Beneficial Effects of Sideritis clandestina Extracts and Sideridiol against Amyloid ß Toxicity.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Given the link between oxidative stress and AD, many studies focus on the identification of natural antioxidants against AD. Although their antioxidant capacity is important, increasing data suggest that additional activities are related to their beneficial effects, including properties against amyloid beta (Aß) aggregation. Sideritis spp. (mountain tea) extracts possess not only antioxidant activity but also other bioactivities that confer neuroprotection. Although various Sideritis spp. extracts have been extensively studied, there are scarce data on S. clandestina subsp. peloponnesiaca (SCP) phytochemical composition and neuroprotective potential, while nothing is known of the responsible compounds. Given that SCP is a weaker antioxidant compared to other Sideritis spp., here, we investigated its potential beneficial properties against Aß aggregation. We characterized different SCP extracts and revealed their anti-aggregation activity by taking advantage of established C. elegans AD models. Importantly, we identified two pure compounds, namely, sideridiol and verbascoside, being responsible for the beneficial effects. Furthermore, we have revealed a potential anti-Aß aggregation mechanism for sideridiol. Our results support the use of mountain tea in the elderly against dementia and demonstrate the activity of sideridiol against Aß aggregation that could be exploited for drug development.

Arabidopsis thaliana Plant Natriuretic Peptide Active Domain Forms Amyloid-like Fibrils in a pH-Dependent Manner.

Plant natriuretic peptides (PNPs) are hormones that have been extracted from many different species, with the Arabidopsis thaliana PNP (AtPNP-A) being the most studied among them. AtPNP-A is a signaling molecule that consists of 130 residues and is secreted into the apoplast, under conditions of biotic or abiotic stress. AtPNP-A has distant sequence homology with human ANP, a protein that forms amyloid fibrils in vivo. In this work, we investigated the amyloidogenic properties of a 34-residue-long peptide, located within the AtPNP-A sequence, in three different pH conditions, using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray fiber diffraction, ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, Congo red and Thioflavin T staining assays. We also utilize bioinformatics tools to study its association with known plant amyloidogenic proteins and other A. thaliana proteins. Our results reveal a new case of a pH-dependent amyloid forming peptide in A. thaliana, with a potential functional role.

Novel stable analogues of the neurotensin C-terminal hexapeptide containing unnatural amino acids.

Neurotensin (NT) (pGlu-Leu-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu) exerts a dual function as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the central nervous system and as a hormone/cellular mediator in periphery. This dual function of NT establishes a connection between brain and peripheral tissues that renders this peptide a central player in energy homeostasis. Many biological actions of NT are mediated through its interaction with three types of NT receptors (NTS receptors). Despite its role in energy homeostasis, NT has a short half-life that hampers further determination of the biological actions of this peptide and its receptors in brain and periphery. The short half-life of NT is due to the proteolytic degradation of its C-terminal side by several endopeptidases. Therefore, it is important to synthesize NT analogues with resistant bonds against metabolic deactivation. Based on these findings, we herein report the synthesis of ten linear, two cyclic and two dimeric analogues of NT with modifications in its structure that improve their metabolic stability, while retaining the ability to bind to NTS receptors. Modifications at position 11 (introduction of D-Tyrosine (OEthyl) [D-Tyr(Et)] or D-1-naphtylalanine [D-1-Nal] were combined with introduction of a L-Lysine or a D-Arginine at positions 8 or 9, and 1-[2-(aminophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (AOPC) at positions 7 or 8, resulting in compounds NT4-NT21. AOPC is an unnatural amino acid with promise in applications as a building block for the synthesis of peptidomimetic compounds. To biologically evaluate these analogues, we determined their plasma stability and their binding affinities to type 1 NT receptor (NTS1), endogenously expressed in HT-29 cells, Among the fourteen NT analogues, compounds, NT5, NT6, and NT8, which have D-Tyr(Et) at position 11, bound to NTS1 in a dose-response manner and with relatively high affinity but still lower than that of the natural peptide. Despite their lower binding affinities compared to NT, the NT5, NT6, and NT8 exhibited a remarkably higher stability, as a result of their chemistry, which provides protection from enzymatic activity. These results will set the basis for the rational design of novel NT molecules with improved pharmacological properties and enhanced enzymatic stability.

αCGRP, another amyloidogenic member of the CGRP family.

The Calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) family is a group of peptide hormones, which consists of IAPP, calcitonin, adrenomedullin, intermedin, αCGRP and ßCGRP. IAPP and calcitonin have been extensively associated with the formation of amyloid fibrils, causing Type 2 Diabetes and Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, respectively. In contrast, the potential amyloidogenic properties of αCGRP still remain unexplored, although experimental trials have indicated its presence in deposits, associated with the aforementioned disorders. Therefore, in this work, we investigated the amyloidogenic profile of αCGRP, a 37-residue-long peptide hormone, utilizing both biophysical experimental techniques and Molecular Dynamics simulations. These efforts unravel a novel amyloidogenic member of the CGRP family and provide insights into the mechanism underlying the αCGRP polymerization.

Structure-activity relationship study of angiotensin II analogs in terms of ß-arrestin-dependent signaling to aldosterone production.

The known angiotensin II (AngII) physiological effect of aldosterone synthesis and secretion induction, a steroid hormone that contributes to the pathology of postmyocardial infarction (MI) heart failure (HF), is mediated by both Gq/11 proteins and ß-arrestins, both of which couple to the AngII type 1 receptors (AT1Rs) of adrenocortical zona glomerulosa (AZG) cells. Over the past several years, AngII analogs with increased selectivity ("bias") toward ß-arrestin-dependent signaling at the AT1R have been designed and described, starting with SII, the gold-standard ß-arrestin-"biased" AngII analog. In this study, we examined the relative potencies of an extensive series of AngII peptide analogs at relative activation of G proteins versus ß-arrestins by the AT1R. The major structural difference of these peptides from SII was their varied substitutions at position 5, rather than position 4 of native AngII. Three of them were found biased for ß-arrestin activation and extremely potent at stimulating aldosterone secretion in AZG cells in vitro, much more potent than SII in that regard. Finally, the most potent of these three ([Sar(1), Cys(Et)(5), Leu(8)]-AngII, CORET) was further examined in post-MI rats progressing to HF and overexpressing adrenal ß-arrestin1 in vivo. Consistent with the in vitro studies, CORET was found to exacerbate the post-MI hyperaldosteronism, and, consequently, cardiac function of the post-MI animals in vivo. Finally, our data suggest that increasing the size of position 5 of the AngII peptide sequence results in directly proportional increases in AT1R-dependent ß-arrestin activation. These findings provide important insights for AT1R pharmacology and future AngII-targeted drug development.

Structural studies and cytotoxicity assays of "aggregation-prone" IAPP(8-16) and its non-amyloidogenic variants suggest its important role in fibrillogenesis and cytotoxicity of human amylin.

Amyloid deposits to the islets of Langerhans are responsible for the gradual loss of pancreatic ß-cells leading to type II diabetes mellitus. Human mature islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), a 37-residue pancreatic hormone, has been identified as the primary component of amyloid fibrils forming these deposits. Several individual segments along the entire sequence length of hIAPP have been nominated as regions with increased amyloidogenic potential, such as regions 8-20, 20-29, and 30-37. A smaller fragment of the 8-20 region, spanning residues 8-16 of hIAPP has been associated with the formation of early transient α-helical dimers that promote fibrillogenesis and also as a core part of hIAPP amyloid fibrils. Utilizing our aggregation propensity prediction tools AmylPred and AmylPred2, we have identified the high aggregation propensity of the 8-16 segment of hIAPP. A peptide analog corresponding to this segment was chemically synthesized and its amyloidogenic properties were validated using electron microscopy, X-ray fiber diffraction, ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, and polarized microscopy. Additionally, two peptides introducing point mutations L12R and L12P, respectively, to the 8-16 segment, were chemically synthesized. Both mutations disrupt the α-helical properties of the 8-16 region and lower its amyloidogenic potential, which was confirmed experimentally. Finally, cytotoxicity assays indicate that the 8-16 segment of hIAPP shows enhanced cytotoxicity, which is relieved by the L12R mutation but not by the L12P mutation. Our results indicate that the chameleon properties and the high aggregation propensity of the 8-16 region may significantly contribute to the formation of amyloid fibrils and the overall cytotoxic effect of hIAPP.

Involvement of angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) signaling in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): a novel AT2R agonist effectively attenuates growth of PDAC grafts in mice.

We have recently discovered the potential involvement of angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) signaling in pancreatic cancer using AT2R deficient mice. To examine the involvement of AT2R expression in human PDAC, expressions of AT2R as well as the major angiotensin II receptor (type 1 receptor, AT1R) in human PDAC and adjacent normal tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and real time PCR using surgically dissected human PDAC specimens. In immunohistochemical analysis, relatively strong AT1R expression was detected consistently in both normal pancreas and PDAC areas, whereas moderate AT2R expression was detected in 78.5% of PDAC specimens and 100% of normal area of the pancreas. AT1R, but not AT2R, mRNA levels were significantly higher in the PDAC area than in the normal pancreas. AT2R mRNA levels showed a negative correlation trend with overall survival. In cell cultures, treatment with a novel AT2R agonist significantly attenuated both murine and human PDAC cell growth with negligible cytotoxicity in normal epithelial cells. In a mouse study, administrations of the AT2R agonist in tumor surrounding connective tissue markedly attenuated growth of only AT2R expressing PAN02 murine PDAC grafts in syngeneic mice. The AT2R agonist treatment induced apoptosis primarily in tumor cells but not in stromal cells. Taken together, our findings offer clinical and preclinical evidence for the involvement of AT2R signaling in PDAC development and pinpoint that the novel AT2R agonist could serve as an effective therapeutic for PDAC treatment.

The thyroxine-containing thyroglobulin peptide (aa 2549-2560) is a target epitope in iodide-accelerated spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis.

Enhanced iodide ingestion is known to accelerate the incidence and severity of spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis [iodide-accelerated spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis (ISAT)] in NOD.H2(h4) mice. CD4+ cells are required for the development and maintenance of ISAT, but their target epitopes remain unknown. In this study, we show that the previously identified thyroglobulin (Tg) T cell epitope p2549-2560 containing thyroxine at position 2553 (T4p2553) induces thyroiditis as well as strong specific T and B cell responses in NOD.H2(h4) mice. In ISAT, activated CD4+ T cells specific for T4p2553 are detected before the disease onset in thyroid-draining cervical lymph nodes only in mice placed on an iodide-rich diet and not in age-matched controls. In addition, selective enrichment of CD4+ IFN-γ+ T4p2553-specific cells is observed among cervical lymph node cells and intrathyroidal lymphocytes. T4p2553 was equally detectable on dendritic cells obtained ex vivo from cervical lymph node cells of NaI-fed or control mice, suggesting that the iodide-rich diet contributes to the activation of autoreactive cells rather than the generation of the autoantigenic epitope. Furthermore, spontaneous T4p2553-specific IgG are not detectable within the strong Tg-specific autoantibody response. To our knowledge, these data identify for the first time a Tg T cell epitope as a spontaneous target in ISAT.

Electronic sculpting of ligand-GPCR subtype selectivity: the case of angiotensin II.

GPCR subtypes possess distinct functional and pharmacological profiles, and thus development of subtype-selective ligands has immense therapeutic potential. This is especially the case for the angiotensin receptor subtypes AT1R and AT2R, where a functional negative control has been described and AT2R activation highlighted as an important cancer drug target. We describe a strategy to fine-tune ligand selectivity for the AT2R/AT1R subtypes through electronic control of ligand aromatic-prolyl interactions. Through this strategy an AT2R high affinity (Ki = 3 nM) agonist analogue that exerted 18,000-fold higher selectivity for AT2R versus AT1R was obtained. We show that this compound is a negative regulator of AT1R signaling since it is able to inhibit MCF-7 breast carcinoma cellular proliferation in the low nanomolar range.

Pleiotrophin expression and role in physiological angiogenesis in vivo: potential involvement of nucleolin.

BACKGROUND: Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a heparin-binding growth factor with significant role(s) in tumour growth and angiogenesis. Although implication of endogenous PTN has been studied in several in vivo models of tumour angiogenesis, its role in physiological angiogenesis has not been addressed. In the present work, we studied expression and functional significance of endogenous PTN during angiogenesis in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). METHODS: Using molecular, cellular and biochemical assays, we studied the expression pattern of PTN in CAM and human endothelial cells and its possible interaction with nucleolin (NCL). CAM cells were transfected with a pCDNA3.1 vector, empty (PC) or containing full length cDNA for PTN in antisense orientation (AS-PTN). Angiogenesis was estimated by measuring total vessel length. In vitro, human endothelial cells migration was studied by using a transwell assay, and down-regulation of NCL was performed by using a proper siRNA. RESULTS: Endogenous PTN mRNA and protein levels, as well as protein levels of its receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase beta/zeta (RPTPß/ζ) were maximal at early stages, when CAM angiogenesis is active. Application of AS-PTN onto CAM at days of active angiogenesis was not toxic to the tissue and led to dose-dependent decreased expression of endogenous PTN, ERK1/2 activity and angiogenesis. Interestingly, endogenous PTN was also immunolocalized at the endothelial cell nucleus, possibly through interaction with NCL, a protein that has a significant role in the nuclear translocation of many proteins. Down-regulation of NCL by siRNA in human endothelial cells significantly decreased nuclear PTN, verifying this hypothesis. Moreover, it led to abolishment of PTN-induced endothelial cell migration, suggesting, for the first time, that PTN-NCL interaction has a functional significance. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of endogenous PTN correlates with and seems to be involved in angiogenesis of the chicken embryo CAM. Our data suggest that NCL may have a role, increasing the number of growth factors whose angiogenic/tumorigenic activities are mediated by NCL.

Insights into ectopic estrogen receptor expression, nucleocytoplasmic distribution and interaction with chromatin obtained with new antibodies to estrogen receptors α and ß.

Recent reports have indicated that in cells ectopically expressing only ERα or the full-length hormone-binding isoform of ERß (ERß1), the receptors interact with chromatin with different efficacies and that antibodies capable of probing such interactions by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) are scarce. We therefore produced nine subtype and isoform-specific antibodies to ERα or ERß and validated their performance in receptor probing in cell lines and tissue biopsies by various immunochemical methods, including ChIP. We also produced clones of HEK-293 cells stably transfected with an estrogen response element (ERE)-dependent luciferase reporter and ERα or ERß1, in order to comparatively study their interaction with reporter ERE. We show that ERα was located in the nucleus and ERß1 in the cytoplasm as well as the nucleus of the stably transfected cells, while both receptors were found predominantly in the nucleus in transiently transfected cells and in all estrogen target tissues examined using the same antibodies. The cells displayed wild-type transcriptional activity and canonical regulation of ERE-dependent luciferase expression by estrogen agonists and antagonists. However, unlike ERα, ERß1 recruitment to the reporter ERE could be probed only by sequential ChIP with antibodies to receptor N- and C-terminus. These data suggest that in HEK-293 cells stably expressing ERα or ERß1, ER subtype-specific constraints apply to ERß1 nuclear entry; and that in cells displaying cytoplasmic as well as nuclear localization of ERß1, sequential ChIP with different antibodies to the receptor is the method of choice for probing its interaction with chromatin.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New CRH Analogues.

A series of 7 new human/rat Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (h/r-CRH) analogues were synthesized. The induced alterations include substitution of Phe at position 12 with D-Phe, Leu at positions 14 and 15 with Aib and Met at positions 21 and 38 with Cys(Et) and Cys(Pr). The analogues were tested regarding their binding affinity to the CRH-1 receptor and their activity which is represented by means of percentage of maximum response in comparison to the native molecule. The results indicated that the introduction of Aib, or Cys derivatives although altering the secondary structure of the molecule, did not hinder receptor recognition and binding.

In position 7 L- and D-Tic-substituted oxytocin and deamino oxytocin: NMR study and conformational insights.

Incorporation of L- or D-Tic into position 7 of oxytocin (OT) and its deamino analogue ([Mpa(1)]OT) resulted in four analogues, [L-Tic(7)]OT (1), [D-Tic(7)]OT (2), [Mpa(1),L-Tic(7)]OT (3) and [Mpa(1),D-Tic(7)]OT (4). Their biological properties were described by Fragiadaki et al. (Eur J Med Chem 42:799-806, 2007). Their NMR study (NOESY, TOCSY, (1)H-(13)C HSQC spectra) is presented here. Analogues 1, 3 and 4 showed partial agonistic activity, analogue 2 was pure antagonist, suggesting that a cis conformation between residues 6 and 7 of the molecule does not result in antagonistic activity. However, the reduction in agonistic activity of analogues 1, 3 and 4 in comparison to oxytocin is consistent with the reduction of the trans conformation form. Binding affinity for the human oxytocin receptor with IC(50) value of 130, 730, 103, and 380 nM for peptides 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, showed lower affinity in the case of D analogues. Deamination slightly increased the affinity. The existence of both cis and trans configurations of the Cys(6)-D-Tic(7) bond is supported by observation of two sets of cross-peaks for (1)H and (13)C nuclei for most of the residues of the peptide not only in NOESY and TOCSY but also in (1)H-(13)C HSQC spectra. The MS and HPLC indicate the presence of a single molecule/peptide, and NMR data thus suggest that this second set of peaks is due to the cis conformation.

Synthesis and biological activity of oxytocin analogues containing unnatural amino acids in position 9: structure activity study.

We report the solid phase synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 24 oxytocin (OT) analogues. Basic modifications at position 9 (introduction of L- or D-beta-(2-thienyl)-alanine [L- or D-Thi], or L- or D-3-Pyridylalanine [L- or D-3-Pal]) were combined with D-tyrosine(OEthyl) [D-Tyr(Et)] or D-1-naphthylalanine [D-1-Nal] in position 2 and beta-mercaptopropionic acid (Mpa) in position 1 modifications in altogether 14 analogues. Additionally, 8 analogues having alpha-aminoisobutyric acid [Aib] or D-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (D-Tic) or diethylglycine (Deg) in position 9 and D-Tyr(Et) or D-1-Nal or D-Tic in position 2 and Mpa or Pen (beta beta-dimethylcysteine) in position 1 were prepared. Two of these analogues have one more modification in position 6, i.e. Pen. Furthermore, two analogues having Mpa in position 1 and D-Tyr(Et) or D-1-Nal in position 2 were prepared for comparison purposes. The analogues were tested for rat uterotonic activity in vitro, in the rat pressor assay and for binding affinity to human OT receptor. The analogue having the highest anti-oxytocic activity was [Mpa(1), D-Tyr(Et)(2), Deg(9)]OT (pA(2) = 8.68 +/- 0.26); this analogue was also selective.

Interaction of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with the 63-93 fragment of histone H2B.

Chromatin proteins are believed to represent reactive sites for metal ion binding. We have synthesized the 31 amino acid peptide Ac-NSFVNDIFERIAGEASRLAHYNKRSTITSRE-NH2, corresponding to the 63-93 fragment of the histone H2B and studied its interaction with Cu(II) and Ni(II). Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies (UV-vis, CD, NMR and EPR) showed that histidine 21 acts as an anchoring binding site for the metal ion. Complexation of the studied peptide with Cu(II) starts at pH 4 with the formation of the monodentate species CuH2L. At physiological pH values, the 3N complex (N(Im), 2N(-)), CuL is favoured while at basic pH values the 4N (N(Im), 3N(-)) coordination mode is preferred. Ni(II) forms several complexes with the peptide starting from the distorted octahedral NiH2L at about neutral pH, to a square planar complex where the peptide is bound through a (N(Im), 3N(-)) mode in an equatorial plane at basic pH values. These results could be important in revealing more information about the mechanism of metal induced toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Synthesis and sst(2) binding profiles of new [Tyr(3)]octreotate analogs.

One of the main objectives of our current work is the development of new somatostatin analogs that would retain the general characteristics of [Tyr(3)]octreotate (Tate) while showing potential for clinical application. In this respect, study of their interaction with the sst(2) is crucial in providing preliminary structure-activity relationships data. In the present work we report on the synthesis and the preliminary biological evaluation of a total of 15 new structurally modified [Tyr(3)]octreotate analogs. The binding affinities were determined during competition binding assays in sst(2)-positive rat acinar pancreatic AR4-2J cell membranes using [(125)I-Tyr(3)]octreotide as the radioligand.

Synthesis and biological activity of oxytocin analogues containing conformationally-restricted residues in position 7.

We report the solid-phase synthesis and some pharmacological properties of twenty oxytocin (OT) analogues. Basic modifications at position 7 (introduction of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid [Aib], L- or D-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid [L/D-Tic], L-alpha-t-butylglycine [Gly(Bu(t))] and pipecolic acid [Pip]) were combined with D-Tyr(Et)(2), L/D-(pEt)Phe(2), D-Tic(2), and Mpa(1) modifications and their various combinations in a total of 14 analogues. Additionally, two analogues having one more modification in position 3, i.e. Gly(Bu(t)), and three analogues having glycine in position 9 substituted by d-Tic or Aib, were prepared. The analogues were tested for rat uterotonic activity in vitro, in the rat pressor assay and for binding affinity to human OT receptor. The analogue having the highest antioxytocic activity was [Mpa(1), D-Tyr(Et)(2), D-Tic(7), Aib(9)]OT having pA(2)=8.31+/-0.19; this analogue was also selective.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues alter gene expression of metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in human breast cancer epithelial cells.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH or GnRH) is not only produced by hypothalamus, but also by other normal and cancer tissues. GnRH peptide agonists and antagonists inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells, but their effect on the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) has not been studied despite the fact that growth and invasiveness of breast cancer cells in adjacent and distant sites is associated with the expression of MMPs. In the present study, the effects of [D-Leu6, desGly10]GnRH-NHEt (commercially available) and [D-Tic3, Deg6, desGlyl0]GnRH-NHEt on gene expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 were examined with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results showed that incubation of MCF-7 cells with 30 microM of the synthetic GnRH analogues for 48 h in serum-containing medium resulted in a decrease of MMP-9 expression and increase in MT1- and MT2-MMP mRNA levels. Furthermore, both synthetic analogues induced a significant decrease in TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 mRNA levels and increase in TIMP-2 mRNA levels. The impact of the observed changes on the expression of MMPs and TIMPs warrants further investigation on the effects of GnRH analogues on the invasiveness and metastatic potential of breast cancer cells.

Thyroxine-binding antibodies inhibit T cell recognition of a pathogenic thyroglobulin epitope.

Thyroid hormone-binding (THB) Abs are frequently detected in autoimmune thyroid disorders but it is unknown whether they can exert immunoregulatory effects. We report that a THB mAb recognizing the 5' iodine atom of the outer phenolic ring of thyroxine (T4) can block T cell recognition of the pathogenic thyroglobulin (Tg) peptide (2549-2560) that contains T4 at aa position 2553 (T4(2553)). Following peptide binding to the MHC groove, the THB mAb inhibited activation of the A(k)-restricted, T4(2553)-specific, mouse T cell hybridoma clone 3.47, which does not recognize other T4-containing epitopes or noniodinated peptide analogues. Addition of the same THB mAb to T4(2553)-pulsed splenocytes largely inhibited specific activation of T4(2553)-primed lymph node cells and significantly reduced their capacity to adoptively transfer thyroiditis to naive CBA/J mice. These data demonstrate that some THB Abs can block recognition of iodine-containing Tg epitopes by autoaggressive T cells and support the view that such Abs may influence the development or maintenance of thyroid disease.

Comparison of the solution structures of angiotensin I & II. Implication for structure-function relationship.

Conformational analysis of angiotensin I (AI) and II (AII) peptides has been performed through 2D 1H-NMR spectroscopy in dimethylsulfoxide and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol/H2O. The solution structural models of AI and AII have been determined in dimethylsulfoxide using NOE distance and 3JHNHalpha coupling constants. Finally, the AI family of models resulting from restrained energy minimization (REM) refinement, exhibits pairwise rmsd values for the family ensemble 0.26 +/- 0.13 A, 1.05 +/- 0.23 A, for backbone and heavy atoms, respectively, and the distance penalty function is calculated at 0.075 +/- 0.006 A2. Comparable results have been afforded for AII ensemble (rmsd values 0.30 +/- 0.22 A, 1.38 +/- 0.48 A for backbone and heavy atoms, respectively; distance penalty function is 0.029 +/- 0.003 A2). The two peptides demonstrate similar N-terminal and different C-terminal conformation as a consequence of the presence/absence of the His9-Leu10 dipeptide, which plays an important role in the different biological function of the two peptides. Other conformational variations focused on the side-chain orientation of aromatic residues, which constitute a biologically relevant hydrophobic core and whose inter-residue contacts are strong in dimethylsulfoxide and are retained even in mixed organic-aqueous media. Detailed analysis of the peptide structural features attempts to elucidate the conformational role of the C-terminal dipeptide to the different binding affinity of AI and AII towards the AT1 receptor and sets the basis for understanding the factors that might govern free- or bound-depended AII structural differentiation.