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Influence of dipeptides on precipitated morphine withdrawal in the mouse.

Effects of various dipeptides on naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal were studied in the mouse. Mice were rendered dependent on morphine by implantation of morphine pellets and the withdrawal syndrome was measured by the latency of the onset of stereotyped jumpings. In accordance with previous data, subcutaneous injection of Z-prolyl-D-leucine significantly delayed the onset of morphine withdrawal. The all-L enantiomer of the dipeptide (Z-L-prolyl-L-leucine) did not affect morphine withdrawal in the dose studied. Replacement of L-proline by L-glutamate or L-pyroglutamate (Z-L-glutamyl-L-leucine and L-pyroglutamyl-L-leucine) resulted in dipeptides which were more potent towards morphine withdrawal than Z-prolyl-D-leucine. Z-L-glycyl-L-proline attenuated the morphine withdrawal syndrome more effectively than Z-L-prolyl-D-leucine, but Z-L-leucyl-L-glycine was ineffective in this respect. The data reveal that certain dipeptides--which in their nonprotected forms are normal sequences of endogenous peptides--affect morphine withdrawal more potently than Z-prolyl-D-leucine, a synthetic dipeptide known to attenuate morphine dependence.

Animals↗

Glutamate-containing dipeptides do not modulate ligand binding at excitatory amino acid receptors.

Dipeptides of the structure X-Glu (e.g. X = Phe, Leu) have been proposed as allosteric modulators of excitatory amino acid receptors in rat brain membranes. Here we report that these dipeptides reduce the binding of L-[3H]Glu (predominantly N-methyl-D-aspartate-sensitive sites) and of [3H]kainate to postsynaptic density preparations isolated from rat brain. However, several observations indicate that the effects of these dipeptides are mediated not by allosteric modulation, but by free L-Glu liberated by the actions of a membrane-associated aminopeptidase. The absolute and relative potencies of the dipeptides are similar at all acidic amino acid binding sites examined to date, suggesting the involvement of a factor with similar activity at each site (e.g. L-Glu). N-Acetyl-Met-Glu is a weak inhibitor of L-Glu and kainate binding, and N-blocked peptides are known to be poor substrates of aminopeptidases. Bestatin, an inhibitor of aminopeptidases, decreases or abolishes the effects of substrate dipeptides on L-Glu and kainate receptor binding, while having no effect itself.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Mechanism of inhibition of proton: dipeptide co-transport during chronic enteritis in the mammalian small intestine.

Amino acids, a critical energy source for the intestinal epithelial cells, are more efficiently assimilated in the normal intestine via peptide co-transporters such as proton:dipeptide co-transport (such as PepT1). Active uptake of a non-hydrolyzable dipeptide (glycosarcosine) was used as a substrate and PepT1 was found to be present in normal villus, but not crypt cells. The mRNA for this transporter was also found in villus, but not crypt cells from the normal rabbit intestine. PepT1 was significantly reduced in villus cells also diminished in villus cell brush border membrane vesicles both from the chronically inflamed intestine. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the mechanism of inhibition of PepT1 during chronic enteritis was secondary to a decrease in the affinity of the co-transporter for the dipeptide without an alteration in the maximal rate of uptake (Vmax). Northern blot studies also demonstrated unaltered steady state mRNA levels of this transporter in the chronically inflamed intestine. Proton dipeptide transport is found in normal intestinal villus cells and is inhibited during chronic intestinal inflammation. The mechanism of inhibition is secondary to altered affinity of the co-transporter for the dipeptide.

Animals↗

Isotachophoretic determination of mobility and pKa by means of computer simulation. V. Evaluation of mo and pKa of twenty-eight dipeptides and assessment of separability.

Isotachophoretic qualitative indices, RE, for twenty-eight dipeptides were measured in the range pH 7.4-9.6. The absolute mobility, mo, and pKa values were evaluated by the use of the least-squares method, utilizing a simulation of the isotachophoretic steady state. The mo values were newly evaluated and the pKa values were in good agreement with literature values. By comparison of the evaluated mo and pKa values of the dipeptides with those of the constituent amino acids, simple relationships were found which may be used to estimate the mo and pKa values of other dipeptides. The separability of the dipeptides was also evaluated by considering the differences between their simulated effective mobilities. It is concluded that isotachophoresis is very convenient for the separation of dipeptides and their constituent amino acids.

Amino Acids↗

Chiral separations using dipeptide polymerized surfactants: effect of amino acid order.

Chiral separations using various polymerized dipeptide surfactants in electrokinetic capillary chromatography (EKC) are investigated. The two main dipeptide surfactants used in this study were sodium N-undecylenyl-L-valine-L-leucine (L-SUVL), and sodium N-undecylenyl-L-leucine-L-valine (L-SULV). These studies were performed in order to determine if the order of amino acids in dipeptide surfactants is important in terms of chiral recognition and separations. Both the monomer and the polymer of these two surfactants were compared for the separation of two model atropisomers, (+/-)-1,1-bi-2-naphtol (BOH) and (+/-)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthyl-2,2'-diyl hydrogen phosphate (BNP). Some advantages and disadvantages of the polymer relative to the monomer are discussed. Four other surfactants, the polymers of sodium N-undecylenyl-L-leucine-L-leucine (L-SULL), sodium N-undecylenyl-L-valine-L-valine (L-SUVV), sodium N-undecylenyl-L-valine (L-SUV), and sodium N-undecylenyl-L-leucine (L-SUL), were also used in this study, and their performance was compared to that of poly(L-SULV). These data show conclusively that the order of amino acids in dipeptide surfactants has a dramatic effect on chiral recognition. Our investigations indicate that poly-(L-SULV) provides the best enantioselectivity among the four dipeptide and two single amino acid surfactants for the separation of BNP and BOH. The advantages of poly-(L-SULV) are demonstrated via the ultrafast separation of the enantiomers of BNP and BOH in less than 1 min.

Amino Acids↗

Separation and sequence of dipeptides using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of their trimethylsilylated derivatives.

Dipeptides containing all 20 common amino acids in the amino and carboxyl positions were trimethylsilylated under a variety of conditions. The dipeptides (about 200 of the possible 400) were synthesized by conventional means or derived from polypeptides digested with dipeptidyl aminopeptidase. Derivatives were prepared in high yield by reaction with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide in acetonitrile. Reaction products were identified by mass spectrometry. Numerous stationary phases and supports were compared in the gas chromatographic analysis of the derivatives. Best results were obtained with a 0.2 X 60 cm column packed with Chromosorb 750 coated with a 1% solution of OV-1. All Me3Si dipeptides except those containing arginine eluted in less than 30 min when the column was temperature programmed from 100 to 280 degrees C. The typical mass spectrum of trimethylsilylated dipeptides contains two significant ions used for identification: the ion derived from the amino terminal residue by beta cleavage of the central CH-CO bond and the molecular ion minus a methyl group. Other useful ions also have been noted. A sufficient variety of samples have been examined to establish predictable fragmentations which should allow the identification of all 400 possible dipeptides.

Amino Acids↗

Photoaffinity inhibition of dipeptide transport in Escherichia coli.

A dipeptide containing a nitrene precursor, glycyl-4-azido-2-nitro-L-phenylalanine, has been synthesized. This compound is a photoaffinity inhibitor of dipeptide transport in E. coli. In the dark, the dipeptide is a reversible inhibitor of glycylglycine uptake by live E. coli W cells. The 14C-labeled compound is a substrate for the transport system, with a Km of 7 micrometer and V max of 5 x 10(3) molecules cell-1 s-1 (compare 9 micrometer and 1 x 10(4) molecules cell-1 s-1, respectively, for the transport of glycylglycine under the same conditions). When intact E. coli cells are photolyzed at approximately 350 nm in the presence of the photolabile dipeptide, their ability to transport either glycylglycine or unphotolyzed glycyl-4-azido-2-nitro-L-phenylalanine is irreversibly inhibited, but their ability to transport arginine is unaffected. The presence of glycylglycine in the medium during photolysis protects the cells against the light-dependent inactivation of dipeptide transport.

Affinity Labels↗

Structures of the neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase heme domain with D-nitroarginine-containing dipeptide inhibitors bound.

In a continuing effort to unravel the structural basis for isoform-selective inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by various inhibitors, we have determined the crystal structures of the nNOS and eNOS heme domain bound with two D-nitroarginine-containing dipeptide inhibitors, D-Lys-D-Arg(NO)2-NH(2) and D-Phe-D-Arg(NO)2-NH(2). These two dipeptide inhibitors exhibit similar binding modes in the two constitutive NOS isozymes, which is consistent with the similar binding affinities for the two isoforms as determined by K(i) measurements. The D-nitroarginine-containing dipeptide inhibitors are not distinguished by the amino acid difference between nNOS and eNOS (Asp 597 and Asn 368, respectively) which is key in controlling isoform selection for nNOS over eNOS observed for the L-nitroarginine-containing dipeptide inhibitors reported previously [Flinspach, M., et al. (2004) Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 11, 54-59]. The lack of a free alpha-amino group on the D-nitroarginine moiety makes the dipeptide inhibitor steer away from the amino acid binding pocket near the active site. This allows the inhibitor to extend into the solvent-accessible channel farther away from the active site, which enables the inhibitors to explore new isoform-specific enzyme-inhibitor interactions. This might be the structural basis for why these D-nitroarginine-containing inhibitors are selective for nNOS (or eNOS) over iNOS.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Conformational analogy between beta-lactam antibiotics and tetrahedral transition states of a dipeptide.

The three-dimensional structures of various penicillins and cephalosporins are compared to the spatial characteristics of glycylglycine and the tetrahedral adducts formed when a nucleophile attaches to the amide carbonyl carbon of this dipeptide. The dipeptide is taken to model the D-alanyl-D-alanine terminus of the precursors of bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan cross-links. Least-squares fitting shows that the spatial match between the dipeptide and the antibiotic depends on the thiazolidine or dihydrothiazine ring conformation, as well as the conformation of the dipeptide. In general, the tetrahedral adducts fit somewhat better than the parent dipeptide. A previously unobserved 3-cephem conformer is found by molecular mechanics calculations to be less stable than the usual crystallographically observed conformer.

Cephalosporins↗

Studies on selection blockers. 5. Design, synthesis, and biological profile of sialyl Lewis x mimetics based on modified serine-glutamic acid dipeptides.

We have rationally designed a sLe(x) mimetic based on molecular modeling, synthesized type II and type II' beta-turn dipeptides (3a,b), and evaluated their biological profiles both in vitro and in vivo. Against E-selectin-sLe(x) binding, the type II beta-turn dipeptide L-Ser-D-Glu 3a (IC50, 13 microM) and the type II' beta-turn dipeptide D-Ser-L-Glu 3b (IC50, 5.5 microM) were 20-100-fold more potent blockers than sLe(x) (1; IC50, 600 microM) and a 3'-sulfated Le(x) analog (2; IC50, 280 microM). On the other hand, other stereoisomers, such as L-Ser-L-Glu 3c and D-Ser-D-Glu 3d, were very weak blockers, with IC50 > 1000 microM for both 3c,d. Against the P- and L-selectins, despite much different stereochemistry of compounds 3a-d, the dipeptides 3a-d were all more potent blockers than either sLe(x) or compound 2. Interestingly, compound 3b provided significant in vivo efficacy against an immunoglobulin E-mediated skin reaction in a mouse model. These findings indicate that sLe(x) mimetics with type II and type II' beta-turn dipeptides could be useful in the design of an active selectin blocker in vitro and/or in vivo.

Animals↗

N(omega)-Nitroarginine-containing dipeptide amides. Potent and highly selective inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

Selective inhibition of the isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) could be therapeutically useful in the treatment of certain disease states arising from the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO). Recently, we reported the dipeptide methyl ester, D-Phe-D-Arg(NO)()2-OMe (19), as a modest inhibitor of nNOS (K(i) = 2 microM), but with selectivity over iNOS as high as 1800-fold (Silverman, R. B.; Huang, H.; Marletta, M. A.; Martasek, P. J. Med. Chem. 1997, 40, 2813-2817). Here a library of 152 dipeptide amides containing nitroarginine and amino acids other than Phe are synthesized and screened for activity. Excellent inhibitory potency and selectivity for nNOS over eNOS and iNOS is achieved with the dipeptide amides containing a basic amine side chain (20-24), which indicates a possible electrostatic (or hydrogen bonding) interaction at the enzyme active site. The most potent nNOS inhibitor among these compounds is L-Arg(NO)()2-L-Dbu-NH(2) (23) (K(i) = 130 nM), which also exhibits the highest selectivity over eNOS (>1500-fold) with a 192-fold selectivity over iNOS. These compounds do not exhibit time-dependent inhibition. The order and the chirality of the amino acids in the dipeptide amides have profound influences on the inhibitory potency as well as on the isoform selectivity. These dipeptide amide inhibitors open the door to the design of potent and highly selective inhibitors of nNOS.

Animals↗

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of (E)-alkene trans-Xaa-Pro dipeptide mimetics utilizing organocopper-mediated anti-S(N)2' reactions.

Proline dipeptides (Xaa-Pro) exist as an equilibrium mixture of cis- and trans-rotamers, which depends on the energy barriers for imide isomerization. This conformation mixture contributes to both structure and function of proline-containing peptides and proteins. Structural motifs resembling these cis- or trans-conformers have served as useful tools for elucidating contributions of proline residues in the physicochemical and biological profiles of structures which contain them. Among such motifs are alkene dipeptide isosteres which mimic cis- or trans-imide using (Z)- or (E)-alkene, respectively. In this report, the first regio- and stereoselective syntheses of (E)-alkene dipeptide isosteres (20, 31, and 35) corresponding to trans-proline dipeptides are described. Key to the synthesis of these mimetics is the anti-S(N)2' reaction of vinyl aziridines such as 15 or vinyl oxazolidinones such as 28 and 32 with organocopper reagents "RCu" (R = CH(2)SiMe(2)(Oi-Pr)). Reaction of cis-vinylaziridine 15 derived from L-serine with organocopper reagent gave a precursor of the trans-L-Ser-D-Pro type alkene isosteres 20, accompanied by an S(N)2 side product. One limitation with the use of such aziridine-mediated methodology is formation of the corresponding trans-aziridine 22, which leads to L-L type isosteres, that is unstable and obtainable only in low yield. On the other hand, both isomers of oxazolidinone derivatives can be easily obtained from N-Boc-protected amino alcohols. The reaction of trans- 28 or cis-oxazolidinone derivative 32 with organocopper reagents proceeds quantitatively with high regio- and diastereoselectivities in anti-S(N)2' fashion. Subsequent oxidative treatment of the newly introduced isopropoxydimethylsilylmethyl group yields trans-L-Ser-L-Pro 31 or trans-L-Ser-D-Pro type isosteres 35, respectively. Of note, synthesized isostere 31 can also be converted to trans-phosphoSer-Pro 42 and trans-Cys-Pro mimetics 44. The present synthetic methodology affords trans-Xaa-Pro alkene-type dipeptide isosteres in high yield with relatively simple manipulation.

Alkenes↗

Immunomodulatory synthetic dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp slows down aging and inhibits spontaneous carcinogenesis in rats.

Immunomodulatory molecule L-Glu-L-Trp was isolated from natural calf thymic peptide complex Thymalin by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. On the basis of the synthesized dipeptide a pharmaceutical was designed containing this compound, which later receives the brand name Thymogen. The agent activated T-cell differentiation, T-cell recognition of peptide-MHC complexes, induced changes in intracellular composition of cyclic nucleotides, and activated neutrophilic chemotaxis and phagocytosis. The effect of dipeptide on survival, life span and spontaneous tumor development was studied in female rats. Seventy-six, five-month-old outbred female rats were randomly subdivided into two groups and were subcutaneously injected with 0.2 ml of normal saline (controls, 32 rats) or with 5 micrograms/rat of the dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp, dissolved in 0.2 ml of saline (44 rats), 5 times per week for 12 months. Animals were monitored up to their natural death and all the tumors discovered were studied microscopically. Mean life span of rats in both groups was similar but that of 10% maximum survived control rats constituted 949 +/- 16.1 days, whereas in the dipeptide-treated rats this value was 1048 +/- 21.1 days (P < 0.001). Six out of 44 rats treated with the drug survived over the maximum life span of control rats (965 days). The aging rate indicated as alpha in the Gompertz equation, was 0.0071 days-1 in controls and 0.0041 days-1 in rats exposed to L-Glu-L-Trp. Total tumor incidence was 1.5 times lower (P < 0.01), malignant tumor incidence 1.7 times lower (P < 0.01), and hematopoietic malignancies (leukemias and lymphomas) 3.4 times lower (P < 0.02) in rats exposed to the dipeptide in comparison with controls. Thus, treatment with L-Glu-L-Trp delayed aging rate and decreased spontaneous tumor incidence in rats.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Synthesis of different types of dipeptide building units containing N- or C-terminal arginine for the assembly of backbone cyclic peptides.

Different types of dipeptide building units containing N- or C-terminal arginine were prepared for synthesis of the backbone cyclic analogues of the peptide hormone bradykinin (BK: Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg). For cyclization in the N-terminal sequence N-carboxyalkyl and N-aminoalkyl functionalized dipeptide building units were synthesized. In order to avoid lactam formation during the condensation of the N-terminal arginine to the N-alkylated amino acids at position 2, the guanidino function has to be deprotected. The best results were obtained by coupling Z-Arg(Z)2-OH with TFFH/collidine in DCM. Another dipeptide building unit with an acylated reduced peptide bond containing C-terminal arginine was prepared to synthesize BK-analogues with backbone cyclization in the C-terminus. To achieve complete condensation to the resin and to avoid side reactions during activation of the arginine residue, this dipeptide unit was formed on a hydroxycrotonic acid linker. HYCRAM technology was applied using the Boc-Arg(Alloc)2-OH derivative and the Fmoc group to protect the aminoalkyl function. The reduced peptide bond was prepared by reductive alkylation of the arginine derivative with the Boc-protected amino aldehyde, derived from Boc-Phe-OH. The best results for condensation of the branching chain to the reduced peptide bond were obtained using mixed anhydrides. Both types of dipeptide building units can be used in solid-phase synthesis in the same manner as amino acid derivatives.

Acylation↗

Availability of amino acids supplied by constant intravenous infusion of synthetic dipeptides in healthy man.

1. A commercial amino acid solution supplemented with two synthetic dipeptides, L-alanyl-L-glutamine (Ala-Gln) and glycyl-L-tyrosine (Gly-Tyr), or alternatively with isonitrogenous amounts of free alanine and glycine has been continuously infused over 4 h in six apparently healthy volunteers. 2. The infusion of the solutions was not accompanied by any side effects and the volunteers reported no complaints. 3. Infusion of the alanine- and glycine-supplemented control solution resulted in an increase of the concentration of these amino acids, while no appreciable change in free glutamine concentration was observed and free tyrosine revealed a steady decrease throughout the infusion. 4. Infusion of the peptide-supplemented solution resulted in a prompt equimolar liberation of the constituent free amino acids (glutamine, alanine, tyrosine and glycine), approaching steady state after about 30 min infusion, while only trace but stable concentrations of the two dipeptides were measured throughout the infusion. No peptides were detectable in urine. The findings suggest a nearly quantitative extracellular hydrolysis of the infused dipeptides and indicate a subsequent utilization of the liberated free amino acids. 5. The estimated metabolic clearance rates and total body plasma clearances were very similar for the two dipeptides (Ala-Gln 35.9 +/- 9.5 ml min-1 kg-1 and 2.9 +/- 0.9 l/min, respectively; Gly-Tyr 33.7 +/- 9.5 ml min-1 kg-1 and 2.7 +/- 0.9 l/min, respectively); thus there is little difference in the metabolic handling of these dipeptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

E.s.r. and spin-trapping studies of the reactions of hydrated electrons with dipeptides.

The reactions of hydrated electrons (eaq-) with 55 dipeptides and 25 acetyl and formyl amino acids have been studied by e.s.r. and spin-trapping techniques. Gamma-radiolysis of deaerated aqueous solutions was used to generate eaq-, and sodium formate or t-BuOH was added to scavenge the OH radicals. t-Nitrosobutane was employed as the spin-trapping reagent. The radical,--CO---NH--, which is the initial product of the reactions of eaq- with dipeptides, was observed only for val-gly, val-ala, val-leu and ile-ala. For most of the dipeptides this radical converts to the primary deamination radical, CHR'-CONH-CHR-COO-, where R and R' are the side-chains of the common amino acids. In many cases a radical of the type CHR-COO-, formed by secondary deamination, was also observed. Only secondary deamination reactions were observed for dipeptides containing beta-alanine as the amino terminal residue and for acetyl and formyl amino acids. The secondary deamination reactions of eaq- with dipeptides, acetyl and formyl amino acids in aqueous solutions have not been observed previously. This type of reaction is of interest since it brings about main-chain scission in polypeptides and proteins.

Amino Acids↗

Protein nutrition and amino acid metabolism after 4 weeks of total parenteral nutrition with a mixture of 14 dipeptides: serendipitous observations on effects of sepsis in baboons.

We investigated parameters of nutrition, metabolism, and organ function after 4 wk of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in baboons receiving either dipeptides or amino acids as the nitrogen source. The two groups showed no significant difference with respect to gain in body weight, nitrogen balance, plasma and muscle concentrations of amino acids, plasma concentrations of proteins, and leucine incorporation into muscle protein. All dipeptides were efficiently utilized as evidenced by trace concentrations of dipeptides in plasma and urine; they produced no deleterious effect on the function of liver, kidney, or immune system. Development of infection in several baboons increased urinary excretion of urea nitrogen but had no effect on urinary excretion of dipeptides and amino acids with the single exception of taurine, which was greatly increased. In conclusion, the data show long-term efficacy and safety of the dipeptide mixture as the sole nitrogen source for TPN.

Amino Acids↗

Functional separation of dipeptide transport and hydrolysis in kidney brush border membrane vesicles.

Dipeptides serve as substrates for both transport and hydrolytic processes. This has caused uncertainty as to whether different systems mediate both processes, and if so, whether they can be functionally separated. To investigate these problems, we determined the effects of a series of compounds previously characterized as aminopeptidase (AP) inhibitors on transport and hydrolytic activities of the kidney brush border membrane. The substrate used for assaying transport activity was Gly-Gln whereas Leu-, Arg-, and Glu-nitroanilides, as well as Gly-Tyr and Ala-Tyr, were used in assaying hydrolytic activity. The AP inhibitors, arphamenines A and B and bestatin, strongly inhibited transport by the oligopeptide/H+ symporter (EC50 values of 15 to 67 microM). The mechanism of inhibition appeared to be competition for the binding site of the symporter. In contrast, leucinethiol, leuhistin, and amastatin had little or no effect on dipeptide transport (EC50 values of 4 to more than 50 mM). Arphamenine and leucinethiol, in concentrations as high as 100 microM, were found to be either ineffective or weak inhibitors of membrane-associated hydrolysis. In contrast, amastatin and leuhistin, in concentrations as low as 20 microM, almost completely inhibited dipeptide hydrolysis. These results show that dipeptide hydrolysis can be selectively suppressed by either amastatin or leuhistin and dipeptide transport by arphamenine. Furthermore, the results provide new insight into the structural features of substrates that are recognized at the binding site of the oligopeptide/H+ symporter.

Aminopeptidases↗