Dopamine depletion in wistar rats with epilepsy.

The dopamine content in cerebral structures has been related to neuronal excitability and several approaches have been used to study this phenomenon during seizure vulnerability period. In the present work, we describe the effects of dopamine depletion after the administration of 6-hidroxidopamine (6-OHDA) into the substantia nigra pars compacta of male rats submitted to the pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Susceptibility to pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE), as well as spontaneous and recurrent seizures (SRSs) frequency during the chronic period of the model were determined. Since the hippocampus is one of main structures in the development of this experimental model of epilepsy, the dopamine levels in this region were also determined after drug administration. In the first experiment, 62% (15/24) of 6-OHDA pre-treated rats and 45% (11/24) of those receiving ascorbic acid as control solution progressed to motor limbic seizures evolving to SE, after the administration of pilocarpine. Severeness of seizures during the model´s the acute period, was significantly higher in epileptic experimental rats (56.52%), than in controls (4.16%). In the second experiment, the frequency of seizures in the model's chronic phase did not significantly change between groups. Our data show that dopamine may play an important role on seizure severity in the pilo's model acute period, which seems to be due to dopamine inhibitory action on motor expression of seizure.

Broad immunocytochemical localization of the formylpeptide receptor in human organs, tissues, and cells.

The formylpeptide receptor (FPR), previously found only on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes/macrophages, responds to both synthetic N-formyl oligopeptides and those produced by bacteria. The cDNA for human FPR has been cloned and a rabbit polyclonal antiserum directed against a synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the deduced carboxy-terminus has been produced. We have now extensively characterized and used the antibody to detect FPR on normal human tissues and cell types. The receptor antigen is present on some epithelial cells, especially those with a secretory function, and on some endocrine cells, e.g., follicular cells of the thyroid and cortical cells of the adrenal. Liver hepatocytes and Kupffer cells are positive. Smooth muscle and endothelial cells are also generally positive. In the brain and spinal cord, the neurons of the motor, sensory, and cerebellar systems, and those of the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems stain positively. These data suggest that the putative endogenous agonist for FPR or an antigenically similar receptor reacts with cellular targets in the neuromuscular, vascular, endocrine, and immune systems.

Conformation-activity correlations for chemotactic tripeptide analogs incorporating dialkyl residues with linear and cyclic alkyl sidechains at position 2.

Five stereochemically constrained analogs of the chemotactic tripeptide incorporating 1-aminocycloalkane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac(n)c) and alpha,alpha-dialkylglycines (Deg, diethylglycine; Dpg, n,n-dipropylglycine and Dbg, n,n-dibutylglycine) at position 2 have been synthesized. NMR studies of peptides For-Met-Xxx-Phe-OMe (Xxx=Ac(7)c, I; Ac(8)c, II; Deg, III; Dpg, IV and Dbg, V; For, formyl) establish that peptides with cycloalkyl residues, I and II, adopt folded beta-turn conformations in CDCl3 and (CD3)2SO. In contrast, analogs with linear alkyl sidechains, III-V, favour fully extended (C5) conformations in solution. Peptides I-V exhibit high activity in inducing beta-glucosaminidase release from rabbit neutrophils, with ED50 values ranging from 1.4-8.0 x 10(-11) M. In human neutrophils the Dxg peptides III-V have ED50 values ranging from 2.3 x 10(-8) to 5.9 x 10(-10) M, with the activity order being V > IV > III. While peptides I-IV are less active than the parent, For-Met-Leu-Phe-OH, in stimulating histamine release from human basophils, the Dbg peptide V is appreciably more potent, suggesting its potential utility as a probe for formyl peptide receptors.

Peptides from the amino-terminus of mouse mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 are potent chemoattractants.

Binding of N-formylated chemotactic peptides to specific cell surface receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes initiates a wide range of biological responses including migration of inflammatory cells, superoxide release, lysosomal enzyme secretion, calcium mobilization, and cellular activation. We previously established that the mouse MHC class I-b molecule H-2M3a binds peptides from the NH2-terminus of the mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1). Inasmuch as the N-formyl group is essential for peptide binding both to the chemotactic peptide receptor and to H-2M3a, we sought to test whether ND1 peptides can induce chemotaxis. We now show that fND1(1-12), fND1(1-8), fND1(1-5), fND1(1-4) and fND1(1-3) trigger the chemotactic receptor. Although all tested ND1 peptide derivatives were chemotactic, we found an inverse relationship between peptide length and chemotactic potency (ED50). Our data establish that mitochondrially derived peptides are potent chemotactic ligands. The release of N-formylated peptides from disintegrating mitochondria may play an important role in the inflammatory response resulting from tissue injury. By attracting the host phagocytic cells to sites of tissue breakdown, these peptides could mediate an essential first step in tissue repair and healing.

A high potency nonformylated peptide agonist for the phagocyte N-formylpeptide chemotactic receptor.

Analysis of synthetic tri- and tetrapeptides has previously indicated that N-formylation is required for high biological activity when they react with the phagocyte N-formylpeptide receptor, suggesting that the natural ligand for the receptor is from bacterial and/or mitochondrial sources. To explore this requirement further, we synthesized the pentapeptide methionyl-norleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanyl-phenylalanine (MNleLFF) and studied the effects of different NH2-terminal modifications on its activity. N-formyl-MNleLFF induced transient alterations of [Ca2+]i and superoxide production in human neutrophils with 10- and 100-fold greater potency, respectively, than the proto-type N-formylpeptide, N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF). Surprisingly, N-acetyl-MNleLFF was a potent as N-formyl-MNleLFF. Moreover, the unacylated counterpart H-MNleLFF was also highly active, having an EC50 for calcium mobilization of 10 nM, and for respiratory burst activation of 100 nM. All three pentapeptides could completely desensitize calcium transients elicited by stimulation of neutrophils with fMLF, whereas the neutrophil chemoattractants C5a and interleukin 8 only weakly affected fMLF-induced transients, suggesting that they activate neutrophils via the same receptor as fMLF. Finally, all three pentapeptides activated the recombinant human N-formylpeptide receptor expressed in frog oocytes, but did not effectively activate related phagocyte receptors. These data broaden the potential sources of natural ligands for the N-formyl-peptide receptor from N-formylated bacterial and mitochondrial products to other nonformylated endogenous peptides.

Cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 translocates to membrane fraction in human neutrophils activated by stimuli that phosphorylate mitogen-activated protein kinase.

The addition of the chemotactic peptide formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) to human neutrophils pretreated with the cytokine granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) results in a 10-fold enhanced activity of phospholipase A2, measured as the release of arachidonic acid. It is found that GM-CSF increases the tyrosine phosphorylation, enhances the activity of a mitogen-activated protein kinase, and greatly potentiates the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and enhanced activity of this kinase. Stimuli that increase the tyrosine phosphorylation, enhance the activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cause a rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium increase the amount of phospholipase A2 associated with the plasma membrane. This increase corresponds to a decrease in the amount found in the cytosol. Whereas GM-CSF alone produces only a small increase in the amount of phospholipase A2 associated with the membrane, it potentiates greatly the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced increase. The total amount (whole cell) of phospholipase A2, as measured by immunoblotting using anti-phospholipase A2 antibody, does not change upon stimulation of human neutrophils with GM-CSF, fMet-Leu-Phe, or both. In addition, the band that corresponds to phospholipase A2 is shifted upward in membrane isolated from neutrophils stimulated with fMet-Leu-Phe, suggesting that the enzyme has been altered, possibly phosphorylated, though not on tyrosine residues. A working hypothesis is presented. Briefly, stimulation of human neutrophils with GM-CSF, in the absence of an additional stimulus, increases the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of a mitogen-activated protein kinase, which in turn phosphorylates and activates cytoplasmic phospholipase A2. In the presence of an increased intracellular concentration of free calcium the phospholipase A2 is translocated to the plasma membrane where its substrate is located. GM-CSF also potentiates greatly the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of a mitogen-activated protein kinase and, since fMet-Leu-Phe causes an intracellular calcium rise, the amount of the phospholipase A2 that is associated with the membrane fraction.

Conformationally constrained formyl methionyl tripeptides: structure-function study of analogs containing alpha,beta-dehydrophenylalanine and dehydroleucine.

In order to probe the role of peptide backbone conformation on the biological activity of chemotactic peptides through conformationally constrained peptides, we synthesized the following three analogs of N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-OH (fMLF) containing dehydrophenylalanine (delta ZPhe) and dehydroleucine (delta ZLeu): formyl-Met-delta ZPhe-Phe-OCH3 (1), formyl-Met-delta ZLeu-Phe-OCH3 (2) and formyl-Met-delta ZPhe-delta ZPhe-OCH3 (3) and studied their conformational behavior in solution by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The conformation of (1) was also examined by x-ray diffraction methods. Biological activity of these analogs was assessed for their ability to induce the release of beta-glucosaminidase from rabbit neutrophils. In addition, the chemotactic activity of analog (2) was also determined. We found that, in the solid state, (1) favors a type II beta-turn structure, stabilized by a 4-->1 intramolecular hydrogen bond. A similar structure was reported recently for (2) also. 1H NMR studies in solution suggest that the Phe NH is solvent shielded in both (1) and (2) and that a major population of peptide molecule exists in an intramolecular hydrogen bond stabilized type II beta-turn conformation. None of the NH groups in (3) and another analog, formyl-Met-Phe-Phe-OCH3 (4), appear solvent shielded, favoring an extended structure for these analogs. Analogs (2) and (4) are highly active indicating that both extended and beta-turn backbone conformations may be compatible with high activity and that the phenylalanine ring in the middle position is well accepted. Highly reduced activities of (1) and (3) suggest that delta ZPhe residue in position 2, irrespective of the preferred peptide backbone conformation, is not acceptable for high bioactivity. These results suggest that an induced fit mechanism may possibly be the most relevant one, but the nature and the topography of the side chains, particularly the middle residue, may be crucial for appropriate receptor ligand interactions.

Lipopolysaccharide in combination with serum potentiates the stimulated activity of phospholipase D in human neutrophils via CD14.

The addition of fMet-Leu-Phe or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to human neutrophils stimulates phospholipase D activity as evidenced by the release of phosphatidic acid and the generation of diacylglycerol, and in the presence of ethanol the formation of phosphatidyl ethanol. The activation of phospholipase D by either the chemotactic factor or active phorbol ester is inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin. The fMet-Leu-Phe-induced stimulation of this enzyme is greatly potentiated in cells which have been preincubated with low concentrations of lipopolysaccharide and serum. The presence of serum is essential for the potentiation by low concentrations of lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, the monoclonal antibody MY4(IgG2b) against CD14 inhibits the potentiation by the low concentration of lipopolysaccharide. These data suggest three important points. First, a tyrosine kinase step is necessary for the activation of phospholipase D. This suggests that the phospholipase D enzyme needs to be phosphorylated on tyrosine residues to be activated. Second, low concentrations of lipopolysaccharide, in the presence of serum, can potentiate the stimulated activity of this enzyme. Third, the priming action of the lipopolysaccharide-serum complex is mediated by CD14.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein kinase in human neutrophils.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine, tumor necrosis factor alpha, platelet-activating factor, phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), and calcium ionophore A23187 are able to increase the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of different protein substrates, as demonstrated by Western blotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (anti-PY). A protein of 41 kDa (p41) consistently showed more intense reactivity to anti-PY than controls. Blots treated with anti-PY, stripped of the antibody, and reblotted with microtubule-associated protein kinase (MAPK, p42MAPK) antibody show only one band. The molecular mass of that band exactly matches that of p41. MAPK-reactive protein is present in control and stimulated cells, although the intensity of the band is greater in the latter. GM-CSF-stimulated phosphorylation of p41 is time- and dose-dependent. Anti-MAPK antibody detects a single band of 41 kDa, whose intensity increases with time of incubation and concentration of the agonist. Thus, the anti-MAPK antibody appears to react better to the phosphorylated form of p41 from GM-CSF-stimulated cells than to the dephosphorylated form. The p41 and MAPK proteins are localized in the cytosol. Finally, MAPK immunoprecipitates were probed with anti-PY in Western blots and a band of 41 kDa was found. In summary, these results suggest that this 41-kDa protein in neutrophils that is tyrosine phosphorylated in response to GM-CSF and other stimuli is MAPK. Its phosphorylation may represent an early and crucial signal associated with the GM-CSF neutrophil stimulation cascade.

Lipopolysaccharide and serum cause the translocation of G-protein to the membrane and prime neutrophils via CD14.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in combination with human serum, in the absence of a second stimulus, causes an increase in the amount of the alpha -subunit (Gi alpha 2) of the guanine nucleotide binding protein Gi2 associated with the membrane. The LPS-serum complex also primes human neutrophils for O2- production in response to stimulation by the chemotactic factor fMet-Leu-Phe. Added serum factor is essential for priming at low concentrations of LPS. In the presence of serum, significant potentiation can be observed at LPS concentration as low as 0.1 ng/ml. The priming is dose and time dependent. Furthermore, the observed actions of the LPS-serum complex are not reversible since they cannot be overcome by washing. Monoclonal antibody against CD14 inhibits both the direct and priming actions of the LPS-serum complex. On the other hand, neither the antibody against CD11b nor the antibody against TNF-alpha inhibits the action of this complex.

Phorbol ester inhibits granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor binding and tyrosine phosphorylation.

Exposure of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) results in a 70-75% reduction in the specific binding of 125I-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to its receptors. The PMA-induced reduction in 125I-GM-CSF binding is due to a decrease in the number of available GM-CSF receptors, as derived from Scatchard analysis of the binding data. On the other hand, the phorbol ester 4-alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha-PDD) fails to affect 125I-GM-CSF binding. PMA promotes phosphorylation on tyrosine residues of several proteins, as demonstrated by Western blotting analysis using antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. The molecular masses of those proteins are 41, 55, 66, 78, 85, 104, and 115 kDa. GM-CSF increases the levels of the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, the majority of which have similar Mr to those found in PMA-stimulated neutrophils. This increase, on all but the 41-kDa protein, is partially prevented by treatment of the cells with PMA. The inhibition by PMA of GM-CSF binding to its receptors and its phosphorylated effects is partially prevented by the protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine and, to a greater extent, by staurosporine. It is suggested that PMA, through the activation of protein kinase C, interrupts the excitation-response sequence initiated by GM-CSF, which includes tyrosine phosphorylation, and that the earliest altered step is the binding of GM-CSF to its receptor.

Modulation of leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor binding to neutrophils.

Preincubation of human neutrophils with the human hormone granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inhibits the specific binding of leukotriene B4 ([3H]LTB4) but not the nonmetabolizable bioactive platelet-activating factor ([3H]C-PAF) to intact cells. This inhibition requires that the GM-CSF interacts with intact cells. The action of GM-CSF is not prevented by pertussis toxin. Moreover, the rise in calcium produced by LTB4 but not by PAF is also inhibited in human neutrophils pretreated with GM-CSF. Interestingly, neither the inhibitory action of GM-CSF on [3H]LTB4 binding or LTB4-induced calcium rise nor the potentiation of superoxide production by GM-CSF is reduced by inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism by the lipoxygenase pathway. In contrast, preincubation of human neutrophils with either the chemotactic factor formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) or the active phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), inhibits the binding of both [3H]LTB4 and [3H]C-PAF to intact cells. The inhibitory actions of GM-CSF, PMA, and fMet-Leu-Phe require that they interact with the intact cells; their actions cannot be reproduced in plasma membrane preparations. The effects of both GM-CSF and fMet-Leu-Phe cannot be prevented by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine. The mechanisms of fMet-Leu-Phe and GM-CSF actions are probably not mediated through the release of LTB4 by the cells. Interestingly, this new action, unlike other reported effects of GM-CSF, is not mediated through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein (Gi alpha 2). This indicates that not all GM-CSF receptors are coupled to Gi alpha 2.

The significance of functional receptor heterogeneity in the biological responses of the rabbit neutrophil to stimulation by chemotactic formyl peptides.

The characteristics of binding to the chemotactic receptors on rabbit peritoneal neutrophils were examined for seven formyl peptide analogues. These receptor-binding characteristics were compared with the abilities of the analogues to induce the biological responses of degranulation and chemotaxis. Five of the analogues showed distinct functional heterogeneity in their receptor-binding patterns, whereas the two most potent compounds displayed homogeneous binding patterns. The relative potencies of the formyl peptide analogues for stimulation of degranulation correlated well with their relative potencies for high-affinity, but not low-affinity, binding. The biphasic patterns for stimulation of chemotactic migration were similar for the less potent analogues, and their potencies paralleled those for both degranulation and receptor binding. In contrast, the most potent analogues induced a greater maximal extent of chemotactic migration than the other compounds, but displayed a lower than expected potency (i.e. they required higher than expected concentrations). These anomalies in the patterns of the chemotactic response cannot be reconciled with a simple receptor model comprising two independent classes of receptors. Instead, a model comprising interconvertible states of different affinities is proposed. The state of higher affinity appears to play a central role in initiation of both degranulation and chemotaxis. The more potent formyl peptide analogues are thought to stabilize an activated, higher-affinity, state of the receptor; this can explain their greater efficacy in stimulating chemotaxis. The proposed model may also be applicable to other receptors that are coupled by a guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein to their associated effector.

A conformation-activity study of the [L-(alpha Me)Phe]3 analog of the formyl methionyl tripeptide chemoattractant.

CHO-L-Met-L-Leu-L-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe, an analog of the formyl methionyl tripeptide chemoattractant CHO-L-Met-L-Leu-L-Phe-OH, was synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. This compound was prepared to determine the effect of the incorporation of a conformationally restricted C alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acid residue at position 3 on the relation of three-dimensional structure to biological activity. The peptide was tested for its ability to induce granule enzyme secretion from rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In parallel, a conformational analysis was performed in the crystal state by x-ray diffraction and in organic solution by infrared absorption and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. These biological and conformational data are discussed in relation to those of the prototype tripeptide and its methyl ester.

Replacement of the N alpha-blocking group in the formyl-methionyl tripeptide chemoattractant: an insight into the mode of binding at the receptor on rabbit neutrophils.

The tripeptide N alpha-carbamoyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester has been synthesized in solution by classical methods and fully characterized. This compound, prepared in order to obtain a deeper insight into the mode of binding at the formyl peptide chemotactic receptor, has been tested for its ability to induce granule enzyme secretion from rabbit peritoneal neutrophils and found to be a complete agonist. These results confirm the hypothesis that a proton on the N alpha-blocking group of the tripeptide forms a hydrogen bond with an acceptor in the binding site.

Purification and characterization of soluble inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphomonoesterase from rabbit peritoneal neutrophils.

A specific soluble inositol phosphate 5-phosphomonoesterase has been purified approximately 2,700-fold from a 120,000g supernatant of rabbit neutrophil homogenate. The specific enzyme represented 25-50% of the total hydrolytic activity toward inositol, 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3) with the remaining activity hydrolyzing both Ins-1,4,5-P3 as well as inositol 1,4-bisphosphate (Ins-1,4-P2). However, the enzyme could not be identified on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels stained with Coomassie blue, indicating that it represents a minor protein in the purified enzyme preparations. The purified enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 43,000-47,000 daltons as determined by gel filtration and is free of other inositol phosphate phosphomonoesterases. The enzyme hydrolyzes Ins-1,4,5-P3 with an apparent Km of 18 microM and a Vmax of 1.2 mumol/min/mg. The 5-phosphomonoesterase requires Mg2+ for activity and is not affected by physiological concentrations of Ca2+ or calmodulin. The pH optimum for activity is 7.5. Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate is a potent competitive inhibitor of Ins-1,4,5-P3 hydrolysis (Ki = microM), whereas Ins-1,4-P2 is a weak inhibitor (Ki = 173 microM). Ins-1,4,5-P3 hydrolysis is relatively unaffected by monophosphorylated substrates, however, bisphosphorylated substrates are potent inhibitors. Comparisons of neutrophil 5-phosphomonoesterase characteristics with those of platelet and rat brain enzymes support the idea that each 5-phosphomonoesterase may be a unique enzyme and play a different role dependent upon the cell or tissue in which it acts.

Comparison of stimulation by chemotactic formyl peptide analogs between GTPase activity in neutrophil plasma membranes and granule enzyme release from intact neutrophils.

Stimulation by fMet-Leu-Phe analogs of GTPase activity in plasma membranes from rabbit neutrophils was compared with the stimulation of degranulation in intact neutrophils. All four formyl peptides examined (fMet-Leu-Phe-Phe, fMet-Leu-Phe, fNle-Leu-Phe, and fVal-Leu-Phe) were full agonists for both responses. Their ED50 values for the two responses correlated well, although those for GTPase stimulation were uniformly about tenfold greater. The specific antagonist tBoc-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Phe competitively inhibited both GTPase activity and degranulation stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe; its Ki values were similar for the two responses. Pertussis toxin treatment, in contrast, inhibited the maximal stimulation of both responses by fMet-Leu-Phe with minimal shift in ED50. The inhibitory actions of tBoc-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Phe and pertussis toxin on GTPase activity thus paralleled the effects on degranulation. These observations substantiate the hypothesis that a guanine nucleotide-binding protein that is a pertussis toxin substrate couples the formyl peptide receptors to physiological function in the neutrophil.

N alpha-formylated and tert-butyloxycarbonylated Phe-(Leu-Phe)n and (Leu-Phe)n peptides as agonists and antagonists of the chemotactic formylpeptide receptor of the rabbit peritoneal neutrophil.

The various diastereomers of the N alpha-formylated(CHO) and tert-butyloxycarbonylated (t-Boc) Phe-(Leu-Phe)n and (Leu-Phe)n methyl esters, where n = 1-2 and 1-3, respectively, have been newly synthesized and their physical properties described. The CHO-blocked peptides are all able to release beta-glucosaminidase from rabbit peritoneal neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner. There is a strong effect of primary structure and of chirality on their biology activity; lengthening the peptide chain distinctly increases activity in each series and within a series the activity decreases in the order: all-L greater than D-L much greater than all-D. Of the t-Boc protected synthetic precursors, the all-L isomers have definite but weak agonist activity; the agonist activity of the other isomers is equivocal or not detectable. All the t-Boc peptides, however, are capable of acting as weak, specific antagonists. There is a dependence of antagonist activity on primary structure, but this is variable and contingent on the nature of the peptide. Similarly, an effect of chirality on antagonist activity, although present, also depends on the structure of the peptide. In the one instance directly tested, t-Boc-L-Phe-(D-Leu-L-Phe)2-OMe (OMe, methoxy) was found to be distinctly less active than the corresponding free acid.

The short and happy life of neutrophil activation.

This is largely a history of attempts from approximately 1960 until about 1980-81 to understand the mechanisms by which neutrophils are activated by chemotactic factors to induce chemotaxis and granule secretion. As such, it deals with the growth of our knowledge of neutrophil chemotactic factors and their receptors; the importance and role of cation fluxes, especially Ca2+, microfilaments and microtubules, membrane potential, cyclic nucleotides, and the start of our recognition of the importance of arachidonic acid and phospholipid metabolism and protein phosphorylation. In a very real sense this is a history of the origins of our present realization that reactions and functions which had been considered specific to the neutrophil are to be thought of as similar or identical to general biological and physiological processes such as muscle contraction, cellular secretion, etc.