Novel bis(benzamidino) compounds with an aromatic central link. Inhibitors of thrombin, pancreatic kallikrein, trypsin, and complement.

A series of novel aromatic diamidines was synthesized and evaluated for antiproteolytic activity. The compounds were distignuished by inclusion of an aromatic ring structure--either benzene or bisbenzene or naphthalene--in the link between two amidinobenzene moieties. A highly potent inhibitor of bovine thrombin was discovered in alph, alph'-bis(4-amidino-2-iodophenoxy)-p-xylene with a Ki value of 1.1 X 10(-7) M (pH 8.1, 37 degrees), while alpha, alpha'-bis(4-amidino-2-iodophenoxy)-m-xylene was found to be an outstanding inhibitor of porcine pancreatic kallikrein (Ki = 3.1 X 10(-8) M). Several of the compounds investigated also demonstrated a considerable blocking effect on typsin and on the complement-dependent immune lysis of red cells.     

Purification and preliminary characterization of a plasma kallikrein inhibitor isolated from sea hares Aplysia dactylomela Rang, 1828.

An inhibitor active against pancreatic trypsin was found in the crude extract from the sea hares Aplysia dactylomelaRang, 1828. A stronger inhibitory activity against human plasma kallikrein was detectable after treating this extract at 60 degrees C, for 30 min. The plasma kallikrein inhibitor (AdKI) purification was achieved by acetone fractionation (80%) v/v, ion-exchange chromatography on Mono Q column and gel filtration chromatography on Superdex 75 column (FPLC system). By the latter a molecular mass of 2900 Da was estimated. The purified inhibitor strongly inhibits human plasma kallikrein with a K(i) value of 2.2 x 10(-10)M, while human plasmin and pancreatic trypsin were inhibited with K(i) values of 1.8 x 10(-9) and 4.7 x 10(-9)M, respectively. Chymotrypsin, pancreatic elastase, pancreatic kallikrein and thrombin are not inhibited. The effect of AdKI on plasma kallikrein was confirmed by the prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time, using a clotting time assay. The inhibitor did not affect prothrombin time or thrombin time. AdKi is a more specific inhibitor than other serine proteinase inhibitors from marine invertebrates.     

Purification and characterization of an irreversible serine protease inhibitor from skin secretions of Bufo andrewsi.

Amphibian skin secretions contain many bioactive compounds. In the present work, an irreversible serine protease inhibitor, termed baserpin, was purified for the first time from the skin secretions of toad Bufo andrewsi by successive ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Baserpin is a single chain glycoprotein, with an apparent molecular weight of about 60 kDa in SDS-PAGE. Baserpin is an irreversible inhibitor and effectively inhibits the catalytic activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase. SDS-stable baserpin-trypsin complex could be seen in SDS-PAGE indicates that it possibly belongs to the serpin superfamily. According to the association rates determined, baserpin is a potent inhibitor of bovine trypsin (4.6 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1)), bovine chymotrypsin (8.9 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1)) and porcine elastase (6.8 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1)), whereas it shows no inhibitory effect on thrombin. The N-terminal sequence of baserpin is HTQYPDILIAKPXDK, which shows no similarity with other known serine protease inhibitors.     

A beta-secretase (BACE1) inhibitor hispidin from the mycelial cultures of Phellinus linteus

In the course of screening for anti-dementia agents from natural products, a beta-secretase (BACE1) inhibitor was isolated from the culture broth of Phellinus linteus and identified as hispidin. It showed an IC (50) value of 4.9 x 10 (-6) M and a Ki value of 8.4 x 10 (-6) M. The compound was a non-competitive inhibitor. Hispidin also inhibited a prolyl endopeptidase (IC (50) = 1.6 x 10 (-5) M, Ki = 2.4 x 10 (-5) M), but it was less inhibitory to alpha-secretase (TACE) and other serine proteases such as chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase.     

Synthesis and kinetic evaluation of peptide alpha-keto-beta-aldehyde-based inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases

New, synthetic peptide analogues bearing a C-terminal basic alpha-keto-beta-aldehyde moiety were prepared as novel inhibitors of the trypsin-like serine proteases. The compounds, Ac-Leu-Leu-Arg-COCHO, Ac-Arg-Gln-Arg-COCHO and Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-COCHO were evaluated kinetically against trypsin and three other trypsin-like serine proteases, tryptase, plasmin and thrombin, all of which are implicated as mediators of important disease processes. Results illustrate that alpha-keto-beta-aldehydes are potent inhibitors, with similar potency to comparable peptide aldehydes, and intriguingly, appearto act, in some instances, by a novel mechanism of action. Ac-Leu-Leu-Arg-COCHO, an analogue of the natural product leupeptin, is a potent, tight-binding inhibitor of trypsin (Ki(final) = 1.9 microM), plasmin (Ki(final) = 4.9 microM) and tryptase (Ki(final) = 1.2 microM) and an irreversible inactivator of thrombin (k2nd 4,500 M(-1).min(-1)). Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-COCHO was found to be a tight-binding inhibitor of its target protease plasmin (Ki(final) = 3.1 microM) and was inactive against thrombin. Ac-Arg-Gln-Arg-COCHO was a slow-binding inhibitor of tryptase (Ki(final) = 1.6 microM) and also irreversibly inactivated trypsin (k2nd = 8,920 M(-1) min(-1)). Peptides or peptidomimetics with a C-terminal basic alpha-keto-beta-aldehyde function thus provide a useful new molecular template for the development of new therapeutic agents against a wide range of disorders, such as coagulopathies and asthma, which may be mediated by the aberrant activity of trypsin-like serine proteases.     

Design, synthesis, and activity of 2,6-diphenoxypyridine-derived factor Xa inhibitors.

A novel series of 2,6-diphenoxypyridines has been designed to inhibit factor Xa, a serine protease strategically located in the coagulation cascade. The evolution from the photochemically unstable bisamidine (Z,Z)-BABCH to potent bisamidine compounds with a pyridine heterocycle as the core scaffold has been achieved. The most potent compound in the series, 6h, has a Ki for human factor Xa of 12 nM. The selectivity of 6h against bovine trypsin and human thrombin was greater than 90- and 1000-fold, respectively. Two proposed modes of binding of 6h to factor Xa are made based on the crystal structures of 6h by itself and of 6h bound to bovine trypsin.     

Mechanism-based thrombin inhibitors: design, synthesis, and molecular docking of a new selective 2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran derivative

New 2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran derivatives were prepared to optimize 2a,b, initially developed as mechanism-based alpha-chymotrypsin (alpha-CT) inhibitors, into potent and selective thrombin (THR) inhibitors. From this study, 22, characterized by a 2-(N-ethyl-2'-oxoacetamide)-5'-chlorophenyl ester side chain, was shown to be a good THR inhibitor (ki/KI = 3455 M(-1) x s(-1)), displaying an excellent selectivity profile against other serine proteases such as factor Xa, trypsin, and alpha-CT. Docking analysis of this compound into the different protein structures revealed the molecular basis responsible for its potency and selectivity.     

Comparative inhibition of human alkaline phosphatase and diamine oxidase by bromo-levamisole, cimetidine and various derivatives

Analogues of bromo-levamisole and guanidine derivatives including cimetidine are examined in vitro in order to investigate their comparative inhibition, towards alkaline phosphatase (ALP) from human liver and diamine-oxidase (DAO) from human placenta. Bromo-levamisole, considered as a potent selective uncompetitive inhibitor of ALP (Ki, 2.8.10(-6) M at pH 10.5) is shown to be a noncompetitive inhibitor of DAO (Ki = 7.10(-4) M). According to the structure-inhibition relationship, the imidazole ring is important for ALP and DAO inhibition. The phenyl ring of bromo-levamisole is required for ALP inhibition but not for DAO inhibition, which is mediated mainly by aminoguanidine or guanidine groups. These results have allowed the selection of cimetidine, an H2-antagonist but also an immunomodulating compound, as inhibitor of these two enzymes. Cimetidine is an uncompetitive inhibitor of ALP (Ki = 3.2.10(-3) M at pH 10.5), and a good inhibitor of DAO (I50 = 3.8.10(-4) M). The Ki of ALP is commonly calculated at pH 10.5, but to study the role of the enzyme at the physiological pH, the inhibition has also been performed at pH 7.4. The Ki values are only slightly affected by this pH variation. So far several compounds, including levamisole, imidazole, theophylline and aminoguanidine are known to possess immunomodulating activities in vivo and/or in vitro and inhibit ALP and/or DAO. Therefore, it seems reasonable to assume that the inhibition of enzymes is involved in the immunomodulating effects of these drugs, when the ranges of active concentrations are similar for these properties.     

Structure-activity relationship studies of central nervous system agents. 5. Effect of the hydrocarbon chain on the affinity of 4-substituted 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazines for 5-HT1A receptor site.

The effect of the hydrocarbon chain of the model 4-substituted 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazines 12-31 on their affinity for 5-HT1A receptor sites was investigated. It was found that elongation of the 4-n-alkyl chain strongly increases the 5-HT1A affinity of the investigated compounds. The affinity reaches the maximum (Ki = 2.67 nM) for the n-hexyl derivative 20. It was shown that hydrophobic interactions of N-4 substituents of 1-arylpiperazines significantly contribute to their 5-HT1A affinity. The specific binding constant was defined as the receptor affinity of the protonated species of compounds under physiological conditions. The range of Ki(AH+) = 1 - 3 x 10(-11) M is a specific affinity limit of the investigated class of compounds at the 5-HT1A receptor sites.     

A Prolyl endopeptidase-lnhibiting antioxidant fromPhyllanthus ussurensis

A prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor was isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Phyllanthus ussurensis. The active compound was identified as an ellagitannin, corilagin. It was shown to non-competitively inhibit prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) with the IC50 value of 1.17x10(-6) microM. The Ki value was 6.70x10(-7) M. Corilagin was less inhibitory to other serine proteases such as chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase, indicating that it was relatively a specific inhibitor of PEP. Corilagin also effectively inhibited reactive oxygen species such as hydroxide and superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, and DPPH. Especially, corilagin showed potent scavenging activity on the superoxide anion radical in the ESR method (IC50 = 3.79x10(-6) M) as well as xanthine oxidase system.     

Inhibition of human sputum elastase by substituted 2-pyrones

Nineteen 4-hydroxy- and 4-methoxy-2-pyrones related to elasnin (I) have been assayed for in vitro inhibition of human sputum elastase (HSE), porcine pancreatic elastase, alpha-chymotrypsin, and trypsin. Inhibition is reported as Ki and Ki'; percentage inhibition was dependent on [S] in a number of cases, making it unsuitable as a measure of relative inhibition. The 3-(1-oxoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-6-alkyl-2-pyrones were found to be most effective, the octyl homologue 11 being the most potent inhibitor (Ki = 4.6 microM, 30 times better than the lead compound). A further reduction in inhibition was observed when the hitherto hydrophobic 6-substituent was substituted by a branched functionality of hydrophilic nature. Conversely, methylation of the 4-hydroxy group of the 6-alkyl-2-pyrones increased inhibitory activity. The mechanism of inhibition varied from pure noncompetitive to mixed type to uncompetitive and was found to be dependent on the pattern of substitution. We believe that the 4-hydroxy-2-pyrone binds to the S4 subsite, with the 6-substituent extending across the S4-S1 subsites and the 3-substituent occupying the S5 subsite. The length of the inhibitor binding region was calculated to be approximately 24 A. None of the hydrophobic compounds were found to have any appreciable inhibition (less than 10%) with porcine pancreatic elastase, bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, and bovine trypsin when tested at the limit of their solubility. The hydrophilic compounds were nonspecific, inhibiting all four enzymes. Dialysis was used to show that the interaction is fully reversible.     

Guanidinophenyl-substituted enol lactones as selective, mechanism-based inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases.

We have synthesized four guanidinophenyl-substituted protio enol and iodo enol lactones (3-(4-guanidinophenyl)-6-methylidenetetrahydro-2-pyranone (1), 3-(4-guanidinophenyl)-6-(E)-(iodomethylidene)tetrahydro-2-pyran one (2), 4-(4-guanidinophenyl)-6-methylidenetetrahydro-2-pyranone+ ++ (3), and 4-(4-guanidinophenyl)-6-(E)-(iodomethylidene)tetrahydro-2-pyran one (4)) and tested them for inhibitory activity against some trypsin-like enzymes, namely trypsin, urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasmin, and thrombin, as well as alpha-chymotrypsin and human neutrophil elastase (HNE). The beta-aryl-substituted protio lactone 3 was a potent alternate substrate inhibitor of trypsin and urokinase. The alpha-aryl-substituted iodo lactone 2 was a permanent inactivator of urokinase, plasmin, t-PA, thrombin, and alpha-chymotrypsin, exhibiting a relatively high specificity for the former two enzymes. In general, these compounds showed a preference for inactivating trypsin-like enzymes over alpha-chymotrypsin and HNE. Also, within the class of trypsin-like enzymes, there was generally good selectivity of inhibition.     

Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by ICI 200,355

To examine the pathogenetic role of neutrophil elastase in airway hypersecretion, we have studied the novel inhibitor of this enzyme, [4-(4-bromophenylsulfonylcarbamoyl)benzoyl-L-valyl-L-proline 1 (RS)-(1-trifluroacetyl-2-methylprolyl)amide] (ICI 200, 355). This compound was a potent (Ki = 0.6 +/- 0.22 nM) inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase and a much weaker inhibitor of other hydrolases. ICI 200,355 also inhibited the ongoing destruction of insoluble elastin by human neutrophil elastase. ICI 200,355 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the secretory response induced by human neutrophil elastase (10(-8) M), with an IC50 of 1.6 x 10(-8) M. ICI 200,355 had no effect on baseline secretion or on the secretory response to chymase, cathepsin G or Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase. Thus, ICI 200,355 appears to be a useful tool for investigating the role of human neutrophil elastase in inflammatory disorders associated with hypersecretion, such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.     

5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase--V. Acycloadenosine derivatives as inhibitors of the enzyme

Various adenosine acyclonucleoside derivatives were tested as inhibitors of 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MeSAdo) phosphorylase, an enzyme involved in the salvage of adenine and methionine from MeSAdo. The 2-halogenated derivatives of acyloadenosine [9-(2-hydroxyethoxy-methyl)adenine], including the chloro-, bromo- and iodo-congeners, all inhibited murine Sarcoma 180 (S180) MeSAdo phosphorylase, with Ki values in the range of 10(-6) to 10(-5) M. Halogenated derivatives of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)adenine, which more closely resemble the natural substrate, were substantially more potent inhibitors of the enzyme, with Ki values in the range of 2-7 x 10(-7) M. 5'-Methylthio and 5'-halogenated analogs of 2'-deoxy-1',2'-seco-adenosine were weak inhibitors, with Ki values of 10(-4) M or greater. 9-[(1-Hydroxy-3-iodo-2-proxy)methyl]adenine. (HIPA), the derivative with the lowest Ki values among these analogs, was a competitive inhibitor of S180 MeSAdo phosphorylase. In preliminary studies, HIPA inhibited MeSAdo phosphorylase in intact HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells, as it limited the incorporation of [8-14C]MeSAdo into cellular adenine nucleotide pools. In addition, 9-(phosphonoalkyl)adenines, representing potential multisubstrate inhibitors of MeSADo phosphorylase, were synthesized. Of these the heptyl derivative was the most potent inhibitor, with a Ki of 1.5 x 10(-5) M at low (3.5 mM) phosphate concentrations. The inhibitory effects of these analogs could be ablated at high phosphate concentrations (50 mM), suggesting that they interact with the phosphate binding site on the enzyme. Some of these novel MeSAdo phosphorylase inhibitors may have a role in cancer chemotherapy as potentiators of agents that block purine de novo synthesis, e.g. antifolates and 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside.     

Folate analogues. 31. Synthesis of the reduced derivatives of 11-deazahomofolic acid, 10-methyl-11-deazahomofolic acid, and their evaluation as inhibitors of glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase

The Boon-Leigh procedure, involving condensation of a 6-chloro-5-nitropyrimidine (22) with an alpha-amino ketone (20 or 21) followed by reduction of the nitro group, cyclization, and L-glutamylation, led to the formation of 11-deazahomofolate (29) and its 10-methyl derivative (30). The corresponding (6R,S)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro (4, 5) and 7,8-dihydro (31, 32) derivatives were prepared by catalytic hydrogenation. (6S)-11-Deazatetrahydrohomofolate was prepared from 29 by enzymatic reduction. Compounds 29 and 30 had little effect (IC50 greater than 2 x 10(-5) M) on Lactobacillus casei glycinamide ribonucleotide (GAR) formyltransferase but (6R,S)-11-deazatetrahydrohomofolate (4) is a potent inhibitor of this enzyme (IC50 = 5 x 10(-8) M). It is at least 100 times more inhibitory than 33, the 6S compound, indicating that the 6R component of the mixture having the unnatural configuration at C6 (34) is responsible for the potent inhibition. Compound 4 is a much weaker inhibitor of murine (L1210) and human (MOLT-4) leukemia cell GAR formyltransferases (IC50 greater than 1 x 10(-5) M). (6R,S)-11-Deaza-10-methyltetrahydrohomofolate (5) (IC50 = 1.1 x 10(-5) is 200 times weaker than 4 against L. casei GAR formyltransferase. However, 11-deaza-10-methyldihydrohomofolate (32) is more inhibitory (IC50 = 5.5 x 10(-7) M) than 5 or 30. None of the compounds showed inhibition of L. casei aminoimidazolecarboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) formyltransferase, dihydrofolate reductase, or thymidylate synthase. The dihydro derivatives 31 and 32 are 5% as active as dihydrofolate as substrates for L. casei dihydrofolate reductase. Compound 4 showed moderate inhibition of the growth of L. casei, Streptococcus faecium, MOLT-4 cells, and MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells.     

Adenosine deaminase inhibitors. Synthesis and biological activity of deaza analogues of erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine

Two new deaza analogues of erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA, 1), 7-deaza-EHNA (6) and 1,3-dideaza-EHNA (11), were synthesized and evaluated for adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitory activity and compared with EHNA, 1-deaza-EHNA (2), and 3-deaza-EHNA (3). Substitution of a methine group for a nitrogen atom in the 7-position of the purine moiety of EHNA produces a dramatic drop in the inhibitory activity (Ki = 4 X 10(-4) M) whereas compounds 2 and 3 are still good inhibitors (Ki = 1.2 X 10(-7) M and 6.3 X 10(-9) M respectively). EHNA and its deaza analogues so far synthesized were also tested in vitro for their antiviral and antitumor activity in a range of cellular systems. EHNA and 1-deaza-EHNA are equiactive as inhibitors of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) replication (MIC = 6.25 micrograms/mL) while the other compounds are inactive. On the other hand, all the examined compounds displayed an antitumor activity comparable to that of the reference compound 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A), 7-deaza-EHNA being the most active of all. The results obtained showed that there is no correlation between adenosine deaminase inhibition and antiviral or antitumor activity in this series of compounds. 3-Deaza-EHNA, the most active inhibitor of ADA among the EHNA deaza analogues, greatly potentiates the antitumor activity of ara-A in vitro. In vivo activity was observed only when the two compounds were used in combination.     

In vitro study of a novel atypical beta-adrenoceptor agonist, SM-11044.

SM-11044 (L-threo-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-N-[3-(4-fluorophenyl) propyl] serine pyrrolidine amide hydrobromide) stimulated the relaxation of guinea pig ileum (EC50: 3.0 x 10(-8) M), trachea (EC50: 1.3 x 10(-7) M), lung parenchyma (EC50: 2.1 x 10(-6) M) and the increase in right atrial rate (EC50: 6.9 x 10(-6) M). It also induced lipolysis of rat white adipocytes (EC50: 1.2 x 10(-6) M). Both the relaxant response of ileum and the lipolytic response of adipocytes to SM-11044 were resistant to inhibition by propranolol (10(-6) M), but were antagonized by cyanopindolol (10(-6) M). In contrast, the responses to SM-11044 in trachea, lung parenchyma and right atrium were almost completely abolished by propranolol (10(-6) M). Furthermore, the selectivity of SM-11044 relative to isoproterenol was ileum greater than adipocytes greater than trachea (beta 2) greater than lung (beta 2) greater than atrium (beta 1). These results suggest that SM-11044 is a selective agonist of atypical beta-adrenoceptors that are resistant to antagonism by propranolol but sensitive to cyanopindolol. The receptor binding and adenylate cyclase stimulating activity of SM-11044 were also examined on transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human beta 1-, beta 2- or beta 3-adrenoceptors. SM-11044 inhibited the binding of [125I]iodocyanopindolol to the three types of receptors in a concentration-dependent manner. The selectivity in terms of Ki values was beta 3 (Ki: 1.3 x 10(-6) M) greater than beta 2 (Ki: 4.1 x 10(-6) M) greater than beta 1 (Ki: 18.1 x 10(-6) M)-adrenoceptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Synthesis of the novel pi-(benzyloxymethyl)-protected histidine analogue of statine. Inhibition of penicillopepsin by pepstatin-derived peptides containing different statine side-chain derivatives

The synthesis of aspartic proteinase inhibitors derived from a new histidine side-chain analogue of statine (Sta), (3S,4S)-4-amino-3-hydroxy-5-(imidazol-4-yl)pentanoic acid (HiSta, 20), is reported. Boc-HiSta(BOM)-OMe (7) was prepared in 16% overall yield from Boc-His(pi-BOM)-OH via formation of the tetramic acid derivative 11 and stereoselective cis reduction with NaBH4 to the 4-hydroxy lactam 12. Removal of the Boc group from ester 7 (enantiomeric purity ee = 88-90%) and coupling to the tripeptide segment Iva-Val-Val-OH (13) by the DCC/HOBt preactivation method followed by hydrogenolytic removal of the pi-BOM group over Pd(OH)2 on carbon gave Iva-Val-Val-HiSta-OMe (16). This new peptide 16 is a very potent inhibitor of the fungal aspartic proteinase penicillopepsin (Ki = 4.5 x 10(-9) M) that is 10 times more active than the comparable Sta-containing inhibitor 3 and 2-3 times more potent than the new (3S,4S)-4-amino-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoic acid (AHPPA) analogue 17 (Ki = 1.5 x 10(-8) M). However, compound 16, which has an imidazole residue at the P1 position, is a significantly weaker inhibitor of the enzyme than the corresponding analogues with the lysine (5) and ornithine (6) side chains at P1. Considerations that led to the synthesis of 16 and the results of the enzyme kinetics are discussed in detail.     

Effect of SQ29,852, a new angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with a phosphonic acid group, on the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme from human kidney

1. An in vitro experiment was carried out to compare the inhibitory effect of SQ29,852 on human renal angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) with those of captopril, enalapril and enalaprilat. 2. SQ29,852 strongly inhibited human renal ACE; its IC50 value was 1.5 x 10(-8) M. In terms of the IC50, SQ29,852's efficacy was about 1/10 of that of captopril and 1/28 of that of enalaprilat, but it was about 14 times more potent than enalapril. 3. SQ29,852 showed no inhibitory effects on cathepsin D, urinary kallikrein, renal renin, pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Its ACE-specificity was higher than that of captopril. 4. ACE inhibition by SQ29,852 was shown to be competitive, as revealed by Lineweaver-Burk plots. The affinity of SQ29,852 to ACE was shown to be high by a Ki value of 1.2 x 10(-8) M.     

In vitro inhibition by endothelins of thrombin-induced aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets.

1. The in vitro effects of endothelins (ET-1 and ET-3) on human platelets were investigated by measurement of the aggregatory responses of washed platelets to thrombin and by the determination of cytosolic pH (pHi) and free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) determined with the fluorescent indicators, BCECF and Fura-2. 2. ET-1 and ET-3 at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 5 x 10(-7) M, did not promote platelet aggregation but inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the aggregation induced by 0.05 u ml-1 thrombin (P less than 0.002 and less than 0.001, respectively) with maximal effects reached at 10(-8) M (17 +/- 3 and 15 +/- 2%, n = 11, P = 0.002 for each). 3. Even at 5 x 10(-7) M, ET-1 and ET-3 did not cause a measurable change in basal [Ca2+]i and pHi. When tested in combination with thrombin, 5 x 10(-7) M ET-1 and ET-3 decreased the transient peak of [Ca2+]i by 17 +/- 7 and 28 +/- 7% (n = 7 and 11, P = 0.03 and P = 0.002). No effect on pHi variations was detected. In the virtual absence of external Ca2+, 5 x 10(-7) M ET-3 inhibited the peak of [Ca2+]i by 18 +/- 6% (n = 6, P = 0.02). 4. The anti-aggregating agents, prostacyclin (PGI2, 10(-8)-10(-7) M) and nitroprusside (NP, 10 ng-50 micrograms l-1) also induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the thrombin-induced [Ca2+]i peak (P = 0.001 for each).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)