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M Rosenblatt

Publications and source records attributed to M Rosenblatt.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Circular dichroism (CD) studies of antagonists derived from parathyroid hormone-related protein.

We have undertaken a study of the structure of antagonist peptides derived from the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in the presence of amphiphiles using circular dichroism (CD). The results were used to gain knowledge about bioactive conformations of the peptide when bound to a membrane. The substitutions within the PTHrP-(7-34)amide sequence resulted in differences in biological activity. Structural determination by CD showed the presence of an alpha-helical structure. The antagonist activity was increased in constrained peptides in which i to (i + 4) side-chain to side-chain cyclization was used to form a lactam, [Lys13,Asp17]PTHrP-(7-34)NH2. This peptide showed increased helicity in the presence of a surfactant. Hydrophobic substitutions Leu and D-Trp at positions 11 (Lys) and 12 (Gly), respectively, in PTHrP-(7-34)NH2 resulted in increased potency, but the derivatives were not significantly more helical than the unsubstituted peptide in the presence of surfactants. The combination of the hydrophobic substitutions with the constraint of lactam formation were mutually exclusive in terms of their biological activity and their alpha-helical content. We conclude that hydrophobic substitutions contribute to an increase in binding affinity by increasing hydrophobic interactions which stabilize receptor-ligand complexes. Structural rigidification, on the other hand, increases the alpha-helical content, which is important for attaining a conformation recognized by the receptor.

Circular Dichroism↗

Inhibition of osteoclastic bone resorption in vivo by echistatin, an "arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl" (RGD)-containing protein.

Osteoclastic bone resorption requires the formation of a tightly sealed compartment between the osteoclast and the mineralized bone matrix. This compartment functions as an extracellular "lysosome" which contains proteolytic enzymes and acids. Vitronectin receptors (VnR, integrin alpha v beta 3) displayed on the osteoclast cell surface may play a role in the attachment of osteoclasts to the resorption surface. VnR are known to bind to arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl (RGD)-containing matrix proteins and it has recently been reported that soluble peptides containing RGD sequences can block osteoclast attachment to bone and inhibit bone resorption in vitro. In this study echistatin, a naturally-occurring protein containing an RGD-sequence motif, was shown to completely inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in vivo. Echistatin or smaller derivative peptides may prove useful in the treatment of disorders characterized by excess bone resorption, such as osteoporosis and metastatic bone disease.

Animals↗

Stem cell factor, interleukin-3, and interleukin-6 promote retroviral-mediated gene transfer into murine hematopoietic stem cells.

The efficiency of retroviral-mediated gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is dependent on the survival and self-renewal of HSC in vitro during retroviral infection. We have examined the effect of prestimulation of bone marrow with various cytokines, including the product of the Steel gene, Steel factor or stem cell factor (SCF) (the ligand for the c-kit receptor) on the efficiency of retroviral transduction of the human adenosine deaminase (hADA) cDNA into murine HSC. Bone marrow cells were prestimulated for 48 hours with hematopoietic growth factors, then cocultivated with the packaging cell line producing the ZipPGK-ADA simplified retrovirus for an additional 48 hours with continued growth factor exposure. Nonadherant cells from these cocultures were injected into lethally irradiated recipients. The content of day 12 colony-forming unit-spleen (CFU-S12) in SCF/interleukin 6 (IL-6)-prestimulated and cocultured bone marrow was more than threefold greater than that of IL-3/IL-6-prestimulated bone marrow cells. All mice receiving bone marrow cells infected with the PGK-ADA virus after prestimulation with IL-3/IL-6 or SCF/IL-6 demonstrated hADA expression in the peripheral blood after full hematopoietic reconstitution. While all recipients of IL-3/IL-6-prestimulated bone marrow expressed hADA at 4 months posttransplant, in three independent experiments examining a total of 33 mice, in most recipients of SCF/IL-6-prestimulated and infected bone marrow cells, the expression of human enzyme was higher than IL-3/IL-6 mice. Southern blot analysis of DNA from hematopoietic tissues from these same mice prepared at least 4 months posttransplantation also demonstrated a higher infection efficiency of HSC as measured by proviral integration patterns and genome copy number analysis. These results suggest that the higher level of hADA expression seen in mice receiving marrow prestimulated with SCF/IL-6 before retroviral infection is due to more efficient infection of reconstituting HSC. Other growth factor combinations were also studied; however, prestimulation with SCF/IL-6 or IL-3/IL-6 appeared optimal. Using retroviral-mediated gene transfer and viral integration patterns, Steel factor (SCF) in combination with IL-6 appears to increase the survival and self-renewal of reconstituting hematopoietic stem cells and proves useful in effecting expression of foreign genes in transplant recipients. Such pretreatment may also be useful in the application of retroviral transfer methods to human cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Synthesis of fully active biotinylated analogues of parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein as tools for the characterization of parathyroid hormone receptors.

The synthesis, purification, and characterization of biotinylated analogues of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) are described. A novel methodology was developed which allowed the selective biotinylation during solid-phase synthesis of either the Lys13 or Lys26 residue in PTH/PTHrP sequences. Incorporation of orthogonally protected N alpha-Boc-Lys(N epsilon-Fmoc) at a selected position in the sequence, followed by selective side-chain deprotection and biotinylation of the epsilon-amino group, permitted modification of the specific lysine only. Biotinylated analogues of [Nle8,18,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34)NH2 (analogue 1a) were prepared by modification of Lys13 with a biotinyl group (analogue 1) or a biotinyl-epsilon-aminohexanoyl group (analogue 2) or at Lys26 with a biotinyl-epsilon-aminohexanoyl group (analogue 3). A biotinylated PTHrP antagonist [Leu11,D-Trp12,Lys13(N epsilon-(biotinyl-beta-Ala))]PTHrP(7-34)NH2 (analogue 5), was also prepared. In a different synthetic approach, selective modification of the thiol group of [Cys35]PTHrP(1-35)NH2, in solution, with N-biotinyl-N'-(6-maleimidohexanoyl)hydrazide, resulted in analogue 4. The high affinities of the biotinylated analogues for PTH receptors present in human osteosarcoma B-10 cells or in porcine renal cortical membranes (PRCM), were comparable to those of the underivatized parent peptides. The analogues were also highly potent in stimulation of cAMP formation (analogues 1-4) or inhibition of PTH-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (analogue 5) in B-10 cells. The most potent analogue (analogue 1) had potencies in B-10 cells (Kb = 1.5 nM, Km = 0.35 nM) and in porcine renal membranes (Kb = 0.70 nM) identical or similar to those of its parent peptide, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Affinity Labels↗

Concentrations of parathyroid hormone-related protein in rat milk change with duration of lactation and interval from previous suckling, but not with milk calcium.

PTH-related protein (PTHrP) is found in high concentrations in the milk of various mammals. However, little is known about the regulation of PTHrP production or the physiological role(s) of PTHrP in the mammary glands. To address these questions, we examined in lactating rats 1) the longitudinal changes in PTHrP concentrations in milk and PTHrP mRNA levels in the mammary glands throughout lactation, 2) the effects of the nonsuckling interval on milk PTHrP concentration, and 3) the correlation between PTHrP and calcium concentrations in milk. PTHrP concentrations in milk, measured by RIA and in vitro bioassay, increased with the duration of lactation. The maximal concentrations of PTHrP (observed between days 19-21 of lactation in rats milked serially) were 4.8- to 8.0-fold higher than the concentrations on day 7. PTHrP mRNA levels in the mammary glands also increased during the late stages of lactation. The longitudinal changes in calcium concentrations in milk were small and did not parallel the changes in PTHrP. When pups were removed from the mother for 4-24 h, milk PTHrP decreased while calcium increased in a time-dependent manner. As a whole, calcium concentrations in milk did not correlate with PTHrP throughout lactation. These data suggest that the production and secretion of PTHrP into milk are regulated independently of the other major milk proteins by a factor(s) that changes with progression of lactation and in relation to suckling status.

Animals↗

A pharmacological comparison of parathyroid hormone receptors in human bone and kidney.

While abundant information is available characterizing PTH receptor properties in other species, data on human PTH receptors is very limited. We have been interested in the possibility that tissue-specific differences among human PTH receptors (i.e. bone vs. kidney) might exist. We have, therefore, compared pharmacological profiles for a wide array of PTH and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) analogs in human osteoblast-like cells (SaOS-2) and human renal cortical membranes (RCM) using radioiodinated (Tyr36)hPTHrP(1-36)NH2 as a probe for PTH receptor function. The rank order of receptor affinity for 10 PTH/PTHrP receptor agonists tested was very similar in the bone and kidney assay systems. Binding affinity for these peptides was greater in human (h)RCMs and SaOS-2 membranes than in SaOS-2 intact cells. The relative binding affinities for (Tyr36)hPTHrP(1-36)amide, hPTH(1-34), bovine (b)PTH(1-34), and rat PTH(1-34) were similar in human RCMs, SaOS-2 membranes, and SaOS-2 cells. bPTH(1-84) and hPTHrP(1-74) both manifested lower receptor affinity than the amino-terminal analogs. Seven PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonists were also studied in this homologous human assay system. The binding affinity for hPTHrP(7-34)NH2 was 2- to 3-fold greater than that for (Tyr34)bPTH(7-34)NH2 in RCM and SaOS-2 membranes. However, in SaOS-2 cells, a striking reversal in the relative binding affinities was observed; the PTHrP(7-34) analog was nearly 3-fold less potent than (Tyr34)bPTH(7-34)NH2, underscoring a difference between intact and broken cell preparations. Two hybrid PTH-PTHrP receptor antagonists demonstrated similar relative affinity to each other in the human bone and kidney assay systems. Affinity cross-linking of receptors in human renal and skeletal tissues demonstrated an indistinguishable dominant 85-kilodalton receptor protein. We conclude that the binding and bioactivity profiles of a broad array of PTH and PTHrP peptides are very similar or identical in human renal and skeletal tissues. Differences relating to intact vs. broken cell preparations accounted for some variation in potency. These studies emphasize the importance of employing homologous assay systems to study PTH receptor function and the existence of interspecies differences among PTH receptors. The results support the possibility that PTH receptors in human bone and human kidney are very similar if not identical.

Affinity Labels↗

A novel, mild, specific and indirect maleimido-based radioiodolabeling method. Radiolabeling of analogs derived from parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP).

In an effort to design a mild, non-oxidative and site-specific means of radiolabeling bioactive molecules we have employed maleimido-sulfhydryl chemistry to produce bioactive hormone radioligands. We have prepared two novel radioiodolabeled reagents, 3'-maleimidopropanoyl-3-125I-tyramide and its retro analog, N-maleoyl-N'-3-(4-hydroxy-3-125I-phenyl)propanoyl ethylenediamide, by either oxidative radioiodination of the precursors or radiolabeling of the phenolic component prior to its incorporation into the radiolabeling reagents. These reagents were then used to radiolabel analogs of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in an efficient way, yielding reaction mixtures which were easily purified. The radioligands obtained are stable upon storage and bind in a reversible manner to a single population of binding sites displaying affinity in the low nanomolar range. The potencies of these analogs are comparable to the non-modified PTH and PTHrP analogs. This study demonstrates the utility of the novel maleimido-based indirect radioiodination approach and highlights some of its advantages over either direct oxidative procedures or acylation using the Bolton-Hunter reagent.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Cyclic parathyroid hormone related protein antagonists: lysine 13 to aspartic acid 17 [i to (i + 4)] side chain to side chain lactamization.

Cyclization of parathyroid hormone related protein (7-34)amide [PTHrP(7-34)NH2] via covalent bond formation between the epsilon-amino of Lys13 and the beta-carboxyl of Asp17 yielded a 20-membered ring lactam. This analogue, [Lys13,Asp17]PTHrP(7-34)NH2, was 5-10-fold more potent than the linear parent peptide (Kb = 15 and 18 nM in PTH receptor binding assays, and Ki = 130 and 17 nM in PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase assays in bovine renal cortical membrane and in human bone derived B10 cells, respectively). In contrast, a linear analogue in which charges in positions 13 and 17 were eliminated and other stereoisomers of the above-mentioned lactam in which either Lys13 and/or Asp17 were replaced by the corresponding D-amino acids were much less potent with regard to antagonist bioactivity than the parent peptide. The rationale for the design of the lactam as well as the conformational implications for the PTHrP sequence in light of reported models suggested for the 1-34 peptide are described. The potential use of conformationally constrained analogues for elucidating the "bioactive conformation" of antagonists and for the design of substantially simplified molecular structures for antagonists is discussed.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Utero-vaginal hypoplasia. Sonographic, embryologic and clinical considerations.

Congenital absence of hypoplasia of the uterus is a cause of primary amenorrhea in approximately 15% of cases. Ultrasound is often employed as an early imaging modality in the evaluation of patients with primary amenorrhea. Demonstration of total absence or marked hypoplasia of the uterus in the presence of normal ovaries during pelvic ultrasound examination, suggests the diagnosis of congenital uterine aplasia or hypoplasia. Sonography may obviate the need for laparoscopy and for other imaging modalities. A case report of uterovaginal hypoplasia in association with anal atresia and recto-vaginal fistula is presented, and the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of this entity is discussed. The embryology and clinical features of this anomaly are also reviewed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Correlation of secondary structure with biological activity for a leader peptide: circular dichroism-derived structure and in vitro biological activities of preproparathyroid hormone peptide and its analogs.

Leader or signal sequences are specialized domains within precursor proteins which serve an essential role in interacting with the cellular secretory apparatus to enable intracellular transport and secretion of proteins. Despite many differences in primary amino acid sequences, signal domains interact with a common set of intracellular components, presumably because the signal sequences share an overall conformational similarity. In a few instances, mutant signal peptides from prokaryotes have been studied and their structures correlated with function (export) in vivo. A series of analogs of the precursor-specific region of preproparathyroid hormone have been prepared which contain substitutions of either proline or a charged amino acid within the hydrophobic core. These synthetic "mutants" have previously been evaluated in several in vitro assays to determine their functionality with regard to protein secretion and suitability as substrates for signal peptidase. The secondary structural content of each peptide, as well as the native sequence and sulfur-free analog, was determined in aqueous and nonaqueous conditions by circular dichroism (CD) as a function of time. The structures obtained were correlated with in vitro bioactivities. Unlike the findings or previous CD studies, all the peptides examined here had low to undetectable alpha-helical content in both aqueous and nonaqueous buffers. The unsubstituted and sulfur-free analogs had high (80-85%) beta-structure in aqueous conditions which was reduced to approximately 30% in nonaqueous solvent. The proline- and charged-substituted peptides contained about half the beta-structure content (35-55%) in aqueous buffer; in nonaqueous solvent their structure was similar to the unsubstituted peptides. The structure-activity correlates found were as follows: a high degree of structure (aqueous conditions) correlated with interaction with signal recognition particle and substrate suitability for signal peptidase; a low degree of structure (nonaqueous environment) correlated with activity in the translocation assay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suckling-mediated increases in urinary phosphate and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate excretion in lactating rats: possible systemic effects of parathyroid hormone-related protein.

Earlier studies have shown that lactation-induced bone loss in the rat is both PTH- and vitamin D-independent and have suggested the involvement of another, as yet unidentified, factor(s) in the altered calcium metabolism which accompanies lactation. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that PTH-related protein (PTHrP), which is produced in lactating mammary glands, is a putative calciotropic factor acting systemically during lactation. To test this hypothesis, we examined changes in urinary phosphate and cAMP excretion in relation to suckling since phosphaturia (P-uria) and increased urinary cAMP excretion are sensitive parameters of PTHrP action on the kidney. When lactating rats (separated from their pups overnight) were allowed to suckle pups for 1 h, they showed a marked P-uria which lasted 3-4 h. In most instances, a transient increase in cAMP excretion preceded the P-uria. These effects were not abolished by thyroparathyroidectomy; hence they are not attributable to a transient increase in PTH secretion. Administration of PRL or oxytocin did not induce significant P-uria. When lactating rats were pretreated with anti-PTHrP anti-serum, the suckling-associated P-uria was prolonged and augmented. This prolongation of P-uria was similar to the effects observed when exogenous PTHrP (1-34)amide was administered in the presence of the antiserum. These data support the hypothesis that some of the PTHrP produced in lactating mammary glands may be released systemically during suckling and act in an endocrine manner on target organs such as the kidney.

Animals↗

Primary structure of peptides and ion channels. Role of amino acid side chains in voltage gating of melittin channels.

Melittin produces a voltage-dependent increase in the conductance of planar lipid bilayers. The conductance increases when the side of the membrane to which melittin has been added (cis-side) is made positive. This paper reports observations on the effect of modifying two positively charged amino acid residues within the NH2-terminal region of the molecule: lysine at position 7 (K7), and the NH2-terminal glycine (G1). We have synthesized melittin analogues in which K7 is replaced by asparagine (K7-N), G1 is blocked by a formyl group (G1-f), and in which both modifications of the parent compound were introduced (G1-f, K7-N). The time required to reach peak conductance during a constant voltage pulse was shorter in membranes exposed to the analogues than in membranes modified by melittin. The apparent number of monomers producing a conducting unit for [K7-N]-melittin and [G1-f]-melittin, eight, was found to be greater than the one for [G1-f], K7-N]-melittin and for melittin itself, four. The apparent gating charge per monomer was less for the analogues, 0.5-0.3 than for melittin, one. Essentially similar results were obtained with melittin analogues in which the charge on K7 or G1 or both was blocked by an uncharged N-linked spin label. These results show that the positive charges in the NH2-terminal region of melittin play a major but not exclusive role in the voltage gating of melittin channels in bilayers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nonminimum phase non-Gaussian autoregressive processes.

The structure of non-Gaussian autoregressive schemes is described. Asymptotically efficient methods for the estimation of the coefficients of the models are described under appropriate conditions, some of which relate to smoothness and positivity of the density function f of the independent random variables generating the process. The principal interest is in nonminimum phase models.

Journal Article↗

Effects of hydrophobic substitutions at position 18 on the potency of parathyroid hormone antagonists.

Position 18 in a parathyroid hormone (PTH) antagonist, [Nle8,18,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2 (ii), was shown to tolerate substitutions by a range of amino acids with retention of inhibitory activity. The effects of hydrophobic substitutions at this position as a means of enhancing binding interactions with the receptor were evaluated. Substitution of Nle at position 18 with either D-Ala, D-Trp, or L-Trp in analog ii or with Trp (D or L) in the recently reported, highly potent antagonist, [Nle8,18,D-Trp12,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2 (in vitro activities; Kb = 15 nM and Ki = 125 nM), was performed. In terms of activity on renal receptors, one antagonist, [Nle8,D-Trp12,18,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2, is the most active in vitro PTH antagonist yet reported (Kb = 4 nM; Ki = 30 nM). The rationale for design of this antagonist and the conclusions regarding PTH-receptor interactions are discussed.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗