Identification of two amino acids of the human cholecystokinin-A receptor that interact with the N-terminal moiety of cholecystokinin.

A region between residues 38 and 42 of the human cholecystokinin-A (CCK-A) receptor was shown to be involved in the binding of CCK but not in that of JMV 179 and JMV 180, two peptides closely related to CCK (Kennedy, K., Escrieut, C., Dufresne, M., Clerc, P., Vaysse, N., and Fourmy, D. (1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 213, 845-852). In the present study, we have identified the residues of both the receptor and the ligand responsible for this differential binding. Residues Trp-39 and Gln-40 of the receptor were crucial for binding of the C-terminal nonapeptide of CCK as W39F and Q40N mutants demonstrated parallel decreases in both affinity and potency to induce accumulation of inositol phosphates (12.9- and 20.9-fold). The W39F and Q40N mutant receptors bound CCK analogues modified at their C-terminal end, including JMV 179 and JMV 180, as well as the C-terminal amidated heptapeptide of CCK, with identical affinities to the wild-type receptor. In contrast, W39F and Q40N mutants bound CCK octapeptide with the same decreased affinity as the CCK nonapeptide. The modeling of the CCK-A receptor and the docking of the peptide agonists [Thr,Nle]CCK9 and CCK-8 indicated that their N terminus was connected to the receptor through a strong bond network involving Trp-39 and Gln-40 thus confirming experimental data. These first molecular data identifying the agonist binding site of the human CCK-A receptor represent an important step toward the complete delineation of the agonist binding site and the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern differential activation of this receptor by CCK-related peptides.

Peripheral biological activity of SR 27897: a new potent non-peptide antagonist of CCKA receptors.

SR 27897 is a new non-peptide antagonist of CCKA receptors: 1-[[2-(4-(2-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)aminocarbonyl] indolyl] acetic acid. This compound is a potent ligand for CCKA binding sites (rat pancreatic membranes, Ki = 0.2 nM) and is highly selective (CCKB and gastrin/CCKA IC50 ratios of 800 and 5000 respectively). In vitro, it is a competitive antagonist of cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulated amylase release in isolated rat pancreatic acini (pA2 = 7.50) and of CCK-induced guinea pig gall bladder contractions (pA2 = 9.57). In in vivo gastrointestinal models, SR 27897 confirmed the potency obtained in vitro: at 1 mg/kg (i.v.) it completely reversed the CCK-induced amylase secretion, at 3 micrograms/kg (p.o.) it antagonized by 50% the CCK-induced inhibition of gastric emptying of a charcoal meal in mice, and 72 micrograms/kg (p.o.) was the median effective dose for inhibiting CCK-induced gall bladder emptying in mice. SR 27897 was also very active (ED50 = 27 micrograms/kg p.o.) in the gall bladder emptying protocol with egg yolk as an inducer of endogenous CCK release. SR 27897 had a long-lasting action in all the experiments, with no differences between oral and intravenous routes of administration. SR 27897 was more or less effective than L-364,718, depending on the model and the species. Both compounds increased the gall bladder volume of fasting mice, but the effect of SR 27897 was 10 times lower than that of L-364,718. In summary, SR 27897 is a selective antagonist of CCKA receptors, is highly potent in animal models whatever the route of administration and has a long duration of action.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biochemical and pharmacological activities of SR 26831, a potent and selective elastase inhibitor.

SR 26831 ([[5-(2-chloro-benzyl-2-(terbutyloxycarbonyl)]-4,5,6,7- tetrahydrothieno(3,2-c)pyridine]N-oxide) is the first member of a new class of human leukocyte elastase inhibitors. SR 26831 inhibited in a dose-dependent manner elastases from human leukocytes or pancreas with IC50 values of 80 +/- 2.6 nM and 4.8 +/- 0.12 microM, respectively. Steady-state studies revealed that SR 26831 behaved like a noncompetitive, irreversible inhibitor of both types of enzymes. SR 26831 inhibited in a dose-dependent manner degradation of [3H]elastin and [3H]collagens (types I and IV) by human leukocyte elastase (IC50 values were between 1.2 and 1.8 microM). In this respect, SR 26831 was 3- to 20-fold more active than alpha-1-antitrypsin. SR 26831 was also highly selective for elastases inasmuch as it did not inhibit pepsin, collagenase, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, factor Xa, plasmin, kallikrein, cathepsins B, C, D and G and thrombin. In the rabbit, SR 26831 was cleared rapidly from blood after i.v. injection, but affected intracellular leukocyte elastase activity shortly after either i.v. or p.o. administration. In the rat, i.v. or p.o. administration of SR 26831 prevented in a dose-dependent manner acute lung injury induced by intratracheal instillation of human leukocyte elastase. SR 26831 (1 mg/kg) was still efficient when it was administered 90 min before elastase instillation and was also able to limit further hemorrhage development in response to elastase, after it had begun. SR 26831 may therefore be of therapeutic value in the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or pulmonary emphysema thought to be due to the destructive action of leukocyte elastase.

Enhancement of neurite outgrowth from central nervous system neurons in primary culture by thrombin inhibitors.

Previous studies have shown that serine protease inhibitors promote neurite outgrowth from neuroblastoma cells, sympathetic neurons and sensory ganglia in culture. In the present study, a neurite promoting activity of thrombin inhibitors such as hirudin, D-Phe,Pro,Arg-CH2Cl, and paraamidinophenylalanine derivatives, was found in rat embryo (E17) septal neurons in primary culture. In contrast, no effect was shown on choline acetyltransferase activity of septal fragments in culture. These results suggest that thrombin inhibitors might interact with a thrombin-like protease involved in the control of neurite outgrowth.