Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “dipeptides”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources

An osmoregulated dipeptide in stressed Rhizobium meliloti.

One common mechanism of cellular adaptation to osmotic stress is the accumulation of organic solutes in the cytosol. We have used natural-abundance 13C nuclear magnetic resonance to identify all organic solutes that accumulate to significant levels in Rhizobium meliloti. Our studies led to the discovery of a new dipeptide, N-acetylglutaminylglutamine amide (NAGGN), which is accumulated during osmotic stress. Only rarely have peptides been shown to function in bacteria, and furthermore, this is the first example of a peptide playing a role in osmoregulation. Evidence for the biological role of NAGGN in osmotic-stress protection is presented.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

A mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis defective in dipeptide transport.

A mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis unable to use the dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) as a sole carbon or nitrogen source was isolated. Carnosinase activity and the ability to grow on beta-Ala and/or L-His were similar in the mutant and the wild type. However, the mutant showed significant impairment in the uptake of carnosine. This study is the first description of a peptide utilization mutant of a mycobacterium.

Biological Transport↗

Effects of dipeptide insertions between codons 69 and 70 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase on primer unblocking, deoxynucleoside triphosphate inhibition, and DNA chain elongation.

Finger insertion mutations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) (T69S mutations followed by various dipeptide insertions) have a multinucleoside resistance phenotype that can be explained by decreased sensitivity to deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) inhibition of the nucleotide-dependent unblocking activity of RT. We show that RTs with SG or AG (but not SS) insertions have three- to fourfold-increased unblocking activity and that all three finger insertion mutations have threefold-decreased sensitivity to dNTP inhibition. The additional presence of M41L and T215Y mutations increased unblocking activity for all three insertions, greatly reduced the sensitivity to dNTP inhibition, and resulted in defects in in vitro DNA chain elongation. The DNA chain elongation defects were partially repaired by additional mutations at positions 210, 211, and 214. These results suggest that structural communication between the regions of RT defined by these mutations plays a role in the multinucleoside resistance phenotype.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Studies on intestinal absorption of amino acids and a dipeptide in a case of Hartnup disease.

A severely affected case of Hartnup disease is reported, where the patient responded rapidly to nicotinamide. This supports the view that all the clinical features, except reduced stature from general nutritional defect, are secondary to tryptophan and nicotinamide deficiency rather than to an unknown toxic factor. Severe malabsorption of both tryptophan and phenylalanine was demonstrated. The dipeptide carnosine was absorbed normally whereas when the two constituent amino acids, beta-alanine and L-histidine, were ingested, absorption of the former was normal but that of the latter was grossly defective. The suggestion is advanced that in cases of Hartnup disease protein nutrition is maintained by intestinal uptake of amino acids as oligopeptides rather than as free amino acids. By contrast, both modes of absorption are probably important in normal subjects. Radiology of the small intestine is abnormal in Hartnup disease when a large amount of protein is admixed with the barium meal.

Adult↗

Intestinal perfusion studies in tropical sprue. 1. Amino acid and dipeptide absorption.

Intestinal absorption of glycine 20 mmol/1, glycyl-glycine 10 mmol/1 plus L-leucine 10 mmol/1, and glycyl-L-leucine 10 mmol/1 has been studied by intestinal perfusion in 11 patients with tropical sprue and 10 control subjects. The patients with sprue had a significant reduction in the rate of absorption of glycine from a 20 mmol/1 solution, but there were no significant differences in the absorption of the other substances. The failure to demonstrate any difference in the absorption of these substances is probably related to their low concentration relative to the maximum absorptive capacity of the intestine. In both groups of subjects the kinetic advantage of glycyl-glycine absorption as compared with glycine absorption was maintained. When the dipeptides were perfused, free amino acids appeared in the perfusate presumably by "back diffusion" from the mucosal cells. In the case of glycyl-L-leucine considerably more glycine and leucine were found in the perfusate in patients with sprue than in the control subjects. There was no correlation between peptide absorption and the concentration of total glycly-glycine hydrolase and glycyl-L-leucine hydrolase, measured as combined brush border and cytosol enzymes. The concentrations of these enzymes were similar in both groups of subjects.

Amino Acids↗

Dipeptide sulfonamides as endothelin ETA/ETB receptor antagonists.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent mitogen and modulator of vascular tone. It is synthesized and released from endothelial cells and acts upon two receptor subtypes designated as ETA and ETB. In this study, a series of potent dipeptide sulfonamide dual-endothelin ETA/ETB receptor antagonists were prepared to investigate their potential benefit in vascular diseases. CGS 31398 inhibited [125I]ET-1 binding to human ETA and ETB receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (ETA/CHO, ETB/CHO) with respective IC50 values of 0.26 and 0.12 nM. However, in anesthetized rats, this compound markedly potentiated ET-1-induced renal vascular resistance, a response normally observed with selective ETB receptor antagonists. To determine whether species differences account for these results, a direct comparison was made between binding to rat and rabbit aortic membranes versus functional antagonism in isolated rat aortic rings. It was found that CGS 31398 had potent affinity for the ETA receptor in rat and rabbit aorta with IC50 values of 0.87 and 0.79 nM, respectively. Inhibition of ET-1-induced contractions of rat aorta by the compound was considerably weaker than expected (pKB = 6.4), while that of sarafotoxin S6c induced contraction of dog saphenous vein (100% inhibition at 100 nM) was consistent with corresponding binding data. These results suggest that although CGS 31398 is a potent dual inhibitor of ETA/ETB receptor binding, it surprisingly displays potent ETB and weak ETA receptor antagonism in functional assays.

Animals↗

Utilization of tyrosine dipeptides and acetyltyrosine in normal and uremic humans.

The impact of renal failure on the elimination and hydrolysis of three sources of tyrosine for parenteral nutrition, the dipeptides alanyltyrosine (Ala-Tyr), glycyltyrosine (Gly-Tyr), and N-acetyltyrosine (NAc-Tyr) was investigated in eight patients on regular hemodialysis therapy (HD) and seven healthy controls (CON). In CON, whole body clearance (Ctot) of Ala-Tyr (3,169 +/- 198 ml/min) was higher than Gly-Tyr (1,781 +/- 184, P less than 0.001), and both exceeded NAc-Tyr (284 +/- 24, P less than 0.001). In HD, Ctot of Ala-Tyr was not different from CON, but Ctot of Gly-Tyr (858 +/- 73, P less than 0.001) and NAc-Tyr (129 +/- 30, P less than 0.02) was decreased. The rise in plasma levels of constituent amino acids was higher in Ala-Tyr vs. Gly-Tyr (P less than 0.01). In HD, the pattern was similar, although the increase in Tyr was less than in CON. Plasma Tyr did not increase with NAc-Tyr in either group. Urinary loss of peptides was neglible, but 60% of NAc-Tyr infused was excreted by CON. The half-life of peptides incubated in CON and HD plasma was unchanged for Ala-Tyr (12.3 +/- 0.9 vs. 14.6 +/- 1.9 min) and prolonged for Gly-Tyr in HD (101.7 +/- 4.9 vs. 131.3 +/- 12, P less than 0.05). Thus renal failure does not impair Ala-Tyr disposal and delays Gly-Tyr utilization. These differential effects on peptide assimilation underscore the importance of peptide structure on metabolism. Both peptides, but not NAc-Tyr, may serve as a nutritional substrate in renal failure patients.

Adult↗

Utilization of dipeptides by the caprine mammary gland for milk protein synthesis.

Specific use by the mammary gland in vivo of amino acids (AA) of peptide origin has been demonstrated in lactating dairy goats using a dual-labeled tracer technique involving close-arterial (external pudic artery, EPA) infusion of 13C-labeled dipeptides. The extent of utilization does not appear to differ for glycyl-L-[1-13C]phenylalanine and glycyl-L-[1-13C]leucine, perhaps indicative of a common mechanism by which AA are incorporated from peptide into milk protein. [1-13C]phenyl-alanine of peptide origin appears to be concentrated within the red blood cell, suggesting a role for the erythrocyte in peptide metabolism in vivo. In conclusion, it appears that the lactating mammary gland of goats has the ability to utilize AA of peptide origin for milk protein synthesis, and while the mechanism by which [1-13C]AA are incorporated into milk protein is not clear, it may involve peptide hydrolysis by either mammary cell surface or red blood cell hydrolases followed by uptake of liberated AA by the mammary gland.

Amino Acids↗

Gentamicin inhibits carrier-mediated dipeptide transport in kidney.

The effect of gentamicin on transport of pyroglutamylhistidine (pGlu-His) was examined in rabbit renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is limited in its usage because of nephrotoxicity characterized in part by transport defects in the proximal tubule. Since there is no information regarding the effects of gentamicin on renal peptide carriers, uptake of [3H]pGlu-His was measured in BBMV following either in vivo or in vitro exposure to the antibiotic. One hour after in vivo administration, the maximal rate (Vmax) for pGlu-His transport was significantly reduced in isolated membrane vesicles washed free of the drug, but the apparent Michaelis constant (Km) was unaltered. Coincubation of membranes with gentamicin during measurements of pGlu-His uptake had a similar effect, causing a significant decrease in the Vmax but not the Km of transport. The addition of 5 mM magnesium to the uptake medium prevented the in vitro but not the in vivo effect. The data indicate that high doses of gentamicin inhibit the capacity but not the affinity of dipeptide transport in the kidney, prior to morphological changes which typify acute tubular necrosis. The in vitro effect is rapid and involves a direct action of gentamicin on the brush-border membrane. The in vivo experiments show that toxicity may be prolonged and remains following removal of the drug from the renal brush border.

Animals↗

Assessment of renin dependency of hypertension with a dipeptide renin inhibitor.

To evaluate the participation of the renin-angiotensin system in sustaining hypertension, we administered the specific dipeptide renin inhibitor enalkiren (A-64662) to 18 patients with essential hypertension. Ascending intravenous bolus doses (0.03, 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg) of the inhibitor were each given at 45-minute intervals to patients maintained on an ad libitum sodium diet who were studied while in bed in the semirecumbent posture. Enalkiren produced marked decreases in plasma renin activity (PRA) that were still evident 8 hours after completion of dosing. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were decreased in a dose-dependent fashion without an effect on heart rate. Repetition of this procedure after patients were subjected to sodium depletion by 1 week of thiazide treatment produced amplified decreases in blood pressure. Despite the short plasma half-life of the inhibitor, these blood pressure-lowering effects were sustained for 4-8 hours when compared with parallel placebo administration in the same patients. Both the baseline PRA and the inhibitor-induced changes in PRA correlated significantly with blood pressure changes during the unstimulated and the sodium-depleted studies. However, effects of the inhibitor on diastolic blood pressure in the latter study correlated most closely with actual increases in renin produced by diuretic pretreatment. Thus, this specific renin inhibitor has demonstrated the dependency of blood pressure on the renin-angiotensin system even during basal conditions in hypertensive patients. Moreover, renin response to sodium depletion appears to be an attribute that additionally characterizes individual hypertensive patients.

Adult↗

Prolonged duration of blood pressure response to enalkiren, the novel dipeptide renin inhibitor, in essential hypertension.

The effects of sustained renin inhibition by repeated administration of enalkiren (A-64662), the novel dipeptide renin inhibitor, were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of 32 inpatients (eight per group) with essential hypertension who were maintained on a diet containing 60 meq/day sodium. Three different dosage regimens of enalkiren were studied: 1) 1.2 mg/kg quotid., 2) 0.3 mg/kg q.i.d., and 3) 0.1 mg/kg q.i.d. Each patient received an intravenous infusion every 6 hours for 1 week. Placebo infusions were used to mimic the 4 times/day dosing schedule. Blood pressure was measured periodically via 24-hour automated monitoring equipment. Mean plasma renin activity in the patient groups ranged from 1.58 to 2.68 ng angiotensin I/ml/hr. Plasma renin activity was promptly suppressed in all groups receiving enalkiren. Prolonged duration of plasma renin activity suppression (greater than or equal to 24 hours) was demonstrated after the administration of 1.2 mg/kg enalkiren. The 0.3 mg/kg q.i.d. and 1.2 mg/kg quotid. regimens produced statistically significant reductions (p less than or equal to 0.05) in systolic and diastolic blood pressures with clear evidence of persistent antihypertensive activity for 12 hours or more when compared with the placebo group. Despite relatively large reductions in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean pulse rates were essentially unchanged. The prolonged reduction in blood pressure with enalkiren without evidence of tachyphylaxis after 1 week of treatment suggests that renin inhibitors may emerge as useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of hypertension.

Adult↗

Dipeptides containing L-arginine analogs: new isozyme-selective inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase.

Several L-arginine analogs are known as potent inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). We recently synthesized dipeptides containing such amino acids, and found that they are potent and isozyme-selective NOS inhibitors. For example, S-methyl-L-isothiocitrullinyl-L-phenylalanine showed 66-fold selectivity for iNOS over nNOS, while S-methyl-L-isothiocitrullinyl-L-leucine and N(G)-nitro-L-argininyl-L-phenylalanine showed 20- and 14-fold selectivity, respectively. Interestingly, S-methyl-L-isothiocitrullinyl-D-phenylalanine showed no selectivity, and S-methyl-L-isothiocitrullinyl-L-phenylalanine showed competitive inhibition. These results suggest that each NOS isozyme has a cavity of different size near the C-terminal of the L-arginine binding site, and that the selectivity of inhibitors is due to the differences in the size of the cavity.

Animals↗

Structure-activity relationship studies on cyclic RGD peptides utilizing novel alkene dipeptide isosteres.

A structure-activity relationship study was performed on cyclic RGD peptides using a combination of multisubstituted alkene dipeptide isosteres. To clarify the effects on bioactivity of a valine N-methyl group in the cyclo(-Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-MeVal-) peptide developed by Kessler's group, novel D-Phe-Val-type isosteres with methyl-substituting groups on the olefin were designed and synthesized. Syntheses of D-Phe-psi[(E)-CH=CMe]-Val-type isosteres were carried out in essentially identical fashion to the previously reported preparation of psi[(E)-CH=CH]-type congeners. Alternatively, D-Phe-psi[(E)-CMe=CX]-Val-type isosteres (X=H or Me) were synthesized via stereoselective alkylation of beta-(1,3-oxazolidin-2-on-5-yl)-alpha,beta-enoates using organocopper reagents. The resulting four isosteres were utilized in either solution- or solid-phase peptide synthesis to afford the cyclic RGD peptidomimetics, cyclo(-Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-psi[(E)-CX=CX]-Val-) (X=H or Me). alpha(V)beta(3) and alpha(IIb)beta(3) integrin antagonistic activities of the peptidomimetics along with Kessler's peptides were comparatively evaluated. In addition, structural calculations of these compounds by simulated annealing/energy minimization using dihedral and distance restraints derived from (1)H-NMR data in DMSO gave insight into the effects of the valine N-methyl group as well as the D-phenylalanine carbonyl oxygen.

Alkenes↗

The discovery and potential of N-sulfonylated dipeptide VLA-4 antagonists.

Through a directed screening of a combinatorial library containing carboxylic acids, N-sulfonylated dipeptides were identified as leads in the Merck Research Laboratories VLA-4 antagonist program. Further optimization quickly identified subnanomolar compounds with varying degrees of specificity over the related integrin alpha4beta7. Various metabolic liabilities were identified and addressed. However, the pharmacokinetic properties of nearly all compounds in this class were unacceptable. Other leads were identified with apparent good oral bioavailability, but these were generally associated with very high plasma protein binding and a loss of potency. The mechanism of high plasma clearance was identified in the rat as the organic acid transporter, mrp-2. Compounds were identified that were not substrates of mrp-2, but they still suffered from poor oral bioavailability. Finally, a shift in strategy to identifying VLA-4 antagonists that would be suitable as candidates for inhalation therapy resulted in the preparation of compounds with exception tight binding properties. These compounds were superior to BIO-1211 in the ovalbumin-sensitized mouse model of eosinophil trafficking to the lung. One particular compound had an exceptionally long off-rate with a KD < or = 2 pM. The evolution of the structure activity relationships in our laboratories and strategies for improving potencies and pharmacokinetic profiles are the subject of this review.

Animals↗

Cyclic (hydroxyphosphinyl)acyl dipeptides: a new class of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

Conformationally constrained phenylbutyl(hydroxyphosphinyl)acyl dipeptides are potent inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme. The activity enhancement obtained by introducing conformational constraint into these molecules is greater than for related sulfhydryl and carboxyl analogs. The results are interpreted in terms of a binding model which optimally positions both zinc binding and hydrophobic groups for active site binding.

Angiotensin I↗

Alanyl-glutamine dipeptide inhibits hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of alanyl-glutamine dipeptide (Ala-Gln) against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into group C as normal control Group (n=16) and group G as alanyl-glutamine pretreatment (n=16). Rats were intravenously infused with 0.9% saline solution in group C and Ala-Gln -enriched (2% glutamine) 0.9% saline solution in group G via central venous catheter for three days. Then all rats underwent hepatic warm ischemia for 30 min followed by different periods of reperfusion. Changes in biochemical parameters,the content of glutathione (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression and morphological changes of liver tissue were compared between both groups. RESULTS: One hour after reperfusion, the levels of liver enzymes in group G were significantly lower than those in group C (P<0.05).Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, the levels of liver enzymes in both groups were markedly recovered and the levels of liver enzyme in group G were also significantly lower than those in group C (P<0.01). One and 24 h after reperfusion, GSH content in group G was significantly higher than that in group C (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in activities of SOD between the two groups. One and 24 h after reperfusion, the positive expression rate of Bcl-2 protein was higher in group G than in group C (P<0.05) and the positive expression rate of Bax protein was lower in group G than in group C (P<0.05). Histological and ultrastructural changes of liver tissue were inhibited in group C compared to group G. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Ala-Gln pretreatment provides the rat liver with significant tolerance to warm ischemia-reperfusion injury,which may be mediated partially by enhancing GSH content and regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in the liver tissue.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Alahopcin, a new dipeptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces albulus subsp. ochragerus subsp. nov.

An actinomycete strain No. B-52653 was found to produce an antibiotic selectively active against the in vitro antibiotic resistant mutant of Staphylococcus aureus. Based on taxonomic studies, the name Streptomyces albulus subsp. ochragerus subsp. nov. is proposed for the strain. The microorganism produced two kinds of antibiotics; one identical with gougerotin, the other an amphoteric water soluble dipeptide containing L-alanine. The latter has the molecular formula C9H15N3O6 and is named alahopcin. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum and a synergistic effect with some other antibiotics against some antibiotic resistant staphylococci. Alahopcin has a low toxicity and was effective against experimental infections in mice caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Animals↗