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Biomedical subjects

S J Paterson

Publications and source records attributed to S J Paterson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

10-Ketonaltrexone and 10-ketooxymorphone.

Ethylketocyclazocine (1) has greater kappa/mu selectivity than cyclazocine in brain binding assays. 10-Ketonaltrexone (11) and 10-ketooxymorphone (10) were prepared from naltrexone 3-methyl ether and oxycodone, respectively. Bioassays in the myenteric plexus longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea pig ileum and in the mouse vas deferens, in addition to brain binding assays, demonstrated that 10 and 11 were far less potent than naltrexone (2) and oxymorphone (3) at mu sites and also had little affinity for kappa and delta sites. It is concluded that introduction of the 10-keto group in naltrexone and oxymorphone diminished opioid effects at all binding sites.

Animals↗

Pre-incubation of guinea-pig myenteric plexus with beta-funaltrexamine: discrepancy between binding assays and bioassays.

The acute effects of beta-funaltrexamine and the effects of pre-incubation with this compound were examined in five in vitro assay tissues and in selective binding assays in homogenates of guinea-pig brain and myenteric plexus. In competitive displacement assays with selective ligands, beta-funaltrexamine had highest affinity for the mu-binding site in the myenteric plexus and brain of guinea-pig. Its affinity for the kappa-site was about 15% of that for the mu-site. Pre-incubation of the assay tissues with beta-funaltrexamine caused an increase in the IC50 values of mu- and delta-receptor agonists but not of kappa-agonists. Although in bioassays on the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig, the IC50 value of the mu-receptor ligand [D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5] enkephalin was increased up to 124 fold, its binding at the mu-site in homogenates of the preparation was not affected by this treatment. These findings indicate that the effects of pre-incubation with beta-funaltrexamine on agonist potency of the mu-receptor ligand are due to an interference with the coupling mechanism between the mu-binding site and the effector system.

Animals↗

The use of [3H]-[D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin as a highly selective ligand for the delta-binding site.

The characteristics of the binding of [3H]-[D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin were determined in homogenates of guinea-pig and rat brain. In the guinea-pig, the maximum binding capacity for [3H]-[D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin was 4.19 pmol g-1 and the KD 1.61 nM. In the rat, the corresponding values were 2.47 pmol g-1 and 5.42 nM. In both species, the maximum binding capacity and the affinity were not altered when mu-binding was suppressed with [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin. The mu-agonists, [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin and morphine, displaced a small portion of the binding of [3H]-[D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin with high affinities.

Animals↗

Tritiated etorphine and naloxone binding to opioid receptors in caudate nucleus in schizophrenia.

Opioid receptor binding sites were assessed in membrane preparations of caudate nucleus from post-mortem brains of controls and of patients with schizophrenia. There was no difference between the two groups in the total specific binding of 3H-etorphine or in its 'mu' and ('delta + kappa') components. Similarly, the binding of 3H-naloxone did not differ between patients and controls. It is concluded that a previous report of reduced opioid receptors in caudate of schizophrenics is unlikely to prove a consistent finding and that the results of the present study offer no support to the claim that there is a general disturbance in opiate mechanisms in schizophrenia.

Aged↗

Characterization and amino acid sequence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae dihydrofolate reductase.

Dihydrofolate reductase has been purified from a trimethoprim-resistant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The enzyme showed a single component on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Mr = 18,000) and on isoelectric focusing in 5 M urea (pI = 6.8). Although gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions resolved the preparation into two enzymatically active proteins (called form 1 and form 2), they were not genetically determined isozymes. Both had a similar dihydrofolate Km (2 microM), NADPH Km (10 microM), and trimethoprim Ki (20 nM), and form 2 (the slower migrating species) was shown to be generated from form 1 by the electrophoresis conditions. The complete covalent structure of the enzyme has also been determined. It is a single polypeptide composed of 162 residues and containing 4 cysteines. The gonococcal dihydrofolate reductase shares a 35% homology with the chicken liver enzyme and a 40% homology with the Escherichia coli enzyme. Most of these identities are residues that have been implicated in the binding of NADPH and methotrexate to the E. coli and Lactobacillus casei reductases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Species-specific irreversible inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae dihydrofolate reductase by a substituted 2,4-diamino-5-benzylpyrimidine.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae dihydrofolate reductase undergoes a time-dependent, irreversible inactivation by 2,4-diamino-5-[3,5-dimethoxy-4-(p-bromoacetamidophenoxy)benzyl] pyrimidine. The kinetics of inactivation are consistent with the reversible formation of an enzyme-inhibitor complex followed by covalent binding to the enzyme. The reversible component is competitive with dihydrofolate and has an inhibitor binding constant of 10 nM. Irreversible inactivation proceeds as a pseudo first-order process with a minimum inactivation half-time of 20 min and a Ki of 28 nM. Using radiolabeled inhibitor, it was shown that approximately 1 mol of ligand was covalently bound to the enzyme/mol of methotrexate binding site when the enzyme was completely inhibited. Radiolabeled inhibitor remained associated with the enzyme following denaturation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cyanogen bromide cleavage of the 14C-labeled enzyme-inhibitor complex yielded only one radioactive polypeptide, and sequence determinations showed that His-25 was modified by covalent attachment of the inhibitor. When dihydrofolate reductases from Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, SR-1 rodent lymphoma, and chicken liver were tested with the affinity label, only the L. casei enzyme showed a time-dependent increase in inhibition. These data, along with comparisons of known amino acid sequences and x-ray crystal structures, were used to make predictions concerning the three-dimensional conformation of the gonococcal enzyme.

Folic Acid Antagonists↗

Acute and persistent effects of beta-funaltrexamine on the binding and agonist potencies of opioids in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig ileum.

In binding assays with homogenates of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig, beta-funaltrexamine is more potent at displacing mu-binding than kappa-binding. Incubation of homogenates with beta-funaltrexamine (100 or 1000 nM) for 30 min at 37 degrees C followed by repeated washing with drug-free Tris buffer does not alter the binding of either the selective mu-ligand [3H]-[D-Ala2, MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin or of [3H]-(-)-bremazocine made selective for the kappa-binding site by the addition of unlabelled mu- and delta-ligands. This observation is surprising since, after treatment with beta-funaltrexamine (100 nM), the IC50 values for the inhibition of the contraction of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle by the mu-ligand [D-Ala2,MePhe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin are increased 12-fold whereas the IC50 values obtained with the selective kappa-ligand U-50, 488H remain unaltered. It is proposed that the irreversible blockade produced by beta-funaltrexamine is not due to inhibition at the mu-site per se but to an interference with the link between the binding and the effector response.

Animals↗

Effects of D-amino acid substitution in dynorphin A (1-9) on binding at the mu-, delta- and kappa-sites.

Incorporation of D-Ala into position 2 of dynorphin A (1-9) (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg-Arg-Ile-Arg) causes a loss of kappa-selectivity. Similarly, replacement of L-Arg by D-Arg also diminished kappa-selectivity. The combination of D-Ala in position 2 and D-Arg in positions 6, 7 and 9 further reduces kappa-binding. In experiments at 25 degrees C, D-Ala substitution leads to a stable peptide whereas D-Arg substitutions do not stabilize the peptides.

Animals↗

Selectivities of opioid peptide analogues as agonists and antagonists at the delta-receptor.

The endogenous opioid ligands interact with more than one of the mu-, delta- and kappa-binding sites. By the use of binding assays and bioassays, enkephalin analogues have been assessed for their selectivity for binding at the delta-binding site and for their agonist and antagonist activities at the delta-receptor. The electrically-induced contractions of myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparations of the guinea-pig ileum were inhibited by mu- and kappa-receptor ligands. Inhibitions were seen with mu-, delta- and kappa-receptor ligands in the mouse vas deferens, mainly with mu-receptor ligands in the rat vas deferens and only with kappa-receptor ligands in the rabbit vas deferens. From observations on a considerable number of [Leu5] enkephalin analogues, it has been concluded that [D-Pen2, D-Pen5] enkephalin and [D-Pen2, L-Pen5] enkephalin are the most selective delta-agonists and that N,N-diallyl-Tyr-Aib-Aib-Phe-Leu-OH is the most selective antagonist (Aib = alpha-aminoisobutyric acid). The binding of these peptides at the delta-site is 99% of the total binding. As to potency, the agonists are superior to the antagonists.

Animals↗

Radioligands for probing opioid receptors.

The three endogenous opioid precursors of almost 30000 Da are pro-opiocortin, proenkephalin and prodynorphin. Pro-opiocortin contains beta-endorphin, melanotropins and ACTH. Proenkephalin yields one [Leu5]enkephalin, three [Met5]enkephalins, one [Met5] enkephalyl-Arg-Arg-Val-NH2 (metorphamide or adrenorphin), one [Met5]enkephalyl-Arg-Gly-Leu and one [Met5]enkephalyl-Arg-Phe. [Leu5]enkephalin is common to all fragments of prodynorphin; its carboxyl extension by Arg-Lys leads to alpha- and beta-neo-endorphin and its carboxyl extension by Arg-Arg gives two dynorphins A and B of 17 and 13 amino acids, respectively. Another endogenous peptide is dynorphin A (1-8). The three main opioid binding sites are mu, delta and kappa. Their analysis has been facilitated by the synthesis of analogues of peptides and non-peptide compounds, which have selective agonist or antagonist action at only one site. The various physiological roles of the three types of the opiate receptor have so far not been sufficiently investigated.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Interactions of some 4-anilinopiperidines and 4-phenylpiperidines with the mu, delta- and kappa-binding sites.

The binding and pharmacological profiles of some 4-anilinopiperidine and 4-phenylpiperidine analogues were determined. The potency of the compounds to displace the binding of selective tritiated ligands was measured in homogenates of guinea-pig brain at 25 degrees C. All the compounds tested had high affinity for the mu-binding site, low affinity for the delta-site and were almost inactive at the kappa-site. The compounds were also tested for agonist activity in the guinea-pig ileum and the vasa deferentia of the mouse and rat. The pharmacological and binding profiles were compared.

Animals↗

Interaction of p-nitrophenylalanine enkephalins with mu-, delta- and kappa-subtypes of the opiate receptor.

Substitution of L-p-nitrophenylalanine for phenylalanine in position 4 of [D-Ala2, KLeu-NH2(5)]enkephalin analogues increased their affinity for mu-, delta- and kappa-binding sites in guinea-pig brain, increased their potency to inhibit electrically evoked contractions of the guinea-pig ileum and mouse vas deferens, and increased their analgesic potency in the mouse tail flick test, Introduction of L-adamantylalanine, but not of L-neopentylglycine, in position 5 resulted in a loss of activity.

Animals↗

Tobacco mosaic virus-enkephalin conjugates: potentiation of opioid activity.

Covalent tobacco mosaic virus-enkephalin analogue conjugates containing between 5 and 450 agonist molecules attached through their C-terminal amino acids were prepared and assayed in pharmacological and binding assays that distinguish between mu- and delta-receptors. Increases in peptide- and receptor-specific potency and affinity were observed with a certain preference of mu- over delta-receptors. The results may become important for mapping receptors or for isolating opiate receptor-bearing membrane vesicles.

Animals↗

Characterization of the kappa-subtype of the opiate receptor in the guinea-pig brain.

1. In homogenates of guinea-pig brain, the characteristics of the binding of [3H]-ethylketazocine, an agonist for the putative kappa-receptor, were determined by estimation of the affinity and capacity of binding, by competitive inhibition for the binding site by unlabelled ligands and by selective protection of the binding site from alkylation by phenoxybenzamine. 2. At 25 degrees C the maximum number of binding sites for [3H]-ethylketazocine was about 14 pmol/g fresh brain, of which about 50% were high affinity sites. 3. In competition experiments, the high affinity binding of [3H]-ethylketazocine to the kappa-binding site was readily displaced by several kappa-agonists but not by the selective mu-ligand, D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5-enkephalin or the selective delta ligand, D-Ala2, D-Leu5-enkephalin. In contrast, the kappa-agonists tested so far exhibit a high degree of cross-reactivity with the mu-binding site but somewhat less with the sigma-binding site. Similar specificities were observed in protection experiments. 4. The approximate proportions of the three subtypes of opiate receptor in the guinea-pig brain are 25% mu-binding sites, 45% delta-binding sites and 30% kappa-binding sites. 5. The endogenous opioids, Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin and porcine beta-endorphin have only a low affinity for the kappa-binding site.

Animals↗

Characterization of opioid receptors in nervous tissue.

The concept that endogenous opioid peptides interact with at least two different receptor sites developed from several experimental approaches. First, when the peptides were assayed by their effects on two pharmacological and two binding models, the rank order of activity differed in these four systems. Secondly, naloxone had a smaller antagonist effect on delta-receptors in the mouse vas deferens than on its mu-receptors. Thirdly, the enkephalins and morphine each occupied less than half of the total number of sites available in brain homogenates. Fourthly, cold ligands of the delta-type protected the binding of tritiated delta-agonists better than that of mu-agonists, and vice versa. Finally, tritiated ethylketazocine binds the kappa-receptor sites in homogenates of guinea-pig brain. It is readily displaced by etorphine, which binds uniformly to mu-, delta- and kappa-receptors, but only by very high concentration of mu- or delta-agonists. An interesting phenomenon is the potentiation of activity when a enkephalin analogue is conjugated to tobacco mosaic virus by the group of R. Schwyzer.

Animals↗