PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Santosh Pasha

Publications and source records attributed to Santosh Pasha.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Chimeric peptide of met-enkephalin and FMRFa: effect of chlorination on conformation and analgesia.

In our previous study YFa (YGGFMKKKFMRFa), a chimeric peptide of met-enkephalin and FMRFa, not only produced analgesia but also did not let the tolerance develop. In the continuation of the same study, Phe4 is chlorinated so as to assess the effect of chlorination on the conformation, lipophilicity and analgesia of chimeric peptide [p-Cl Phe(4)] YFa. Not only does the chlorination increase the lipophilicity but also enhances the propensity of [p-Cl Phe(4)] YFa to form alpha helix in comparison of YFa in presence of membrane mimicking solvent trifluoroethanol (TFE). This increase in lipophilicity and helix-forming ability results in more bioavailability and naloxone-reversible analgesia by [p-Cl Phe(4)] YFa. Though analgesia produced by [p-Cl Phe(4)] YFa is more than YFa at all doses, there is sudden decrease in analgesia at 45 and 60 min at 60 mg/kg. This sudden decrease of analgesia seems to be due to desensitization of opioid receptors.

Analgesia↗

Structure-activity relationship study between Ornithyl-Proline and Lysyl-Proline based tripeptidomimics as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

A designed library of tripeptidomimics of Ornithyl-Proline (Orn-Pro) and Lysyl-Proline (Lys-Pro) conjugated with various unnatural amino acids and carboxylic acid derived heterocyclics was synthesized and screened for possible inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Among the tripeptidomimics 10[MTP-Orn-Pro], 11[HTP-Orn-Pro], 14[TA-Orn-Pro] and 20[BPA-Orn-Pro] showed prominent inhibition with IC50 values in micromolar concentrations. Structure-activity relationship study indicated that C3 side chain of Orn as compared to C4 side chain of Lys at P1' position was better suited to inhibit ACE, with propionic acid (C3) derived heterocyclics and unnatural amino acids.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Characterization of a human SWI2/SNF2 like protein hINO80: demonstration of catalytic and DNA binding activity.

The proteins belonging to SWI2/SNF2 family of DNA dependent ATPases are important members of the chromatin remodeling complexes that are implicated in epigenetic control of gene expression. We have identified a human gene with a putative DNA binding domain, which belongs to the INO80 subfamily of SWI2/SNF2 proteins. Here we report the cloning, expression, and functional activity of the domains from hINO80 gene both in terms of the DNA dependent ATPase as well as DNA binding activity. A differential expression of the various domains within this gene is detected in human tissues while a ubiquitous expression is detected in mice. The intranuclear localization is demonstrated using antibodies directed against the DBINO domain of hINO80.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Nanoparticle formation from poly(acrylic acid) and oppositely charged peptides.

Cationic peptides self assemble upon interacting with sodium salt of oppositely charged polymer, poly(acrylic acid), PAA, giving rise to water-soluble nanoparticles at very low concentration (0.1 mM of PAA). The morphology of these kinds of nanoparticles is mainly governed by the composition of the complexes, which can be expressed as Z+/-, i.e., the ratio of positively charged units to the concentration of anionic units of the polymers present in the system. In the present study, at lower Z+/-, the particles are elongated in shape but adopt spherical shape of 75-100 nm in diameter at higher Z+/- values. We propose that the nanoparticles containing cationic peptides obtained by this methodology can serve as delivery system to enhance the antinociception effect of the chimeric peptide with previously administered doses.

Acrylic Resins↗

Synthesis, conformational and pharmacological studies of glycosylated chimeric peptides of Met-enkephalin and FMRFa.

Our previous study showed that a chimeric peptide of Met-enkephalin and FMRFamide, YFa (YGGFMKKKFMRFa) not only caused antinociception and potentiated morphine analgesia but also blocked the development of tolerance and physical dependence. In the continuation of that study three chimeric analogues of YFa, [Ser5]YFa, [O-Glu-Ser5]YFa and [O-Gal-Ser5]YFa, were synthesized. To increase the bioavailability and penetration of blood brain barrier (BBB), glycosylated analogues, [O-Glu-Ser5]YFa and [O-Gal-Ser5]YFa, have been synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis by building block method using anomeric acetate activation method. Circular dichroism studies showed that all the three chimeric peptides are stable and have a propensity for adopting helical conformation in the presence of membrane mimicking solvent. In comparison of parent chimeric peptide YFa, helicity of [Ser5]YFa, [O-Glu-Ser5]YFa and [O-Gal-Ser5]YFa has decreased. Pharmacological studies using tail-flick latency in mice showed that [O-Glu-Ser5]YFa have increased analgesia and bioavailability in comparison of [O-Gal-Ser5]YFa and non-glycosylated analogue [Ser5]YFa. Exhibition of enhanced analgesia by [O-Glu-Ser5]YFa as compared to [O-Gal-Ser5]YFa seems to be due to preference of GLUT-1 transporter system for glucose.

Animals↗

Hypotensive effect of novel chimeric peptides of met-enkephalin and FMRFa.

Endogenous opioid peptides like endomorphins, met-enkephalin and NPFF/FMRFamide family of neuropeptides, besides playing a role in modulation of antinociception, also affect cardiovascular system. Based on MERF, which consists of overlapping sequences of FMRFa and met-enkephalin, two chimeric peptides YGGFMKKKFMRFamide (YFa) and [D-Ala2] YAGFMKKKFMRFamide ([D-Ala2] YFa) were designed and synthesized. In this study, effect of YFa and [D-Ala2] YFa on arterial blood pressure and heart rate was evaluated in anaesthetized rats. Both YFa and [D-Ala2] YFa showed a dose-dependent fall in mean arterial pressure in dose-range of 13-78 micromol/kg. After naloxone treatment (5 mg/kg), vasodepressor effect of [D-Ala2] YFa and YFa was only partially blocked as compared to met-enkephalin. Partial blockade of vasodepressive effect of YFa and [D-Ala2] YFa by naloxone may be attributed to interaction of these chimeric peptides with receptors other than naloxone-sensitive receptors such as anti-opioid receptors, adrenergic receptors and D-analogue receptors.

Animals↗

Epi p 1, an allergenic glycoprotein of Epicoccum purpurascens is a serine protease.

Epicoccum purpurascens (EP) is a ubiquitous saprophytic mould, the inhalant spores and mycelia of which are responsible for respiratory allergic disorders in 5-7% of population worldwide. The diagnosis/therapy of these disorders caused by fungi involves the use of standardized and purified fungal extracts. A 33.5 kDa glycoprotein, Epi p 1 released histamine from whole blood cells of EP allergic patients at a concentration of 50-ng protein. The high specific IgE values detected in EP hypersensitive sera indicated that Epi p 1 is capable of mediating type I hypersensitive reaction in predisposed individuals. It also showed protease activity by virtue of its dose dependent cleavage of serine protease specific synthetic substrate, N-benzoyl arginine ethyl ester hydrochloride (BAEE). The serine protease nature of Epi p 1 was confirmed by its N-terminal sequence (ADG/FIVAVELD/STY) homology to a subtilisin like serine protease. The protease activity of Epi p 1 may be responsible for making its way into the system of pre-disposed individuals through epithelial cell detachment and the histamine releasing ability by cross-linking of IgE antibodies on cell surface is the cause of its allergenic nature.

Allergens↗

A rapid method of sequencing long synthetic peptide sequences by laser power variation in MALDI-ToF, using polyglutamine model peptides.

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-ToF) has evolved into a powerful method for structural analysis of biomolecules. The paper reports a very simple and efficient method of sequencing of long peptides using long polyglutamine stretches with and without interruptions as model peptides, using MALDI-ToF in a linear mode. The method does not require any enzymatic or proteolytic digestions and very long synthetic polyglutamine sequences can be sequenced efficiently just by incremental variation of laser power. The data also reveal whenever there is any interruption within a stretch of glutamines it undergoes a very prompt cleavage at that site. Thus, this method provides an alternative tool for validating long polyglutamine stretches which are very often used as models for studying the structure and conformation of proteins associated with a number of neurodegenerative disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of histidine interruption in mitigating the pathological effects of long polyglutamine stretches in SCA1: A molecular approach.

Polyglutamine expansions, leading to aggregation, have been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. The range of repeats observed in normal individuals in most of these diseases is 19-36, whereas mutant proteins carry 40-81 repeats. In one such disorder, spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA1), it has been reported that certain individuals with expanded polyglutamine repeats in the disease range (Q(12)HQHQ(12)HQHQ(14/15)) but with histidine interruptions were found to be phenotypically normal. To establish the role of histidine, a comparative study of conformational properties of model peptide sequences with (Q(12)HQHQ(12)HQHQ(12)) and without (Q(42)) interruptions is presented here. Q(12)HQHQ(12)HQHQ(12) displays greater solubility and lesser aggregation propensity compared to uninterrupted Q(42) as well as much shorter Q(22). The solvent and temperature-driven conformational transitions (beta structure <--> random coil --> alpha helix) displayed by these model polyQ stretches is also discussed in the present report. The study strengthens our earlier hypothesis of the importance of histidine interruptions in mitigating the pathogenicity of expanded polyglutamine tract at the SCA1 locus. The relatively lower propensity for aggregation observed in case of histidine interrupted stretches even in the disease range suggests that at a very low concentration, the protein aggregation in normal cells, is possibly not initiated at all or the disease onset is significantly delayed. Our present study also reveals that besides histidine interruption, proline interruption in polyglutamine stretches can lower their aggregation propensity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Novel peptidomimics as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: a combinatorial approach.

One of the efficient mode of treatments of chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disorders has been to restrain the formation of angiotensin-II by inhibiting the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) on angiotensin-I. A number of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) have been put to therapeutic use during the last two decades. The efforts continue towards achieving superior molecules or drugs with improved affinities, better bioavailability and thus long duration of action with minimum side effects. The present work evolves around similar objectives. In order to understand the mode of interaction of inhibitors with the active site of the enzyme and subsequently to have lead compounds as possible inhibitors the novel dipeptidomimics and tripeptidomimics have been designed and synthesized using combinatorial chemistry approach. A Focussed library of 10 di- and tri-peptides, eight dipeptidomemics and forty tripeptidomemics was generated. The pharmacophoric heterocyclic moieties and the amino acids have been selected to have affinities with the S1, S1', and S2' subsites of the active site of the enzyme. ACE inhibition studies clearly demonstrated the structural-activity relationships within these classes of peptidomimics. The dipeptidomimics interacted only with S1' and S2' subsites, whereas the tripeptidomemics had additional interaction with S1 subsite, which accounted for their significant ACE inhibition potencies. The in-vitro screening of these peptidomimics have resulted in identification of four promising tripeptidomimics 34[2-benzimidazolepropionyl-Val-Trp], 35[5hydroxytryptophanyl-Val-Trp], 40[2-benzimidazolepropionyl-Ile-Trp] and 45[2-benzimidazolepropionyl-Lys-Trp] with IC50 values in micromolar concentrations.

Amino Acids↗