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Z Selinger

Publications and source records attributed to Z Selinger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

1H-NMR studies of receptor-selective substance P analogues reveal distinct predominant conformations in DMSO-d6.

Proton nmr parameters are reported for DMSO-d6 solutions of two receptor-selective substance P analogues: Ac[Arg6,Pro9]SP6-11, which is selective for the NK-1 (SP-P) receptor and [pGlu6,N-MePhe8]SP6-11, which selectively activates the NK-3 (SP-N) receptor. Full peak assignments of both analogues were obtained by COSY experiments. The chemical shifts, coupling constants, and temperature coefficients of amide proton chemical shifts as well as NOESY effects and calculated side-chain rotamer populations of Phe side chains are reported for both peptides. Analysis of coupling constants and temperature coefficients together with the nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy effects suggest that Ac[Arg6,Pro9]SP6-11 has a trans configuration about the Phe8-Pro9 amide bond and the preferred conformation of this analogue has a type I beta-turn. The nmr data for [pGlu6,N-MePhe8]SP6-11 suggest that this peptide exists as a mixture of cis-trans isomers in which the cis isomer can preferably adopt a type VI beta-turn conformation, and the trans isomer can adopt a gamma-turn conformation. There are indications that the two last turns are stabilized by a hydrogen bond between the syn carboxamide proton and the pGlu ring carbonyl.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide↗
PubMed1989

Colonic substance P levels are increased in ulcerative colitis and decreased in chronic severe constipation.

Substance P content was determined by radioimmunoassay in colonic mucosa from 24 patients with chronic severe constipation, 16 with active ulcerative colitis, and 28 normal controls. In patients with chronic severe constipation, the mean concentration of substance P (19.9 +/- 8.2 pg/mg) was significantly lower than in normal subjects (71 +/- 18 pg/mg). In patients with ulcerative colitis, colonic substance P concentration in inflamed mucosa (170 +/- 46 pg/mg) was significantly higher than its levels in normal subjects. Substance P may therefore have a role in the pathogenesis of clinical conditions associated with diarrhea and constipation.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1989

Light-induced retinal degeneration in rdgB (retinal degeneration B) mutant of Drosophila: electrophysiological and morphological manifestations of degeneration.

Quantitative light and electron microscopy was used to monitor the extent of retinal degeneration as a function of age and temperature in the white-eyed rdgBKS222 mutant of Drosophila melanogaster. Parallel measurements of the electroretinogram (ERG) of the degenerating retina reveal a new phenomenon--the appearance of spike potentials following illumination with bright light. These spikes, which do not appear in the normal fly retina, have a relatively long duration (20-50 ms), regenerative properties, and a rate of occurrence which increases with increasing light intensity. The spikes differed from the light response in being more susceptible to CO2 and to cuts in the eye. The spikes completely disappeared at low extracellular Ca2+ levels which did not reduce the amplitude of the light response. The spike potentials become triphasic when the recording electrode is advanced to the level of the basement membrane. This suggests that the spike potentials originate from the photoreceptor axons as a result of synchronous opening of voltage-dependent channels in a large number of photoreceptor cells. The occurrence of spike potentials during the process of degeneration was studied. Two pahses can be distinguished: (1) Spike potentials appear in retinae of 2-3-day-old flies which display few morphological signs of degeneration. The frequency of appearance of spike potentials decreases in retinae of 14-16-day-old flies which show extensive degeneration of the R1-6 photoreceptor cells but no degeneration of the central R7,8 cells. (2) Spike potentials appear more frequently again in flies of 22-24 d of age. This is probably a consequence of degeneration of the remaining R7,8 photoreceptor cells. Temperature and the light-dark cycle had a critical effect on degeneration. Eight-day-old mutants raised at 19 degrees C in a normal light-dark cycle showed only little degeneration. Eight-day-old mutants raised at 24 degrees C showed only a slight degeneration when raised in the dark. However, the degree of degeneration was greatly enhanced in the mutants raised at 24 degrees C under a light-dark cycle regime. The combined electrophysiological and morphological study of the degeneration, as a function of age and temperature, revealed that (1) the degeneration process takes place even in darkness, but at a slow rate, while light greatly accelerates the degeneration. (2) The degeneration is negligible at 19 degrees C, even during light, in the first week after eclosion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

Chemically induced retinal degeneration in the rdgB (retinal degeneration B) mutant of Drosophila.

Chemicals which affect different steps of the phototransduction cascade were used to identify the site of action of the rdgB gene product of Drosophila. In the rdgB mutant, the photoreceptor cells degenerate after several days of exposure to light, whereas raising the flies in the dark largely prevents the degeneration. In the rdgBKS222 mutant, which was used in the present studies, the light-induced degeneration is characterized by (1) selective degeneration of the peripheral but not the central photoreceptor cells; (2) random distribution of degenerated cells among ommatidia; and (3) the degeneration is specific to the rdgB but not the wild-type photoreceptor cells. In the present study, we show that application of specific chemical agents to the eyes of rdgBKS222 flies in the dark mimics the effects of light and causes retinal degeneration indistinguishable from light. The agents used in these studies are the metabolically stable GTP analogs GTP gamma S and Gpp(NH)p as well as fluoride ions, which are known to activate the transducing guanine nucleotide binding protein (G-protein of fly photoreceptors). It is unlikely that the chemically induced retinal degeneration is mediated by effects on energy metabolism, since application of the metabolic inhibitors CN- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose did not increase the extent of retinal degeneration over that observed in control flies treated with Ringer solution. The GDP analog GDP beta S, which inhibits G-protein activity, greatly reduced the extent of retinal degeneration in the dark, over that observed in control flies treated with Ringer solution. These results suggest that activation of the G-protein precedes the step in the transduction cascade that leads to retinal degeneration and provides a powerful tool to investigate the molecular mechanism of light-induced degeneration in the rdgB mutant.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Chemical excitation and inactivation in photoreceptors of the fly mutants trp and nss.

The Drosophila and Lucilia photoreceptor mutants, trp and nss, respond like wild-type flies to a short pulse of intense light or prolonged dim light; however, upon continuous intense illumination, the trp and nss mutants are unable to maintain persistent excitation. This defect manifests itself by a decline of the receptor potential toward baseline during prolonged intense illumination with little change in the shape or amplitude of the quantal responses to single photons (quantum bumps). Previous work on the trp and nss mutants suggests that a negative feedback loop may control the rate of bump production. Chemical agents affecting different steps of the phototransduction cascade were used in conjunction with light to identify a possible branching point of the feedback loop and molecular stages which are affected by the mutation. Fluoride ions, which in the dark both excite and adapt the photoreceptors of wild-type flies, neither excite nor adapt the photoreceptors of the trp and nss mutants. The hydrolysis-resistant analogue, GTP gamma S, which excites the photoreceptors of wild-type flies, resulting in noisy depolarization, markedly reduces the light response of both mutant flies. Intracellular recordings revealed, however, that the inhibitory effect of GTP gamma S on the nss mutant was accompanied neither by any significant depolarization nor by an increase in the noise, and thus was very different from the effect of a dim background light. The combination of inositol trisphosphate and diphosphoglycerate (InsP3 + DPG), which efficiently excites the photoreceptors of wild-type Lucilia, also excites the photoreceptors of nss Lucilia mutant. The InsP3 + DPG together act synergistically with light to accelerate the decline of the response to light in the mutant flies. These results suggest that the fly phototransduction pathway involves a feedback regulatory loop, which branches subsequent to InsP3 production and regulates guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-phospholipase C activity. A defect in this regulatory loop, which may cause an unusually low level of intracellular Ca2+, severely reduces the triggering of bumps in the mutants during intense prolonged illumination.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The actions of receptor-selective substance P analogs on myenteric neurons: an electrophysiological investigation.

Intracellular recordings were made from myenteric neurons of the guinea-pig duodenum and the responses to local ejection of several substance P (SP) analogs were examined. It was found that senktide (succinyl-[Asp6,Me-Phe8]SP-(6-11)), a selective analog for the NK-3 (SP-N) receptor, was particularly effective in depolarizing the neurons. It was 20-100 times more potent than SP and about 1000-fold more potent than the selective analogs for the NK-1 (SP-P) receptor, which resides on muscle cells. The response to the peptides was prolonged (20-120 s), but in about 20% of the cells there was a fast, early depolarizing component (observed only with senktide). In most cases there was an increase in the input resistance of the cell during the slow depolarization. Together with the finding that the response reversed at about -90 mV, this indicates that the response is due to the closure of K+ channels. The results support the existence of an NK-3 (SP-N) receptor and provide direct information about the membrane mechanisms through which NK-3 agonists excite myenteric neurons.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1988

Effect of substance P on rat gastrointestinal transit.

The in vivo effect of substance P and related peptide analogs on gastrointestinal transit in unanesthetized rats was studied. Fasted male rats were given intragastrically 0.5 ml of a powdered charcoal (BaSo4.H2O) meal and were concomitantly injected intraperitoneally with 8 micrograms/kg of substance P or a related peptide. In control rats, the percentage of small intestine traversed by the meal 15 min after feeding was 44.9 +/- 1.4 (N = 12). Substance P, [pGlu6]SP, [pGlu6, gPhe8, mGly9]SP and [pGlu5, N-MePhe8, N-MeGly9]SP significantly accelerated intestinal transit: 59.5 +/- 3.1% (N = 7); 66.0 +/- 3.8% (N = 14), 66.8 +/- 2.4% (N = 25), and 58.4 +/- 4.4% (N = 4), respectively. Concomitant injection of [pGlu6]SP and BOC-Phe-Phe-Gly-NHOH, an inhibitor of enzyme degradation at a dose of 800 micrograms/kg lowered by 10-fold the dose of [pGlu6]SP needed to induce the same degree of intestinal transit acceleration. These results indicate that in rats, substance P and related peptides accelerate gastrointestinal transit.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Dehydro keto methylene and keto methylene analogues of substance P. Synthesis and biological activity.

The synthesis of dehydro keto methylene and keto methylene analogues of substance P using classical peptide synthesis is described. The following analogues were prepared: [pGlu6,Gly9psi(COCH2)(RS)Leu10]SP6-11 (4) and [pGlu6,-(RS)Phe7 psi(COCH2)(RS)Phe8]SP6-11 (8). The use of an improved deprotection scheme employing Meerwein's reagent (Et3OBF4) made possible the syntheses of the novel dehydro keto methylene analogue [pGlu6,(RS)Phe7 psi-(COCH2)delta(E)Phe8]SP6-11 (26) adn the tetrapeptide analogue [pGlu6,(RS)Phe8 psi(COCH2)Gly9]SP6-9(-OMe) (23). Compound 4 was a weak agonist in provoking contractions of the guinea pig ileum. Compound 26 was a potent inhibitor of SP degradation in rat hypothalamus preparations, with an IC50 value of 1.8 microM.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Light reduces the excitation efficiency in the nss mutant of the sheep blowfly Lucilia.

The nss (no steady state) phototransduction mutant of the sheep blowfly Lucilia was studied electrophysiologically using intracellular recordings. The effects of the nss mutation on the receptor potential are manifested in the following features of the light response. (a) The responses to a flash or to dim lights are close to normal, but the receptor potential decays close to the baseline level during prolonged illumination after a critical level of light intensity is reached. (b) The decline of the response is accompanied by a large reduction in responsiveness to light that recovers within 20 s in the dark. (c) The full reduction in responsiveness to light is reached when approximately 13% of the photopigment molecules are converted from rhodopsin (R) to metarhodopsin (M). (d) A maximal net pigment conversion from R to M by blue light induces persistent inactivation in the dark, without an apparent voltage response. This inactivation could be abolished at any time by M-to-R conversion with orange light. The above features of the mutant indicate that the effect of the nss mutation on the light response of Lucilia is very similar to the effects of the transient receptor potential (trp) mutation on the photoreceptor potential of Drosophila. Noise analysis and voltage measurements indicate that the decay of the receptor potential is due to a severe reduction in the rate of occurrence of the elementary voltage responses (bumps). The bumps are only slightly modified in shape and amplitude during the decline of the response to light of medium intensity. There is also a large increase in response latency during intense background illumination. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that separate, independent mechanisms determine bump triggering and bump shape and amplitude. The nss mutation affects the triggering mechanism of the bump.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Desensitization with a selective agonist discriminates between multiple tachykinin receptors.

We have reported recently the development of substance P analogs which selectively activate different tachykinin receptor types. These compounds, namely septide [( pGlu6, Pro9]substance P6-11 hexapeptide), which preferentially acts on the NK-1 (SP-P) receptor, and senktide (succinyl-[Asp6,Me-Phe8] substance P (6-11) hexapeptide), which selectively acts on the NK-3 (or SP-N) receptor, were now used to identify the tachykinin receptors present in several smooth muscle systems. Septide as well as senktide were found to be devoid of activity in the electrically stimulated rat vas deferens, showing that, in this preparation, which is the prototype NK-2 (or SP-E) system, tachykinin-induced contraction is not mediated via NK-1 or NK-3 receptors. In contrast, senktide did evoke contraction of the isolated rat duodenum, demonstrating that this tissue, which had been classified previously as a NK-2 preparation, also contains NK-3 receptors. After desensitization of NK-3 receptors by treatment with a desensitizing concentration of senktide, the rank order of tachykinin potencies in contracting the isolated rat duodenum corresponded to that of a typical NK-2 system. In the guinea pig ileum in which the tachykinin-evoked contraction is mediated by both NK-1 and NK-3 receptors, desensitization of NK-3 receptors unmasked a typical NK-1 response. Inasmuch as selective desensitization of both NK-1 and NK-3 sites abolished the tachykinin-induced response of the guinea pig ileum, it seems that this preparation does not contain NK-2 receptors. Our results show that selective agonists can be used to perform independent assays of several tachykinin receptors present within the same tissue preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Coupling of photoexcited rhodopsin to inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in fly photoreceptors.

Fly photoreceptor membranes were used to test the effect on defined biochemical reactions of light and of compounds causing photoreceptor excitation. Complementary electrophysiological studies examined whether putative second messengers excite the fly photoreceptor cells. This analysis revealed the following sequence of events: photoexcited rhodopsin activates a G protein by facilitating GTP binding. The G protein then activates a phospholipase C that generates inositol trisphosphate, which in turn acts as an internal messenger to bring about depolarization of the photoreceptor cell. Binding assays of GTP analogs and measurements of GTPase activity showed that there are 1.6 million copies of G protein per photoreceptor cell. The GTP binding component is a 41-kDa protein, and the light-activated GTPase is dependent on photoconversion of rhodopsin to metarhodopsin. Analysis of phospholipase C activity revealed that this enzyme is under stringent control of the G protein, that the major product formed is inositol trisphosphate, and that this product is rapidly hydrolyzed by a specific phosphomonoesterase. Introduction of inositol trisphosphate to the intact photoreceptor cell mimics the effect of light, and bisphosphoglycerate, which inhibits inositol trisphosphate hydrolysis, enhances the effects of inositol trisphosphate and of dim light. The interaction of photoexcited rhodopsin with a G protein is thus similar in both vertebrate and invertebrate photoreceptors. These G proteins, however, activate different photoreceptor enzymes: phospholipase C in invertebrates and cGMP phosphodiesterase in vertebrates.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Metabolically stable analogues of substance P: persistent action of partially modified retro-inverso analogues of substance P on rat parotid and hypothalamic slices.

In a search for metabolically stable analogues of substance P (SP) the hexapeptide [pGlu6]SP-(6-11) was modified by reversal of the direction of a single amide bond. This novel peptide modification reverses the direction of the amide bonds at the peptide backbone but attempt to retain the topology of the amino acid side-chains at the peptide surface. The partial retro-inverso modification was successfully applied in a previous study for enkephalin analogues which were found to have potent and protracted morphinomimetic activity both in vivo and in vitro. The partially modified retro-inverso analogues: [pGlu6 psi(NH-CO)(RS)-Phe7]SP-(6-11) (analogue II) and [pGlu6,Phe8 psi(NH-CO)Gly9]SP-(6-11) (analogue III) were tested on guinea-pig ileum and for K+ release from rat parotid slices. Metabolic stability of the analogues was measured by their ability to produce persistent K+ release from parotid slices, their half life time (t1/2) in the rat parotid and hypothalamic slice systems and their resistance to proteolytic cleavage by chymotrypsin, pepsin, papain and pronase. Analogue II was devoid of biological activity and was slowly degraded in the parotid system and by several proteases. Analogue II was a full agonist of the SP-P receptor with a potency of 22 and 15% of the parent compound I, in the guinea-pig ileum and parotid slice system respectively. Pretreatment of the guinea-pig ileum with atropine (0.3 microM) had no effect on the potency of analogue III. On the other hand, when tested on rat vas deferens (an SP-E system), analogue III was about 20-fold more potent than the parent compound I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Characterization of a neurokinin B receptor site in rat brain using a highly selective radioligand.

We have recently characterized a tachykinin receptor subtype (SP-N) whose preferred ligand is the mammalian neuropeptide, neurokinin B (Laufer, R., Wormser, U., Friedman, Z. Y., Gilon, C., Chorev, M., and Selinger, Z. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 7444-7448). To investigate this novel tachykinin receptor, we have now prepared a radiolabeled peptide, N alpha-[( 125I]desamino-3-iodotyrosyl)-[Asp5,6, N-methyl-Phe8]substance P (5-11) heptapeptide (125I-BH-NH-Senktide), which selectively interacts with the SP-N receptor subtype. The binding of 125I-BH-NH-Senktide to rat cerebral cortex membranes was studied under conditions that minimized nonspecific binding. Unlike other tachykinin receptor probes, this radioligand is not degraded during the binding experiment. Binding of 125I-BH-NH-Senktide is reversible, saturable, and of high affinity (KD = 0.9 nM). The radioligand labels a single class of binding site (122 fmol binding sites/mg of protein), as indicated by a linear Scatchard plot and a Hill coefficient close to unity (nH = 1.05). The pharmacological specificity of this binding site corresponds to that of the neuronal SP-N receptor in guinea pig ileum myenteric plexus, which was determined by a functional bioassay. Among various rat brain regions, the highest binding was observed in the cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. These results suggest the existence and specific distribution of a neurokinin B receptor site of the SP-N type in rat brain. 125I-BH-NH-Senktide is the first selective and potent probe for this receptor and is thus an important tool for further studies of its distribution, regulation, and functional role.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Highly selective agonists for substance P receptor subtypes.

The existence of a third tachykinin receptor (SP-N) in the mammalian nervous system was demonstrated by development of highly selective agonists. Systematic N-methylation of individual peptide bonds in the C-terminal hexapeptide of substance P gave rise to agonists which specifically act on different receptor subtypes. The most selective analog of this series, succinyl-[Asp6,Me-Phe8]SP6-11, elicits half-maximal contraction of the guinea pig ileum through the neuronal SP-N receptor at a concentration of 0.5 nM. At least 60,000-fold higher concentrations of this peptide are required to stimulate the other two tachykinin receptors (SP-P and SP-E). The action of selective SP-N agonists in the guinea pig ileum is antagonized by opioid peptides, suggesting a functional counteraction between opiate and SP-N receptors. These results indicate that the tachykinin receptors are distinct entities which may mediate different physiological functions.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1986

Ketomethylene pseudopeptide analogues of substance P: synthesis and biological activity.

Two pseudopeptide analogues [Bz-(RS)Phe8 psi (COCH2)Gly9]SP8-11 (I) and [pGlu6,(RS)Phe8 psi (COCH2)Gly9]SP6-11 (II) of the substance P related C-terminal hexapeptide [pGlu6]SP6-11 were prepared as follows. The pseudodipeptidic unit H(RS)Phe psi (COCH2)GlyOH was synthesized by using a modified Dakin-West reaction between Bz-Phe-OH and monomethyl succinoyl chloride. The N alpha-protected pseudopeptidic unit was then incorporated into the appropriate peptide by using various coupling methods. The two pseudopeptide analogues were purified, characterized, and tested for their biological activity and inhibitory effect on SP degrading enzymes. Analogue II was a full agonist contracting the isolated guinea pig ileum with a potency of 70% compared to the parent hexapeptide [pGlu6]SP6-11. It was also a potent inhibitor of SP degrading activity in rat diencephalon membranes with a Ki of 20 microM whereas analogue I was a weak inhibitor.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[pGlu6,Pro9]SP6-11, a selective agonist for the substance P P-receptor subtype.

Substitution of a single amino acid residue, proline for glycine-9 in [pGlu6]SP6-11, a hexapeptide analogue of substance P, confers on the peptide selective agonist activity toward the SP-P receptor subtype. [pGlu6,Pro9]SP6-11 had 20% and 75% of the activity of [pGlu6]SP6-11 in stimulating, respectively, K+ release from rat parotid slices and contraction of the isolated guinea pig ileum, via the SP-P receptor subtype. In contrast, [pGlu6,Pro9]SP6-11 had substantially reduced activity on SP-E systems such as the hamster urinary bladder and rat duodenum, being about 20-fold less potent than [pGlu6]SP6-11 and 200-670-fold less potent than neurokinin B. In the guinea pig ileum [pGlu6,Pro9]SP6-11 had very low activity on the neuronal tachykinin receptor, being 325 times less potent than [pGlu6]SP6-11 and 1000 times less potent than neurokinin B. Because of its discrimination between the muscular and neuronal receptors in the guinea pig ileum (muscular/neuronal potency ratio = 600), [pGlu6,Pro9]SP6-11 can be used to specifically desensitize the muscular receptor of this tissue. This procedure enables a selective and sensitive bioassay of the neuronal receptor.

Animals↗