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Utility of azapeptides as major histocompatibility complex class II protein ligands for T-cell activation.

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) protein binding and antigen specific activation of CD4+ "helper" T cells are demonstrated with peptides composed of the antigenic hen egg ovalbumin 325-339 peptide (OVA) substituted with azaamino acids. AzaAla and azaGly substitutions were made at 10 sequential peptide positions (326Ala-335Asn) that lie in the binding groove. The peptide positions substituted with azaamino acids encompass almost the entire binding groove, including positions where the identity of the amino acid side chain is known to have the most significant effect on MHC binding and the least effect on T-cell recognition. In addition, the T-cell contact 333Glu was substituted with azaGlu to generate a partial agonist ligand for the 3DO-54.8 T-cell hybridoma. Binding to MHC II protein was assayed by measuring the kinetic stability of complexes formed between detergent-solubilized MHC II I-A(d) protein and fluorescein-labeled OVA peptides using a fluorescence-HPLC assay. T-cell activation was also evaluated for aza-substituted peptides with azaamino acid substitutions at the peptide positions known to interact with the MHC II protein. All aza-substituted peptides showed detectable MHC binding, and some were found to show T-cell activation potency equal to the native peptide. Several of these were also found to be weak or partial agonists. Our results demonstrate that azaamino acids substituted into an antigenic peptide cause a subtle, global effect on peptide conformation that can be used to design altered peptide ligands (APL) as T-cell partial agonists. These may have potential as T-cell epitopes for synthetic vaccines and therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Probing opioid receptor interactions with azacycloalkane amino acids. Synthesis of a potent and selective ORL1 antagonist.

Azacycloalkane turn mimics 6-9 were used to explore the relationship between conformation and biological activity of peptide ligands to the opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor. Three azabicyclo[x.y.0]alkane amino acids and a 5-tBuPro type VI beta-turn mimic were introduced into peptides 10-13 by solid-phase synthesis on MBHA resin. Biological examination of peptides 10-13 showed two new antagonists (10 and 12) exhibiting increased selectivity for the ORL1 receptor.

Amino Acids↗

Enhancement of nucleoside cytotoxicity through nucleotide prodrugs.

A common reason for the lack of cytotoxicity of certain nucleosides is thought to be their inability to be initially activated to the monophosphate level by a nucleoside kinase or other activating enzyme. In a search for other nucleosides that might be worthwhile anticancer agents, we have begun to examine the utilization of monophosphate prodrugs in order to explore whether any enhanced cytotoxicity might be found for the prodrugs of candidate nucleosides that have little or no cytotoxicity. To that end, 5'-bis(pivaloyloxymethyl) phosphate prodrugs of two weakly cytotoxic compounds, 8-aza-2'-deoxyadenosine (5) and 8-bromo-2'-deoxyadenosine (9), have been prepared. These prodrugs (8 and 12) were examined for their cytotoxicity in CEM cells and were found to possess significantly enhanced cytotoxicity when compared with the corresponding parent nucleosides. Further cell culture experiments were conducted to gain insight into the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of these two prodrugs, and those data are reported.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

8-Aza-immucillins as transition-state analogue inhibitors of purine nucleoside phosphorylase and nucleoside hydrolases.

The 8-aza-immucillins (8-aza-9-deazapurines linked from C9 to C1 of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-iminoribitol) have been designed as transition-state analogues of the reactions catalyzed by purine nucleoside phosphorylase and nucleoside hydrolases. Syntheses of the 8-aza-immucillin analogues of inosine and adenosine are described. They are powerful inhibitors of the target enzymes with equilibrium dissociation constants as low as 42 pM.

Adenosine↗