Synthesis and glutathione S-transferase structure-affinity relationships of nonpeptide and peptidase-stable glutathione analogues.

A series of nonpeptidic glutathione analogues where the peptide bonds were replaced by simple carbon-carbon bonds or isosteric E double bonds were prepared. The optimal length for the two alkyl chains on either side of the mercaptomethyl group was evaluated using structure-affinity relationships. Affinities of the analogues 14a-f, 23, and 25 were evaluated for a recombinant GST enzyme using a new affinity chromatography method previously developed in our laboratory. Analysis of these analogues gives an additional understanding for GST affinity requirements: (a) the carbon skeleton must conserve that of glutathione since analogue 14a showed the best affinity (IC50 = 5.2 microM); (b) the GST G site is not able to accommodate a chain length elongation of one methylene group (no affinity for analogues 14c,f); (c) a one-methylene group chain length reduction is tolerated, much more for the "Glu side" (14d, IC50 = 10.1 microM) than for the "Gly side" (14b, IC50 = 1800 microM); (d) the mercaptomethyl group must remain at position 5 as shown from the null affinity of the 6-mercaptomethyl analogue 14e; (e) the additional peptide isosteric E double bond (25) or hydroxyl derivative (23) in 14e did not help to retrieve affinity. This work reveals useful information for the design of new selective nonpeptidic and peptidase-stable glutathione analogues.

Boomerang effect between [Met]-enkephalin derivatives and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

[Met]-enkephalin or its precursor, pre-[Met]-enkephalin, were exposed to activated oxygen species produced by human phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and then analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The chromatograms recorded at the tyrosine maximum wavelength (lambda em 300 nm and lambda ex 280 nm) showed the formation of new peptides by oxidation of methionyl residue in position 5 and ortho, meta, or para hydroxylation of phenylalanyl residue in position 4. The chromatograms recorded at the dityrosine maximum wavelength (lambda em 400 nm and lambda ex 325 nm) showed the formation of new dimeric peptides which contained two [Met]-enkephalin-derivatives linked by a dityrosyl group. These new peptides were tested for chemiluminescence response to PMA-stimulated PMNs. [Met]-enkephalin, pre-[Met]-enkephalin, and the methionyl-oxidized derivatives suppressed the PMA-induced respiratory burst of PMNs. Conversely, after hydroxylation by activated oxygen species released by stimulated PMNs, these peptides enhanced the PMA-induced respiratory burst of PMNs. In the same conditions, dimeric peptides had no effect.

Reciprocal effects between opioid peptides and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes--I. Chemical modifications of Leu-enkephalin by phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

When L-tyrosyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucine (Leu-enkephalin) is exposed to the activated oxygen species produced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), hydroxylation of the phenylalanyl residue in position 4 of the peptide occurs, producing hydroxy-phenylalanyl derivatives which are identified by HPLC analysis and mass spectrometry. Attack of hydroxyl radicals generated by the Cu (II)/ascorbate system upon Leu-enkephalin also produces isomeric o-, m- and p-hydroxy-phenylalanyl derivatives. When PMNs are incubated with a synthetic peptide, L-tyrosyl-glycyl-glycyl-L-tyrosyl-L-leucine used as a model of hydroxylated Leu-enkephalin, their chemiluminescence response to PMA activation is higher than that of PMNs incubated with Leu-enkephalin.

Reciprocal effects between opioid peptides and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes--II. Enhancement of phorbol myristate acetate-induced respiratory burst in human polymorphonuclear leukocyte by opioid peptides previously exposed to activated oxygen species.

Activated oxygen species (AOS) have often been shown to promote strong modifications in peptide structures and thus in their biological functions. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Leu-enkephalin, beta-endorphin, dynorphin and some fragments are evaluated, before and after exposure of peptides to AOS, by studying their influence on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) respiratory burst. None of the tested opioid peptides (modified or not) were shown to affect resting oxidative metabolism in the PMNs. The effects of peptides on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated production of AOS were measured in a lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence assay. Before AOS exposure, the opioid peptides suppressed the PMA-stimulated respiratory burst in human PMNs and a U-shaped dose-response relationship was observed. Conversely, after AOS exposure the opioid peptides enhanced the PMA-stimulated respiratory burst in human PMNs and an inverted U-shaped dose-response relationship was observed. In both cases, the maximal effect was reached at peptide concentrations of 10(-10)M-10(-12) M.

Nickel (II) complexes of histidyl-peptides as Fenton-reaction catalysts.

Addition of histidyl-peptides containing the glycyl-glycyl-L-histidyl sequence stimulated the catalysis of Ni(II) hydrogen peroxide reduction. Maximum bleaching of murexide or nitrosodimethylaniline was obtained with glycyl-glycyl-L-histidine. A decrease in the bleaching rates was observed upon addition of SOD or hydroxyl radical scavengers, showing that the hydrogen peroxide/Ni(II)/glycyl-glycyl-L-histidine system generated superoxide anions as well as hydroxyl radicals. In contrast, addition of glycyl-glycyl-L-histidine inhibited the Cu(II) hydrogen peroxide reduction. When peptides or proteins were exposed to oxygen radicals produced by Ni(II)/glycyl-glycyl-L-histidine catalysis of hydrogen peroxide reduction, the observed effects were similar to those produced by oxygen radicals generated by water radiolysis or by Fe(II) or Cu(II) mediated Fenton-reactions: hydroxylation of phenylalanine, interchange of disulfides, destruction of tryptophans and dityrosine formation.