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G Borin

Publications and source records attributed to G Borin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Synthetic peptides reproducing the site phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in protein phosphatase inhibitor-1. Effect of structural modifications on the phosphorylation efficiency.

The hexapeptide (Arg)2-Pro-Thr-Pro-Ala (T1) and octapeptide (Arg)2-Pro-Thr-Pro-Ala (T5), reproducing the phosphorylatable site of protein phosphatase inhibitor-1, a physiological target of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and five related peptides were synthesized by the method in solution. The phosphorylation rates of such peptides by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and their kinetic parameters have been determined and compared with those of the hexapeptide (Arg)2-Ala-Ser-Val-Ala, reproducing the phosphorylatable site of rat liver pyruvate kinase. The results obtained show that both the presence of threonine instead of serine and the adjacent C-terminal proline represent highly unfavourable factors seriously impairing the protein kinase reaction by both increasing Km and depressing V. On the other hand the N-terminal proline is compatible with high phosphorylation rates and the row of four rather than two consecutive arginines improves the phosphorylation efficiency by lowering tenfold the Km, without affecting the V. The extension of the hexapeptide T1 on its C-terminal side to give the derivative (Arg)2-Pro-Thr-Pro-Ala-Thr-Val-Ala has no significant effect on the kinetic parameters. Moreover no relationship between the phosphorylation efficiency and the predicted secondary structures around the target residue could be evidenced. Therefore the local structural features of the phosphorylatable site of inhibitor-1 cannot fully account for the fast phosphorylation of this regulatory protein. Other factors must optimize the protein kinase reaction.

Amino Acids↗

Synthetic and binding studies on the postulated calcium binding site I of calmodulin.

The synthesis of the dodecapeptide [sequence (20--31)] representing the hypothetical calcium binding site I of calmodulin by classical methods in solution is described. The interaction of this synthetic calmodulin fragment with calcium ions has been investigated by CD in water and in 98% trifluoroethanol solution. Calcium ions have no effect on the dichroic absorption of the dodecapeptide in aqueous solution in the wavelength range 200-250 nm. However, in 98% trifluoroethanol a linear variation of the CD properties has been observed as a function of the Ca2/peptide molar ratio. The CD results indicate the formation of a 1 : 1 calcium-dodecapeptide complex with a very high binding constant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis of leupeptins and inhibition of proteinases. I. Inhibition of acrosin and trypsin.

A series of leupeptin analogs R-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-argininal with variable N-terminal substituents has been synthesized using N alpha-tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl-NG-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine-delta-lactam as the starting material. The modified leupeptins proved to be strong competitive inhibitors of the endoprotease acrosin from mammalian spermatozoa. Inhibition constants were found in the range of 4.7 X 10(-7)M (R = H) to 9.7 X 10(-9)M (R = tert-butyloxycarbonyl). N alpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl leupeptin represents the strongest acrosin inhibitor synthesized so far. Two of the leupeptin derivatives (R = trifluoroacetyl, R = tert-butyloxycarbonyl) were more effective than the natural leupeptins from microbial sources (Ki = 5.9 X 10(-8)M). The potential use of synthetic leupeptins as antienzymatic contraceptives is discussed.

Acrosin↗

Inhibition of the cytochrome c/cytochrome c oxidase system by cytochrome c derivatives and related fragments.

The oxidation of ferrocytochrome c mediated by cytochrome c oxidase was investigated in the presence of ferricytochrome c, trifluoroacetyl-cytochrome c, the heme fragments Hse65-[1-65] and Hse80-[1-80] and their respective porphyrin derivatives, as well as carboxymethylated apoprotein and related fragments, polycations, salts and neutral additives. The inhibition of the redox reaction by salts and neutral molecules, even if in theoretical agreement with their effect on electrostatic interactions, may alternatively be interpreted in terms of hydrophobicity. The latter can account for the inhibitory properties of trifluoroacetylated ferricytochrome c, similar to those of ferricytochrome c. On the assumption that the inhibitory properties of some of the investigated derivatives monitor their binding affinities to the cytochrome c oxidase at the cytochrome c binding sites, the experimental results do not confirm a primarily electrostatic character for the cytochrome c/cytochrome c oxidase association process. Strong indication was found that the cytochrome c C-terminal sequence is critically involved in the complex formation. Conformational studies by circular dichroism measurements and IR spectroscopy in solution and in solid state respectively, show that some of the derivatives examined may possibly acqkuire in the binding process to the oxidase, as secondary structure similar to that present in the native cytochrome c.

Amino Acids↗

Protamines. II. Circular dichroism study of the three main components of clupeine.

The three main components YI, YII, and Z of clupeine, a protamine from herring, have been purified and characterized. The conformational preferences of clupeines have been examined as a funciton of pH, temperature, added salts, and presence of structure-disrupting agents and helix-supporting solvents using circular dichroism. It was found that these small basic proteins assume predominantly an unordered conformation in aqueous solution. Addition of counter ions, in particular perchlorate, and 2-chloroethanol induces in various amounts the onset of the right-handed alpha-helical conformation. Urea favors the statistical coil state. It was also demonstrated that in the 0.1--4.0 . 10(-1) M range, in contrast to clupeines YI and Z, the circular dichroic properties of the YII component do not seem to be sensitive to the addition of mono- and diphosphate.

Amino Acids↗

Synthetic enkephalins. Addicting properties and conformational studies in solution.

The addicting properties of [Leu5]enkephalin in mice are conserved in the LSer3 analogue and lost both in the L-Ser2 analogue and in all the L-Cha4 derivatives of the above peptides. Fluorescence measurements in water show the presence of hydrogen-bonded tyrosul OH groups in [Leu5]-enkephalin and in its LSer2 analogue. The Phe4/Cha replacements do not influence these equilibria, but they affect the near u.v. dichroism of the hydrogen bonded tyrosyl residues. In the peptide absorption region in water solution, only [Leu5]-enkephalin and its cyclohexylalnyl derivative show a positive dichroism towards high frequencies, which is maintained in 8 M ura. No clear relation is found between conformation(s) in solution and biological activity. A II' beta-turn, with residues in positions 2 and 3 at the corners, is suggested for the conformation of enkephalin bound to the receptors involved in the bioassay here used.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protamines. III. Synthesis of the tetradecapeptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence 52--65 of galline.

The synthesis of peptides containing blocks of arginyl residues is proposed through amidination of the corresponding ornithyl analogs. In order to test this strategy the ornithyl analog of the C-terminal sequence 52--65 of galline was synthesized by the conventional method. The amidination reaction, performed on fragments of different length and ornithyl-residue content, quantitatively converts ornithines into arginines. The strategy proposed may represent a powerful tool for the synthesis of protamines and other basic proteins.

Amidines↗

Kinetic and conformational studies on some partially synthetic ribonuclease S' analogues modified in position 8.

Syntheses are described of two S-peptide analogues where the arginyl residue in position 10 has been replaced by ornithine and the phenylalanine in position 8 has been substituted by the unnatural amino acids cyclohexylalanine or p-fluorophenylalanine. In order to regenerate the arginyl residue, which is present in position 10 in the natural sequence, the S-peptide analogues beloning to the [Orn10]-series are transformed into the corresponding guanidinated derivatives by treatment with O-methylisourea. 1epsilon, 7epsilon, 10delta triguan-[Cha8, Orn10]-, 1epsilon, 7epsilon, 10delta-triguan-[pF-Phe8, Orn10]- and 1epsilon, 7epsilon, 10delta-triguan-[Tyr8, Orn10]-S-peptides were prepared. The ability to bind to and activate the S-protein of the synthetic S-peptide analogues, before and after guanidination, was tested by exploring their capacity to generate ribonuclease activity using RNA and C greater than p as substrates. The affinity of the different peptides for the S-protein in the absence of substrate was evaluated by difference spectroscopy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Studies on cytochrome C. XII. Synthesis of the protected undecapeptide (sequence 66-76) and pentadecapeptide (sequence 66-80) of horse heart cytochrome c.

This paper is part of a series on synthesis of suitably protected peptides covering the 66-104 sequence of horse heart cytochrome c. It describes the preparation, by conventional procedures, of a partially protected N alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-undecapeptide hydrazide corresponding to the sequence from 66 to 76 (Fragment F), which represents a building block for the synthesis of the entire 66-104 sequence. Moreover, the preparation is described of a partially protected pentadecapeptide corresponding to the sequence region 66 to 80, which represents the key peptide for the semisynthesis of the same COOH-terminal sequence utilizing the natural 81-104 N epsilon-trifluoroacetylated CNBr fragment.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Studies on cytochrome c. XIV. Synthesis of the protected heptadecapeptide (sequence 88-104) of horse heart cytochrome c.

A solution synthesis is described of the partially protected N alpha-benzyloxycarbonylheptadecapeptide Z-Lys (Tfa)-Thr-Glu-Arg-Glu-Asp-Leu-Ile-Ala-Tyr-Leu-Lys (Tfa)-Lys (Tfa)-Ala-Thr-Asn-Glu (OBu t)-OBu t corresponding to sequence 88-104 of horse heart cytochrome c. The synthesis is achieved through the preparation of two subunits H1 (sequence 88-96) and H2 (sequence 97-104) and their linkage by an azide coupling step.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Near-ultraviolet difference absorption and circular dichroism studies on partially synthetic ribonucleases S'.

Near-ultraviolet difference absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra were recorded upon recombination of synthetic S-peptide analogs, i.e. 1epsilon, 7epsilon-diguanidino-[Tyr8]-,1epsilon,7epsilon-diguanidono-[Asn14]-, [Phe(F)8, Orn10]- and 1epsilon, 7epsilon-diguanidino-S-peptide, with S-protein. Environmental alterations of Phe-8 in the S-peptide and Tyr-25 in the S-protein, derived from the association process, lead to strong optical signals whose location and magnitude were clearly defined by means of a comparative analysis of the above spectra. Additionally, the spectroscopic effects resulting from insertion of a tyrosyl residue into an hydrophobic environment in the presence or absence of hydrogen-bonding partners were identified and compared with similar findings obtained from the model compound p-cresol.

Circular Dichroism↗

Far-ultraviolet difference absorption and circular dichroism studies on partially synthetic ribonucleases S'.

Far-ultraviolet difference absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra were recorded upon recombination of synthetic S-peptide analogs, i.e. 1epsilon, 7epsilon-diguanidino-[Tyr8]-, 1epsilon, 7epsilon-diguanidino-[Asn14]-, [Phe(F)8, Orn10]-, [Cha8, Orn10]- and 1epsilon, 7epsilon-diguanidono-S-peptide, with S-protein. The aromatic chromophores contributions to the absorption spectra in the 220-250 nm wavelengths interval strongly exceed the hyperchromism due to the random coil to right handled alpha-helix transition of the S-peptide, accompanying the association process. Contributions resulting from peptide transitions constitute a large portion of the total dichroism, nevertheless substitution of the non aromatic cycloexylalanine residue in position 8 of the S-peptide with phenylalanine, p-fluorophenylalanine and tyrosine leads to CD negative maxima located at 215, 215 and 212,5 nm, respectively. The strongest ellipticity increment (28%), relative to that of the Cha-derivative, was observed at 212,5 nm for the [Tyr8]-S-peptide analog, while in the narrow 222 nm range minimal differences were found upon insertion into the position 8 of the S-peptide of the above aromatic residues. Information derived from above data and from a comparison of RNAase A, S and S-protein CD spectra enabled us to assign the positive CD band at 240 nm in RNAase A spectrum to transitions of phenylalanines and inaccessible tyrosines.

Circular Dichroism↗