Biomedical subjects

J L Butour

Publications and source records attributed to J L Butour.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Distinct mechanisms for activation of the opioid receptor-like 1 and kappa-opioid receptors by nociceptin and dynorphin A.

To understand how two structurally analogous ligand-receptor systems, the nociceptin/opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL1) and dynorphin A/kappa-opioid receptor 1 (KOR1) systems, achieve selectivity, receptor chimeras were generated and analyzed. Replacing discrete domains located between the N-terminus and top of the third transmembrane helix of the KOR1 by the homologous domains of the ORL1 receptor yields hybrid receptors, which, in comparison with the parent KOR1, display up to 300-fold increased affinity but low sensitivity toward nociceptin, and unaltered (high) affinity and sensitivity toward dynorphin A. These substitutions contribute elements for binding of nociceptin but do not suppress determinants necessary for binding and potency of dynorphin A. More importantly, further replacement in these chimeras of the second extracellular loop with that of the ORL1 receptor fully restores responsiveness to nociceptin without impairing responsiveness to dynorphin A. A bifunctional hybrid receptor has thus been identified that binds and responds to both nociceptin and dynorphin A as efficiently as the ORL1 receptor does to nociceptin and the KOR1 to dynorphin A. Together, these results suggest that distinct peptide activation mechanisms operate in the two receptor systems. In particular, the second extracellular receptor loop appears to be an absolute requirement for activation of the ORL1 receptor by nociceptin, but not for activation of the KOR1 by dynorphin A.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Phe1psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 is an agonist of the nociceptin (ORL1) receptor.

[Phe1psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2, a pseudopeptide analog of nociceptin, has been shown to be a selective 'antagonist' of the nociceptin receptor in the isolated guinea pig ileum and mouse vas deferens preparations (Guerrini et al., 1998. Br. J. Pharmacol. 123, 163-165). However, in recombinant chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human nociceptin receptor, we find that the pseudopeptide is a potent (IC50 = 7.5 nM) and fully efficacious inhibitor of forskolin-induced accumulation of cAMP, thus behaving as a pure 'agonist' rather than an antagonist of the receptor. The contrary behaviour of the pseudopeptide in smooth muscle and transformed cells may suggest that different nociceptin receptor types are being addressed in the two systems.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Different domains of the ORL1 and kappa-opioid receptors are involved in recognition of nociceptin and dynorphin A.

In order to gain further insight into the functional architecture of structurally related G protein-coupled receptors, the ORL1 (nociceptin) and opioid receptors, we have constructed chimeras of ORL1 and mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors, and compared their binding and functional properties with those of the parent receptors. We find in particular that a ORL1-kappa-opioid (O-K) hybrid construct has retained high affinity for non-type-selective opiate ligands, and has acquired the ability to bind and respond to enkephalins and mu- and/or delta-opioid receptor-selective enkephalins analogs, thus behaving like a 'universal' opioid receptor. Most significantly however, whilst the ORL1 and kappa-opioid receptors display high binding preference (KD 0.1 vs. 100 nM) for their respective endogenous ligands, nociceptin and dynorphin A, the O-K chimeric receptor binds both nociceptin and dynorphin A, with high affinity (KD < 1 nM). Together, these data (i) add weight to the hypothesis that the extracellular loops of opioid receptors act as a filter for ligand selection, and (ii) demonstrate that different domains of the ORL1 and kappa-opioid receptors are involved in recognition of their endogenous peptide ligands.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Implication of the first and third extracellular loops of the mu-opioid receptor in the formation of the ligand binding site: a study using chimeric mu-opioid/angiotensin receptors.

Recent studies on chimeric mu/delta-, mu/kappa- and delta/kappa-opioid receptors have suggested that extracellular loops of the receptors were involved in the discriminatory binding of selective ligands by controlling their entry into the transmembrane binding site. Since homochimeric opioid receptors are mostly informative in terms of selectivity, the role of extracellular loops was examined here by studying heterochimeric mu receptors where the totality or parts of extracellular loops were replaced by the corresponding regions of the receptor for angiotensin II. Chimeric mu receptors with extracellular loop EL1 or EL3 originating from the angiotensin receptor had 100-fold decreased affinities for opioids; the length of the first extracellular loop, which is one residue longer in angiotensin than mu receptors, was shown to be responsible for this situation. Substitution of the mu receptor second extracellular loop by that of the angiotensin receptor diminished by approximately 10-fold the affinities for opioids. Since all chimeras had altered affinities for selective and nonselective ligands, we propose that extracellular domains of the mu receptor, particularly the first and third loops, constrain the relative positioning of the connected transmembrane domains where selective as well as nonselective contact points form the opioid binding site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Palladium(II) compounds with potential antitumour properties and their platinum analogues: a comparative study of the reaction of some orotic acid derivatives with DNA in vitro.

Ethidium bromide was used to study perturbations induced in salmon sperm DNA complexed with a series of platinum and palladium compounds obtained from chloro and orotic acid derivatives as leaving ligands. The antitumoral activity of these compounds against Sarcoma 180 cells grafted intraperitoneally into mice is correlated with their capacity to interact with DNA in vitro and to perturb its secondary structure. Nevertheless, among these compounds, [Pt(Dach)(3-methyl-orot)] and [Pt(Dach)(5-fluoro-orot)] do not interact with DNA in vitro and are inactive against Sarcoma 180 cells. This lack of activity originates from the fact that strong chelating properties of the ligand prevent hydrolysis of the compounds which are unable to give rise to aquo species which are the reactive ones. On the other hand, the interaction with DNA is not the only prerequisite in order that a compound be active towards tumour cells. In fact, cis-[Pd(NH3)2Cl2] and cis[Pd(Dach)Cl2] are not antitumoral. It is well known that the former undergoes an inactive trans-conformation and that the two compounds hydrolyse very fast assuming that they interact in vivo with a lot of molecules particularly proteins preventing them to reach the DNA, their pharmacological target. By contrast, [Pd(Dach)(3-methyl-orot)] (T/C = 267%) and [Pd(Dach)(5-fluoro-orot)] (T/C = 270%) display significant antitumour activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Recognition and activation of the opioid receptor-like ORL 1 receptor by nociceptin, nociceptin analogs and opioids.

Nociceptin, also known as orphanin FQ, was recently identified as the naturally occurring agonist of orphan opioid receptor-like ORL1 receptor (Meunier et al., 1995, Nature 377, 532; Reinscheid et al., 1995, Science 270, 792). Nociceptin is a heptadecapeptide which, although it resembles dynorphin A, the endogenous agonist of the kappa-opioid receptor, displays very low potency in competing with binding of [3H]diprenorphine to or inhibiting adenylate cyclase via mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors. Tritium-labeled nociceptin ([3H]nociceptin) was used here to establish a pharmacological profile in vitro of the ORL 1 receptor. In membranes from recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the ORL 1 receptor, equilibrium binding of [3H]nociceptin is highly specific, saturable (Bmax in the range 1.3-1.8 pmol/mg protein) and of high affinity (Kd approximately equal to 0.1 nM). It is selectively decreased in the presence of Na+ ions and/or of the GTP analog 5'-guanylylimido-diphosphate, an allosteric regulation that is analogous to that of opiate binding to opioid receptors. A few opiates, namely lofentanil, a 4-anilinopiperidine derivative and etorphine, a 6,14-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaine derivative, were found to be quite potent not only in competing with binding of [3H]nociceptin at the ORL 1 receptor but also in inhibiting forskolin-induced accumulation of cyclic AMP in intact recombinant CHO cells. In a preliminary attempt to delineate active parts of the neuropeptide, nociceptin analogs were also tested, including N- and C-terminal truncation products. Our results suggest that the highly basic, internal core of nociceptin might be essential in conferring on the peptide both affinity for and activity at the ORL 1 receptor. In this respect, the message and address division of dynorphin A, nociceptin's closest structural analog, do not seem to apply to nociceptin.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

PubMed1996

Replacement of Gln280 by His in TM6 of the human ORL1 receptor increases affinity but reduces intrinsic activity of opioids.

The ORL1 (Opioid Receptor-Like) receptor is the G protein-coupled receptor whose amino acid sequence is closest to those of opioid receptors. Residues that are conserved in ORL1 and the three types of opioid receptor, but also a residue, His in the sixth putative transmembrane (TM6) helix, which is present in all opioid receptor types but absent in ORL1, appear to play a key role in receptor recognition and/or activation. Here we have sought to create an opioid binding pocket in the non-opioid ORL1 receptor by replacing residue Gln280 in its TM6 by the corresponding His residue of opioid receptors. The mutation affects neither the affinity of nociceptin - the natural ORL1 agonist - for the receptor, nor the potency of nociceptin to inhibit adenylyl cyclase via ORL1. In contrast, we find that a few opioid ligands, the agonists lofentanil, etorphine and dynorphin A, and especially the antagonists diprenorphine and nor-BNI, bind the mutant Q280H receptor with substantially (5- to > 100-fold) higher apparent affinity than they do the wild-type receptor. Moreover, lofentanil and etorphine no longer act as pure agonists, as they do at the native ORL1 receptor, but are endowed with clear antagonist properties at the mutant receptor. The mutation Q280H, which increases affinity while decreasing intrinsic activity of opioids at ORL1, emphasizes the importance of the His residue for opioid recognition and activation.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

PubMed1995

Isolation and structure of the endogenous agonist of opioid receptor-like ORL1 receptor.

The ORL1 receptor, an orphan receptor whose human and murine complementary DNAs have recently been characterized, structurally resembles opioid receptors and is negatively coupled with adenylate cyclase. ORL1 transcripts are particularly abundant in the central nervous system. Here we report the isolation, on the basis of its ability to inhibit the cyclase in a stable recombinant CHO(ORL1+) cell line, of a neuropeptide that resembles dynorphin A9 and whose amino acid sequence is Phe-Gly-Gly-Phe-Thr-Gly-Ala-Arg-Lys-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Ala-Asn-Gln. The rat-brain cDNA encodes the peptide flanked by Lys-Arg proteolytic cleavage motifs. The synthetic heptadecapeptide potently inhibits adenylate cyclase in CHO(ORL1+) cells in culture and induces hyperalgesia when administered intracerebroventricularly to mice. Taken together, these data indicate that the newly discovered heptadecapeptide is an endogenous agonist of the ORL1 receptor and that it may be endowed with pro-nociceptive properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

ORL1, a novel member of the opioid receptor family. Cloning, functional expression and localization.

Selective PCR amplification of human and mouse genomic DNAs with oligonucleotides encoding highly conserved regions of the delta-opioid and somatostatin receptors generated a human DNA probe (hOP01, 761 bp) and its murine counterpart (mOP86, 447 bp). hOP01 was used to screen a cDNA library from human brainstem. A clone (named hORL1) was isolated, sequenced and found to encode a protein of 370 amino acids whose primary structure displays the seven putative membrane-spanning domains of a G protein-coupled membrane receptor. The hORL1 receptor is most closely related to opioid receptors not only on structural (sequence) but also on functional grounds: hORL1 is 49-50% identical to the murine mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors and, in CHO-K1 cells stably transfected with a pRc/CMV:hORL1 construct, ORL1 mediates inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by etorphine, a 'universal' (nonselective) opiate agonist. Yet, hORL1 appears not to be a typical opioid receptor. Neither is it a somatostatin or sigma (N-allylnormetazocine) receptor. mRNAs hybridizing with synthetic oligonucleotides complementary to mOP86 are present in many regions of the mouse brain and spinal cord, particularly in limbic (amygdala, hippocampus, septum, habenula, ...) and hypothalamic structures. We conclude that the hORL1 receptor is a new member of the opioid receptor family with a potential role in modulating a number of brain functions, including instinctive behaviours and emotions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Effect of the amine non-leaving group on the structure and stability of DNA complexes with cis-[Pt(R-NH2)2(NO3)2].

The antitumor compound cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] (cisplatin), conserves two ammine ligands during the reaction with its cellular target DNA. Modifications of these non-leaving groups change the antineoplastic properties of this compound and its genotoxic effects. It is therefore of interest to determine the influence of non-leaving groups on the structure and stability of DNA in vitro. We have investigated platinum-DNA adducts formed by cis-[Pt(R-NH2)2(NO3)2] (where R-NH2 = NH3, methylamine, cyclobutylamine, cyclopentylamine and cyclohexylamine) as a function of DNA binding. All compounds quantitatively reacted with DNA in less than 1 h at 37 degrees C. They formed bifunctional adducts with adjacent nucleotides judging from the displacement of the intercalating molecule ethidium bromide, ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy and circular dichroism. Substitution of a H on the NH3 ligand by alkyl groups dramatically destabilized the platinum-DNA complex. Thermal stability decreased progressively with an increasing number of carbon atoms, delta tm = -4.4 degrees C for 3 cyclohexylamine-platinum-DNA adducts/1000 nucleotides, conditions where cisplatin had no effect. DNA adducts with cyclobutylamine and cyclohexylamine ligands inhibited the hydrolysis of platinum-DNA complexes by S1 nuclease. Km for the digestion of DNA containing these lesions was 2.3 times greater than for cisplatin, indicating steric inhibition of enzyme-substrate complex formation. These results show that the non-leaving groups of substituted cis-Pt(II) compounds may destabilize DNA and interfere with protein-DNA interactions. These perturbations may have consequences for the genotoxic and antitumor activities of platinum compounds.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1990

Kinetic studies of the hydrolysis of platinum-DNA complexes by nuclease S1.

The antitumor agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) reacts covalently with DNA and disrupts its secondary structure. Damaged DNA, but not native DNA, is readily digested by S1 nuclease, an endonuclease specific for single stranded polynucleotides. We have measured S1 nuclease digestion of platinated DNA by the release of platinum-DNA adducts and compared it with digestion of unplatinated DNA. The rate of hydrolysis of damaged substrate from platinum-DNA complexes was less than the overall rate of digestion of nucleotides. Similar results were observed for platinum-DNA complexes in native, denatured or renatured conformations. The hydrolysis of denatured platinum-DNA complexes, rb = 0.075 platinum per nucleotide, obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Taking into account the level of DNA damage, Vm, for the release of platinated adducts was 0.6 times smaller than for digestion of unplatinated DNA. Km values and competition experiments indicated that the enzyme bound equally well to platinated and unplatinated substrates. Similar results were obtained for denatured DNA complexes with trans-DDP while [PtCl(diethylenetriamine)]Cl had no influence on nuclease digestion. These results suggest that bifunctional platinum-DNA lesions have contradictory effects on the hydrolysis of double stranded DNA by S1 nuclease. On one hand they create nuclease sensitive substrate by disrupting DNA secondary structure. On the other, they inhibit digestion of the damaged strand by increasing the activation energy for hydrolysis.

Cisplatin↗

PubMed1990

Biophysical studies of the modification of DNA by antitumour platinum coordination complexes.

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II] is widely used in the treatment of various human tumours. A large body of experimental evidence indicates that the reaction of cisplatin with DNA is responsible for the cytostatic action of this drug. Several platinum-DNA adducts have been identified and their effect on the conformation of DNA has been investigated. Structural studies of platinum-DNA adducts now permit a reasonably good explanation of the biophysical properties of platinated DNA. Antitumouractive platinum compounds induce in DNA, at low levels of binding, local conformational alterations which have the character of non-denaturing distortions. It is likely that these changes occur in DNA due to the formation of intrastrand cross-links between two adjacent purine residues. On the other hand, the modification of DNA by antitumour-inactive complexes results in the formation of more severe local denaturation changes. Conformational alterations induced in DNA by antitumour-active platinum compounds may be reparable with greater difficulty than those induced by the inactive complexes. Alternatively, non-denaturation change induced in DNA by antitumour platinum drugs could represent more significant steric hindrance against DNA replication as compared with inactive complexes.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Sites of termination of in vitro DNA synthesis on cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) treated single-stranded DNA: a comparison between E. coli DNA polymerase I and eucaryotic DNA polymerases alpha.

We have compared the capacity of the large fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I and highly purified DNA polymerases alpha from either Drosophila melanogaster embryos or calf thymus to replicate single-stranded M13 mp10 DNA treated with the antitumoral drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP). We report that: a) although prokaryotic and eukaryotic enzymes have different structural complexity and dissimilar in vivo functions, their synthesis was blocked in vitro at similar sites on cis-DDP treated DNA; b) this inhibition occurred not only at d(G)n sequences, as previously reported for E. coli DNA polymerase I, (Pinto & Lippard (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 4616-4619) but also at other sequences which may represent putative cis-DDP-DNA adducts.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Chemical reactivity of monofunctional platinum-DNA adducts.

Complexes formed in vitro between cis- or trans-PtCl2(NH3)2 (DDP) and DNA were found to contain monofunctional adducts that reacted with exogenous guanosine. [14C]Guo bound irreversibly to cis- and trans-DDP-DNA complexes to form bis-Gua adducts. The reaction was first order with respect to the concentration of both [14C]Guo and platinum-DNA complex, but the rate of the reaction varied nonlinearly as a function of the level of platinum binding on DNA. The reaction between [14C]Guo and these platinum-DNA complexes was used to probe the concentration and stability of the monofunctional adducts and to investigate their chemistry in situ. The concentration of monofunctional adducts was highest immediately after reaction of DDP with DNA for 2 h at 37 degrees C, at which time they represented greater than 15% of the cis-DDP-DNA lesions and on the order of 80% of the trans-DDP-DNA lesions. The cis-DDP-DNA complex reacted with [14C]Guo by two kinetically distinct processes, indicating two types of reactive adducts. The most reactive adduct represented 5% of the platinum lesions. These monofunctional adducts disappeared during the incubation of the platinum-DNA complexes in the absence of drug, probably as a result of chelation to DNA. The half-lives of this chelation at 37 degrees C, 10 mM NaClO4, were 15 and 30 h for the cis and trans complexes, respectively. Monofunctional adducts were formed on Gua bases in DNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

PubMed1985

Kinetics of the reaction of cis-platinum compounds with DNA in vitro.

The kinetics of the reaction of a series of cis-platinum(II) compounds with DNA in vitro has been studied using their ability to disturb the secondary structure of the macromolecule. The complexation modifies the stacking of the base pairs and causes an inhibition of the intercalation of ethidium bromide which is correlated with the number of platinum atoms bound per nucleotide. The compounds fall into three groups which react in a few minutes, in a few hours or in several days. The inhibition of the complexation by chloride and carboxylato ions indicates that the interaction occurs through hydrolysed species and that hydrolysis is the rate limiting step. In addition the results indicate that the carboxylato entities are able to react with DNA in vitro without enzymatic activation and that there is no correlation between the antitumoral activity of these compounds against L1210 Leukemia cells and their in vitro reactivity towards DNA.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed1983

cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 and trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 inhibit DNA synthesis in cultured L1210 leukemia cells.

A comparison of the inhibition of DNA synthesis by the two geometrical bidentate isomers cis- and trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 and by the monodentate [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl in a model used for screening potential antitumor compounds, the L1210 leukemia cells, is presented. The efficacy of penetration after a 2 hours Pt treatment is in the order trans (8) greater than cis (1) approximately dien (0.7). DNA replication is reduced to 50% of the control when 1.8 X 10(-4), 2.4 X 10(-4) and 80 X 10(-4) Pt atoms were bound per nucleotide for cis, trans and dien derivatives, respectively. If we admit that DNA is the pharmacological target of Pt antitumor compounds, these results suggest that a quantitative inhibition of DNA synthesis is certainly not correlated with antitumor activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Plasmids in Frankia sp.

A method to achieve cell lysis and isolate Frankia sp. plasmid DNA was developed. A screening of Frankia sp. strains belonging to different host compatibility groups (Alnus sp., Elaeagnus sp., Ceanothus sp.) showed that, of 39 strains tested, 4 (strains Cp11, ARgN22d, ArI3, and EUN1f) possessed plasmids ranging in size from 7.1 to 32.2 kilobase pairs as estimated from agarose gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy. A total of 11 plasmids were detected.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1983

Platinum-amine compounds: importance of the labile and inert ligands for their pharmacological activities toward L1210 leukemia cells.

A series of Pt-amine compounds was assayed for their ability to inhibit the growth of cultured L1210 leukemia cells [median inhibitory dose (lD50)], their toxicity in mice [highest nonlethal dose in healthy mice (LD0)], their antitumor activity against leukemia L1210 cells grafted intraperitoneally into mice [mean survival of treated leukemic mice:mean survival of untreated leukemic mice (T/C)], and the ability to hydrolyze their labile ligands in vitro [hydrolysis half-time (t1/2)]. All Pt compounds exhibiting antitumor activity had a pair of labile ligands in the cis geometry with different charges, and the leaving groups had a wide range of hydrolysis rates. Among the compounds that showed antitumor activity, ID50 depended more on the inert ligands than on the labile ligands and was correlated with T/C. A relationship between LD0 and t1/2 was verified in the series of cis-Pt(II) compounds with the exception of the oxalate derivatives. Pt(II) and Pt(IV) compounds exhibited similar ID50, LD0, and T/C.

Animals↗