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.

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.

Cloning and functional characterization of the amphibian mesotocin receptor, a member of the oxytocin/vasopressin receptor superfamily.

Mesotocin is the oxytocin-like hormone found in most terrestrial vertebrates from lungfishes to marsupials, which includes all non-mammalian tetrapods (amphibians, reptiles, and birds). It has the largest distribution in vertebrates after vasotocin found in all non-mammalian vertebrates and isotocin identified in bony fishes. In this study, we report the cloning and functional characterization of the cDNA for the mesotocin receptor (MTR) from the urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus. The cloned cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 389 amino acids that shows the greatest similarity to the teleost fish isotocin receptor and to mammalian oxytocin receptors with mutations in extracellular loops which are involved in ligand binding. When expressed in COSM6 cells, MTR exhibits the following relative order of ligand affinity: mesotocin > vasotocin = oxytocin > vasopressin > hydrin 1, isotocin, hydrin 2. Injection of MTR cRNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes induces membrane chloride currents in response to mesotocin, which indicates the coupling of the mesotocin receptor to the inositol phosphate/calcium pathway. This response is inhibited by an oxytocin antagonist, but not by a vasopressin antagonist specific for V2 vasopressin receptors. MTR mRNA is not only found in toad urinary bladder, but also in kidney, muscle, and brain tissue of the toad as revealed by northern blot analysis and reverse-transcriptase PCR. The results suggest a variety of function for mesotocin and its receptor including, in particular, an involvement in the regulation of water and salt transport.

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.