Biomedical subjects

A Aumelas

Publications and source records attributed to A Aumelas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the cathelicidin motif of the protegrin-3 precursor.

Numerous precursors of antibacterial peptides with unrelated sequences share a similar prosequence which belongs to the cathelicidin family of proteins. The three-dimensional structure of this cathelicidin motif, which contains two disulfide bonds, has not yet been reported. The cathelicidin motif (ProS) of the protegrin-3 precursor was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a His-tagged protein. The His(6) tag was removed by thrombin cleavage. ProS was purified to homogeneity and single crystals were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at pH 3-4. Preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that these crystals belong to the hexagonal space group P6(1)22 or P6(5)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 51.42, c = 134.25 A. These crystals diffracted beyond 2.75 A (1.9 A at ESRF) and contain one molecule per asymmetric unit.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed2001

Design, synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a potent radioiodinated and photoactivatable peptidic oxytocin antagonist.

Using a segment strategy, we have synthesized four iodinated photoactivatable cyclic peptidic ligands of oxytocin, bearing a beta-mercapto-betabeta-cyclopentamethylene propionic group (Pmp) on their N-terminus. All the syntheses were RP-HPLC monitored, and the compounds were HPLC purified. They were characterized by 1H NMR, MALDI-TOF, or FAB mass spectrometries. The affinities of Pmp-Tyr(Me)-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Gly-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (20), Pmp-Tyr-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Gly-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (21), Pmp-Tyr(Me)-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Pro-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (22), and Pmp-Tyr-Ile-Thr-Asn-Cys-Pro-Orn-Phe(3I,4N3)-NH2 (23) were evaluated as inhibition constants (K(i), in nM) for the human oxytocin receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells by displacement of a radioiodinated disulfide-cyclized antagonist (Elands et al. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 1987, 147, 197-207). The most potent of them, compound 22, was synthesized by another method in order to allow its radiolabeling by 125I. Its dissociation constant (K(d)) for the human oxytocin receptor, directly measured in saturation studies, was 0.25 +/- 0.04 nM, and its antagonist properties were determined by inactivation of phospholipase C, thus obtaining an inactivation constant (K(inact)) of 0.18 +/- 0.02 nM, evaluated by inositol phosphate accumulation. This compound is a very good tool for the mapping of peptidic antagonist binding sites in the human oxytocin receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Solution structure and activity of the synthetic four-disulfide bond Mediterranean mussel defensin (MGD-1).

MGD-1 is a 39-residue defensin-like peptide isolated from the edible Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. This peptide is characterized by the presence of four disulfide bonds. We report here its solid-phase synthesis and an easy way to improve the yield of the four native disulfide bonds. Synthetic and native MGD-1 display similar antibacterial activity, suggesting that the hydroxylation of Trp28 observed in native MGD-1 is not involved in the antimicrobial effect. The three-dimensional solution structure of MGD-1 has been established using (1)H NMR and mainly consists of a helical part (Asn7-Ser16) and two antiparallel beta-strands (Arg20-Cys25 and Cys33-Arg37), together giving rise to the common cystine-stabilized alpha-beta motif frequently observed in scorpion toxins. In MGD-1, the cystine-stabilized alpha-beta motif is stabilized by four disulfide bonds (Cys4-Cys25, Cys10-Cys33, Cys14-Cys35, and Cys21-Cys38), instead of by the three disulfide bonds commonly found in arthropod defensins. Except for the Cys21-Cys38 disulfide bond which is solvent-exposed, the three others belong to the particularly hydrophobic core of the highly constrained structure. Moreover, the C4-P5 amide bond in the cis conformation characterizes the MGD-1 structure. MGD-1 and insect defensin A possess similar bactericidal anti-Gram-positive activity, suggesting that the fourth disulfide bond of MGD-1 is not essential for the biological activity. In agreement with the general features of antibacterial peptides, the MGD-1 and defensin A structures display a typical distribution of positively charged and hydrophobic side chains. The positively charged residues of MGD-1 are located in three clusters. For these two defensin peptides isolated from insects and mollusks, it appears that the rather well conserved location of certain positively charged residues and of the large hydrophobic cluster are enough to generate the bactericidal potency and the Gram-positive specificity.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed2000

A rational approach to the design and synthesis of a new bradykinin B(1) receptor antagonist.

We have previously synthesized a potent and selective B(1) bradykinin receptor antagonist, JMV1645 (H-Lys-Arg-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Igl-Ser-D-BT-OH), containing a dipeptide mimetic ((3S)-amino-5-carbonylmethyl-2,3-dihydro-1, 5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one (D-BT) moiety) at the C-terminal. Analogues of this potent B(1) bradykinin receptor antagonist in which the central Pro(2)-Hyp(3)-Gly(4)-Igl(5) tetrapeptide has been replaced by constrained N-1-substituted-1,3,8-triazaspiro¿4. 5decan-4-one ring system were synthesized. Among these analogues, compound JMV1640 (1) was found to have an affinity of 24.10 +/- 9.48 nM for the human cloned B(1) receptor. It antagonized the ¿des-Arg(10)-kallidin-induced contraction of the human umbilical vein (pA(2) = 6.1 +/- 0.1). Compound 1 was devoid of agonist activity at the kinin B(1) receptor. Moreover, it did not bind to the human cloned B(2) receptor. Therefore, JMV1640 constitutes a lead compound for the rational search of nonpeptide B(1) receptor analogues based on the BK sequence.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Four steroidal alkaloids from the leaves of Buxus sempervirens.

Four new steroidal alkaloids, N20-formylbuxaminol E [(20S)-16alpha-hydroxy-20-(formylamino)-3beta-(dimethylamino)-9,10 -seco-buxa-9(11),10(19)-diene] (1), O16-syringylbuxaminol E [(20S)-16alpha-syringoyl-3beta-(dimethylamino)-20-(amino)-9, 10-seco-buxa-9(11),10(19)-diene] (2), N20-acetylbuxamine G [(20S)-20-(acetylamino)-3beta-(methylamino)-9,10-seco-buxa-9(11),1 0(19)-diene] (3) and N20-acetylbuxamine E [(20S)-20-(acetylamino)-3beta-(dimethylamino)-9,10-seco-buxa-9(11) ,10(19)-diene] (4) were isolated from the leaves of Buxus sempervirens. Their structures were determined mainly on the basis of 2D NMR studies.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed2000

Conserved aromatic residues in the transmembrane region VI of the V1a vasopressin receptor differentiate agonist vs. antagonist ligand binding.

Despite their opposite effects on signal transduction, the nonapeptide hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and its V1a receptor-selective cyclic peptide antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVP display homologous primary structures, differing only at residues 1 and 2. These structural similarities led us to hypothesize that both ligands could interact with the same binding pocket in the V1a receptor. To determine receptor residues responsible for discriminating binding of agonist and antagonist ligands, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of conserved aromatic and hydrophilic residues as well as nonconserved residues, all located in the transmembrane binding pocket of the V1a receptor. Mutation of aromatic residues of transmembrane region VI (W304, F307, F308) reduced affinity for the d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVP and markedly decreased affinity for the unrelated strongly hydrophobic V1a-selective nonpeptide antagonist SR 49059. Replacement of these aromatic residues had no effect on AVP binding, but increased AVP-induced coupling efficacy of the receptor for its G protein. Mutating hydrophilic residues Q108, K128 and Q185 in transmembrane regions II, III and IV, respectively, led to a decrease in affinity for both agonists and antagonists. Finally, the nonconserved residues T333 and A334 in transmembrane region VII, controlled the V1a/V2 binding selectivity for both nonpeptide and cyclic peptide antagonists. Thus, because conserved aromatic residues of the V1a receptor binding pocket seem essential for antagonists and do not contribute at all to the binding of agonists, we propose that these residues differentiate agonist vs. antagonist ligand binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Quantitative measurement of longitudinal and transverse cross-relaxation rates: an application to the analysis of the internal dynamics of ranalexin in water and trifluoroethanol.

We describe a quantitative processing method which gives access to the longitudinal and transverse cross-relaxation rates from off-resonance ROESY intensities. This method takes advantage of the dependence of the off-resonance ROESY experiments at any mixing time and any spin-lock angle θ on two relaxation matrices, the longitudinal and the transverse ones. This allows one to take into account multistep magnetization transfers even if the measurements are performed only at one or two mixing times. The ratio of the longitudinal to transverse cross-relaxation rates can then be used as a local indicator of the internal dynamics, without assuming a structure or a model of motion. After validation of this processing method by numerical simulations, it is applied to the analysis of the dynamics of the peptide ranalexin dissolved in pure water and in water/TFE.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed1999

The chimeric peptide [Lys(-2)-Arg(-1)]-sarafotoxin-S6b, composed of the endothelin pro-sequence and sarafotoxin, retains the salt-bridge staple between Arg(-1) and Asp8 previously observed in [Lys(-2)-Arg(-1)]-endothelin. Implications of this salt-bridge in the contractile activity and the oxidative folding reaction.

The chimeric peptide [Lys(-2)-Arg(-1)]-sarafotoxin-S6b (KR-SRTb) designed from the Lys-2-Arg-1 dipeptide of the endothelin pro-sequence and the sarafotoxin-S6b sequence was synthesized. Its contractile activity was found to be decreased markedly when compared with that of the parent SRTb. In contrast, the extension by the Lys-Arg dipeptide was found to increase the formation of the native disulfide isomer (82/18 versus 96/4) when the reaction was carried out in the presence of redox reagents. The solution structure of KR-SRTb was determined by NMR as a function of pH. In the carboxylic acid state, the structure consists of the cystine-stabilized alpha-helical motif, with the alpha-helical part spanning residues 9-15, and of an unstructured C-terminal tail. In the carboxylate state, the structure is characterized by a salt-bridge between Arg(-1) and Asp8, which we identified previously in the [Lys(-2)-Arg(-1)]-endothelin-1 peptide (KR-ET-1). The fact that this salt-bridge is commonly observed in KR-SRTb and KR-ET-1, despite the 33% sequence difference between the corresponding parental peptides, highlights the remarkable adaptability of the Lys-Arg extension for the formation of a special salt-bridge. As a consequence, this salt-bridge, which does not depend on either the 4-7 sequence of the loop or the C-terminal sequence, appears to be particularly well suited to improve the stability of the cystine-stabilized alpha-helical motif. Therefore, because of its high yield in the native disulfide arrangement and its high permissiveness for sequence mutation in the 4-7 loop, such a stabilized cystine-stabilized alpha-helical motif could be a valuable scaffold for the presentation of a library of constrained short peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Synthesis of a new class of HIV-1 inhibitors.

A new family of molecules potentially inhibitors of the HIV-1 Tat-TAR complex was prepared. These compounds are constituted by dinucleotide analogs (PNA dimer) bound, through a linker, to an arginine residue. In this series, several molecules inhibit viral development in cell culture with a micromolar IC50 and without cellular toxicity until 200 microM concentration.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

PubMed1998

Formation of native disulfide bonds in endothelin-1. Structural evidence for the involvement of a highly specific salt bridge between the prosequence and the endothelin-1 sequence.

The [Lys-Arg]-endothelin-1 analogue (KR-ET-1) yields almost selectively the native disulfide pattern (96%), in contrast to endothelin-1 (ET-1) that gives at least 25% of the non-native disulfide pattern. We have previously shown that the carboxylate-state structure of KR-ET-1 is more constrained and stabilized by a salt bridge between Arg(-1) and the Asp8 or Glu10 side chain [Aumelas et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 4546-4561]. To identify this salt bridge and its potential involvement in the disulfide bond formation, [E10Q], [D18N], and [D8N] carboxamide analogues were studied, which led to the unambiguous identification of the Arg(-1)-Asp8 salt bridge. Furthermore, while [E10Q] and [D18N] analogues gave a high yield of the native isomer (>/=90%), the [D8N] analogue afforded a ratio of the two isomers close to that observed for ET-1 (68%) [Kubo et al. (1997) Lett. Pept. Sci. 4, 185-192]. Assuming that the formation of disulfide bonds occurs in a thermodynamically controlled step, we have hypothesized that the Arg(-1)-Asp8 salt bridge and concomitant interactions could be responsible for the increase in yield of the native isomer of KR-ET-1. In the present work, we describe the structural studies of the carboxamide analogues and of the minor non-native KR-ET-1 isomer. On the basis of 1H NMR and CD spectra as a function of pH, [E10Q] and [D18N] analogues display a conformational change similar to that of the parent peptide, whereas the structure of the [D8N] analogue is unchanged. For the non-native isomer, we measured a lower helical content than for the native isomer and observed a marked difference in the orientation of the KRCSC backbone. In addition, no salt bridge was experimentally observed. Altogether, these results allow us to hypothesize that the salt bridge between two highly conserved residues, one belonging to the prosequence [Arg(-1)] and the other to the mature sequence [Asp8], is involved in the formation of the native disulfide isomer of ET-1. The involvement of the prosequence in the formation of the native disulfide isomer strongly suggests that, in the maturation pathway of ET-1, cleavage of the Arg52-Cys53 amide bond occurs after native disulfide bond formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Solution structure of the antimicrobial peptide ranalexin and a study of its interaction with perdeuterated dodecylphosphocholine micelles.

Ranalexin, a 20-residue peptide isolated from the skin of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana displays antimicrobial activity. This peptide contains two cysteine residues in positions 14 and 20 linked by a disulphide bridge. Ranalexin was chemically synthesised and close antimicrobial activities were measured for the reduced and oxidised forms. The solution structure of ranalexin was determined by using circular dichroism, proton NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling techniques. The reduced and oxidised forms of ranalexin are mainly unstructured in water but display an alpha-helical structure spanning residues 8-15 and 8-17, respectively, in a trifluoroethanol/water mixture (3:7, by vol.). Ranalexin was found to interact with micelles of dodecylphosphocholine and to adopt a similar helical structure. Moreover, slow-exchanging amide protons located on the same side of the helix suggest that the hydrophobic face of the helix lies on the micelle surface. Hydrophobic residues of the poorly structured N-terminal part which are important for the biological activity are also involved in the interaction with micelles. Taken together, the results suggest that the disulphide bond does not strongly affect either the conformation or the antimicrobial activity of ranalexin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Oligomerization of protegrin-1 in the presence of DPC micelles. A proton high-resolution NMR study.

Protegrins are members of a family of five Cys-rich naturally occurring cationic antimicrobial peptides. The NMR solution structure of protegrin-1 (PG-1) has been previously determined as a monomeric beta-hairpin both in water and in dimethylsulfoxide solution. Protegrins are bactericidal peptides but their mechanism of action is still unknown. In order to investigate the structural basis of their cytotoxicity, we studied the effect of lipid micelles on the structure of PG-1. The NMR study reported in the present work indicates that PG-1 adopts a dimeric structure when it binds to dodecylphosphocholine micelles. Moreover, the amide proton exchange study suggests the possibility of an association between several dimers.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed1997

Efficient photoaffinity labeling of the rat V1a vasopressin receptor using a linear azidopeptidic antagonist.

We have synthesized and fully characterized by fast-atom-bombardment-mass, NMR and ultraviolet spectroscopies the vasopressin antagonist 3-azidophenylpropionyl-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr(3I )-NH2. Easily radioiodinatable just before use, it has a high affinity for the natural rat liver V1a receptor [dissociation constant (Kd) = 54 +/- 20 pM; Carnazzi, E., Aumelas, A., Barberis, C., Guillon, G. & Seyer, R. (1994) J. Med. Chem. 37, 1841-1849] and for both the rat vasopressin V1a receptor expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 cells (Sf9 cells, Kd = 688 +/- 35 pM) and in COS-7 cells (Kd = 320 +/- 20 pM). This probe labels specifically the V1a receptors in an ultraviolet-dependent manner, and binds covalently to about 12% of the receptors with high stability over several days, even in dissociation or solubilization conditions. SDS/PAGE studies and autoradiographic analyses of the photolabeled receptors reveal a single band (49.5 kDa) and two bands (63 kDa and 93.6 kDa) for receptor-probe associations obtained in Sf9 and COS-7 cells respectively. These molecular masses are consistent with non-glycosylated and highly glycosylated forms of the receptor, according to each expression system. In rat liver membranes, we have identified apparent molecular masses of about 32, 45 and more than 67 kDa. We finally demonstrated a proteolysis of the receptor that appeared to be Zn2+ and leupeptin sensitive. The high potency of this ligand is promising for the monitoring of the purification of the V1a receptor and for mapping its antagonist-binding site.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed1997

Isolation and structure elucidation of a highly haemolytic saponin from the Merck saponin extract using high-field gradient-enhanced NMR techniques.

Saponins SAPO50 and SAPO30, of which SAPO50 is highly haemolytic, have been isolated from the commercial Merck Saponin. Their structures have been determined exclusively by high-field gradient-enhanced NMR methods. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of these saponins in pyridine-deuterium oxide have been assigned by homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation experiments. Anomeric configurations were obtained by combined use of 1JCH, 3JH-1.H-2, and 1D-NOESY data. Sugar residues were identified by use of 3JHH values obtained from their subspectra recorded using an optimized 1D-zeta-TOCSY sequence. Linkage assignments were made using the ge-HMBC and 1D-NOESY spectra. This study shows that SAPO50 represents a hitherto undescribed saponin with the following structure: 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->2)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-(6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1--> 3)- beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D- fucopyranoside. SAPO30, however, corresponds to a saponin previously described [D. Frechet, B. Christ, B. Monegier du Sorbier, H. Fischer, and M. Vuilhorgne, Phytochemistry, 30 (1991) 927-931].

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

PubMed1996

Synthesis and solution structure of the antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1.

Protegrins are members of a family of five Cys-rich, cationic antimicrobial peptides recently isolated from porcine cells. We have synthesised an 18-amino-acid peptide that corresponds to protegrin-1. After Cys oxidation, the peptide has bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, similar to that described for the natural peptide. The solution structure of protegrin-1 was investigated by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy in water and in (CD3)2SO, with distance-geometry and simulated-annealing calculations. The C6-C15 and C8-C13 disulfide pattern was determined on the basis of NMR-derived constraints. These two parallel disulfide bridges stabilised a beta-sheet structure which comprised two antiparallel strands (residues 5-9 and 12-16) linked by a distorted beta-turn (residues 9-12). The N-terminus and C-terminus were essentially disordered. The distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues at the peptide surface was found to be a structural feature shared with tachyplesin-1, a related peptide which displays cytolytic activity, and, to a lesser extent, with mammalian defensins. These findings led us to assume that the distribution pattern could be required for the cytolytic activity of these peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Change in membrane permeability induced by protegrin 1: implication of disulphide bridges for pore formation.

Protegrin 1 (PG-1) is a naturally occurring cationic antimicrobial peptide that is 18 residues long, has an aminated carboxy terminus and contains two disulphide bridges. Here, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of PG-1 and three linear analogues. Then, the membrane permeabilisation induced by these peptides was studied upon Xenopus laevis oocytes by electrophysiological methods. From the results obtained, we concluded that protegrin is able to form anion channels. Moreover, it seems clear that the presence of disulphide bridges is a prerequisite for the pore formation at the membrane level and not for the antimicrobial activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

H-Lys-Arg-Asn-Lys-Asn-Asn-OH is the minimal active structure of oxyntomodulin.

Oxyntomodulin inhibits gastric acid secretion via its C-terminal octapeptide. Its minimal active structure was delineated by testing, on histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the conscious rat, the inhibitory effect of octapeptide analogues, shortened either or both on their N- or C- terminus. The octapeptide may be simplified by deleting the two C-terminal amino acids while keeping its efficacy and the slope of the dose-response curve. Suppressing the first N-terminal amino acid dramatically decreased the activity. The nonprotected peptides are metabolized by aminopeptidases and endopeptidases. The increased potency of the N-acetylated forms is related, at least in part, with their protection against aminopeptidases.

Acetylation↗

PubMed1996

Synthesis and biological activities of some human gastrin analogs.

The synthesis of analogs of the C-terminal tridecapeptide of gastrin is described. These pseudopeptide analogs were obtained either by replacing the C-terminal phenylalanine amide with 2-phenylethylalcohol or with 2-phenylethylamine, or by replacing the peptide bond between Trp and Leu, or between Leu and Asp with an aminomethylene (CH2NH). The ability of these compounds to stimulate gastric acid secretion in anesthetized rats and to inhibit binding of labeled CCK-8 to isolated cells from rabbit fundic mucosa was tested. [desPhe13, Leu11]-HG-12-I-beta-phenylethylester 33, [desPhe13, Leu11]-HG-12-II-beta-phenylethylester 38, [desPhe13, Leu11]-HG-12-I-beta-phenylethylamide 32, and [desPhe13, Leu11]-HG-12-II-beta-phenylethylamide 37 acted as gastrin receptor antagonists, while [Trp10-psi(CH2NH)-Leu11]-HG-13-I 31 and [Trp10-psi(CH2NH)-Leu11]-HG-13-II 36 acted as agonists. Unexpectedly, [Leu11-psi(CH2NH)-Asp12]-HG-13-I 30 and [Leu11-psi (CH2NH)-Asp12]-HG-13-II 35 were almost devoid of affinity for the gastrin receptor.

Gastric Acid↗