Side chain methyl substitution in the delta-opioid receptor antagonist TIPP has an important effect on the activity profile.

The delta-opioid antagonist H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH (TIPP-OH) or its C-terminal amide analogue was systematically modified topologically by substitution of each amino acid residue by all stereoisomers of the corresponding beta-methyl amino acid. The potency and selectivity (delta- vs mu- and kappa-opioid receptor) were evaluated by radioreceptor binding assays. Agonist or antagonist potency were assayed in the mouse vas deferens and in the guinea pig ileum. In the TIPP analogues containing L-beta-methyl amino acids the influence on delta-receptor affinity and on delta-antagonist potency is limited, the [(2S,3R)-beta-MePhe3]TIPP-OH analogue being among the most potent delta-antagonists reported. In the D-beta-methyl amino acid series, the [D-beta-MeTic2] analogues are delta-selective antagonists whereas [D-Tic2]TIPP-NH2 is a delta-agonist. NMR studies did not indicate any influence of the beta-methyl substituent on the conformation of the Tic residue. The [(2R,3S)-beta-MePhe3]TIPP-NH2 is a potent delta-agonist, its C-terminal carboxylic acid analogue being more delta-selective but displaying partial agonism in both the delta- and mu-bioassay. These results constitute further examples of a profound influence of beta-methyl substitution on the potency, selectivity, and signal transduction properties of a peptide.

Conformationally constrained deltorphin analogs with 2-aminotetralin-2-carboxylic acid in position 3.

Two approaches to the design of very active and highly selective delta opioid peptides were used to obtain new deltorpin analogs with altered hydrophobic and stereoelectronic properties. Deltorphin I and II analogs were synthesized involving the substitution of Ile instead of Val at positions 5 and 6 in the address domain and 2-aminotetralin-2-carboxylic acid (Atc) instead of Phe in the message domain. The peptides were agonists in the subnanomolar range in the MVD assay and in the micromolar or higher range in the GPI assay, showing a very high selectivity for delta receptors. A very similar trend could be observed in radioreceptor binding assays in which selective tritiated opioid ligands were used. (R)- and (S)-Atc-deltoriphins exhibited similar Ki values in the binding assay, with almost complete loss of the stereospecificity of the binding. Conformational studies provided evidence for the little disturbance of the backbone conformational equilibrium when Phe3 is replaced by (S)- or (R)-Atc. The use of the Atc constraint gives additional evidence that, during its interaction with the delta receptor, the side chain of residue 3 adopts the trans conformation at chi 1.

Conformational restriction of Tyr and Phe side chains in opioid peptides: information about preferred and bioactive side-chain topology.

The side chain of Tyr and Phe was fixed into the gauche(-) or gauche(+) conformation by using the Tic Htc structures, and into the trans conformation by using an aminobenzazepine-type (Aba) structure. When incorporated into dermorphin or deltorphin II, the Tic and Htc analogues all showed a large decrease in both mu and delta affinities and activities. Fixation of Phe(3) in the trans rotamer resulted in a large increase in delta affinity in the dermorphin analogue, whereas in the [Aba(3)-Gly(4)] deltorphin II analogue, good delta affinity is maintained despite the removal of the Glu side chain. Whereas several authors propose a gauche(-) preferred conformation for the Phe(3) side chain, these results suggest a trans conformation at the delta receptor. The use of these conformationally constrained residues for evaluating the preferred solution conformation in the flexible N-terminal tripeptide Tyr-D-Ala-Phe is illustrated. The (1)H-nmr parameters--chemical shift, temperature dependence, and nuclear Overhauser effects to the D-Ala(2) methyl protons in the different analogues--provide direct evidence to confirm the proposed sandwich conformation in the native peptides.

Comparing conformations at low temperature and at high viscosity. Conformational study of somatostatin and two of its analogues in methanol and in ethylene glycol.

The influence of low temperature and high viscosity on the conformation of somatostatin and two of its analogues was investigated by 1H NMR in solution. The conformation of native somatostatin, a cyclic octapeptide agonist DC13-116 and a linear octapeptide agonist were compared in ethylene glycol at 303 K and in methanol at low temperature. The first goal of this study was to investigate if either low temperature or high viscosity is the more important for the reduction of the conformational freedom. Secondly we wanted to compare the amount of information concerning the conformation present in both solvents. A larger amount of NOESY cross-peaks is observed in ethylene glycol at room temperature compared to methanol at low temperature. This indicates that the raising of the viscosity is a more important factor in reducing the flexibility of peptides than the lowering of the temperature.

Conformational study of cyclosporin A in acetone at low temperature.

The conformation of cyclosporin A (CsA), an undecapeptide with seven N-methylated amino acids, was studied in acetone at 193 K. Previous studies of the conformation of CsA in different solvents, in the cyclosporin-cyclophilin complex and in complexes with LiCl showed that the conformation of the free and the bound CsA are different. Differences were observed at the conformation of the MeLeu9-MeLeu10 peptide bond, which is cis in solution and trans in the complex, and in the orientation of the amide protons and the N-Me groups. By using acetone, which is a proton acceptor, we wanted to influence the orientation of the amide protons. In the conditions used in this study a new conformation is found, which differs as well from the one previously observed in solution as from the conformation observed in the complex. This conformation has a cis peptide bond between MeLeu9 and MeLeu10. The trans conformation of the peptide bond MeLeu9-MeLeu10, which is necessary for biological activity, was not induced. One of the amide protons is involved in an intramolecular H-bridge stabilising a beta-turn around Sar3MeLeu4, and three of the seven NMe groups are oriented to the centre of the molecule.

Conformational study of a series of somatostatin analogues with antitumor and/or GH inhibitory activity.

A series of somatostatin analogues with varying activities have been studied by 1H NMR in CD3OH at low temperature in order to find a possible structural explanation for the differentiation of biological activities. In somatostatin analogues with GH release inhibitory activity a beta-turn/beta-sheet backbone conformation is present, which is shown to be characteristic of somatostatin-derived peptides exhibiting this biological activity. On the other hand, among the analogues with antitumor activity, a deviation from these typical structural features is clearly observed, but not general conformational model can be proposed.

Dermorphin tetra- and heptapeptide analogues containing a [3,4] amide bond replacement by a carbon-carbon double and single bond.

Seven dermorphin hepta- and tetrapeptide analogues containing [3,4] amide bond replacement by a carbon-carbon double and single bond were prepared. 1H NMR studies of the pseudoheptapeptide in DMSO indicate the presence of extended conformations with stacking of the side chains in the N-terminal part and an inverse gamma-turn around Ser7 in the conformational equilibrium. The binding data show that the affinity of the analogues for the mu-receptor is only slightly diminished in the D-Ala2 series and is more affected in the D-Arg2 series. Since the Gly4NH is not present in these compounds we conclude that this NH is not required to stabilize the bioactive conformation nor is it directly involved in binding to the receptor.

Active transport of L-sorbose and 2-deoxy-D-galactose in Saccharomyces fragilis.

Sorbose and 2-deoxy-D-galactose are taken up in Saccharomyces fragilis by an active transport mechanism, as indicated by the energy requirement of the process and the accumulation of free sugar against the concentration gradient. There are no indications for transport-associated phosphorylation as mechanism of energy coupling with these two sugars. The measured sugar-proton cotransport and the influx inhibition by uncouplers suggest a chemiosmotic coupling mechanism. Thus there are at least two different active transport mechanisms operative in Saccharomyces fragilis: transport-associated phosphorylation in the case of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and chemiosmotic coupling in the case of sorbose and 2-deoxy-D-galactose. The differences between the two mechanisms are discussed. Uncouplers do not stimulate downhill sorbose transport in energy-depleted cells and evoke an almost complete inhibition of efflux and of exchange transport. The differences between this sugar-proton cotransport system and similar systems in bacteria and Chlorella are discussed.

Transport of 2-deoxy-D-galactose in Saccharomyces fragilis.

2-Deoxy-D-galactose (dGal) transport in Saccharomyces fragilis is characterized by energy requirement and accumulation of the free sugar against a concentration gradient, indicating active transport. Besides free sugar dGal-1-phosphate, UDP-dGal and a trehalose-like derivative were found inside the cells. The accumulation of the phosphorylated derivatives was balanced by a concomitant decrease of ATP, orthophosphate and polyphosphates. With pulse labeling experiments it could be shown that the free sugar is transported into the cells. This conclusion was supported by several other experimental results, e.g. the lack of correlation between the sugar transport parameters and the dGal phosphorylation capacity, and the countertransport of free dGal evoked by galactose in the medium. The typical differences between this active transport mechanism and the transport-associated phosphorylation system, described previously, are discussed.

Transport-associated phosphorylation of 2-deoxy-D-glucose in Saccharomyces fragilis.

2-Deoxy-D-glucose transport and metabolism was studied in Saccharomyces fragilis. Inside the cells four phosphorylated and three non-phosphorylated derivatives were found and identified. Accumulation of phosphorylated 2-deoxyglucose derivatives was balanced by a concomitant decrease of cellular ATP, orthophosphate and polyphosphates. The free sugar was concentrated against a concentration gradient, contradiciting facilitated diffusion. Pulse labeling experiments revealed transport-associated phosphorylation. Theoretical considerations and analysis of the effects of iodoacetate showed that an intracellular hexokinase activity was not involved in 2-deoxyglucose phosphorylation, although this sugar is a good substrate for the enzyme in in vitro experiments.