very sensitive to the N- and C-terminal elongations of the peptide chain. For thymic hormones, an active site carrying cumulative chemical signals is proposed instead of well-defined active centers.

Synthesis of human splenin (hSP) and examination of its immunological effects on the impaired T- and B-lymphocytes in uremic patients.

Human splenin (hSP) was synthesized by assembling eight peptide fragments followed by deprotection with 1M trifluoromethanesulfonic acid-thioanisole (molar ratios, 1:1) in trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of m-cresol and dimethylselenium. Finally, the deprotected peptide was incubated with dithiothreitol to reduce sulfoxide on the methionine side chain. Incubation of peripheral lymphocytes isolated from uremic patients with the synthetic hSP showed an enhancing effect on the reduced B-lymphocytes, but had no restoring effect on the impaired blastogenic response of T-lymphocytes.