The recombinant third domain of human alpha-fetoprotein retains the antiestrotrophic activity found in the full-length molecule.

Previous studies have shown that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) interferes with estrogen (E2)-stimulated growth, including E2-stimulated breast cancer growth. In an effort to localize the antiestrotrophic portion of the molecule, the C-terminal one-third (200 amino acids) of human AFP, known as Domain III, was produced in a baculovirus expression system as a fusion protein containing an amino terminal histidine tag. The histidine tag was included to facilitate purification by metal ion affinity chromatography. The purified recombinant Domain III fusion protein was functionally similar to full-length natural AFP isolated from human cord sera or from cultured human hepatoma cells (HepG2) in that they all produced significant and quantitatively similar inhibition of E2-stimulated growth of immature mouse uterus. Furthermore, the dose-response profiles of the recombinant Domain III AFP and natural full-length AFP were similar. Preincubation of either protein in a molar excess of E2 lowered the minimally effective antiestrotrophic dose and produced a difference spectrum consistent with a change in conformation. These findings indicate that the antiestrotrophic activity of AFP is contained within the third domain of the molecule, and they have obvious implications for the production of biologically active peptides derived from this portion of the AFP molecule.

Scintigraphic detection of breast cancer xenografts with Tc-99m natural and recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein.

Because adenocarcinoma of the breast expresses receptors for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), we studied Tc-99m AFP as a radiopharmaceutical to detect breast cancer. The biodistribution of Tc-99m radiolabeled natural human AFP (full length) and recombinant domain III (DIII) of human AFP was compared to Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201 in a murine model of human breast cancer. Estrogen receptor positive (MCF7, T-47D) and estrogen receptor negative (MDA-MB-231, BT-20) human breast cancer xenografts were grown subcutaneously in the lateral thorax region of immunosuppressed mice (ICR SCID). Quantitative comparisons of percent-injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/gram) and tumor to thigh ratio (T/Th) were performed at 0-60 minutes and at 24 hours following injection. For most tumors, T/Th for AFP and DIII was significantly greater than T/Th for Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201. In all breast cancers (BT-20, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, T-47D), Tc-99m AFP T/Th increased from 60 minutes to 24 hours, suggesting good tumor retention of this radiopharmaceutical. DIII and AFP had significantly higher %ID/gram than either Tl-201 or Tc-99m sestamibi when considered across all tumor types at both 60 minutes and 24 hours. The data suggests that localization of Tc-99m AFP in human breast cancer xenografts is initially rapid, increases with time, and is superior to Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201. Given its high uptake by breast cancer cells, its low non-tumor localization and its rapid renal excretion, these Tc-99m AFP preparations may be useful agents to detect human breast carcinoma.

In vitro activity of the herpes simplex virus type 1 protease with peptide substrates.

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) protease is responsible for proteolytic processing of itself and the virus assembly protein ICP35 (infected cell protein 35). Two proteolytic processing sites within the protease have recently been identified between Ala247 and Ser248 and between Ala610 and Ser611. In this report we demonstrate that peptides corresponding to each of these cleavage sites are substrates for recombinant HSV protease-glutathione S-transferase fusion protein in vitro by high performance liquid chromatography analysis of cleavage reactions. Analysis of the products by fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry confirmed that cleavage occurred at the expected position between the Ala and Ser residues of the substrate. Peptide cleavage was linear with respect to time and enzyme concentration and proceeded optimally at pH 8.0. A peptide that spans Ala99/Ser100 of the protease but does not correspond to a naturally occurring cleavage site was not a substrate for the protease in vitro confirming that sequence elements outside the conserved dipeptide sequence are required for substrate recognition and cleavage. Identification of P5-P8' as the minimal substrate peptide for the Ala610/Ser611 cleavage site revealed a requirement for residues flanking the conserved core P4-LVNA/S-P1' in substrate recognition and hydrolysis. Kinetic analysis with peptide P5-P8' yielded a Km of 190 microM and kcat of 0.2 min-1. Experiments with a panel of class-specific protease inhibitors were consistent with the protease being a member of the general class of serine proteases.

Structure-activity studies of endothelin leading to novel peptide ETA antagonists.

With the goal of producing receptor antagonists, numerous monocyclic and bicyclic endothelin analogs were prepared and tested for vasoconstrictor activity, receptor affinity and functional antagonist activity. Bis-penicillamine endothelin analogs containing Ala or Asn at position 18 were functional antagonists, with Ki values of 20-40 nM but KB values of about 1 microM (e.g., [Pen1,11, Nle7, Ala18]-endothelin-1, Ki = 42 nM, KB = 1.2 microM). While these peptides are antagonists at the ETA receptor, they appear to be at least partial agonists at another receptor subtype.

Site-specific biotinylation. A novel approach and its application to endothelin-1 analogs and PTH-analog.

We have developed an expeditious method for the incorporation of the biotinylaminocaproyl moiety on the epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue within a peptide chain in a site-specific manner. Using t-Boc chemistry for the solid phase synthesis approach and a base labile, acid stable protecting group (Fmoc-) for the epsilon-amino group of the target lysine, we prepared fully protected resin bound peptides which are site-specifically biotinylated. Following HF cleavage, the uniquely biotinylated peptides were obtained in a high degree of purity. Using this approach, a number of biotinylaminocaproyllysyl derivatives of a monocyclic Endothelin-1 analog were prepared. Synthesis of selected bicyclic analogs of high affinity monocycles led to the preparation of the bicyclic [Nle7]ET-1 analog containing epsilon-biotinylaminocaproyllysine at position-9. This peptide, with Kd = 0.08 nM, has 1000-fold higher affinity for the ETA receptor than the commercially available N alpha-biotinylated Endothelin-1. The general utility of this biotinylation methodology was demonstrated by the synthesis of a site-specifically biotinylated PTH analog which contained several side chain functionalized amino acid residues in its sequence. The synthetic method reported here is convergent in that it allows the facile variation of the length of the spacer and also offers the potential to introduce in a site specific manner other groups such as affinity labels and fluorescent tags.

Synthesis and characterization of a disulfide bond isomer of omega-conotoxin GVIA.

Solid phase peptide synthesis and air oxidation of omega-conotoxin GVIA yielded, in addition to the desired product, an isomeric peptide which could be completely separated from the native toxin by repeated HPLC. A chymotrypsin-trypsin digest of this peptide, when subjected to HPLC peptide mapping, provided peptides identical with synthetic disulfide containing peptides predicted for the omega-conotoxin isomer containing C1-C2, C3-C5, C4-C6 cystinyl pairings. The 'shaking' potency (ED50 = 1500 pmoles/kg, i.c.v.) of the isomeric peptide upon cannulated rats was 1.3% of the potency of native conotoxin (ED50 = 20 pmoles/kg). Considering that all three disulfide pairings in the isomer are different from the native toxin, its retention of biological activity is of interest.