The discovery of novel vasopressin V1b receptor ligands for pharmacological, functional and structural investigations.

Until recently, pharmacological studies dealing with vasopressin receptor isoforms were severely hampered by the lack of selective agonists or antagonists that recognize the pituitary V(1b) vasopressin receptor. By contrast, many selective vasopressin-related compounds are available for characterization of the vasopressor (V(1a)) or antidiuretic (V(2)) vasopressin receptor subtypes. Recently, SSR149415, a selective nonpeptide molecule, was discovered with nanomolar affinity for mammalian V(1b) receptors and good selectivity for the other vasopressin and oxytocin receptor isoforms. This molecule exhibits potent antagonist properties both in vitro and in vivo. We also designed synthetic peptides derived from [deaminocysteine(1),arginine(8)]vasopressin (dAVP), modified in position 4 by various amino acid residues. Some of these, d[cyclohexylalanine(4)]AVP or d[lysine(4)]AVP, have a high affinity and an excellent selectivity for the human V(1b) receptor subtype. However, they exhibit a mixed V(1b)/V(2) pharmacological profile for the rat vasopressin receptor isoforms. Whatever the species considered, these peptides behave as agonists both in bioassays performed in vitro and in vivo. The d[cyclohexylalanine(4)]AVP was tritiated and represents the first selective radiolabelled ligand available for studying the human V(1b) receptors. The discovery of these new selective V(1b) agonists and V(1b) antagonist allows an accurate pharmacological characterization of all the vasopressin receptor isoforms. As emphasized in this review, attention to the vasopressin and oxytocin receptor species differences is of critical importance in studies with all vasopressin and oxytocin ligands.

Design, synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a potent radioiodinated and photoactivatable peptidic oxytocin antagonist.

Using a segment strategy, we have synthesized four iodinated photoactivatable cyclic peptidic ligands of oxytocin, bearing a beta-mercapto-betabeta-cyclopentamethylene propionic group (Pmp) on their N-terminus. All the syntheses were RP-HPLC monitored, and the compounds were HPLC purified. They were characterized by 1H NMR, MALDI-TOF, or FAB mass spectrometries. The affinities of Pmp-Tyr(Me)-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Gly-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (20), Pmp-Tyr-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Gly-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (21), Pmp-Tyr(Me)-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Pro-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (22), and Pmp-Tyr-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Pro-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (23) were evaluated as inhibition constants (K(i), in nM) for the human oxytocin receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells by displacement of a radioiodinated disulfide-cyclized antagonist (Elands et al. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 1987, 147, 197-207). The most potent of them, compound 22, was synthesized by another method in order to allow its radiolabeling by 125I. Its dissociation constant (K(d)) for the human oxytocin receptor, directly measured in saturation studies, was 0.25 +/- 0.04 nM, and its antagonist properties were determined by inactivation of phospholipase C, thus obtaining an inactivation constant (K(inact)) of 0.18 +/- 0.02 nM, evaluated by inositol phosphate accumulation. This compound is a very good tool for the mapping of peptidic antagonist binding sites in the human oxytocin receptor.

Direct identification of human oxytocin receptor-binding domains using a photoactivatable cyclic peptide antagonist: comparison with the human V1a vasopressin receptor.

Understanding of the molecular determinants responsible for antagonist binding to the oxytocin receptor should provide important insights that facilitate rational design of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of preterm labor. To study ligand/receptor interactions, we used a novel photosensitive radioiodinated antagonist of the human oxytocin receptor, d(CH(2))(5) [Tyr(Me)(2),Thr(4),Orn(8),Phe(3(125)I,4N(3))-NH(2)9]vasotocin. This ligand had an equivalent high affinity for human oxytocin and V(1a) vasopressin receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Taking advantage of this dual specificity, we conducted photoaffinity labeling experiments on both receptors. Photolabeled oxytocin and V(1a) receptors appeared as a unique protein band at 70-75 kDa and two labeled protein bands at 85-90 and 46 kDa, respectively. To identify contact sites between the antagonist and the receptors, the labeled 70-75- and the 46-kDa proteins were cleaved with CNBr and digested with Lys-C and Arg-C endoproteinases. The fragmentation patterns allowed the identification of a covalently labeled region in the oxytocin receptor transmembrane domain III consisting of the residues Leu(114)-Val(115)-Lys(116). Analysis of contact sites in the V(1a) receptor led to the identification of the homologous region consisting of the residues Val(126)-Val(127)-Lys(128). Binding domains were confirmed by mutation of several CNBr cleavage sites in the oxytocin receptor and of one Lys-C cleavage site in the V(1a) receptor. The results are in agreement with previous experimental data and three-dimensional models of agonist and antagonist binding to members of the oxytocin/vasopressin receptor family.

Docking of linear peptide antagonists into the human V(1a) vasopressin receptor. Identification of binding domains by photoaffinity labeling.

A novel photoactivatable linear peptide antagonist selective for the V(1a) vasopressin receptor, [(125)I][Lys(3N(3) Phpa)(8)]HO-LVA, was synthesized, characterized, and used to photolabel the human receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Two specific glycosylated protein species at 85-90 and 46 kDa were covalently labeled, a result identical to that obtained with a previous photosensitive ligand, [(125)I]3N(3)Phpa-LVA (Phalipou, S., Cotte, N. , Carnazzi, E., Seyer, R., Mahe, E., Jard, S., Barberis, C., and Mouillac, B. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 26536-26544). To identify contact sites between the new photoreactive analogue and the V(1a) receptor, the labeled receptors were digested with Lys-C or Asp-N endoproteinases and chemically cleaved with CNBr. Fragmentation with CNBr, Lyc-C, and Asp-N used alone or in combination, led to the identification of a restricted receptor region spanning the first extracellular loop. The results established that sequence Asp(112)-Pro(120) could be considered as the smallest covalently labeled fragment with [(125)I][Lys(3N(3)Phpa)(8)]HO-LVA. Based on the present experimental result and on previous photoaffinity labeling data obtained with [(125)I]3N(3)Phpa-LVA (covalent attachment to transmembrane domain VII), three-dimensional models of the antagonist-bound receptors were constructed and then verified by site-directed mutagenesis studies. Strikingly, these two linear peptide antagonists, when bound to the V(1a) receptor, could adopt a pseudocyclic conformation similar to that of the cyclic agonists. Despite divergent functional properties, these peptide antagonists could interact with a transmembrane-binding site significantly overlapping that of the natural hormone vasopressin.

Distribution of signaling molecules involved in vasopressin-induced Ca2+ mobilization in rat hepatocyte multiplets.

In freshly isolated rat hepatocyte multiplets, Ca2+ signals in response to vasopressin are highly organized. In this study we used specific probes to visualize, by fluorescence and confocal microscopy, the main signaling molecules involved in vasopressin-mediated Ca2+ responses. V1a receptors were detected with a novel fluorescent antagonist, Rhm8-PVA. The Galphaq/Galpha11, PLCbeta3, PIP2, and InsP3 receptors were detected with specific antibodies. V1a vasopressin receptors and PIP2 were associated with the basolateral membrane and were not detected in the bile canalicular domain. Galphaq/Galpha11, PLCbeta3, and InsP3 receptors were associated with the basolateral membrane and also with other intracellular structures. We used double labeling, Western blotting, and drugs (cytochalasin D, colchicine) known to disorganize the cytoskeleton to demonstrate the partial co-localization of Galphaq/Galpha11 with F-actin.

Fluorescent pseudo-peptide linear vasopressin antagonists: design, synthesis, and applications.

Fluoresceinyl and rhodamyl groups have been coupled by an amide link to side-chain amino groups at positions 1, 6, and 8 of pseudo-peptide linear vasopressin antagonists (Manning et al. Int. J. Pept. Protein Res. 1992, 40, 261-267) through different positions on the fluorophore, to give tetraethylrhodamyl-DTyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (2), 4-HOPh(CH2)2CO-DTyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Lys(5-carboxyfl uoresceinyl)-Pro-A rg-NH2 (4), 4-HOPh(CH2)2CO-DTyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Lys(5- or 6-carboxytetramethylrhodamyl)-Pro-Arg-NH2 (5, 6), 4-HOPh(CH2)2CO-DTyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Lys(5- or 6- carboxyfluoresceinyl)-NH2 (8, 9), and 4-HOPh(CH2)2CO-DTyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Lys(5- or 6- carboxytetramethylrhodamyl)-NH2 (10, 11). The closer to the C-terminus the fluorophore, the higher the affinities of the fluorescent derivatives for the human vasopressin V1a receptor transfected in CHO cells. The compound 10 has a Ki of 70 pM, as determined by competition experiments with [125I]-4-HOPhCH2CO-DTyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-NH2. It showed a good selectivity for human V1a receptor versus human OT (Ki = 1.2 nM), human vasopressin V1b (Ki approximately 27 nM), and human vasopressin V2 (Ki > 5000 nM) receptor subtypes. All fluorescent analogues were antagonists as shown by the inhibition of vasopressin induced inositol phosphate accumulation. These fluorescent ligands are efficient for labeling cells expressing the human V1a receptor subtype, as shown by flow cytofluorometric experiments or fluorescence microscopy. They are also appropriate tools for structural analysis of the vasopressin receptors by fluorescence.

Visualization of cell surface vasopressin V1a receptors in rat hepatocytes with a fluorescent linear antagonist.

To visualize cell surface V1a vasopressin receptors in rat hepatocytes in the absence of receptor-mediated endocytosis, we used a high-affinity fluorescent linear antagonist, Rhm8-PVA. Epifluorescence microscopy (3CCD camera) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used. Rhm8-PVA alone did not stimulate Ca2+ signals and competitively blocked Ca2+ signals (Kinact of 3.0 nM) evoked by arginine vasopressin (vasopressin). When rat hepatocytes were incubated with 10 nM of Rhm8-PVA for 30 min at 4C, the fluorescent antagonist bound to the surface of cells, presumably the plasma membrane. The V1a receptor specificity of Rhm8-PVA binding was confirmed by its displacement by the nonfluorescent antagonist V4253 and by the natural hormone vasopressin at 4C. Prior vasopressin-mediated endocytosis of V1a receptors at 37C abolished binding of the labeled antagonist, whereas in non-preincubated cells, Rhm8-PVA labeled the cell surface of rat hepatocytes. When cells labeled with Rhm8-PVA at 4C were warmed to 37C to initiate receptor-mediated internalization of the fluorescent complex, Rhm8-PVA remained at the cell surface. Incubation temperature at 4C or 37C had little effect on binding of Rhm8-PVA. We conclude that Rhm8-PVA is unable to evoke receptor-mediated endocytosis and can readily be used to visualize cell surface receptors in living cells.

Mapping peptide-binding domains of the human V1a vasopressin receptor with a photoactivatable linear peptide antagonist.

The study of antagonist-binding domains of the human V1a vasopressin receptor was performed using a radioiodinated photoreactive peptide antagonist. This ligand displayed a high affinity for the receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes, and specifically labeled two protein bands with apparent molecular mass at 85-90 and 46 kDa. Our results clearly show that the V1a receptor is degraded during incubation with the ligand and that the 46-kDa species is probably the result of the 85-90-kDa species proteolytic cleavage. Truncation of the receptor was then confirmed by deglycosylation with N-glycosidase F. A monoclonal antibody directed against a c-Myc epitope added at the receptor NH2 terminus allowed immunoprecipitation of the 85-90-kDa photolabeled species. The 46-kDa photolabeled protein never immunoprecipitated, indicating that the truncated form of the receptor lacks the NH2 terminus region. To localize photolabeled domains of the receptor, the 46-kDa protein was cleaved with V8 and/or Lys-C endoproteinases. The identity of the smallest photolabeled fragment, observed at approximately 6 kDa, was then confirmed by mutation of the potential V8 cleavage sites. Our results indicate that covalent labeling of the vasopressin V1a receptor with the photoreactive antagonist occurs in a region including transmembrane domain VII (residues Asn327-Lys370).

Efficient photoaffinity labeling of the rat V1a vasopressin receptor using a linear azidopeptidic antagonist.

We have synthesized and fully characterized by fast-atom-bombardment-mass, NMR and ultraviolet spectroscopies the vasopressin antagonist 3-azidophenylpropionyl-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr(3I )-NH2. Easily radioiodinatable just before use, it has a high affinity for the natural rat liver V1a receptor [dissociation constant (Kd) = 54 +/- 20 pM; Carnazzi, E., Aumelas, A., Barberis, C., Guillon, G. & Seyer, R. (1994) J. Med. Chem. 37, 1841-1849] and for both the rat vasopressin V1a receptor expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 cells (Sf9 cells, Kd = 688 +/- 35 pM) and in COS-7 cells (Kd = 320 +/- 20 pM). This probe labels specifically the V1a receptors in an ultraviolet-dependent manner, and binds covalently to about 12% of the receptors with high stability over several days, even in dissociation or solubilization conditions. SDS/PAGE studies and autoradiographic analyses of the photolabeled receptors reveal a single band (49.5 kDa) and two bands (63 kDa and 93.6 kDa) for receptor-probe associations obtained in Sf9 and COS-7 cells respectively. These molecular masses are consistent with non-glycosylated and highly glycosylated forms of the receptor, according to each expression system. In rat liver membranes, we have identified apparent molecular masses of about 32, 45 and more than 67 kDa. We finally demonstrated a proteolysis of the receptor that appeared to be Zn2+ and leupeptin sensitive. The high potency of this ligand is promising for the monitoring of the purification of the V1a receptor and for mapping its antagonist-binding site.

Synthetic rat V1a vasopressin receptor fragments interfere with vasopressin binding via specific interaction with the receptor.

To study the vasopressin receptor domains involved in the hormonal binding, we synthesized natural and modified fragments of V1a vasopressin receptor and tested their abilities to affect hormone-receptor interactions. Natural fragments mimicking the external loops one, two, and three were able to inhibit specific vasopressin binding to V1a receptor. In contrast, the natural N-terminal part of the V1a vasopressin receptor was found inactive. One fragment, derived from the external second loop and containing an additional C-terminal cysteine amide, was able to fully inhibit the specific binding of both labeled vasopressin agonist and antagonist to rat liver V1a vasopressin receptor and the vasopressin-sensitive phospholipase C of WRK1 cells. The peptide-mediated inhibition involved specific interactions between the V1a receptor and synthetic V1a vasopressin receptor fragment since 1) it was dependent upon the vasopressin receptor subtype tested (Ki(app) for the peptide: 3.7, 14.6, and 64.5 microM for displacing [3H]vasopressin from rat V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors, respectively; 2) it was specific and did not affect sarcosin 1-angiotensin II binding to rat liver membranes; 3) it was not mimicked by vasopressin receptor unrelated peptides exhibiting putative detergent properties; and 4) no direct interaction between [3H]vasopressin and synthetic peptide linked to an affinity chromatography column could be observed. Such an inhibition affected both the maximal binding capacity of the V1a vasopressin receptor and its affinity for the labeled hormone, depending upon the dose of synthetic peptide used and was partially irreversible. Structure-activity studies using a serie of synthetic fragments revealed the importance of their size and cysteinyl composition. These data indicate that some peptides mimicking extracellular loops of the V1a vasopressin receptor may interact with the vasopressin receptor itself and modify its coupling with phospholipase C.

Development and standardization of an immuno-quantified solid phase assay for HIV-1 aspartyl protease activity and its application to the evaluation of inhibitors.

The catELISA technique was modified and standardized for measuring HIV-1 aspartyl protease activity and evaluating the potency of synthetic peptide inhibitors. This immuno-quantified solid phase assay combines the use of an immobilized C-terminal biotinylated peptide as substrate, a crude enzyme preparation, and a highly specific antiserum elicited against the C-terminal product of the enzyme reaction. A standard curve of this C-terminal product was constructed to determine the enzyme activity. This assay, which requires less enzyme and substrate, is more sensitive than the conventional HPLC method. The amounts of C-terminal peptide produced in solution as determined from ELISA and HPLC standard curves were comparable. Analogues of peptidomimetics designed in our laboratory were assayed for their potency to inhibit the enzyme. One of them, H4, which is a hydroxyethylamine isostere of the Phe-Pro peptide bond, was a powerful inhibitor.

Further studies into the Boc/solid-phase synthesis of Ser(P)- and Thr(P)-containing peptides.

The Ser(P)-containing peptide corresponding to phospholamban 11-19, Ac-Ala-Ile-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser(P)-Thr-Ile-Glu-NH2, was prepared by the use of Boc-Ser(PO3Ph2)-OH in Boc/solid-phase peptide synthesis followed by HF cleavage of the peptide from the polystyrene resin and subsequent platinum-mediated hydrogenolytic cleavage of the phenyl phosphate groups. A study of the HF deprotection step showed that extensive dephosphorylation of the Ser(PO3Ph2)-residue occurred using three commonly used HF conditions and gave rise to large quantities of the Ser-containing peptide. The subsequent study of model peptide systems under standard HF conditions established firstly that the extent of dephosphorylation was dependent on the HF-contact time, and secondly that the Ser(PO3Ph2) residue underwent dephosphorylation at a slightly higher rate than the Thr(PO3Ph2) residue.

A new series of photoactivatable and iodinatable linear vasopressin antagonists.

A series of new linear photoactivatable and iodinatable antagonists of the neuropeptidic hormone vasopressin was designed and synthesized by a combination of PyBOP-mediated Boc/solid-phase peptide synthesis and solution synthesis approaches. These were based on modifications of a previously reported potent and selective antagonist of the vasopressor response (V1a receptor) to [arginine]vasopressin, phenylacetyl-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2. (Azidophenyl)alkyl substitutions, of the general structure N3-C6H4(CH2)nCO (n = 0, 1, 2, or 3), were employed in position 1. The seven new analogues are 4-N3-C6H4CO-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (3), 3-N3-C6H4CO-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (12), 4-N3-C6H4CH2-CO-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (13), 3-N3-C6H4CH2CO-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (14), 4-N3-C6H4(CH2)2CO-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (15), 3-N3-C6H4(CH2)2CO-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (16), 4-N3-C6H4-(CH2)3CO-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2 (17). All analogues were tested for their affinity of the rat hepatic V1a receptor. Analogues 3 and 12 have a low affinity (Ki approximately 20 nM) and analogues 13-17 show a high affinity (Ki between 0.04 and 0.3 nM). The affinity values appear to be mainly a function of the alkyl chain length and to a lesser extent of the meta or para position of the azido group on the aromatic ring. Analogues 13-17 were iodinated on the Tyr-9 residue, giving compounds 18-22. All these five iodinated derivatives exhibited Ki values of 0.2-1 nM for rat liver membranes. Their affinities for oxytocin and renal V2 vasopressin receptors were much lower. Moreover, all analogues completely antagonized the vasopressin-stimulated inositol phosphates production in WRK1 cells and were devoided of any agonistic potency. Preliminary covalent binding studies showed improved covalent yields as compared to any previously reported results. They are very promising candidates as potential high-affinity, highly selective, photosensitive ligands for the V1a receptor. They could serve as a useful pharmacological tools for studies on the vasopressin binding site.

Deglycosylation and fragmentation of purified rat liver angiotensin II receptor: application to the mapping of hormone-binding domains.

We report new structural data about the rat liver angiotensin II receptor, which belongs to the AT1 subclass. This receptor has been purified at analytical or semi-preparative levels by a previously described strategy involving its photolabelling with a biotinylated azido probe and selective adsorption of the covalent probe-receptor complexes to immobilized streptavidin [Marie, Seyer, Lombard, Desarnaud, Aumelas, Jard and Bonnafous (1990) Biochemistry 29, 8943-8950]. Chemical or enzymic deglycosylation of the purified receptor has shown a shift in its molecular mass from 65 kDa to 40 kDa. Fragmentation of the purified receptor was carried out with V8 protease from Staphylococcus aureus, CNBr and trypsin. It was possible to find trypsin-treatment conditions which allowed production of a 6 kDa probe-fragment complex with a satisfactory yield. Attempts to localize this small fragment (5 kDa after subtraction of the probe contribution) in the recently published rat AT1 receptor sequence are reported. As expected, this fragment is not glycosylated; moreover, its further fragmentation by CNBr induces a very slight decrease in its size. These data support the hypothesis that a receptor sequence comprising the third transmembrane domain and adjacent portions of extra- and intracellular loops is involved in photolabelling by the C-terminal azidophenylalanine of the angiotensin-derived probe. These preliminary results are discussed in terms of future prospects for the characterization of hormone-binding domains of angiotensin II receptors.

Affinity chromatography purification of angiotensin II receptor using photoactivable biotinylated probes.

We have developed biotinylated photoactivable probes that are suitable for covalent labeling of angiotensin II (AII) receptors and the subsequent purification of covalent complexes through immobilized avidin or streptavidin. One of these probes, biotin-NH(CH2)2SS(CH2)2CO-[Ala1,Phe(4N3)8]AII, which contains a cleavable disulfide bridge in its spacer arm and which displays, in its radioiodinated form, very high affinity for AII receptors (Kd approximately 1 nM), proved to be suitable for indirect affinity chromatography of rat liver receptor with facilitated recovery from avidin gels by use of reducing agents. This constituted the central step of an efficient partial purification scheme involving hydroxylapatite chromatography, streptavidin chromatography, and thiopropyl-Sepharose chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis and autoradiography established the identity of the purified entity (molecular weight 65K) as the AII receptor. Possible ways of completing purification to homogeneity and extrapolation of the protocols to a preparative scale are discussed, as well as the potential contribution of our new probes to the study of the structural properties of angiotensin receptors.

Repetitive BOP coupling (REBOP) in solid phase peptide synthesis. Luliberin synthesis as model.

The coupling reagent (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris-(dimethylamino)phosphonium (BOP) hexafluorophosphate was tested in the synthesis of luliberin (LH-RH) with inexpensive classically protected Boc-amino acids, in slight excess, and benzhydryl amino resin, without any other additive. The good solubility of this reagent and its by-products is of particular interest for automated peptide synthesis. [D-His2]LH-RH was also synthesized and compared with LH-RH by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. As shown by the biological tests and the high performance liquid chromatography study, unprotected pyroGlu and Boc-His can be used without any significant racemization but Boc-His(Boc) was found to be preferable since it gave no detectable racemization and no by-products. The difficult isolation of the minority D-derivative from the crude preparation of LH-RH was resolved by a recycling procedure in reversed phase HPLC.

Characterization of the angiotensin II receptor.

We present a brief overview of the present knowledge on the structural and molecular properties of angiotensin II receptors and the various attempts to determine their primary structures, with special reference to our strategy for receptor purification. The strategy involves covalent labeling of the receptor with synthetic biotinylated photoactivatable probes, followed by indirect affinity chromatography on immobilized streptavidin. The various applications of these probes to the study of structural and molecular properties and to the cell biology of angiotensin II receptors are discussed.

Synthesis of a biotinylated, iodinatable, and photoactivatable probe for angiotensin receptors.

We propose here a biotinyl-aminohexanoyl-[Ala1, Phe(4N3)8]angiotensin II analog as a radioiodinatable and photoactivatable probe for covalent labeling, detection and isolation of angiotensin receptors. A combination of solid phase and minimum-protection segment-coupling strategy using hexafluorophosphate of (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium (BOP) as a coupling reagent is proposed for the synthesis of this probe. Optimized yields were obtained by HPLC monitoring of all reactions. A complete n.m.r. study suggests an extended conformation of this molecule, allowing a simultaneous recognition of receptor and avidin. The probe binds with high affinity (Kd = 2 nM) to angiotensin II receptors from rat liver membranes.

[Production and characterization of human antirenin antibodies prepared with synthetic immunogens]. / Production et caractérisation d'anticorps antirénine humaine préparés avec des immunogènes de synthèse.

Specific blockade of renin angiotensin system can be obtained both by enzymatic inhibitors and by passive and active immunization against renin. Recent studies have shown that synthetic peptides mimicking a protein segment can be used as immunogens to elicit antibodies which react with the parent molecule. In order to develop synthetic antirenin antigens we have selected peptidic sequences from human active renin and synthesized the corresponding peptides to produce antibodies able to recognize the entire human molecule and to inhibit its enzymatic activity. Three dimensional models of human renin were used to predict 17 putative epitopes. Then 18 peptides related to 13 potential antigenic determinants were synthesized by solid or liquid phase technic and 11 were shown to be antigenic when tested by their binding to several polyclonal and monoclonal human renin antibodies. The peptides were injected into rabbits and antisera tested by radio-immunoassay (RIA) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that nine peptides were immunogenic. Mainly, antiserum raised against the peptide mimicking the beta-hairpin 81-50 of active human renin which lies across the catalytic cleft, produced a 25 p. 100 inhibition of plasma renin activity at a 1: 50 dilution. Immunoglobulins, purified from antibodies raised against this epitopes, bound labelled renin and inhibited enzymatic activity of pure human renin on its synthetic tetradecapeptide substrate, in a dose dependent manner.