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Biomedical subjects

E Escher

Publications and source records attributed to E Escher.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Tachykinin receptors in smooth muscles: a study with agonists (substance P, neurokinin A) and antagonists.

Four preparations, sensitive to tachykinins, the guinea-pig urinary bladder, the rat duodenum, the hamster and dog urinary bladders have been investigated and compared with four other preparations described before: the guinea-pig ileum and trachea, the dog carotid artery and the rabbit mesenteric vein. On the basis of the order of potency of agonists, evaluated with substance P, physalaemin, eledoisin, kassinin and neurokinin A, the preparations can be separated into three groups, the guinea-pig urinary bladder and the dog carotid artery, in which substance P is the most potent and neurokinin A the weakest tachykinin, the rabbit mesenteric vein, the guinea-pig trachea and the rat duodenum, in which the opposite order is observed and the hamster and dog urinary bladders, in which kassinin is the most potent agonist. The guinea-pig ileum shows similar sensitivity to the five tachykinins. C-terminal partial sequences appear to be weaker than SP-(1-11) in three of the four new preparations, SP-(6-11) being first in the rat duodenum and slightly weaker than SP-(1-11) in the hamster and dog urinary bladders. Studies performed with antagonists or inhibitors of endogenous agents suggest that substance P and neurokinin A act directly on specific receptors. The effects of the two peptides are reduced by antagonists analogues of the sequence SP-(4-11). One of the antagonists, [D-Pro4,Lys6,D-Trp7,9,10, Phe11]SP-(4-11) has been shown to be competitive against substance P and neurokinin A in the guinea-pig ileum, the guinea-pig urinary bladder and the rat duodenum. This compound, shows definitely higher activity against neurokinin A and kassinin, compared to substance P in various preparations. [D-Tyr4,D-Trp7,9,Nle11]SP-(4-11) is the most potent tachykinin antagonist in the hamster and dog urinary bladders. In these preparations, the antagonists act also against substance P, but with lower affinity. These findings with antagonists support the indication, emerged from the order of potency of agonists, that tachykinins may act on two and possibly three different receptor types.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Tachykinin antagonists: substitutions in positions 5 and 6 with amino acids from the primary sequence of substance P homologues.

A series of tachykinin antagonists has been synthetized by substituting the amino acids of eight naturally occurring tachykinins into the general antagonist [pro4, trp7,9, Phe 11]tachykinin-(4-11). Five decapeptide antagonists were also synthetized. These antagonists were tested on four smooth muscle preparations, the rabbit mesenteric vein, the guinea-pig ileum, the guinea-pig trachea and the rat urinary bladder. On all tissues, except the rat urinary bladder, antagonists that had amino acids other than Gln5 Gln6 found in the substance P molecule were inactive as antagonists, and some had marked intrinsic activity on the guinea-pig ileum and the guinea-pig trachea. The inhibitory activity of these antagonists on the rat urinary bladder, however, was quite marked. The activities of these antagonists on the rat urinary bladder can be summarized as follows: (a) In general decapeptide antagonists were of low affinity. (b) Octapeptide antagonists showed variable affinities against the various tachykinins and some were selective. The only two antagonists which were fairly active against all tachykinins were [pro4, trp7,9, Phe11]SP-(4-11) and [pro4, trp7,9, Phe11] UPE-(4-11). (c) Physalaemin was frequently antagonized in a non-surmountable manner. (d) Eledoisin and kassinin were each inhibited by only one antagonist, and the antagonist was different for each tachykinin. Some tachykinin receptors on smooth muscle have a binding site which is highly selective for Gln5 Gln6, especially if the affinity of antagonists is considered. Another tissue, the rat urinary bladder, does not exhibit this selectivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Anti-substance P anti-idiotypic antibodies. Characterization and biological activities.

Antibodies to substance P (SP) produced in rabbits have been characterized for their specificity toward SP and some 30 SP-related peptides. For each compound, we observed a close correlation between capacity of binding to anti-SP antibodies and biological activity, namely their spasmogenic effect on guinea pig ileum in vitro and their hypotensive effect in the rat in vivo, indicating that the combining sites of anti-SP and SP receptor(s) are structurally very similar. Further immunization of five rabbits with anti-SP immunoglobulins elicited in two allotype-matched animals the production of anti-SP anti-idiotypic antibodies. These latter antibodies were found to strongly inhibit the spasmogenic action of SP on the guinea pig ileum. In contrast, they specifically enhanced, like SP, phospholipid turnover in rat parotid gland cells, a physiological function mediated through an activation of SP receptors. Immunocytochemical studies actually revealed the presence of specific membranous binding sites for anti-idiotypic antibodies on the parotid gland-dissociated cells. The anti-idiotypic antibodies described here, which thus behave either as agonists or antagonists for SP depending on the biological test, might be used as original and powerful tools not only in studies of the receptor stereospecificity but also in attempts to purify the membranous SP receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Characterization of spinal actions of four substance P analogues.

Four substance P (SP) analogues were tested on reaction time (RT) in the tail flick test and on the decrease in RT produced by the SP homologue physalaemin. The four analogues were [D-Trp7,9,10]SP, denoted A, [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,Nle11]SP-(4-11), denoted B, [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,10]SP, denoted C and [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10,Phe11]SP-(4-11), denoted D. Physalaemin alone (1.89 nmol) reduced RT. The analogue A, at 3.25 nmol, blocked the effects of physalaemin without altering basal RT. The analogues B and D, which block the action of physalaemin in peripheral tissues, had neither agonistic nor antagonistic effects in doses up to 6.5 nmol. The replacement of L-Pro2 by D-Pro2 in the analogue A yielded the analogue C, which had no antagonistic activity. All analogues produced a flaccid paralysis of the hindlimbs and the tail; this effect was inconsistent, though, occurring only in some rats, and appearing in some cases after the first administration of the analogue yet in other cases only after a subsequent administration. Because B and D are inactive in the spinal cord, our results suggest that physalaemin activates receptors in the spinal cord different from those it activates in peripheral tissues. Furthermore, because all four analogues produced a flaccid paralysis none is suitable for use as an SP antagonist in vivo in the CNS.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Substance P antagonists showing some selectivity for different receptor types.

Five antagonists have been used against substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NA) in isolated smooth muscle preparations containing either SP-P (the guinea pig ileum (G.P.I.), the dog carotid artery (D.C.A.) or SP-E receptors (the rat duodenum (R.D.), the dog (D.U.B.) and hamster urinary bladders (H.U.B.]. [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10, Phe11]SP-(4-11) was found to be selective for SP-P receptors, since it showed high affinity both against SP and NA, on the G.P.I. and D.C.A., while it was found to be inactive on some SP-E receptor systems (D.U.B., H.U.B.) and very weak in others (R.D.). Two octapeptide antagonists, modified in position 6, [D-Pro4,Ala6,D-Trp7,9,10,Phe11]SP-(4-11) and [D-Pro4,Lys6,D-Trp7,9,10,Phe11]SP-(4-11) showed some selectivity for SP-E receptors since they acted as full agonists on one SP-P preparation (the D.C.A.) and the first compound contracted also the G.P.I. In addition to being pure antagonists on the D.U.B., H.U.B. and on the R.D., the two octapeptides showed a higher potency against the SP-E stimulant NA, compared to SP, in the R.D. Two undecapeptide antagonists were active against SP and NA on both SP-P and SP-E receptor preparations and therefore were less discriminative than the octapeptides. They were however more active against NA on the R.D., similar to the octapeptides modified in position 6. It is concluded that: (a) both agonists and antagonists appear to be useful for the characterization of tachykinins receptors; (b) either the whole N-terminal portion of SP or a shorter sequence, modified in position 6, increase the antagonist affinity against NA in the SP-E receptor system of the rat duodenum.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1985

beta 2-Inhibin contains the active core of human seminal plasma beta-inhibin: synthesis and bioactivity.

The complete synthesis of the C-terminal 28 residues segment 67-94 of human seminal plasma beta-Inhibin, called beta 2-Inhibin, is reported. The Inhibin-like activity of the native 94 amino acids beta-Inhibin is compared to that of the synthetic replica of beta 2-Inhibin. In all assays used both peptides effectively suppress the FSH release induced by LHRH but have little effect on the LH release. In the mouse both peptides are equipotent on a mole basis. In the rat the synthetic beta 2-Inhibin is 3-10 times more potent than beta-Inhibin. Both peptides are active in rat anterior pituitary primary culture assays where maximum suppression of FSH release induced by LHRH occurs around 300 pmol/ml of beta 2-Inhibin. In contrast, maximum suppression of FSH release in the mouse pituitary assay occurs at 10-15 pmol/ml of either Inhibin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Conformationally restricted C-terminal peptides of substance P. Synthesis, mass spectral analysis and pharmacological properties.

Four cyclic analogues of the C-terminal hepta- or hexapeptide of substance P were prepared by the solution method. The cyclizations were obtained by substituting with cysteine the residues normally present in positions 5 or 6 or 11 of substance P and by subsequent disulfide bond formation. The final products were identified by ordinary analytical procedures and advanced mass spectroscopy. The biological activities were determined on three bioassays: the guinea pig ileum, the guinea pig trachea and the rabbit mesenteric vein. Results obtained with these assays indicate that all peptides with a disulfide bridgehead in position 11 are inactive and that a cycle between positions 5 and 6 already strongly reduces the biological activity. The acyclic precursors containing thiol protection groups display weak biological activities. These results further underline the importance of the side chain in position 11 of substance P and suggest that optimal biological activities may require a linear peptide sequence.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Adrenocorticotropin receptors in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells.

The results presented here demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of ACTH receptors in the zona glomerulosa of adrenal glands. We obtained the surprising result that the glomerulosa cells carry a higher concentration of ACTH receptors than the fasciculata cells. The analog [Phe2,Nle4]ACTH was iodinated by the iodogen method and separated by HPLC; it was obtained carrier-free and has a specific activity of 600 muCi/micrograms, retaining full biological potency. After 30 min of incubation at 22 C for concentrations of 2 X 10(-11) M [125I]ACTH, specific binding values were 4.85 +/- 0.44% (n = 15) and 1.85 +/- 0.18% (n = 15), respectively, for 50,000 glomerulosa or fasciculata cells. For the glomerulosa, our results indicated a density of 6.5 X 10(4), receptors/cell of the high affinity type (Kd1 = 7.6 X 10(-11) M) and 1.0 X 10(6) receptors of the low affinity type (Kd2 = 1.2 X 10(-9) M). In the zona fasciculata, we found 7.2 X 10(3) receptors of high affinity (Kd1 = 1.1 X 10(-11) M) per cell and 6.3 X 10(5) of low affinity (Kd2 = 2.9 X 10(-9) M). The dissociation constant for the high affinity site of the glomerulosa cells was in excellent correlation with the half-maximal stimulation dose of ACTH for aldosterone and corticosterone (Kd1 = 7.6 X 10(-11) M vs. ED50 of 8 X 10(-11) and 3 X 10(-11) M). Results from primary cultures showed a decrease in binding capacity after 1 day in culture and then an increase to the initial value after 3 days in culture.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1984

The hydra head activator in human blood circulation. Degradation of the synthetic peptide by plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Using methanol extraction combined with HPLC and a new radioimmunoassay, the peptide head activator was detected in human plasma at a concentration of 20-100 fmol/ml. Synthetic head activator incubated with plasma was degraded with a half-life of 7 min. Analysis of sites of enzymatic cleavage and inhibition by captopril showed a major involvement of angiotensin-converting enzyme in this process. Endogenous head activator, on the other hand, was not appreciably degraded upon incubation of plasma in vitro. These findings raise the possibility that the endogenous peptide could bind to a protective carrier molecule and reach potential target tissues via the blood circulation.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1984

Undeca- and octa-peptide antagonists for substance P, a study on the guinea pig trachea.

Undeca - and octa-peptide analogues of substance P (SP), acting as antagonists in the guinea pig ileum, have been tested on the guinea pig trachea. The antagonistic properties of several octapeptides, particularly of [pro4, trp7 ,9,10,Phe11]SP-(4-11) have been confirmed, while the undecapeptides have been found to be potent stimulants of the trachea. The contractions of the guinea pig trachea in response several undecapeptides , particularly [pro2, trp7 ,9, Leu11 ]SP, undergo rapid tachyphylaxis, are significantly reduced in the presence of diphenhydramine and are not influenced by octapeptide antagonists of SP. These contractions appear to be due to the activation of tissue sites mediating the release of intramural histamine and different from SP receptors. On repeated applications, the stimulant effects of undecapeptides are eliminated and the compounds can be tested as antagonists. Undecapeptide antagonists have been found to be more potent against eledoisin and kassinin than against SP or physalaemin, while the octapeptides are equally active against the four homologues. Both undeca - and octa-peptides seem however to exert a competitive type of antagonism against all the SP-related peptides tested in the present study. Differences of antagonistic affinities have been interpreted as indicative of the existence of two different receptor types for SP and related peptides in the guinea pig trachea. The two receptors are blocked by the octapeptide antagonists, which are not discriminatory, while undecapeptides are particularly active on the receptor subtype which shows high sensitivity for eledoisin and kassinin .

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Receptors for substance P. I. The pharmacological preparations.

The undecapeptide substance P (SP) is both a potent stimulant of intestinal (guinea pig ileum), vascular venous (rabbit mesenteric vein) and tracheal (guinea pig trachea) smooth muscles, and a relaxant of large arteries (dog common carotid artery, rabbit aorta). SP also decreases the peripheral vascular resistance in the coronary vessels of rabbit isolated hearts. The contractions of the guinea pig ileum in response to SP are partially antagonised by atropine and significantly depressed by indomethacin, while the contractions of the guinea pig trachea are strongly potentiated by indomethacin. Large arteries, but not the veins, are insensitive to SP when the endothelium is removed, and slightly less responsive to the peptide when this is applied in the presence of mepacrine, eicosatetraynoid acid or BW 755C. These results indicate that all myotropic actions of SP, except that on venous smooth muscle, are partially or completely indirect and most of them are due to the release of endogenous agents: these are acetylcholine, prostaglandins and possibly histamine in the guinea pig ileum, prostaglandins and possibly a leukotriene in the guinea pig trachea and a still unidentified factor of endothelial origin in dog and rabbit large arteries. The effect of substance P on the rabbit isolated anterior mesenteric vein appears to be a direct one.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Receptors for substance P. II. Classification by agonist fragments and homologues.

Substance P (SP), a series of C-terminal fragments, SP-(2-11), SP-(3-11), SP-(4-11), SP-(5-11), SP-(6-11), SP-(7-11) and the homologues physalaemin, eledoisin and kassinin were used to measure the order of potency of agonists in five pharmacological preparations. These are: the guinea pig ileum, the guinea pig trachea, the rabbit mesenteric vein, the dog common carotid artery and the rabbit aorta. Apparent affinities (pD2) and relative activities of SP-related peptides were measured in the absence and presence of antagonists (a mixture of atropine, indomethacin and diphenhydramine) in the guinea pig ileum and the rabbit mesenteric vein, in the absence and presence of indomethacin in the guinea pig trachea and in tissues with intact endothelium (the dog carotid artery and the rabbit aorta). The orders of potency measured in the absence and presence of antagonists in the guinea pig ileum were different, while no major changes were noted in two other preparations, namely the guinea pig trachea and the rabbit mesenteric vein. The order of potency of agonists determined with homologues revealed the existence of three major patterns namely: kassinin greater than eledoisin greater than physalaemin = SP in the guinea pig trachea and the rabbit mesenteric vein, SP = physalaemin greater than eledoisin greater than kassinin in the arterial smooth muscle of the dog carotid artery and the rabbit aorta and physalaemin greater than kassinin greater than eledoisin greater than SP in the guinea pig ileum treated with antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Receptors for substance P. III. Classification by competitive antagonists.

A series of ten octa- and five undecapeptide antagonists of SP have been tested in four isolated smooth muscle preparations in order to characterise the receptors mediating the SP-induced contractions of the guinea pig ileum (G.P.I.), the guinea pig trachea (G.P.T.) and the rabbit mesenteric vein (R.M.V.) and the relaxation of the dog carotid artery (D.C.A.). It has been shown that: (a) Indirect effects by substance P and related peptides, mediated by acetylcholine or prostaglandins reduce the affinity of [pro4,trp7,9,10]SP (4-11) (an SP-antagonist) only in the G.P.I. (b) Octapeptide antagonists are specific for SP, have no agonistic activities and exert a competitive antagonism against SP, its homologues and fragments. (c) Undecapeptide antagonists are weaker than the octapeptides in the G.P.I. and G.P.T. and slightly stronger in the D.C.A. and R.M.V. However these compounds still have variable degrees of agonistic activity in some tissues. Affinity of octapeptide antagonists bearing the basic structure [pro4,trp7,9]SP-(4-11) is increased by the additional replacement of Leu10 with trp, Met11 with Leu, Nle or Phe, but it is slightly reduced by substituting Phe8 with Val. Antagonists containing aliphatic residues at the C-terminal end, for instance [pro4,trp7,9,Nle11]SP-(4-11) are more potent than others in the R.M.V., while those with aromatic residues, for instance [pro4,trp7,9,10]SP-(4-11) are weak on the R.M.V. but fairly active on the G.P.T. These antagonists do not show any selectivity on the G.P.I. and the D.C.A. Comparison of antagonists affinities for receptor characterisation suggest the existence of three different functional sites for SP-related peptides. The site of the G.P.I. and D.C.A., which accepts both the antagonists containing aromatic or aliphatic groups at the C-terminal end; the site of the G.P.T. which prefers the aromatic and that of the R.M.V. which shows high affinity for aliphatic residues. The receptor classification emerging from data obtained with antagonists is compared with the classifications of the literature and with those based on the order of potencies of SP homologues and fragments.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

In vitro study of frog (Rana ridibunda Pallas) interrenal function by use of a simplified perifusion system. VII. Lack of effect of somatostatin on angiotensin-induced corticosteroid production.

Somatostatin (SRIF), the somatotropin release inhibiting factor of the hypothalamus, has been reported to inhibit the production of angiotensin II (AII)-stimulated aldosterone in the rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. Since the interrenal of the frog is the homolog of mammalian adrenal zona glomerulosa, the effect of synthetic SRIF on perifused dice of Rana ridibunda was tested. Graded doses of SRIF did not modify the spontaneous production of corticosterone and aldosterone. The highest concentration of SRIF (10(-5) M) did not alter the stimulatory effect of the AII agonist [Sar1-Val5] AII upon corticosteroidogenesis. Thus, in apparent contradiction to recent findings in mammals, SRIF did not alter the effect of AII in the frog interrenal cell.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1984

Angiotensin II: dependence of hormone affinity on the electronegativity of a single side chain.

Structure-activity studies on rabbit aorta of angiotensin II analogues have suggested a possible relationship between the electronegativity of the aromatic side chain in position 4 (Tyr) and the observed affinity. In order to test this hypothesis, several other analogues modified in position 4 have been prepared, and all available analogues were tested in three bioassays: in vitro on rabbit aorta strip, in vivo on the rat blood pressure, and the binding assay on beef adrenocortical membranes. In all three bioassays the postulated correlation has confirmed that angiotensin II affinity depends inversely on the electronegativity of the aromatic side chain in position 4.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1984

Substance P--structure-activity studies and the development of antagonists.

Various attempts to developing antagonists for substance P (SP) and related peptides, based on our past experience with angiotensin, kinins, and neurotensin, were unsuccessful. The particular features of SP, namely the high activity of C-terminal partial sequences in some pharmacological tests were used to develop one hexa and several octapeptide antagonists. Weak antagonists were obtained with a single modification, namely the replacement of Leu10 with trp in the sequences SP (6-11), SP (4-11) and SP (1-11). The affinity of octa and undecapeptide antagonists could be increased by using two (in positions 7 and 9 or 7 and 10) or 3 (in position 7, 9 and 10) substitutions of the natural residues with trp. Affinity of antagonists was further increased by replacing Met11 with either Nle or Phe. These new compounds showed some selectivity, [pro4, trp7 ,9, Nle11 ]-SP (4-11) being more potent in the rabbit mesenteric vein than all other octapeptides described in the present study; on the other hand, [pro4, trp7 ,9,10,Phe11]-SP (4-11) was found to be the most potent antagonist of SP and related peptides in the guinea pig ileum and the guinea pig trachea. Both compounds were similarly active in the dog carotid artery. Undecapeptide antagonists, bearing the same structural modifications as the octapeptides, were found to be stimulant in the guinea pig trachea and relaxant in the dog carotid artery. The agonistic property was eliminated by repeated applications of the compounds in guinea pig tracheae, and therefore the compounds could be tested as antagonists. The undecapeptides were found to be much more active antagonists against kasinin and eledoisin than against SP and physalaemin. The data obtained with the octa and undecapeptide antagonists of SP have been used for identification and characterization of SP receptors in various smooth muscles. It appears that SP and related peptides may exert their numerous pharmacological effects by activating more than one receptor type.

Animals↗