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Functional characterization of dipeptide transport system in human jejunum.

The present studies were performed to determine whether dipeptide absorption in human jejunum exhibits the characteristics of carrier-mediated transport. 15-cm jejunal segments from human volunteers were perfused with test solutions containing varying amounts of either glycylglycine, glycylleucine, glycine, leucine, glycylglycine with leucine or glycine, glycylglycine with glycylleucine, or glycylleucine with an equimolar mixture of free glycine and leucine. Jejunal absorption rates of both glycylglycine and glycylleucine followed the kinetics of a saturable process. The K(m) value in millimoles/liter of glycylglycine was significantly greater than the K(m) value of glycylleucine (43.3+/-2.6 vs. 26.8+/-5.9, P < 0.05); and the K(m) value of glycine was also significantly greater than the K(m) value of leucine (42.7+/-7.5 vs. 20.4+/-5.4, P < 0.05). While overlapping occurred among the K(m) values of free amino acids and dipeptides, the transport kinetics of dipeptides were characterized by higher V(max) values (in micromoles per minute per 15 centimeters) than those of free amino acids. For example, the V(max) values for glycylglycine and glycine were 837+/-62 and 590+/-56, respectively (P < 0.02). While jejunal absorption rates of glycylglycine were not significantly affected by free leucine or free glycine, they were competitively inhibited by glycylleucine. The jejunal absorption rate of glycylleucine was not significantly altered by an equimolar mixture of free glycine and leucine. The selective absorption of dipeptides was investigated by infusing three equimolar mixtures, each containing two different dipeptides. Among the three dipeptides examined, glycylglycine was the least absorbed. There was no significant difference between the absorption of glycylleucine and leucylglycine. The above studies suggest that absorption of both glycylglycine and glycylleucine is mediated by a carrier which is not shared with free neutral amino acids; and that both COOH- and NH(2)-terminal amino acids appear to be influential in imposing the affinity of a dipeptide for the absorption sites.

Biological Transport↗

[Design of the novel dipeptide neuropsychotropic drug preparations].

The paper considers a new strategy in the field of neuropsychotropic dipeptide drug design, the main points being as follows: (i) determination of the structural elements of dipeptides, such as fragments of amino acid side radicals and peptide bonds, in nonpeptide drugs; (ii) design of peptide analogs topologically close to the drug; (iii) synthesis and activity testing of these analogs; (iv) determination of the corresponding endogenous neuropeptide among the known neuropeptides or identification of the new neuropeptides in the brain of experimental animals. Using this approach, new pyroglutamyl- and prolyl-containing dipeptides were obtained based on the structure of the well-known classical nootropic drug piracetam. The new drugs exhibit nootropic activity in doses 100-10,000 times lower than those of piracetam. The structure of most active pyroglutamyl dipeptide pGlu-Asn-NH2 coincides with that of the N-end fragment of the endogenous memory peptide AVP(4-9). Noopept (N-phenylacetylprolylglycine ethyl ester), patented in Russia and USA as a new nootropic drug, is currently under stage 2 of successful clinical trials. The main metabolite of noopept, cyclo-Pro-Gly, is identical to the endogenous dipeptide designed in this work and is most close analog of piracetam with respect to pharmacological activity. The universal character of the proposed strategy is demonstrated by the design of active dipeptide analogs of an atypical neuroleptic drug sulpiride. As a result, a potential dipeptide neuroleptic dilept was obtained, which has been patented in Russia and now passes broad preclinical trials.

Animals↗

Dipeptides as inhibitors of the gelation of sickle hemoglobin.

To examine in detail a class of peptides that inhibit the polymerization of deoxyhemoglobin S, we assayed the L-amino acids and 22 dipeptides for their effect on deoxyhemoglobin S solubility. Of the amino acids, the aromatics (phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan) significantly increased deoxyhemoglobin S solubility, as did high concentration of arginine. Combinations of the hydrophobic (specifically the aromatic) amino acids with a hydrophilic amino acid, such as arginine or lysine, resulted in dipeptides which were much more soluble than the hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid alone, and also inhibited polymerization. Furthermore, samples of deoxyhemoglobin S at 26 to 27 g/dl containing some of these dipeptides such as Arg-Trp, Arg-Phe, and Lys-Trp in excess of 50 to 100 mM did not polymerize, indicating a 1.4- to 1.6-fold increase in deoxyhemoglobin S solubility. The enhancement of polymerization, i.e., decrease in deoxyhemoglobin S solubility, observed by the addition of aspartic acid, glycine, or lysine was observed or was reduced in the dipeptides containing these hydrophilic amino acids combined with hydrophobic amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine, or the aromatic amino acids). The effects of these dipeptides on deoxyhemoglobin S solubility were mostly linear with concentration. However, the changes in deoxyhemoglobin S solubility by addition of a dipeptide was not simply the sum of the effects observed with the individual amino acids as exemplified by the differential effect of reversing the dipeptide sequence (e.g., Arg-Phe and Phe-Arg, or Arg-Tyr and Tyr-Arg). These data provide further evidence as to the stereospecific nature of this class of noncovalent inhibitors of deoxyhemoglobin S polymerization.

Dipeptides↗

Induction of murine macrophage tumoricidal activity and treatment of experimental pulmonary metastases by liposomes containing lipophilic muramyl dipeptide analogs.

The ability of three members of a new class of lipophilic muramyl dipeptide derivative to induce murine macrophage tumoricidal activity after liposomal incorporation was investigated. Liposomes containing the glycerol dipalmitate (GDP) derivatives of N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamine-n-butyl ester, and N-acetylmuramyl-D-alanyl-D-isoglutamine were 5000, 2000, and greater than 10,000-fold more potent than the free muramyl dipeptides in inducing peritoneal macrophage tumoricidal activity in vitro. In situ activation of peritoneal macrophage tumoricidal activity showed that liposomal muramyl dipeptide-GDP derivatives were more potent than free hydrosoluble or sonicated muramyl dipeptide-GDP preparations. In situ induction of alveolar macrophage tumoricidal activity after i.v. treatment was observed with liposomes containing muramyl dipeptide-GDP derivatives, but not with hydrosoluble or sonicated lipophilic derivatives. Liposomes containing muramyl dipeptide-GDP derivatives were therapeutically active against experimentally induced pulmonary B16 melanoma tumors in C57BL/6 mice. These results demonstrate that when incorporated within liposomes this class of lipophilic muramyl dipeptide derivative is a potent inducer of macrophage tumoricidal activity both in vitro and in situ, and possesses antitumor activity in therapeutic treatment protocols.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Dipeptide uptake: a novel marker for testicular and ovarian macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Testicular and ovarian macrophages seem to be involved in paracrine regulation of steroidogenesis. Markers suitable for the identification of these cells under viable conditions would allow new experimental approaches in the study of biological interactions between hormone-producing cells and tissue macrophages. METHODS AND RESULTS: Dipeptide uptake was studied in primary cultures from rat testis and ovaries with the fluorescent dipeptide derivative beta-Ala-Lys-N epsilon-aminomethylcoumarin acetic acid (AMCA). Fluorescence microscopic studies revealed that the reporter peptide accumulated specifically in testicular macrophages, which were identified by subsequent immunostaining with the OX-42 antibody. In the ovarian cultures, however, transport of the fluorescence-labeled dipeptide was observed in cells that exhibited the morphological characteristics of macrophages but did not show positive immunoreactivity against the antibody employed. In both cases, dipeptide accumulation was blocked by the addition of Tyr-Gly, thus indicating that transport was not due to endocytosis. Competition studies performed with primary cultures from testis have shown that di-and tripeptides effectively reduce uptake of the tracer peptide, whereas compounds without an alpha- or beta-amino group, such as captopril and benzylpenicillin, do not. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the testicular and ovarian macrophages are equipped with a dipeptide transport system. The selective accumulation of the fluorescent dipeptide derivative beta-Ala-Lys-N epsilon-AMCA in testicular and ovarian macrophages permits the identification of these cell types under viable conditions.

Amino Acids↗

Enantiomeric separation of alanyl and leucyl dipeptides by capillary electrophoresis with cyclodextrins as chiral selectors.

Eight neutral cyclodextrins were tested for the enantiomeric separation of alanyl and leucyl dipeptides by capillary electrophoresis at pH 3, and seven out of the eight cyclodextrins proved suitable for the separation of one or more of the dipeptide enantiomer pairs. The best results were obtained with heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin. The dipeptides that were separated were mainly the aromatic and the more lipophilic aliphatic dipeptides. Mobility difference plots at pH 3.0 with malonic acid-triethanolamine as background electrolyte showed that the aromatic dipeptides had higher affinities for the cyclodextrin than the nonpolar, aliphatic dipeptides. The results suggested that, under the conditions applied, the C-terminal amino acid rather than the N-terminal one is involved in the chiral discrimination.

Alanine↗

Intestinal dipeptidases and the dipeptide transport in the monkey and in man.

Among the powerful dipeptidases of the cytosol fraction the well-characterized 'master' dipeptidase of broad substrate specificity is an example of a 'true' dipeptidase. There are only a limited number of peptidases which together can hydrolyse the total range of the theoretically possible dipeptides. In the lumen, the dipeptides of dietary origin apparently enter the cell through a single transport system of broad specificity in the monkey and possibly also in man. Perfusion studies indicated impared absorption of glycine and Gly-Gly in Indian compared to English subjects, but the kinetic advantage of dipeptide uptake over that of the free amino acid was maintained. In patients with tropical sprue, apart from decreased peptide absorption, there was an increased 'backflow' of the constituent amino acids. The back-flow assumes nutritional significance since dipeptide uptake is competitively inhibited by amino acids of a certain specificity. Inhibition of brush border glycylglycine hydrolase (glycylglycine dipeptidase, EC 3.4.13.1) by L- leucine is non-competitive while that of cytosol enzyme is competitive. Certain other amino acids have no effect on glycylleucine hydrolase (glycylleucine dipeptidase, EC 3.4.13.2) from either fraction but inhibit Gly-Leu uptake. Thus, the inhibition of dipeptide uptake appears to be a consequence of interaction of amino acids directly with the dipeptide transport system and not with dipeptidases.

Amino Acids↗

Dipeptide transport in the intestinal mucosa of developing rabbits.

Influxes of glycyl-L-proline (a dipeptide which is not hydrolysed in the membrane and is transported intact across the brush border) and of glycyl-L phenylalanine (a dipeptide which has affinity for the peptide transport system and is hydrolysed at the brush border membrane) have been studied in the small intestine of fetal, newborn and suckling rabbits. For glycyl-L-phenylalanine, transport as the intact dipeptide and 'membrane hydrolysis + amino acid transport' have been measured separately by using glycyl-L-proline and L-leucine as selective inhibitors of each pathway. For comparison, uptake of free glycine and of free phenylalanine has also been studied. The intestine of newborn rabbits is shown to have a translocation process for intact dipeptides which is saturable with a low Kt and stimulated by sodium ions, and which is not shared by free amino acids. This process resembles that described in adult animals, except that the maximal velocity is much higher in newborns. The developmental pattern of this uptake process for dipeptides differs markedly from that of free glycine, thus providing a new type of evidence for the distinction between amino acid and dipeptide transport processes. The developmental pattern of the free phenylalanine uptake process also differs from the development of the 'superficial hydrolysis + amino acid transport' component of glycl-L-phenylalanine uptake. These data suggest that the advantage of mucosal uptake of peptides, compared to the uptake of free amino acids, is much greater in the early stages of postnatal life than in the adult.

Aging↗

Structural basis for recognition of dipeptides by peptide transporters.

Our objective in this work was to identify the structural basis for the molecular recognition of peptides by peptide transporters. Various assays for dipeptide transport by the dipeptide and tripeptide permeases of Escherichia coli were performed, together with measurements of thermodynamic parameters of substrate binding to the dipeptide binding protein using isothermal titration calorimetry. Computer-based conformational analysis of the test dipeptides was performed to define the repertoire of conformers that each dipeptide adopts in solution. Strict correlations were identified between the complement of particular conformers adopted by a peptide and its bioactivity as a substrate for each transporter. Details of the structural and electronic parameters that define the molecular recognition templates (MRTs) of the dipeptide substrates of these transporters are presented; similar MRTs are likely to apply with dipeptidases. These MRTs provide the essential information for the rational design of peptide-based drugs tailored for exploitation of peptide transporters in microorganisms and man.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Role of proline in the imprinting developed by dipeptides--in Tetrahymena. Possible role in hormone evolution.

The effects of proline and serine dipeptides containing phenylalanine, alanine and leucine on the behaviour of receptors of Tetrahymena were investigated. Only proline-containing dipeptides were able to develop positive imprinting, and the activity depended on which other amino acid was present in the dipeptide. In contrast to the positive imprinting effect of the dipeptides Pro-Phe and Pro-Ala, the dipeptide Pro-Pro and Pro-Leu caused negative imprinting. Serine dipeptides produced negative imprinting in all cases. The possible importance of proline in the evolution of hormone specificity is discussed.

Animals↗

Effect of dipeptides on the growth of Oenococcus oeni in synthetic medium deprived of amino acids.

Oenococcus oeni has numerous amino acid requirements for growth and dipeptides could be important for its nutrition. In this paper the individual or combined effect of dipeptides on growth of O. oeni X2L in synthetic media deficient in one or more amino acids with L-malic acid was investigated. Utilization of dipeptides, glucose, and L-malic acid was also analyzed. Dipeptides were constituted by at least one essential amino acid for growth. Dipeptides containing two essential amino acids, except leucine, had a more favorable effect than free amino acids on the growth rate. Gly-Gly was consumed to a greater extent than Leu-Leu and a rapid exodus of glycine to the extracellular medium accompanied it. The microorganism could use glycine in exchange for other essential amino acids outside the cell, favoring growth. In the presence of Leu-Leu, the increase in glucose consumption rate could be related to the additional energy required for dipeptide uptake.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of thermal treatment on the structure and the biomedical properties of polyetherurethane film containing dipeptides of L-serine.

Prepolymers which were obtained by the reaction of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) with polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were chain-extended by the reaction with the linear or cyclic dipeptide of L-serine to yield a novel polyetherurethane containing dipeptide segments. In these polyetherurethanes, spherulites, fibrous structures, and needle-like crystals were formed according to the conditions used. Polyetherurethanes containing the cyclic dipeptide segments exhibit a thermally stable conformation when cast from solution at room temperature. On the other hand, polyetherurethanes containing the linear dipeptide segments exhibit a thermally stable conformation only after annealing. The properties of polyetherurethanes were elucidated by investigation of their morphology by electron microscopy, surface composition by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, hydrogen-bonding properties by i.r. spectroscopy, and degree of crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry. The antithrombogenicity of polyetherurethane films containing linear dipeptides was increased by annealing. Their oxygen permeability was controlled by the linear or cyclic dipeptide segments or by annealing. The urea permeability of hydrophilic polyetherurethane film was easily controlled by the casting conditions and molecular weight of the polyether component. The relationship between the morphology and biomedical properties of these polyetherurethane films is discussed.

Blood Coagulation↗

Enantioseparation of dipeptides and tripeptides by micro-HPLC comparing teicoplanin and teicoplanin aglycone as chiral selectors.

Chiral separation of glycyl- and diastereomeric dipeptides and tripeptides was performed by micro-HPLC using macrocyclic antibiotics as chiral selectors. Teicoplanin was compared with teicoplanin aglycone (TAG) regarding selectivity, efficiency and separation time. The stationary phases are based on teicoplanin and TAG chemically bonded to 3.5 mum silica gel. The material was packed into 10 cm x 1 mm stainless steel microcolumns. Different mobile phases were checked using the reversed phase mode. Both teicoplanin and TAG were found to show good chiral separation ability for dipeptides. Glycyl-dipeptides were baseline resolved and most of the diastereomeric dipeptides and tripeptides were separated into their four isomers. In this study, teicoplanin was found to be advantageous compared to TAG regarding separation time, although TAG showed the higher resolution power. Baseline resolution for some glycyl-dipeptides was obtained within 3 min, diastereomeric dipeptides were resolved in 7 min. This method was also shown to be applicable for enantiomer purity control.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Enzymatic conversion-based method for screening cyclic dipeptide-producing microbes.

We developed a method for screening cyclic dipeptide-producing microbes by enzymatic conversion. In this method, cyclic dipeptides are detected by the combination of: (i) conversion of cyclic dipeptides to dehydro cyclic dipeptides by cyclo(Leu-Phe) oxidase and (ii) detection of the dehydro derivative by UV spectrophotometry using TLC or HPLC analysis based on the absorbance change caused by the conversion. Using this method, the actinomycete strain A8 was isolated as a cyclic dipeptide-producing strain. The cyclic dipeptides were purified from the microbial extract by enzymatic detection-guided fractionation, and their structures were determined to be cyclo(L-Phe-L-Pro) and cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr) by spectroscopic methods.

Actinobacteria↗

Analysis of dipeptide mixtures by the combination of ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric techniques.

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using aliphatic carboxylic acids as surfactants was used to separate basic, acidic and neutral dipeptides. The enhancement of the capacity factors of basic dipeptides versus the chain length of carboxylic acid followed sigmoidal curves. The capacity factor of dipeptides fell precipitously with addition of salts until it decreased to a value which was unaffected by the addition of more salts. For the identification of dipeptides produced by the hydrolysis of proteases (dipeptidylaminopeptidases), gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric techniques were used for acidic and neutral dipeptides. Basic dipeptides could be positively identified either by normal chromatographic procedures or by collecting the suspected peaks for further characterization by alternate techniques.

Acetonitriles↗

Glutamine dipeptides in clinical nutrition.

Glutamine is a conditional indispensable amino acid during stress. However, limited solubility and instability of glutamine prevent its addition to presently available nutritional preparations. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose the dipeptide concept by which stable and highly soluble synthetic glutamine containing dipeptides are used. The synthetic dipeptides fulfill all chemical/physical properties to be considered as parenteral substrates. Numerous experimental studies show rapid clearance of parenteral supplied glutamine containing dipeptides without accumulation in tissues; the loss via the urine being inconsequential. Differences related to the dipeptide structure are not observed. There is overwhelming evidence existent that a nutritional support with supplemental glutamine dipeptide positively influences nitrogen excretion, immune status, gut integrity, morbidity, rehabilitation and outcome. Consequently, omission of glutamine from conventional TPN and its subsequent administration should be considered as a replacement of a deficiency rather than a supplementation. It might thus be conceivable that the beneficial effects observed with glutamine nutrition are simply a correction of disadvantages produced by an inadequacy of conventional amino acid solutions. The availability of stable glutamine containing preparations will certainly facilitate an adequate amino acid nutrition in routine clinical setting during episodes of stress and malnutrition.

Animals↗

Analysis of the transport properties of side chain modified dipeptides at the mammalian peptide transporter PEPT1.

This study was initiated to examine systematically the effect of side chain modifications at dipeptides on their transport via PEPT1. We synthesized a series of Xaa(R)-Ala and Ala-Xaa(R) dipeptides with the functional groups of the side chains modified by structurally different blocking groups R. Recognition and transport of these derivatives by PEPT1 was measured in Caco-2 cells, in transgenic Pichia pastoris cells and in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing PEPT1. The dipeptide derivatives displayed K(i) values between 0.002 and 4 mM. Electrophysiological analyses showed that the Ala-Xaa(R) derivatives were transported by PEPT1. In contrast, most Xaa(R)-Ala derivatives--although recognized--did not show significant transport rates. Substitution of a terminal phenyl residue in the side chain blocking group by a p-nitrophenyl residue enhanced the affinity of several dipeptide derivatives for interaction with PEPT1. However, none of these compounds showed electrogenic transport in oocytes. With a K(i) value of 0.002 mM, Lys[Z(NO(2))]-Val displayed the highest affinity to PEPT1 ever reported. We conclude that the transport of side chain modified dipeptides into enterocytes depends (a) on the position of the modified trifunctional amino acid in the dipeptide, (b) the distance between its alpha-carbon and the side chain blocking group and (c) the hydrophobic character of the side chain modification.

Animals↗

Interaction of ferrocenoyl-dipeptides with 3-aminopyrazole derivatives: beta-sheet models? A synthetic, spectroscopic, structural, and electrochemical study.

The use of 3-aminopyrazole derivatives as beta-sheet templates is investigated using a series of ferrocenoyl (Fc)-dipeptides (Fc-Gly(2)-OEt, Fc-Ala(2)-OBzl, Fc-Leu-Phe-OMe, Fc-Val-Phe-OMe, Fc-Phe(2)-OMe, Fc-Leu(2)-OMe, Fc-Val(2)-OMe). The synthesis and full characterization are reported. The solid-state structures of Fc-Gly(2)-OMe and Fc-Leu-Phe-OMe show extensive hydrogen bonding of the podand peptide substituents, resulting in the formation of supramolecular Fc-dipeptide assemblies. For Fc-Gly(2)-OMe, this can be described as a parallel beta-sheet, whereas intermolecular interactions in Fc-Leu-Phe-OMe result in the formation of supramolecular helical structures. The saturation titrations of Fc-dipeptides with 3-amino-5-methylpyrazole (3-AMP) and 3-trifluoroacetylamido-5-methylpyrazole (3-TFAc-AMP) show a 1:1 interaction of the Fc-peptide with the aminopyrazole derivatives. IR measurements in solution confirm binding to the top face of the Fc-dipeptide and the involvement of the Fc-C=O and the ester C=O groups in establishing H-bonding interactions with the 3-TFAc-AMP. However, binding constants in chloroform are low and range from 8 to 27 M(-1), which correspond to binding energies of 5-7 kJ mol(-1). In higher polarity solvents, such as acetonitrile or acetone, the binding constants are below 5 M(-1), emphasizing the limited utility of 3-AMP derivatives as beta-sheet templates. Electrochemical measurements confirm the weak interactions between the various Fc-dipeptides and 3-TFAc-AMP. Typical shifts in the redox potential of the Fc moiety are in the range 0-20 mV. Attempts to modify 3-AMP at the 3-position by carbodiimide coupling with amino acid derivatives and, thus, enhance the binding to the Fc-peptides resulted in 2-amino acid substituted 3-AMP derivatives. Substitution at the 2-position blocks the binding site, and no interactions with Fc-dipeptides are observed.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗