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M Dufresne

Publications and source records attributed to M Dufresne.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Identification of a region of the N-terminal of the human CCKA receptor essential for the high affinity interaction with agonist CCK.

The discovery of an N-terminally truncated isoform of the cholecystokinin A subtype (CCKA) receptor exhibiting an atypical pharmacology led us to study the effects of N-terminal truncation on the pharmacology of the human CCKA receptor. We cloned the cDNA encoding the full CCKA receptor and constructed two truncated forms, one which lacked the first 37 amino acids (CCKAT38) and another which lacked the first 42 amino acids (CCKAT43). Expression of the receptors in COS-7 cells showed that the CCKAT38 receptor displayed a pharmacological profile identical to that of the full receptor. In contrast, the CCKAT43 receptor did not directly bind agonist CCK9; however, the agonist could compete for binding at low affinity sites. Binding of the partial agonist JMV180 and the antagonist JMV179 were unaffected. These results identify for the first time a part of the N-terminal, close to the membrane, of the human CCKA receptor that is essential for the high affinity interaction with CCK.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Co-purification of a protein tyrosine phosphatase with activated somatostatin receptors from rat pancreatic acinar membranes.

We have previously shown that somatostatin promotes the stimulation of a membrane tyrosine phosphatase activity in pancreatic cells. To gain insight into the mechanism of somatostatin action, we purified somatostatin-receptor complexes from somatostatin 28-prelabelled rat pancreatic plasma membranes by immunoaffinity chromatography using immobilized antibodies raised against the N-terminal part of somatostatin 28, somatostatin 28 (1-14), which is not involved in receptor-binding-site recognition. After SDS gel electrophoresis a band with a molecular mass of 87 kDa was identified in the affinity-purified material as the somatostatin receptor. The 87 kDa protein was not observed when the membrane receptors were solubilized in a free unoccupied or somatostatin 14-occupied form, or when nonimmune serum replaced the anti-[somatostatin 28 (1-14)] anti-serum. Somatostatin 14 inhibited the appearance of the 87 kDa protein in the same range of concentrations that inhibit radioligand binding on pancreatic membranes. After somatostatin 28 treatment of membranes, purified somatostatin receptor preparations exhibited an elevated tyrosine phosphatase activity that dephosphorylated phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor and poly(Glu,Tyr). This activity was related to the presence of somatostatin receptors in purified material. It was increased by dithiothreitol and inhibited by orthovanadate. In purified material containing somatostatin receptors, anti-[Src homology 2 domains (SH2)]-containing tyrosine phosphatase SHPTP1 polyclonal antibodies identified a protein of 66 kDa which was not detected in the absence of somatostatin receptor. Furthermore, the anti-SHPTP1 antibodies immunoprecipitated specific somatostatin receptors from somatostatin-prelabelled pancreatic membranes and from untreated membranes. These results indicate that a 66 kDa tyrosine phosphatase related to SHPTP1 co-purifies with the pancreatic somatostatin receptors, and suggest that this protein is associated with somatostatin receptors at the membrane level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Photoaffinity labeling of rat pancreatic cholecystokinin type A receptor antagonist binding sites demonstrates the presence of a truncated cholecystokinin type A receptor.

During the past few years, several antagonist ligands for cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors have been discovered, but the mechanism of action of these candidate drugs, as well as the nature of their molecular targets, remains poorly documented. In a previous study, we developed a new antagonist radioligand, 125I-Bolton-Hunter-labeled JMV-179, for the CCK-A receptor (CCK-AR), to analyze CCK antagonist binding sites in pancreatic plasma membranes. We found that 125I-Bolton-Hunter-labeled JMV-179 identified 4 times as many sites as did an agonist radioligand, although agonists were able to interact competitively with the entire population of antagonist sites. In the present work, using biochemical approaches we have identified and characterized CCK antagonist binding sites in pancreatic plasma membranes. We synthesized the photoactivable antagonist probe 125I-azidosalicyclic acid (ASA)-JMV-179. The binding of 125I-ASA-JMV-179 to plasma membranes was inhibited by JMV-179 (IC50, 6 +/- 2 nM), by (Thr28, Ahx31)-CCK-25-33 (IC50, 1.2 +/- 0.5 nM), and by the nonpeptide CCK-AR antagonist L-364,718 (IC50, 2 +/- 1 nM). Photoaffinity labeling using pancreatic membranes or acini demonstrated that 125I-ASA-JMV-179 detected a new 47-50-kDa protein in addition to the 85-100-kDa CCK-AR. The 47-50-kDa protein was not directly detected by a photoactivable agonist, but agonists could inhibit its covalent labeling by 125I-ASA-JMV-179 (IC50 for (Thr28,Ahx31)-CCK-25-33, 15 nM). In competition assays using nonsolubilized or solubilized membranes, this protein displayed binding features of the CCK-AR and was retained on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin, as was the CCK-AR. To further characterize the 47-50-kDa protein, deglycosylation and protease digestions were performed, and the digestion products were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protease digestions of both the CCK-AR and the 47-50-kDa protein yielded identical labeled fragments, demonstrating a structural relationship between the two proteins. The CCK-AR, which has three potential sites for N-glycosylation on the amino-terminal extracellular domain and one on the second extracytoplasmic loop, was deglycosylated to a 42-kDa peptide. The 47-50-kDa protein was deglycosylated to a 35-kDa peptide. These data, and the localization of the labeled fragments in the amino acid sequence of the receptor, suggest that the 47-50-kDa protein represents a CCK-AR lacking its amino-terminal extracellular domain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Affinity Labels↗

Study of the states and populations of the rat pancreatic cholecystokinin receptor using the full peptide antagonist JMV 179.

The full peptide antagonist of the pancreatic cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor, JMV 179, [Boc-Tyr(SO3H)-Ahx-Gly-dTrp-Ahx-Asp phenylethyl ester, where Tyr(SO3H) = sulfated tyrosine, Ahx = 6-aminohexanoic acid] was modified at its N-terminus by incorporation of p-hydroxyphenyl propionate (Bolton-Hunter reagent, BH) and was subsequently radioiodinated. After HPLC purification, 125I-BH-JMV-179, a CCK antagonist radioligand of high specific activity (2000 Ci/mmol) was obtained. 125I-BH-JMV-179 bound to a single population of sites on rat pancreatic plasma membranes, (Kd = 3.9 nM, Bmax = 40 pmol/mg protein). Binding was dependent on time, temperature, and protein concentration, and was fully reversible. JMV 179 radioligand detected four times as many sites as an agonist radioligand [C. Hadjiivanova, M. Dufresne, S. Poirot, P. Sozzani, N. Vaysse, L. Moroder and D. Fourmy (1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 204, 273-279]. Agonists and antagonists of the A- and B-subtype CCK/gastrin receptors inhibited 125I-BH-JMV-179 binding with an order of potency compatible with the A-subtype CCK receptor pharmacology. Moreover, the sulfate group on the tyrosine residue of the CCK peptides appeared to be of much less importance for antagonist affinity than for agonist affinity. Inhibition of 125I-BH-JMV-179 binding by agonists (except JMV 180), demonstrated the presence of two affinity classes of binding sites. The population of sites having an apparent high affinity for CCK represented 30 pmol/mg protein and threefold the number of high-affinity sites previously identified by an agonist radioligand. In presence of non-hydrolyzable GTP, all the sites bound CCK agonists with a low affinity. Moreover, saturation analysis of JMV 179 radioligand binding in the presence of CCK indicated that CCK interacted competitively with all JMV 179 sites and demonstrated binding of JMV 179 radioligand to two distinct affinity classes of sites. In the presence of GTP[S] a single affinity class of sites for JMV 179 radioligand was found as in the control experiments without CCK. This study, with the first CCK peptide antagonist radioligand, demonstrates that CCK receptors exist in two interconvertible affinity states regulated by guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein(s) in rat pancreatic plasma membranes. JMV 179 radioligand does not induce receptor coupling but distinguishes the two affinity states of the CCK receptors. JMV 179 reveals the existence of populations of high-affinity and low-affinity sites for CCK which had not previously been detected by agonist radioligand binding, thus suggesting heterogeneity of CCK receptor sites in membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Peptide hormone-membrane interactions. Intervesicular transfer of lipophilic gastrin derivatives to artificial membranes and their bioactivities.

Incorporation of di-fatty acylglycerol moieties at the N-terminus of human little-gastrin-(2-17) leads to self-aggregation of the resulting lipo-gastrins into stable, most probably fluid vesicles. Net intervesicular transfer of the lipo-gastrins to phosphatidyl-choline model bilayers occurs at high rates whereby the chain length of the gastrin lipid moiety was found to affect the transfer rate more decisively than the nature of the acceptor vesicle. Similarly, the bioactivity of the lipo-gastrins is again affected by the nature of the lipid moiety suggesting differentiated interdigitation with the natural bilayer components and thus, different two-dimensional migration rates to the target receptors. Embedment of the lipo-gastrins in phosphatidylcholine bilayers at high lipid/gastrin ratios as mimicry of the cell membrane bound state does not result in onset of ordered structure, but leads to full exposure of the gastrin in essentially randomly coiled form at the water/lipid interface. This may result from the artificial N-terminal anchorage of the gastrin molecules to the bilayers, but also from the relatively tight packing of the phosphatidylcholine vesicles. Nevertheless, this observation might suggest that in the present case membrane-induced conformation and orientation may not represent a pre-requisite for the hormone receptor binding process. However, the results of this study clearly confirm even for the non-amphiphilic hormone gastrin a membrane-bound pathway for receptor recognition and occupancy.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Expression of cathepsin B and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities, and of apolipoprotein B in human hepatoma cells maintained long-term in a serum-free medium.

We have established the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, in a defined, serum-free medium. These cells were maintained and studied over a 100-generation period (i.e. 10 serial transfers). Cells maintained in serum-free medium exhibited growth parameters (i.e. saturation density, efficiency of plating, and population doubling time) similar to those obtained with HepG2 cells maintained in serum-supplemented medium. Serum-free cells were also similar to their serum-supplemented counterparts with respect to the expression of cathepsin B activity and the induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Significantly, HepG2 cells maintained in serum-free conditions also retained the ability to synthesize and secrete proteins, including the liver plasma protein, apo-lipoprotein B. These results indicate that the serum-free medium used in this study supports the long-term growth and maintenance of human hepatoma, HepG2, cells in culture. Inasmuch as these cells retain phenotypes, including differentiated markers previously reported for their serum-supplemented counterparts, they may provide a more reliable, standardized culture system to study the expression, secretion, and regulation of proteins during biological and pathologic processes.

Apolipoproteins B↗

Pharmacological and biochemical characterization of cholecystokinin/gastrin receptors in developing rat pancreas. Age-related expression of distinct receptor glycoforms.

Cholecystokinin/gastrin receptors in the pancreas of newborn (3-day-old) rats are of type A, as in control mature rats, revealed by pharmacological analysis of specific 125I-Bolton-Hunter-reagent-labelled [Thr34,Ahx37]cholecystokinin(31-39) (Ahx, aminohexanoic acid) binding. Also, by 1 day post-partum, pancreatic cholecystokinin receptors were shown to be coupled to guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory (G) proteins. Scatchard analysis of 125I-Bolton-Hunter-reagent-labelled [Thr34,Ahx37]cholecystokinin(31-39) binding to pancreatic membranes from rats at different times after birth showed a slight increase in the binding capacity of cholecystokinin receptors between days 3 and 14 and a sixfold increase in 21-day-old rats, with no change in receptor affinity during development. SDS/PAGE analysis of pancreatic membranes affinity labelled with the photoactivable ligand 125I-[2-(p-azidosalicylamido)-1,3'-dithiopropionate]-labelled [Thr34,Ahx37]cholecystokinin-(31-39) identified cholecystokinin receptors of 100-135 kDa in 3-day-old rats, 96-130 kDa in 7-day-old rats, 90-125 kDa in 10-day-old rats and 85-100 kDa in 14-day-old and 21-day-old rats, as found in control adult rats. Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F treatment yielded a core protein of 42 kDa in all developmental stages. These findings are consistent with an age-related postnatal expression of distinct glycoforms of pancreatic cholecystokinin receptors. Furthermore, it was observed that the period 2-3 weeks after birth, characterized by stabilization of the mass of the cholecystokinin receptor, precedes the dramatic increase in the receptor number.

Affinity Labels↗

Peptide hormone-membrane interactions: the aggregational and conformational state of lipo-gastrin derivatives and their receptor binding affinity.

The (2RS)-1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-mercaptoglycerol/-, (2RS)-1,2-dimyristoyl-3-mercaptoglycerol/-, and (2RS)-1-myristoyl-2-palmitoyl-3-mercaptoglycerol/maleoyl-bet a-alanyl- [Nle15]-human-gastrin-(2-17) adducts were prepared as lipo-gastrin derivatives of explicitly primary amphiphilic properties. As representative of this class of lipo-gastrins, the dimyristoyl derivative has been thoroughly characterized in its aggregational state since, among the three compounds, theoretically it should exhibit the lowest degree of lipid character. It aggregates in aqueous solution to form monodispersed unilamellar spherical vesicles with dislocation of the peptide moiety at the bilayer surface in predominantly unordered structure. The liposomes are remarkably stable toward solubilization with trifluoroethanol and toward vesicle to micelle transition with neutral and negatively charged surfactants even above their critical micellar concentrations. Asymmetric fusion with the detergent micelles induces polydispersion of the liposomes in terms of shape and size without affecting in significant manner the mode of display of the gastrin portions at the bilayer surface. Only the positively charged hexadecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide provokes the collapse of the vesicles into mixed micelles with concomitant altered dislocation of the gastrin-peptide in the new aggregational state. Despite the lipid properties of the gastrin derivatives, i.e., formation of liposomes, they retain remarkable receptor affinities (IC50 = 1.5 x 10(-9) M for myristoyl-palmitoyl-gastrin, IC50 = 2.0 x 10(-9) M for di-myristoyl-gastrin and IC50 = 3.1 x 10(-9) M for di-palmitoyl-gastrin vs IC50 = 2.8 x 10(-10) M for Nle15-gastrin). Since the displacement of radiolabeled Nle15-gastrin from rat pancreatic acinar cell line membrane preparations by both the parent gastrin hormone and the three lipo-gastrins occurs in parallel manner, the data support a mechanism of receptor occupancy via accumulation of the gastrins at the membrane surface and their two-dimensional diffusion to the target receptor. Thereby the differentiated decrease of affinity in function of fatty acid chain length has to be attributed to the energetically more or less favored transfer of the monomers from the donor vesicles to the acceptor membranes. Moreover, according to this model migration of the lipo-gastrins with their interdigitating di-fatty-acyl moieties should be delayed, again in lipid structure-dependent manner, in comparison to the parent gastrin molecule, which is free to float in the membrane interfacial phase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification of A-subtype pancreatic cholecystokinin receptor by immunoaffinity chromatography.

So far, no efficient affinity chromatography for CCK receptor purification has been reported that prevented obtention of sequenceable amounts of purified receptor. In this work, 10% of plasma membrane receptor sites were specifically cross-linked with the photoreactive cleavable agonist 125I-ASD-[Thr28, Ahx31]-CCK-25-33, solubilized by NP-40, chromatographied on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin and further immunopurified using anti-CCK antibodies to an overall rate of 3000-3600-fold. Analysis of eluted material demonstrated a protein migrating at Mr 85,000-100,000 and the absence of 35S-labeled impurity. This single and efficient affinity chromatography should provide enough homogeneous receptor protein for microsequence determination and leads to consider immunoaffinity chromatography on immobilized anti-ligand antibodies as a potential tool for purification of membrane receptors.

Affinity Labels↗

Biochemical characterization of a subtype pancreatic cholecystokinin receptor and of its agonist binding domain.

This study was undertaken in order to improve photoaffinity labelling efficiency of pancreatic cholecystokinin receptor by the cleavable probe 125I-ASD-(Thr28,Ahx31)-CCK-25-33 and to further characterize the denaturated receptor and its agonist binding domain. Membrane bound pancreatic cholecystokinin receptor was specifically labelled by 125I-ASD-(Thr28,Ahx31)-CCK-25-33 as a component of Mr approximately 85,000-100,000. The efficiency of the photolabelling was 3-4%. Performing photolysis on [125I-ASD-(Thr28,Ahx31)-CCK-25-33-receptor] complexes solubilized by CHAPS did not affect specificity of the labelling reaction but enhanced its efficiency so that up to 10% of the receptor site population could be cross-linked. Several lectins were tested for their ability to recognize and purify the cholecystokinin receptor denaturated by Nonidet P-40. Wheat germ agglutinin provided the best recovery and purification rate. The receptor was fully adsorbed on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin, while only a fraction was retained on ricin II (28%) and Ulex europaeus (58%), thus suggesting that the receptor is heterogeneously glycosylated. Finally, major labelled receptor fragments were generated by enzymatic digestion. There were: endoproteinase Glu-C----Mr approximately 34,000; endoproteinase Glu-C/trypsin----Mr approximately 12,000; chymotrypsin/endoproteinase Glu-C----Mr approximately 16,000 and 12,000. The fragment of Mr approximately 34,000 was deglycosylated to a component of Mr approximately 22,000 whereas the other fragments were insensitive to deglycosylation Such results strongly suggest that cholecystokinin binding occurs in a non-glycosylated domain of the cholecystokinin receptor protein.

Affinity Labels↗

Somatostatin 28 interacts with CCK receptor in brain and pancreas.

The ability of somatostatin analogs to interact with the binding of cholecystokinin has been studied in pancreatic and brain cortical membranes. Only the 28 amino-acid forms of somatostatin (S28), [Nle8]S28 and [Des Lys14,DTrp22]S28 were found to inhibit the binding of cholecystokinin to rat pancreatic plasma membranes and to increase the amylase release from pancreatic acini. This effect was independent of somatostatin receptor and resulted from an interaction between S28 and CCK receptor. This interaction was not observed with [Leu8, DTrp22, Tyr25]S28, indicating that this analog does not possess the biological activity of the native peptide and that the iodinated peptide could not label specific S28 receptors. S28 interacted also with CCK receptors in cortical brain membranes. Our results support the concept that S28, but not S14, may function as a regulatory molecule at CCK receptors and emphasize that S28 and S14 may be distinct neuromodulators.

Amylases↗

Immune recognition of affinity-labelled cholecystokinin receptor.

The present study was undertaken to characterize the immune recognition of pancreatic cholecystokinin receptor by an anti-cholecystokinin antibody. Cholecystokinin receptor from pancreatic plasma membranes was photoaffinity labelled using the specific, cleavable probe 125I-labelled 2-(p-azidosalicylamido)-1,3-dithiopropionate-[Thr28,Ahx31 ]CCK(25-33) [CCK(25-33) is the C-terminal nonapeptide of the 33-amino-acid form of cholecystokinin]. Labelled receptor was then solubilized and subsequently prepurified on immobilized wheat-germ agglutinin. The C-terminal-directed anti-cholecystokinin serum (8E) specifically immunoprecipitated a fraction of affinity-labelled cholecystokinin receptor which was identified at Mr 85,000 - 100,000 on SDS/PAGE. The binding affinity of antiserum 8E for covalently labelled cholecystokinin receptor was lower (Kd 0.11 +/- 0.02 nM) than for cholecystokinin (Kd 3.65 +/- 0.55 pM). The compound L364-718, an A-subtype cholecystokinin-receptor antagonist did not interfere with the immune recognition of cholecystokinin. However, the recognition of affinity-labelled cholecystokinin receptor was enhanced as a result of an increasing availability of cholecystokinin molecules. Indeed, the amount of immunoprecipitated receptor was doubled in the presence of 10 microM L364-718. This study offers the possibility of using an anti-cholecystokinin antibody for cholecystokinin-receptor purification and demonstrates that prepurified affinity-labelled cholecystokinin receptor retains A-subtype specificity.

Affinity Labels↗

Electric properties of photoaffinity-labelled pancreatic A-subtype cholecystokinin.

Although the isoelectric point of a protein is very important, electric focusing of intrinsic membrane proteins in polyacrylamide or agarose gels often fails. The recently introduced Bio-Rad Rotofor cell allowed isoelectric focusing of such a protein, cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor. Both the isoelectric point and the molecular weight (Mr) of pancreatic CCK receptor were determined. For this purpose, membrane CCK receptor was photoaffinity labelled by a cleavable agonist probe, subsequently prepurified on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectrofocusing in solution in the presence of Nonidet P-40. CCK receptor was identified at Mr 85,000-100,000, whereas its deglycosylated product was shifted to Mr 42,000. Further, the isoelectric points of the glycosylated and deglycosylated forms of CCK receptor were pH 4.8 and 4.3, respectively. A knowledge of the isoelectric point should help in characterizing better CCK receptor heterogeneity and/or in purifying CCK receptor proteins.

Affinity Labels↗

On the hypothetical protein F154 of the TTV1 virus from Thermoproteus tenax. Part III: Immunological identification of the protein with anti-peptide antibodies.

To assess the expression of an hypothetical protein F154 encoded in an open reading frame of the DNA sequence of the virus TTV1 identified in the archaebacterium Thermoproteus tenax, two synthetic peptides related to characteristic repeats of the primary structure and corresponding to the sequence portions [Ser81] (73-84) and (79-101) were selectively grafted at their N-termini to the surface-exposed single cysteine residue of iso-1-cytochrome c via the maleimide thiol principle. Antisera were raised in rabbits against the two conjugates and the antipeptide-(79-101) immunoselected antibodies were found to crossreact with a strong protein band in Western blots of cell lysates of TTV1-infected bacteria, thus confirming expression of the protein F154 in Thermoproteus tenax.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A new probe for affinity labelling pancreatic cholecystokinin receptor with minor modification of its structure.

Biochemical studies on receptors for peptides are most often carried out on affinity-labelled (peptide-receptor) complexes. Necessarily, the assumption is made that a covalent (peptide-receptor) complex behaves as the native receptor. The validity of this assumption is dependent on both the affinity-labelling technique and the resolution of the analytical method used for biochemical characterization. We designed a new affinity-labelling probe in order to minimize structural modifications occurring within the affinity-labelled cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor protein. The probe was 125I-labelled 2-(p-azidosalicylamido)-1,3-dithiopropionate-[Thr28,Ahx31 ]CCK-25-33, (125I-ASD-[Thr28,Ahx31]CCK-25-33), the peptide moiety of which was released from its binding site by reduction. It was obtained by coupling a photoactivable chemical to [Thr28,Ahx31]CCK-25-33 via its N-terminus. The resulting peptide was HPLC purified and radioiodinated in the presence of chloramine T. Binding of 125I-ASD-[Thr28,Ahx31]CCK-25-33 was time- and temperature-dependent and reversible. At 25 degrees C, a steady-state level was reached after 60 min and half-maximal dissociation after 38 min. Binding was inhibited by [Thr28,Ahx31]CCK-25-33 and L-364-718 antagonist with IC50 0.4 nM and 0.9 nM, respectively. Photoaffinity labelling of pancreatic plasma membranes by 125I-ASD-[Thr28,Ahx31]CCK-25-33 identified a glycoprotein of Mr 85,000-100,000 which was retained on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin. Enzyme cleavage by endoproteinase Glu-C generated a main fragment of Mr 30,000-34,000. The same glycoprotein was photoaffinity labelled with 125I-DTyr-Gly-[Ahx28,31,pNO2Phe33]CCK-26-33 (Ahx, 2-aminohexanoic acid; pNO2Phe,p-nitrophenylalanine) an intrinsic probe having its photolabile group sited in the binding domain of cholecystokinin. 125I-ASD-[Thr28,Ahx31]CCK-25-33 is a potentially powerful tool for biologically and biochemically studying cholecystokinin receptors.

Affinity Labels↗

Muramyl-peptide/gastrin conjugates as potential immunogens.

For a selective covalent linkage of muramyl-peptides with human-little-gastrin the maleimide-thiol reaction principle was adopted. For this purpose thiol-functionalized muramyl-peptide derivatives, i.e. N-acetyl-muramyl-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-cysteamine and N-acetyl-muramyl-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-N epsilon-palmitoyl-lysyl-cysteamine, were reacted with N alpha-maleoyl-beta-alanyl-[15-methoxinine]-human-little-g ast rin-I-[2-17]. The resulting gastrin conjugates were used in immunization experiments on rabbits and mice. Unexpectedly, these gastrin derivatives proved to be poorly immunogenic despite the built-in immunoadjuvanticity. The titers of the antipeptide antibodies as well as of the unspecific immunoglobulins were in the range of those of the control group.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗