Exploring the biological consequences of conformational changes in aspartame models containing constrained analogues of phenylalanine.

The dipeptide aspartame (Asp-Phe-OMe) is a sweetener widely used in replacement of sucrose by food industry. 2',6'-Dimethyltyrosine (DMT) and 2',6'-dimethylphenylalanine (DMP) are two synthetic phenylalanine-constrained analogues, with a limited freedom in χ-space due to the presence of methyl groups in position 2',6' of the aromatic ring. These residues have shown to increase the activity of opioid peptides, such as endomorphins improving the binding to the opioid receptors. In this work, DMT and DMP have been synthesized following a diketopiperazine-mediated route and the corresponding aspartame derivatives (Asp-DMT-OMe and Asp-DMP-OMe) have been evaluated in vivo and in silico for their activity as synthetic sweeteners.

Polyaspartamide-doxorubicin conjugate as potential prodrug for anticancer therapy.

PURPOSE: To synthesize a new polymeric prodrug based on α,ß-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)(2-aminoethylcarbamate)-d,l-aspartamide copolymer bearing amine groups in the side chain (PHEA-EDA), covalently linked to the anticancer drug doxorubicin and to test its potential application in anticancer therapy. METHODS: The drug was previously derivatized with a biocompatible and hydrophilic linker, leading to a doxorubicin derivative highly reactive with amino groups of PHEA-EDA. The PHEA-EDA-DOXO prodrug was characterized in terms of chemical stability. The pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and cytotoxicity of the product was investigated in vitro and in vivo on human breast cancer MCF-7 and T47D cell lines and NOD-SCID mice bearing a MCF-7 human breast carcinoma xenograft. Data collected were compared to those obtained using free doxorubicin. RESULTS: The final polymeric product is water soluble and easily hydrolysable in vivo, due to the presence of ester and amide bonds along the spacer between the drug and the polymeric backbone. In vitro tests showed a retarded cytotoxic effect on tumor cells, whereas a significant improvement of the in vivo antitumor activity of PHEA-EDA-DOXO and a survival advantage of the treated NOD-SCID mice was evidenced, compared to that of free doxorubicin. CONCLUSIONS: The features of the PHEA-EDA-DOXO provide a potential protection of the drug from the plasmatic enzymatic degradation and clearance, an improvement of the blood pharmacokinetic parameters and a suitable body biodistribution. The data collected support the promising rationale of the proposed macromolecular prodrug PHEA-EDA-DOXO for further potential development and application in the treatment of solid cancer diseases.

Heparin functionalized polyaspartamide/polyester scaffold for potential blood vessel regeneration.

An interesting issue in tissue engineering is the development of a biodegradable vascular graft able to substitute a blood vessel and to allow its complete regeneration. Here, we report a new scaffold potentially useful as a synthetic vascular graft, produced through the electrospinning of α,ß-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl) (2-aminoethylcarbamate)-D,L-aspartamide-graft-polylactic acid (PHEA-EDA-g-PLA) in the presence of polycaprolactone (PCL). The scaffold degradation profile has been evaluated as well as the possibility to bind heparin to electrospun fibers, being it a known anticoagulant molecule able to bind growth factors. In vitro cell compatibility has been investigated using human vascular endothelial cells (ECV 304) and the ability of heparinized PHEA-EDA-g-PLA/PCL scaffold to retain basic fibroblast growth factor has been evaluated in comparison with not heparinized sample.

Interaction of a copper (II) complex containing an artificial sweetener (aspartame) with calf thymus DNA.

A copper (II) complex containing aspartame (APM) as ligand, Cu(APM)2Cl2⋅2H2O, was synthesized and characterized. In vitro binding interaction of this complex with native calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was studied at physiological pH. The interaction was studied using different methods: spectrophotometric, spectrofluorometric, competition experiment, circular dichroism (CD) and viscosimetric techniques. Hyperchromicity was observed in UV absorption band of Cu(APM)2Cl2⋅2H2O. A strong fluorescence quenching reaction of DNA to Cu(APM)2Cl2⋅2H2O was observed and the binding constants (Kf) and corresponding numbers of binding sites (n) were calculated at different temperatures. Thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) were calculated to be+89.3 kJ mol(-1) and+379.3 J mol(-1) K(-1) according to Van't Hoff equation which indicated that reaction is predominantly entropically driven. Experimental results from spectroscopic methods were comparable and further supported by viscosity measurements. We suggest that Cu(APM)2Cl2⋅2H2O interacts with calf thymus DNA via a groove interaction mode with an intrinsic binding constant of 8×10+4 M(-1). Binding of this copper complex to DNA was found to be stronger compared to aspartame which was studied recently.

Biocompatible hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid cross-linked with a polyaspartamide derivative as delivery systems for epithelial limbal cells.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential use of hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid (HA) chemically cross-linked with α,ß-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl) (2-aminoethylcarbamate)-D,L-aspartamide (PHEA-EDA) as substitutes for the amniotic membrane able to release limbal cells for corneal regeneration. Hydrogels, shaped as films, with three different molar ratios (X) between PHEA-EDA and HA (X = 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) have been investigated. First, it has been evaluated their swelling ability, hydrolytic resistance in simulated physiological fluid and cell compatibility by using human dermal fibroblasts chosen as a model cell line. Then adhesion studies in comparison with collagen gel, have been performed by using immortalized cells, such as human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) or primary cells, such as rabbit limbal epithelial cells (RLEC) and/or rabbit limbal fibroblasts (RLF). HA/PHEA-EDA hydrogels allow a moderate/poor adhesion of all investigated cells thus suggesting their potential ability to act as cell delivery systems. Finally, commercial contact lenses have been coated, in their inner surface, with each HA/PHEA-EDA film and it has been found that in these conditions, a greater cell adhesion occurs, particularly when RLEC are in co-culture with RLF. However, this adhesion is only transitory, in fact after three days, viable cells are released in the culture medium thus suggesting a potential application of HA/PHEA-EDA hydrogels, for delivering limbal cells in the treatment of corneal damage.

Simultaneous analysis of aspartame and its hydrolysis products of Coca-Cola Zero by on-line postcolumn derivation fluorescence detection and ultraviolet detection coupled two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography.

An innovative two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography system was developed for the simultaneous analysis of aspartame and its hydrolysis products of Coca-Cola Zero. A C8 reversed-phase chromatographic column with ultraviolet detection was used as the first dimension for the determination of aspartame, and a ligand-exchange chromatographic column with on-line postcolumn derivation fluorescence detection was employed as the second dimension for the analysis of amino acid enantiomers. The fluorimetric derivative reagent of amino acid enantiomers was o-phthaldialdehyde. The hydrolysis of aspartame in Coca-Cola Zero was induced by electric-heating or microwave heating. Aspartame was quantified by the matrix matched external standard calibration curve with a linear concentration range of 0-50 µg mL(-1) (r(2)=0.9984). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 1.3 µg mL(-1) and 4.3 µg mL(-1), respectively. The amino acid enantiomers was analyzed by the matrix matched internal standard calibration method (D-leucine as the internal standard) with a linear concentration range of 0-10 µg mL(-1) (r(2)=0.9988-0.9997). The LODs and LOQs for L- and D-aspartic acid and L- and D-phenylalanine were 0.16-0.17 µg mL(-1) and 0.52-0.55 µg mL(-1), respectively, that was 12-13 times more sensitive than ultraviolet detection. The overall analysis accuracy for aspartame and amino acid enantiomers was 90.2-99.2% and 90.4-96.2%, respectively. The overall analysis precision for aspartame and amino acid enantiomers was 0.1-1.7% and 0.5-6.7%, respectively. Generally, the extent of aspartame hydrolysis increases with the increase of electro-thermal temperature, microwave power, and the duration of hydrolysis time. D-aspartic acid and D-phenylalanine can be observed with the electro-thermal racemization at the hydrolysis temperature 120°C for 1 day and only D-aspartic acid can be observed at the hydrolysis temperature 90°C for 2 and 3 days. For the microwave induced hydrolysis, only L-aspartic acid was detected at the power 560 W for 1 min and 320 W for 3 min.

Polysaccharide/polyaminoacid composite scaffolds for modified DNA release.

In this work composite polymeric films or sponges, based on hyaluronic acid (HA) covalently crosslinked with alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)(2-aminoethylcarbamate)-D,L-aspartamide (PE), have been prepared and characterized as local gene delivery systems. In particular, HA/PE scaffolds have been loaded with PE/DNA interpolyelectrolyte complexes, employing PE as a macromolecular crosslinker for HA and as a non-viral vector for DNA. In vitro studies showed that HA/PE films and sponges have high compatibility with human dermal fibroblasts and they give a sustained DNA release, whose trend can be easily tailored by varying the crosslinking ratio between HA and PE. Electrophoresis analysis and transfection studies on B16-F10 cells revealed that DNA is released as a complex with PE and it retains its bioactivity.

Crosslinked hyaluronan with a protein-like polymer: novel bioresorbable films for biomedical applications.

In this work, novel hydrogel films based on hyaluronan (HA) chemically crosslinked with the alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl) (2-aminoethylcarbamate)-D,L-aspartamide (PHEA-EDA) were produced by solution casting method. The goal was to exploit both the biological key role of HA in tissue repair and regeneration, and the versatility of a synthetic protein-like polymer as the PHEA-EDA, in order to obtain biomaterials with physicochemical and biological properties suitable for a clinical use. By varying the molar ratio between the PHEA-EDA amino groups and HA carboxyl groups, three different films were obtained and characterized. Particularly FTIR, swelling, hydrolysis, and enzymatic degradation studies were performed. In addition, the cytocompatibility of HA/PHEA-EDA hydrogel films was evaluated using human derm fibroblasts, by means of MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. The high swelling capability, the long-term hydrolysis resistance, and the resistance to hyaluronidase greater than that of only HA, together with the cell compatibility, have suggested the potential application of these novel HA-based hydrogel films in the biomedical field of tissue engineering.

Synthesis and characterization of polyaminoacidic polycations for gene delivery.

The properties as non viral gene vector of a protein-like polymer, the alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-d,l-aspartamide (PHEA) were exploited after its derivatization with 3-(carboxypropyl)trimethyl-ammonium chloride (CPTA) as molecule bearing a cationic group, in order to obtain stable polycations able to condense DNA. PHEA was firstly functionalized with aminic pendant groups by reaction with ethylenediamine (EDA) obtaining the alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)(2-aminoethylcarbamate)-d,l-aspartamide (PHEA-EDA) copolymer. We demonstrated that polymer functionalization degree is easily modulable by varying reaction conditions, so allowing to produce two PHEA-EDA derivatives at different molar percentage of amine groups. Subsequently, the condensation reaction of PHEA-EDA copolymers with CPTA yielded alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)(2-[3-(trimethylammonium chloride)propylamide]-amidoethylcarbamate)-d,l-aspartamide (PHEA-EDA-CPTA) polycation derivatives. In vitro studies were carried out to evaluate polycations ability to complex DNA and to protect it from nuclease degradation. Obtained results demonstrated the good ability of our new PHEA polycationic derivatives, PHEA-EDA-CPTA, to complex and condense genomic material, neutralizing its anionic charge even at very low polycation/DNA weight ratio. Finally, PHEA-EDA-CPTA polycations were characterized by in vitro cytotoxicity studies to evaluate their effects on the viability of HuH-6 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by MTS assay. No cytotoxicity was evidenced by both polycationic derivatives after 48h of incubation at all tested concentrations.

Synthesis and characteristics of an aspartame analogue, L-asparaginyl L-3-phenyllactic acid methyl ester.

An aspartame analogue, L-asparaginyl L-3-phenyllactic acid methyl ester was synthesized with aspartic acid replaced by asparagine and peptide bond replaced by ester bond. The aspartic acid of aspartame could be replaced by asparagine as reported in the literature. In this analogue, the hydrogen of amide group could still form a hydrogen bond with the oxygen of ester bond and the ester bond was isosteric with peptide bond. However, the product was not sweet, showing that the peptide bond could not be replaced by ester bond. The peptide C-N bond behaves as a double bond that is not free to rotate and the C, O, N and H atoms are in the same plane. The replacement of peptide bond by ester bond destroyed the unique conformation of peptide bond, resulting in the loss of sweet taste.

An intermediate in a new synthesis approach to beta-substituted beta-hydroxyaspartame.

The crystal and molecular structure of 1-tert-butyl 4-ethyl (2'R,3'R,5'R,2S,3S)-3-bromomethyl-3-hydroxy-2-[(2'-hydroxy-2',6',6'-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-3'-ylidene)amino]succinate, C(21)H(34)BrNO(6), is presented. This compound is an intermediate in the new synthetic route to beta-substituted beta-hydroxyaspartates, which are blockers of glutamate transport.

On the sweetness of N-(trifluoroacetyl)aspartame.

A panel of tasters has found that the N-trifluoroacetyl derivative of aspartame is five times less sweet than the parent compound, contrary to the tenet in the literature, but consistent with sweet receptor models which require this nitrogen to exist in protonated form.

Aspartame degradation study using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Electrospray mass spectrometry was used to simultaneously determine aspartame (APM) and five of its degradation products; aspartic acid, aspartylphenylalanine, 5-benzyl-3,6-dioxo-2-piperazieacetic acid (diketopiperazine), phenylalanine, and phenylalanine methyl ester. Under the ionization conditions used, there was no interfering fragmentation for any of the six compounds, i.e., no fragmentation of the compound being tested into other species also being monitored. A study of APM degradation in solution at various pH's and at various temperatures using this method was performed.

Sweet and bitter taste: structure and conformations of two aspartame dipeptide analogues.

The synthesis and X-ray diffraction analysis of two dipeptide taste ligands have been carried out as part of our study of the molecular basis of taste. The compounds L-aspartyl-D-alpha-methylphenylalanine methyl ester [L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe] and L-aspartyl-D-alanyl-2,2,5, 5-tetramethylcyclopentanyl ester [L-Asp-D-Ala-OTMCP] elicit bitter and sweet taste, respectively. The C-terminal residues of the two analogues adopt distinctly different conformations in the solid state. The aspartyl moiety assumes the same conformation found in other dipeptide taste ligands with the side-chain carboxylate and the amino groups forming a zwitterionic ring with a conformation defined by psi, chi 1 = 157.7 degrees, -61.5 degrees for L-Asp-D-Ala-OTMCP and 151.0 degrees, -68.8 degrees for L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe. In the second residue, a left-handed helical conformation is observed for the (alpha Me)Phe residue of L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe with phi 2 = 49.0 degrees and psi 2 = 47.9 degrees, while the Ala residue of L-Asp-D-Ala-OTMCP adopts a semi-extended conformation characterized by dihedral angles phi 2 = 62.8 degrees and psi 2 = -139.9 degrees. The solid-state structure of the bitter L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe is extended: while the crystal structure of the sweet L-Asp-D-OTMCP roughly adopts the typical L-shaped structure shown by other sweeteners. The data of L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe are compared with those of its diastereoisomer L-Asp-L-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe. Conformational analysis of the two taste ligands in solution by NMR and computer simulations agrees well with our model for sweet and bitter tastes.

Cyclopropane amino acid ester dipeptide sweeteners.

A series of esters of L-aspartyl-1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid has been prepared and their sweet tastes determined. The sweetest ester prepared was about 300 times sweeter than sucrose. An attempt to use basic conditions during preparation of the dipeptide allyl ester led to succinimide formation of the aspartyl peptide even though the beta-carboxyl group was protected by a t-butyl ester function. The X-ray structure of the propyl ester (1c) was determined and its conformation is discussed.

Phosphorous-containing analogues of aspartame.

Four analogues of aspartame (aspartylphenylalanine methyl ester) were prepared in which one of the carboxylate groups was replaced by a phosphonate group. None of the peptides so obtained was sweet, in contrast with the parent compound which is over 100 times sweeter than sucrose. These results contrast with several published reports of phosphonate analogues of amino acids and peptides which are potent inhibitors of enzymes containing acceptor sites for the parent compound.

Peptide sweeteners. 6. Structural studies on the C-terminal amino acid of L-aspartyl dipeptide sweeteners.

Stereochemical and structural aspects of the variations in the C-terminal residue of L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester have been investigated. Novel configurational analogues such as L-aspartyl-D-alanine benzyl ester and L-aspartyl-D-alpha-aminobutyric acid benzyl ester were found to be sweet. In addition, chiral and achiral alpha, alpha-dialkylglycine and alpha-aminocycloalkanecarboxylic acids were incorporated into the dipeptides. The L-aspartic acid based dipeptide derivatives of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid methyl ester, alpha-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl ester, alpha-aminocyclobutanecarboxylic acid methyl ester, and alpha-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid methyl ester are sweet. Dipeptides with alpha-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester and alpha-aminocycloheptanecarboxylic acid methyl ester are bitter, whereas the analogues with alpha-aminocyclooctanecarboxylic acid methyl ester, alpha, alpha-diethylglycine methyl ester, and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid benzyl ester are tasteless. Aspects on chirality and effective volume of the C-terminal residue are discussed and correlated with taste.

Peptide sweeteners. 3. Effect of modifying the peptide bond on the sweet taste of L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester and its analogues.

A series of analogues designed to assess the importance of the amide bond in the dipeptide sweetener L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester has been synthesized and tested. The peptide bond was methylated, replaced by an ester bond, or reversed. all of these modifications produced compounds that did not have a sweet taste. We conclude that the steric, electronic, and directional characteristics of the amide bond are essential for biological activity in the dipeptide sweeteners.