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M D Hollenberg

Publications and source records attributed to M D Hollenberg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Rapid release of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 by thrombin in the rat aorta: modulation by protein tyrosine kinase/phosphatase.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, gelatinase A) and thrombin contribute to many long-term (patho)physiological processes requiring the proteolytic breakdown of the vascular extracellular matrix (e.g., normal tissue repair, remodeling, tumor invasion, atherosclerosis plaque rupture). Thrombin (10 to 1000 nM, 0.5 to 50 U/ml) induced a rapid secretion of MMP-2 from freshly isolated rat aortic tissue (detectable after 1 min of thrombin exposure). This secretion was mediated by an unidentified thrombin receptor, distinct from the proteinase activated receptors (PAR)-1 and -2. Protein tyrosine kinase/phosphatase activity differentially modulated the basal and the thrombin-induced release of MMP-2. The inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase, herbymicin A, genistein, and tyrphostin 1288 (1 to 100 microM), enhanced the basal release of MMP-2 but did not affect the thrombin-induced secretion of MMP-2. The inhibitor of phosphotyrosine phosphatases, vanadate (100 microM), selectively inhibited the thrombin-induced, but not the basal, release of MMP-2. Rapid release of vascular MMP-2 by thrombin could contribute to short-term processes where thrombin is involved such as the regulation of platelet aggregation and vascular reactivity. Vascular tyrosine kinase/phosphatase likely modulates this action of thrombin to prevent exaggerated platelet aggregation, thrombosis, and vasospasm.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of proteinase-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) agonists and antagonists using a cultured cell receptor desensitization assay: activation of PAR2 by PAR1-targeted ligands.

We developed a calcium signaling-based assay, using cultured human embryonic kidney cells (HEK), that evaluates simultaneously, the activation/desensitization or blockade of the proteinase-activated receptors, PAR1 and PAR2. Using this assay, we analyzed the actions of a number of previously described putative PAR1-targeted peptide agonists and antagonists. We found that most of the previously described PAR1-targeted agents can also activate/desensitize PAR2, and most of these peptides can also activate a calcium signaling pathway in a target cell that possesses PAR2 along with PAR1. Furthermore, we used this assay to develop a PAR1 receptor-activating probe [Ala-parafluoroPhe-Arg-Cha-Cit-Tyr-NH2 (Cit-NH2)], which displays a high degree of specificity for PAR1 over PAR2, and we used the assay to quantitate the ability of trypsin to disarm the activation of PAR1 by thrombin. The abilities of the PAR1-targeted agents to desensitize or block PAR1 in the HEK cell assay were compared with their activities in a human platelet aggregation assay. Our data illustrate the usefulness of the HEK cell assay for evaluating the PAR1/PAR2 selectivity of PAR-activating agonists. The PAR1-selective agonist that we developed using the assay should prove useful for studying the effects of selectively activating PAR1 in vivo.

Calcium↗
PubMed1998

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2)-activating peptides: identification of a receptor distinct from PAR2 that regulates intestinal transport.

The effects of PAR2-activating PAR2-activating peptides, SLIGRL (SL)-NH2, and trans-cinnamoyl-LIGRLO (tc)-NH2 were compared with the action of trypsin, thrombin, and the PAR1 selective-activating peptide: Ala-parafluoroPhe-Arg-cyclohexylAla-Citrulline-Tyr (Cit)-NH2 for stimulating intestinal ion transport. These agonists were added to the serosa of stripped rat jejunum segments mounted in Ussing chambers, and short circuit current (Isc) was used to monitor active ion transport. The relative potencies of these agonists also were evaluated in two bioassays specific for the activation of rat PAR2: a cloned rat PAR2 cell calcium-signaling assay (PAR2-KNRK cells) and an aorta ring relaxation (AR) assay. In the Isc assay, all agonists, except thrombin, induced an Isc increase. The SL-NH2-induced Isc changes were blocked by indomethacin but not by tetrodotoxin. The relative potencies of the agonists in the Isc assay (trypsin>>SL-NH2>tc-NH2>Cit-NH2) were strikingly different from their relative potencies in the cloned PAR2-KNRK cell calcium assay (trypsin>>>tc-NH2 congruent with SL-NH2>>>Cit-NH2) and in the AR assay (trypsin>>>tc-NH2 congruent with SL-NH2). Furthermore, all agonists were maximally active in the PAR2-KNRK cell and AR assays at concentrations that were one (PAR2 -activating peptides) or two (trypsin) orders of magnitude lower than those required to activate intestinal transport. Based on the distinct potency profile for these agonists and the considerable differences in the concentration ranges required to induce an Isc effect in the intestinal assay compared with the PAR2-KNRK and AR assays, we conclude that a proteinase-activated receptor, pharmacologically distinct from PAR2 and PAR1, is present in rat jejunum and regulates intestinal transport via a prostanoid-mediated mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Dual endothelium-dependent vascular activities of proteinase-activated receptor-2-activating peptides: evidence for receptor heterogeneity.

1. The vascular actions of the proteinase-activated receptor-2-activating peptides (PAR2APs), SLIGRL-NH2 (SL-NH2) and SLIGKV-NH2 (KV-NH2) as well as the reverse-sequence peptide, LSIGRL-NH2 (LS-NH2) and an N-acylated PAR2AP derivative, trans-cinnamoyl-LIGRLO-NH2 (tcLI-NH2), were studied in rat intact and endothelium-denuded artery ring preparations, primarily from the pulmonary artery (RPA). 2. In RPA rings with but not without a functional endothelium, SL-NH2 (but not LS-NH2) caused either an endothelium-dependent relaxation (at concentrations: < 10 microM) or (at higher concentrations: > 10 microM), an endothelium-dependent contraction. No contractile response was observed in endothelium-denuded preparations, that otherwise contracted in response to the PAR1AP, TFLLR-NH2. 3. The endothelium-dependent contractile response to SL-NH2 was not blocked by the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, the endothelin antagonist BQ123, the angiotensin II antagonist DuP753, by tetrodotoxin; nor by the enzyme inhibitors, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine-methylester (NO-synthase), indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase), SKF-525A (epoxygenase) and MK886 (leukotriene synthesis inhibitor). 4. In the relaxation assay, KV-NH2 was 5 fold less potent than SL-NH2, whereas in the contractile assay KV-NH2 was about equipotent with SL-NH2. However, the maximal contractile response to KV-NH2 was lower than that of SL-NH2. 5. The PAR2AP analogue, tcLI-NH2, was as active as SL-NH2 in the relaxation assay but was inactive as a contractile agonist in the endothelium-intact RPA. 6. The relaxant responses caused by SL-NH2 and trypsin, as well as the contractile response caused by SL-NH2, did not desensitize in the course of repeated exposures of the tissue to agonist; whereas the contractile response to trypsin, only observed at concentrations greater than 30 u ml(-1), was desensitized by previous exposure of the tissue to either thrombin or trypsin. 7. In a contractile assay, where the tissue was desensitized to a concentration of trypsin that would otherwise cause a relaxant response, the preparation still contracted in response to SL-NH2. However, the trypsin-desensitized preparations were no longer contracted by thrombin. 8. From the cross-desensitization by thrombin of the contractile response to trypsin (and vice versa), we concluded that the contractile effect of trypsin was due to activation of the thrombin receptor and not PAR2. 9. We concluded that the endothelium-dependent contraction caused by high concentrations of SL-NH2 is due to an as yet unidentified contracting factor; whereas the endothelium-dependent relaxation response observed at low concentrations of SL-NH2 (< or = 10 microM) is mediated by nitric oxide. 10. The distinct structure activity profiles for the contractile response (potency of KV-NH2 < or = SL-NH2) compared with the relaxant response (potency of KV-NH2 << SL-NH2); the contractile responsiveness to SL-NH2 of an endothelium-intact RPA preparation, that did not contract in response to trypsin; and the lack of contractile activity of the PAR2AP analogue tcLI-NH2, that was as active as SL-NH2 in the relaxation assay all argue in favour of receptor heterogeneity in the vasculature for the PAR2APs. It remains to be determined if the distinct endothelial receptor responsible for the contractile action of SL-NH2 can be proteolytically activated, like PAR1 and PAR2.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Endothelium-dependent contractile actions of proteinase-activated receptor-2-activating peptides in human umbilical vein: release of a contracting factor via a novel receptor.

The contractile actions of the proteinase-activated receptor-2-activating peptides (PAR2APs), SLIGRL-NH2 (SL-NH2), SLIGKV-NH2 (KV-NH2), trans-cinnamoyl-LIGRLO-NH2 (tc-NH2), and the PAR1-AP. TFLLR-NH2 (TF-NH2) as well as trypsin and thrombin were studied in endothelium-denuded and intact human umbilical vein (HUV) ring preparations. In HUV rings with, but not without an intact endothelium, PAR2APs caused a concentration-dependent contractile response, whereas LSIGRL-NH2 trypsin and PAR1APs were inactive. The contractile response was not affected by the endothelin ETA receptor antagonist, BQ123, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, the leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, MK886, or the epoxygenase/P450 inhibitor, SKF-525A. Other pharmacological antagonists (prazosin, Losartan") were similarly inactive. The order of potencies of the PAR2APs to cause a contraction in the endothelium-intact preparation was: SL-NH2 > > KV-NH2 > or = tc-NH2. Using an endothelium-free rat aorta ring as a reporter tissue, surrounded with endothelium-intact HUV as a donor tissue in a 'sandwich assay,' we also monitored the ability of SL-NH2, TF-NH2, trypsin and thrombin to release either contractile (EDCF) or relaxant (EDRF) factors. In the 'sandwich assay' done in the presence of L-NAME (0.1 mM), the endothelium-intact HUV tissue (but not endothelium-denuded HUV) released a contractile factor (EDCF) in response to SL-NH2 (50 microM) but not to trypsin or LSIGRL-NH2. The SL-NH2-mediated release/action of the EDCF was not affected by BQ123, indomethacin, MK886 or SKF-525A. In the 'sandwich assay', trypsin (4-10 nM), SL-NH2, KV-NH2 and tc-NH2 caused the release of a relaxant activity (EDRF) from the endothelium-intact (but not the denuded) HUV preparation. The release of EDRF was blocked by 0.1 mM (omega)nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME). Neither thrombin (10 u ml(-1), 100 nM) nor TF-NH2 (50 microM) were active in this EDRF-release assay. The relative potencies of the PAR2 agonists for causing the release of EDRF in the HUV sandwich assay were: trypsin> >SL-NH2> >tc-NH2>KV-NH2. This order of potencies differed from the one observed for the same agonists in the HUV contraction assay (above) and in an intracellular calcium signalling assay, conducted with cloned human PAR2 that was expressed in cultured rat kidney KNRK cells: trypsin > > SL-NH2 = tc-NH2 > KV-NH2. We conclude that PAR2APs (but not PAR1APs) via a receptor distinct from PAR2, can cause a contractile response in endothelium-intact HUV tissue via the release of a diffusable EDCF, that is different from previously recognized smooth muscle agonists (e.g. prostanoid metabolites, endothelin, noradrenaline, angiotensin-II, acetylcholine).

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Parallel contractile signal transduction pathways activated by receptors for thrombin and epidermal growth factor-urogastrone in guinea pig gastric smooth muscle: blockade by inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase-kinase and phosphatidyl inositol 3'-kinase.

Using a guinea pig gastric longitudinal smooth muscle preparation, we have compared the contractile signaling pathways triggered by the thrombin receptor-activating peptide, TFLLR-NH2 (TF) and by epidermal growth factor-urogastrone (EGF). In addition to inhibitors of tyrosine kinase [tyrphostin 47/AG213, genistein and the src-selective inhibitor CP118,556/PP1], cyclooxygenase (indomethacin, INDO) and diacylglycerol lipase (U57, 908), we also used the signal pathway probe inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein-kinase-kinase (MEK:PD98059), phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase [PI3K: Wortmannin (WM) and LY294002], protein kinase C [PKC: GF109203X (GF)], and of the EGF-receptor kinase (PD153035). We found that in addition to the inhibition of both TF and EGF-stimulated contractions by the inhibitors of tyrosine kinase, cyclooxygenase and diacylglycerol lipase, the actions of TF and EGF were also attenuated by PD98059, WM/LY294002 and GF. However, PD153035 blocked only EGF-triggered contractions. The contractile actions of both TF and EGF were dependent on extracellular calcium. In contrast, the contractile action of arachidonic acid, via a presumed cyclooxygenase product that mediated the contractions caused by both TF and EGF, was not blocked by any of the signal pathway probe inhibitors. The contractile actions of both TF and EGF were accompanied by increases in tissue phosphotyrosyl proteins and an increase in tissue c-src kinase activity. We conclude that protease-activated receptor no. 1- (thrombin receptor) mediated contractions in the logitudial muscle, like EGF receptor-activated responses, require the influx of extracellular calcium and use parallel signal pathways upstream of the cyclooxygenase step, involving MEK, PI3K, kinase C and possibly cellular src. The TF-induced response did not involve trans-activation of the EGF receptor kinase; but the converse (i.e., trans-activation of protease-activated receptor no. 1 (thrombin receptor) by the EGF receptor kinase) could not be ruled out.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Luminal trypsin may regulate enterocytes through proteinase-activated receptor 2.

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) is a recently characterized G-protein coupled receptor that is cleaved and activated by pancreatic trypsin. Trypsin is usually considered a digestive enzyme in the intestinal lumen. We examined the hypothesis that trypsin, at concentrations normally present in the lumen of the small intestine, is also a signaling molecule that specifically regulates enterocytes by activating PAR-2. PAR-2 mRNA was highly expressed in the mucosa of the small intestine and in an enterocyte cell line. Immunoreactive PAR-2 was detected at the apical membrane of enterocytes, where it could be cleaved by luminal trypsin. Physiological concentrations of pancreatic trypsin and a peptide corresponding to the tethered ligand of PAR-2, which is exposed by trypsin cleavage, stimulated generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, arachidonic acid release, and secretion of prostaglandin E2 and F1alpha from enterocytes and a transfected cell line. Application of trypsin to the apical membrane of enterocytes and to the mucosal surface of everted sacs of jejunum also stimulated prostaglandin E2 secretion. Thus, luminal trypsin activates PAR-2 at the apical membrane of enterocytes to stimulate secretion of eicosanoids, which regulate multiple cell types in a paracrine and autocrine manner. We conclude that trypsin is a signaling molecule that specifically regulates enterocytes by triggering PAR-2.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Conformational analysis of the thrombin receptor agonist peptides SFLLR and SFLLR-NH2 by NMR: evidence for a cyclic bioactive conformation.

The conformational properties of the pentapeptide Ser-Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg (P5), a human thrombin receptor-derived sequence forming part of a tethered ligand which activates the thrombin receptor, and its more active amide derivative Ser-Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg-NH2 (P5-NH2), have been studied by proton NMR spectroscopy in dimethylsulfoxide. Measurements of nuclear Overhauser effects, performed using two-dimensional rotating frame nuclear Overhauser (ROESY) and one-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) spectroscopy, revealed that P5 exists mainly in an extended conformation. However, proton-proton 1D-NOEs between Phe C alpha H and Ser C alpha H Leu3 C alpha H and Leu3 NH, and Leu4 C alpha H and Leu4 NH, as well as between the Ser and Arg sidechains, also implicated a minor conformer for P5 having a curved backbone and a near-cyclic structure. In contrast to P5, measurements of NOEs and ROEs for P5-NH2 revealed a more stabilized cyclic structure which may account for its higher biological potency. Thus strong interresidue sequential NH (i)-NH (i + 1) interactions, as well as C-terminal carboxamide to N-terminal side-chain interactions, i.e., Arg CONH2 to Phe ring and Arg CONH2 to Ser C alpha/C beta beta', observed at lower levels of the ROESY spectrum, supported a curved backbone structure for SFLLR-NH2. Since the higher potency P5-NH2 analogue adopts predominantly a cyclic structure, a cyclic bioactive conformation for thrombin receptor agonist peptides is suggested.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Induction of nitric oxide synthase in rat gastric smooth muscle preparations.

The induction in vitro of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in intact gastric circular (CM) and longitudinal (LM) smooth muscle preparations was evaluated 1) pharmacologically, by the appearance of 1 mM L-arginine (L-Arg)-induced relaxation in a precontracted tissue; 2) biochemically, according to the appearance of iNOS mRNA using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; and 3) immunohistochemically, using an iNOS-specific antibody. Functionally, iNOS induction affected the contractile properties of the CM but not the LM preparation. The time course of iNOS induction monitored pharmacologically paralleled exactly the appearance of iNOS mRNA. The relaxant response to L-Arg in iNOS-induced CM tissues was blocked by the iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine and by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor LY-83583. The addition of oxyhemoglobin to the organ bath also attenuated the relaxant response, but tetrodotoxin had no effect. The transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D completely blocked iNOS induction as assessed by both pharmacological and biochemical criteria. In iNOS-induced preparations the iNOS immunoreactivity was not detected in the smooth muscle elements but was localized in a layer of macrophage-related cells that were in apposition to the CM smooth muscle elements. We conclude that the spontaneous induction of iNOS in rat gastric tissue can affect the pharmacomechanical reactivity of the CM elements and that this regulation of the CM contractility is due to the induction of iNOS in a set of macrophage-related cells that are closely apposed to the CM elements so that they selectively affect only the contractility of the CM preparation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-sensitive contractile action of ethanol in gastric smooth muscle: comparison with the action of epidermal growth factor.

We have evaluated the signal transduction pathways whereby, in comparison with epidermal growth factor-urogastrone, ethanol causes a rapid contractile response in guinea pig gastric longitudinal muscle. As for epidermal growth factor (EGF), the ethanol-induced contraction required extracellular calcium, was sensitive to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin 47 (AG213), and was blocked by both the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, U57908. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) for the contractile action of ethanol (approximately 140 mM) was lower than that for propanol and methanol and was not affected by the aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, 4-methyl pyrazole. The actions of ethanol were distinct from those of EGF in that EGF-induced contractions were sensitive to the kinase C inhibitor GF109203X, and the EGF receptor kinase inhibitor PD153035, whereas ethanol-induced contractions were refractory to these inhibitors. Further, EGF-induced contractions were attenuated by the voltage-sensitive calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, whereas the ethanol-induced contractile response was resistant to nifedipine but blocked by the "receptor-operated" calcium channel antagonist SKF96365. We conclude that ethanol without metabolism via alcohol dehydrogenase causes a contractile response in gastric longitudinal muscle tissue via a tyrosine kinase inhibitor-sensitive signal pathway that is parallel in many respects but yet is distinct from that activated by EGF.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1997

Contractile action of ethanol in guinea pig gastric smooth muscle: inhibition by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and comparison with the contractile action of epidermal growth factor-urogastrone.

We observed a contractile action of ethanol (20-500 mM) and other alcohols (methanol and propanol, but not butanol) in guinea pig gastric longitudinal (LM) and circular (CM) smooth muscle preparations. The potency order for the alcohols in the LM preparation was: ethanol = propanol > methanol; and in the CM preparation, propanol > ethanol > methanol. Like epidermal growth factor-urogastrone (EGF), the contractile actions of ethanol in the LM and CM preparations required extracellular calcium and were blocked by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin-47 (AG213). The tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, pervanadate, potentiated the contractile action of ethanol in the LM preparation. Ethanol-induced contractions in both preparations were not affected by 4-methyl pyrazole, an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, and were unaffected by tetrodotoxin, atropine, prazosine or yohimbine. In the LM preparation, like EGF, the contractile action of ethanol was blocked by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, U57,908; in the CM preparation, contractions caused by ethanol and EGF were still observed in the presence of these two inhibitors. Contractions caused by ethanol and EGF in the LM preparation were not affected by the epoxygenase inhibitor, ketoconazole; the lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid; or the phospholipase A2 inhibitor, mepacrine. In contrast, in the LM preparation, EGF-induced contractions were attentuated by the EGF receptor-kinase inhibitor, PD153035; the MAP-kinase-kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059; the kinase C inhibitor, GF109203X; and the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitors, Wortmannin and LY294002; whereas ethanol-induced contractions were unaffected by these inhibitors. Both ethanol and EGF caused small increases in the phosphotyrosyl protein content of the gastric tissue. We conclude that ethanol causes its contractile effects in the distinct gastric LM and CM preparations independent of nerve-released agonists and via a tyrosine kinase inhibitor-sensitive signal pathway that is in many respects similar to, but distinct from the one activated by EGF.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Proteinase-activated receptors: structural requirements for activity, receptor cross-reactivity, and receptor selectivity of receptor-activating peptides.

We have used three distinct bioassay systems (rat aorta (RA) relaxation; rat gastric longitudinal muscle (LM) contraction; human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cell calcium signal) to evaluate the activity and receptor selectivity of analogues of the receptor-activating peptides derived either from the thrombin receptor (TRAPs, based on the human receptor sequence, SFLLRNPNDK...) or the proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2APs, based on the rat receptor sequence SLIGRL...). Our main focus was on the activation of PAR2 by PAR2APs and the cross-activation of PAR2 by the TRAPs. In the RA and LM assay systems, PAR2APs that were either N-acetylated (N-acetyl-SLIGRL-NH2) or had a reverse N-terminal sequence (LSIGRL-NH2) were inactive, either as agonists or antagonists. An alanine substitution at position 3 of the PAR2AP (SLAGRL-NH2) led to a dramatic reduction of biological activity, as did substitution of threonine for serine at position 1 (TLIGRL-NH2). However, alanine substitution at PAR2AP position 4 caused only a modest reduction in activity, resulting in a peptide (SLIARL-NH2) with a potency equivalent to that of the human PAR2AP, SLIGKV-NH2. The order of potency of the PAR2APs in the RA, LM, and HEK assay systems was SLIGRL-NH2 > SLIARL-NH2 > SLIGKV-NH2 > TLIGRL-NH2 > SLAGRL-NH2. In HEK cells, none of the PAR2APs activated the thrombin receptor (PAR1). However, in the HEK cell assay, the TRAP, SFLLR-NH2, activated or desensitized both PAR1 and PAR2 receptors, whereas the xenopus TRAP, TFRIFD-NH2, activated or desensitized selectively PAR1 but not PAR2. By constructing human-xenopus hybrid peptides, we found that the TRAPs, TFLLR-NH2, and SFLLFD-NH2 selectively activated the thrombin receptor in HEK cells without activating or desensitizing PAR2. In contrast, the TRAPs SFLLRD-NH2 and AFLLR-NH2 activated or desensitized both PAR1 and PAR2. The order of potency for the TRAPs in all bioassay systems was SFLLR-NH2 approximately equal to SFLLRD-NH2 approximately equal to TFLLR-NH2 > SFLLFD-NH2 > TFRIFD-NH2. We conclude that the N-terminal domain of the PAR2AP as well as positon 3 plays important roles for PAR2 activation. In contrast, the first and fifth amino acids in the TRAP motif, SFLLR-NH2, do not play a unique role in activating the thrombin receptor, but if appropriately modified can abrogate the ability of this peptide to cross-desensitize or activate PAR2, so as to be selective for PAR1. The PAR1- and PAR2-selective peptides that we have synthesized will be of use for the evaluation of the roles of the PAR1 and PAR2 receptor systems in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis and contractile activities of cyclic thrombin receptor-derived peptide analogues with a Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg motif: importance of the Phe/Arg relative conformation and the primary amino group for activity.

Based on the minimal peptide sequence (Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg) that has been found to exhibit biological activity in a gastric smooth muscle contractile assay for thrombin receptor-activating peptides, the cyclic peptide analogues cyclo(Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg-Acp) (1), cyclo(Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg-epsilon Lys) (2), and cyclo(Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg-Gly) (3) have been synthesized by the solid-phase method using benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluoroborate or 2-(1H-benzo-triazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate as cyclization reagents. The contractile activities of compounds 1-3 have been compared with that of the linear thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP) Ser-Phe-Leu-Leu-Arg-NH2 (compound 4) using a gastric smooth muscle strip assay. Compound 2, wherein the epsilon-amino group of lysine was coupled to the alpha-carboxyl of arginine, exhibited a contractile activity comparable to that of the linear TRAP, compound 4. However compound 1, wherein the aminocaproic linker group yielded a ring size the same as for compound 2 but without a primary amino group, exhibited a contractile activity 600-1000-fold lower than compounds 2 and 4. Compound 3, which exhibited partial agonist activity, was about 100-fold less potent than either compound 2 or 4. NMR spectroscopy of compound 2 revealed a proximity of the Phe and Arg side chains, leading to a molecular model generated by distance geometry and molecular dynamics, wherein the Phe and Arg residues are shown in proximity on the same side of the peptide ring. We conclude that the Phe and Arg side chains along with the primary amino group form an active recognition motif that is augmented by the presence of a primary amino group in the cyclic peptide. We suggest that a comparable cyclic conformation may be responsible for the interaction of linear TRAPs with the thrombin receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Synergistic actions of a thrombin-derived synthetic peptide and a thrombin receptor-activating peptide in stimulating fibroblast mitogenesis.

We measured the ability of the thrombin receptor activating peptide, SFLLR-NH2 (P5A) to stimulate 3H-thymidine incorporation in hamster CCL-39 fibroblasts either alone or in combination with the thrombin-derived polypeptides, YPPWNKNFTENDLL (TDP-1) and AGYKPDEGKRGDACEGDSGGPFV (TDP-2). In the presence (but not absence) of the amino peptidase inhibitor amastatin (10 microM), P5A alone (7.5 to 100 microM) caused a 1.5- to 2-fold stimulation of thymidine incorporation above basal, even though this inhibitor did not abrogate the degradation of P5A by other peptidases present in the assay medium. Neither TDP-1 nor TDP-2 alone had any effect on thymidine incorporation. However, TDP-1 (30 to 90 microM) considerably augmented P5A-mediated thymidine incorporation at low P5A concentrations (7.5 to 30 microM), shifting the P5A concentration-effect curve to the left. TDP-2 was inactive in this regard. The EC50 for this potentiating action of TDP-1 was approximately 40 microM. Further, thrombin, rendered proteolytically inactive by a low-molecular-weight bifunctional inhibitor, hirutonin-6, also acted synergistically with P5A to stimulate CCL-39 cell thymidine incorporation. We hypothesize that thrombin can cause its cellular effects, such as thymidine incorporation, not only via the proteolytic activation of its G-protein-coupled receptor, but also via the concurrent and synergistic interaction of its TDP-1 peptide domain with a separate cell surface docking site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗