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G Zanotti

Publications and source records attributed to G Zanotti.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The bovine plasma retinol-binding protein. Amino acid sequence, interaction with transthyretin, crystallization and preliminary X-ray data.

1. The primary structure of bovine plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP) has been determined and found to be more than 90% identical to human and rabbit RBPs, and more than 80% identical to rat RBP. Main changes in amino acid sequence are observed in two regions on the surface of the protein molecule (residues 138-148 and 169-183). 2. The interactions of bovine RBP with bovine and human transthyretins were investigated using the technique of fluorescence polarization. Bovine RBP was able to form high affinity complexes (K'd = 0.34 +/- 0.02 microM) with both bovine and human transthyretins, displaying a stoichiometry of approximately 2 molecules RBP/molecule transthyretin in both cases. The sites that participate in protein-protein interactions are thus very similar, and this tends to exclude the involvement of the superficial regions more significantly substituted in mammalian RBPs (residues 138-151 and 167-183) in the protein-protein recognition. 3. Bovine RBP has been crystallized (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with a = 4.61 nm, b = 4.91 nm, c = 7.61 nm) and the crystals are suitable for high-resolution X-ray diffraction studies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

S-deoxo-Abu1,Ile3-amaninamide, an inactive amatoxin analogue.

The title compound 3, an amatoxin analogue containing L-alpha-aminobutyric acid instead of L-asparagine in position 1, as in natural toad stool peptides, has been synthesized. It does not inhibit the eukaryotic DNA-dependent RNA polymerase form II (or B) in concentrations up to 10(-4)M, whereas 50% inhibition is exerted in 10(-6)M solution by the corresponding Asn-analogue S-deoxo-Ile3-amaninamide 2. The striking difference seems to be due to a relatively small variation of the conformation recognized by sensitive NMR spectroscopic methods.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1989

Bicyclic peptides: solution conformation and Ca2+ binding of the heterodetic bicyclic decapeptide cyclo(Glu1-Leu2-Pro3-Gly4-Ser5-Ile6-Pro7-Ala8)- cyclo(1 gamma----5 beta)Phe9-Gly10.

The conformational behavior of a heterodetic bicyclic decapeptide (BCPLT) in the absence and in the presence of calcium ions has been studied by means of mono and two-dimensional nmr techniques. Free BCPLT possesses a quite compact structure stabilized by intramolecular bonds and turns. In the structure a cluster of carbonyls is located in a cavity that is supposed to be the cation binding site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Ala analogues of the cyclolinopeptide A.

Analogues of cyclolinopeptide A, due to the replacement of each amino acid in the Pro1-Pro2-Phe3-Phe4 sequences with an L-Ala residue, were synthesized by classical method in solution. Mixed anhydride and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide coupling methods have been used for the synthesis of both linear and cyclic peptides. The products were characterized by Rf values and uv spectra, as well as by fast atom bombardment spectroscopy. 1H-nmr studies on [Ala2] analogues are also reported. Preliminary data in CDCl3 solution, at low temperature, seems more promising.

Alanine↗
PubMed1989

Comparison of the conformations of cyclolinopeptide A in the solid state and in solution.

Cyclolinopeptide A, a cyclic nonapeptide isolated from linseed, has lately attracted large interest for its cytoprotective activity. The recent elucidation of its solid state structure has prompted us to undertake a detailed conformational analysis in solution. Room-temperature 1H-nmr spectra in several solvents (DMSO-d6, DMSO-d6/D2O/H2O, CD3OH, (CD3)2CDOH, CDCl3) all show very broad lines, indicating the presence of chemical exchange among several conformers. It proved possible to freeze a single conformational state in CDCl3 at 214 K. Unusual chemical shifts and nuclear Overhauser enhancements are consistent with the main features of the solid state structure.

Peptides, Cyclic↗
PubMed1989

Structure-toxicity relationships in the amatoxin series. Synthesis of S-deoxy[gamma(R)-hydroxy-Ile3]-amaninamide, its crystal and molecular structure and inhibitory efficiency.

The amatoxins, highly toxic components of Amanita mushrooms, strongly inhibit the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (or B) in eukaryotic cell nuclei. For optimal binding to the enzyme a gamma-hydroxyisoleucine side chain in the 3-position is important as in gamma-amanitin (compound 1), where the OH-group is bound in the [S]-configuration. Amanullin, a non-toxic component, having an oxygen-free isoleucine side chain no. 3, exhibits an inhibitory effect on RNA polymerase II about two orders of magnitude smaller than that of gamma-amanitin. An equal, relatively weak, inhibitory effect has previously been found with the synthetically obtained Ile3-analog 7. In the present paper the synthesis of an analog (2) bearing a gamma-hydroxyl group in the isoleucine side chain is described. The compound was found to have about the same inhibitory effect on RNA polymerase II from Drosophila embryos as amanullin and the Ile3-analog 7. Structure analysis by X-ray diffraction revealed that the hydroxyl group at the -carbon atom of side chain-3 has the [R]-configuration, the new analog thus being -deoxo[( )-hydroxy-[Ile3]-amaninamide. It follows that the [S]-configuration of this chiral center is a prerequisite to maximal toxicity. Crystallographic data demonstrating great similarity between the peptide backbones of the new analog and those of natural amatoxins are given.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1988

Chicken liver basic fatty acid-binding protein (pI = 9.0). Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray data.

Chicken liver basic fatty acid-binding protein (pI = 9.0) has been purified with a high yield by a modification of a method originally applied to rat liver. The final product is highly homogeneous and can be used to grow crystals that belong to two different space groups. The crystals are either tetragonal, space group P4(2)2(1)2 with a = b = 60.2 A and c = 138.1 A or orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 60.7 A, b = 40.1 A and c = 66.7 A. The second form appears to be more suitable for X-ray diffraction studies, it diffracts to at least 2.8 A resolution and it is believed to contain one protein molecule in the crystallographic asymmetric unit.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1988

Structure of a peptide surrogate, tert-butoxycarbonylalanyl-psi(CH2S)-phenylalanine [Boc-Ala-psi(CH2S)-Phe-OH].

C17H25NO4S, Mr = 339.5, monoclonic, C2 a = 24.927 (8), b = 5.252 (4), c = 16.867 (7) A, beta = 122.70 (1) degree, V = 1858.2 (9) A3, Z = 4, D chi = 1.21 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 1.83 cm-1, F(000) = 728, T = 295 K. The final R value for 1466 independent observed reflections is 0.075. The thiomethylene dipeptide analogue possesses a C alpha i...C alpha i+1 distance somewhat smaller than in the extended amide counterpart due to a partially folded structure, especially in the C-terminal region. Pairs of molecules are held together by O-H...O = C (carboxylic acid) hydrogen bonds.

Dipeptides↗
PubMed1988

Effects of exercise on haematologic parameters, serum iron, serum ferritin, red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and creatine contents, and serum erythropoietin in long-distance runners during basal training.

We studied 18 well-trained male long-distance runners during the basal training. Haematologic parameters, serum iron and ferritin, red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and creatine contents, serum erythropoietin were investigated before and after the daily training and were compared with a group of healthy untrained controls. Red blood cell parameters did not change with the training, even though they were significantly lower than in controls. However, a true anaemic state cannot be suggested because the haemoglobin values fell into the lower limit of the normal range, even before the exercise. A slight but significant increase of neutrophils was found after the exercise, while no alteration of platelet count was observed. Serum iron and ferritin ranged normally. No increase of red cell 2,3-DPG was observed after the exercise, but it was significantly higher than in controls. After the exercise red creatinine was slightly increased. The athletes' erythropoietin was higher than that of controls, and showed a further increase after the training.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗
PubMed1988

Synthetic amatoxin analogues. II. A proton n.m.r. study of S-deoxo-Ile3-(L)Ala5 and S-deoxo-Ile3-(D)Ala5-amaninamide.

Amatoxin analogues with D and L-Ala substitutions in position 5 have been studied by means of 1- and 2-dimensional n.m.r. spectroscopy at 500 MHz. The assignment of all resonances for both analogues has been carried out mostly with the use of COSY and NOESY type experiments. Temperature coefficients for the amide NH protons have been measured and the data compared to known amatoxin structures. The results obtained demonstrate that the rigidity of the bicyclic amatoxin framework is preserved in the D and L-Ala5 analogues, although the temperature coefficients point to intramolecular hydrogen bonds stronger in the case of the L-Ala analogue. The 10-fold decrease of biological activity is discussed in terms of structural features involving also the Trp4 indole accessibility.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1987

Crystal structure of the trigonal form of bovine beta-lactoglobulin and of its complex with retinol at 2.5 A resolution.

The structure of the trigonal crystal form of bovine beta-lactoglobulin has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. An electron density map, calculated with phases obtained by the multiple isomorphous replacement method, served as a starting point for alternate cycles of model building and restrained least-squares refinement. The model of the molecule fitted to the initial Fourier map was the one built for the orthorhombic crystal form of beta-lactoglobulin, solved at 2.8 A resolution (1 A = 0.1 nm). The final R factor for 1456 atoms (1276 non-hydrogen protein atoms and 180 solvent atoms) is 0.22, including 5245 reflections from 6.0 to 2.5 A. The molecule shows significant differences in the two crystal forms mentioned, mainly due to different packing. In the trigonal form, the species crystallized does not appear to be dimeric, but a linear polymer with tight intermolecular contacts. A difference electron density map between the complex of beta-lactoglobulin with retinol and the native protein shows no significant peaks in the cavity which, in the similar retinol-binding protein, binds the chromophore. Instead, differences are found at a surface pocket, which is limited almost completely by hydrophobic residues.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Synthesis of cyclic tryptathionine peptides.

The helicity of the tryptathionine moiety of the phallotoxins has been recognized by comparison with cyclic tryptathionine tripeptides. In order to investigate the influence of the configuration of the component amino acids on the conformation of the cyclic peptides, six analogue thioether tripeptides containing L- and D-alanine and L- and D-cysteine, respectively, have been synthesized. The CD spectra of the peptides are very similar to each other, showing mirror images of the CD of phalloidin and, therefore, negative helicity. The spectra of the D-cysteine containing compounds differ from the L-cysteine containing compounds by their weakly positive ellipticity values around 270 nm. The cyclization reaction of Boc-Hpi-D-Ala-D-Cys(STrt)OCH3, along with the cyclic tripeptide, afforded a cyclic hexapeptide by dimerization. The CD spectrum of the dimer is very similar to that of phalloidin, thus pointing to a positive helicity of its two tryptathionine moieties. The dimeric thioether peptide forms a rather strong complex with Cu2+ ions.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1987

Synthesis of analogues of amaninamide, an amatoxin from the white Amanita virosa mushroom.

Analogs of amaninamide, due to the absence of a 6-hydroxy group in the tryptophan moiety, are more easily accessible by synthesis than derivatives of alpha-amanitin. Syntheses of bicyclic octapeptide thioethers 1f-1m have been carried out starting from linear Hpi-S-trityl-octapeptides (3), cyclization by intramolecular 2'-indolylthioether formation yielding monocyclic peptides (2) and final cyclization by DCCI. One of the bicyclic thioethers was oxidized to yield the corresponding chromatographically separated (R)- and (S)-sulfoxides, respectively. The products were characterized by RF-values, u.v. and CD spectra as well as by mass (FAB) spectroscopy. The widely differing inhibitory activities on RNA polymerase II (or B) from calf thymus are listed.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1986

Synthetic amatoxin analogue. A two-dimensional proton NMR study of S-deoxy-(Ile3)-(D-Ala7)-amaninamide.

The effect of substitution of L and D amino acids in amatoxin analogues is discussed in this paper. The structure of the analog where D-alanine substitutes for glycine in position 7 has been worked out in solution by two-dimensional NMR methods using a 500 MHz instrument. The combined use of COSY and NOESY two-dimensional spectra allows a clear assignment of the resonances. The use of the coupling constants permits the calculation of the phi angles of the backbone. The NOE effects reveal the through-space contacts between protons of different peptide units, thus determining the rigidity of the amatoxin structure. On these grounds it has been possible to elucidate the conformation of the amatoxin analogue that resembles very closely that of beta-amanitin, thus explaining the high inhibitory activity toward RNA polymerase B.

Amanitins↗