Modified melanocortin tetrapeptide Ac‐His‐dPhe‐Arg‐Trp‐NH2 at the arginine side chain with ureas and thioureas

Abstract: The Ac‐His‐d Phe‐Arg‐Trp‐NH₂ tetrapeptide is a nonselective melanocortin agonist and replacement of Arg in the tetrapeptide with acidic, basic or neutral amino acids results in reduced potency at the melanocortin receptor (MCR) isoforms (MC1R and MC3–5R). To determine the importance of the positive charge and the guanidine moiety for melanocortin activity, a series of urea‐ and thiourea‐substituted tetrapeptides were designed. Replacement of Arg with Lys or ornithine reduced agonist activity at the mouse mMC1 and mMC3–5 receptors, thus supporting the hypothesis that the guanidine moiety is important for receptor potency, particularly at the MC3–5 receptors. The Arg side chain‐modified tetrapeptides examined in this study include substituted phenyl, naphthyl, and aliphatic urea and thiourea residues using a Lys side‐chain template. These ligands elicit full‐agonist pharmacology at the mouse MCRs examined in this study.     

Synthesis and activity of the melanocortin Xaa‐d‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp‐NH2 tetrapeptides with amide bond modifications

Abstract: The melanocortin receptor (MCR) pathway has been identified as participating in several physiologically important pathways including pigmentation, energy homeostasis, inflammation, obesity, hypertension, and sexual function. All the endogenous MCR agonists contain a core His‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp sequence identified as important for receptor molecular recognition and stimulation. Several structure–activity studies using the Ac‐His‐d ‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp‐NH₂ tetrapeptide template have been performed in the context of modifying N‐terminal ‘capping’ groups and amino acid constituents. Herein, we report the synthesis and pharmacologic characterization of modified Xaa‐d ‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp‐NH₂ (Xaa = His or Phe) melanocortin tetrapeptides (N‐site selective methylation, permethylation, or amide bond reduction) at the mouse MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors. The modified peptides generated in this study resulted in equipotent or reduced MCR potency when compared with control ligands. The reduced amide bond analog of the Phe‐d ‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp‐NH₂ peptide converted its agonist activity into an antagonistic at the central mMC3 and mMC4 receptors involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, while retaining full agonist activity at the peripheral MC1 and MC5 receptors.     

Characterization of melanocortin NDP-MSH agonist peptide fragments at the mouse central and peripheral melanocortin receptors

The central melanocortin receptors, melanocortin-4 (MC4R) and melanocortin-3 (MC3R), are involved in the regulation of satiety and energy homeostasis. The MC4R in particular has become a pharmaceutical industry drug target due to its direct involvement in the regulation of food intake and its potential therapeutic application for the treatment of obesity-related diseases. The melanocortin receptors are stimulated by the native ligand, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). The potent and enzymatically stable analogue NDP-MSH (Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH(2)) is a lead peptide for the identification of melanocortin amino acids important for receptor molecular recognition and stimulation. We have synthesized nine peptide fragments of NDP-MSH, deleting N- and C-terminal amino acids to determine the "minimally active" sequence of NDP-MSH. Additionally, five peptides were synthesized to study stereochemical inversion at the Phe 7 and Trp 9 positions in attempts to increase tetra- and tripeptide potencies. These peptide analogues were pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin MC1, MC3, MC4, and MC5 receptors. This study has identified the Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH(2) tetrapeptide as possessing 10 nM agonist activity at the brain MC4R. The tripeptide Ac-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH(2) possessed micromolar agonist activities at the MC1R, MC4R, and MC5R but only slight stimulatory activity was observed at the MC3R (at up to 100 microM concentration). This study has also examined to importance of both N- and C-terminal NDP-MSH amino acids at the different melanocortin receptors, providing information for drug design and identification of putative ligand-receptor interactions.     

Inhibition of bombesin-stimulated gastrin release from isolated human G cells by bombesin analogs

This study investigated the ability of 6 putative bombesin (BN) antagonists to inhibit BN-stimulated gastrin release from human antral G cells maintained in culture for 48 h. The analogs studied comprised different sequence changes based around a constant 6-amino-acid sequence from the C-terminal of the peptide. At concentrations of 1.0 mumol/l, analogs 1 and 2 stimulated gastrin release 3-fold above basal. The remaining 4 analogs showed no agonistic activity. After the addition of concentrations of 1.0 mumol/l against a BN concentration of 10.0 nmol/l the following levels of inhibition were obtained: analog 3, 90 +/- 1.4%; analog 4, 95 +/- 0.5%; analog 5, 99 +/- 2.4%, and analog 6, 85 +/- 3.8%. The 2 most effective analogs were analog 3, which was 9 amino acids in length with substitutions of two D-phenylalanine residues and a psi-leucine bond [D-Phe6-psi-Leu13-D-Cpa14-BN(6-14)NH2], and analog 5, which was 8 amino acids in length with a methyl ester at the C-terminus and a single D-phenylalanine substitution at the N-terminus [D-Phe6-BN(6-13)OMe]. These results suggest that the BN receptor present on the human antral G cells differs from that on guinea pig acinar cells and canine G cells, being less sensitive to C-terminal structural modifications.     

Biological and conformational study of β‐substituted prolines in MT‐II template: steric effects leading to human MC5 receptor selectivity*

Abstract: To investigate the molecular basis for the interaction of the χ‐constrained conformation of melanotropin peptide with the human melanocortin receptors, a series of β‐substituted proline analogs were synthesized and incorporated into the Ac‐Nle‐c[Asp‐His‐d ‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp‐Lys]‐NH₂ (MT‐II) template at the His⁶ and d ‐Phe⁷ positions. It was found that the binding affinities generally diminished as the steric bulk of the p‐substituents of the 3‐phenylproline residues increased. From (2S, 3R)‐3‐phenyl‐Pro⁶ to (2S, 3R)‐3‐(p‐methoxyphenyl)‐Pro⁶ analogs the binding affinity decreased 23‐fold at the human melanocortin‐3 receptor (hMC3R), 17‐fold at the hMC4R, and eight‐fold at the hMC5R, but selectivity for the hMC5R increased. In addition, the substitution of the d ‐Phe⁷ residue with a (2R, 3S)‐3‐phenyl‐Pro resulted in greatly reduced binding affinity (10³–10⁵) at these melanocortin receptors. Macromodel's Large Scale Low Mode (LLMOD) with OPLS‐AA force field simulations revealed that both MT‐II and SHU‐9119 share a similar backbone conformation and topography with the exception of the orientation of the side chains of d ‐Phe⁷/d ‐Nal (2′)⁷ in χ space. Introduction of the dihedrally constrained phenylproline analogs into the His⁶ position (analogs 2 – 6 ) caused topographical changes that might be responsible for the lower binding affinities. Our findings indicate that hMC3 and hMC4 receptors are more sensitive to steric effects and conformational constraints than the hMC5 receptor. This is the first example for melanocortin receptor selectivity where the propensity of steric interactions in χ space of β‐modified Pro⁶ analogs of MT‐II has been shown to play a critical role for binding as well as bioefficacy of melanotropins at hMC3 and hMC4 receptors, but not at the hMC5 receptor.     

A light-activated beta-turn scaffold within a somatostatin analog: NMR structure and biological activity

Somatostatin owes its biological activity to the presence of a well-defined beta-turn centered around the tetrapeptide Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr. We have developed a light-activated beta-turn scaffold, 1, with the ability to template a beta-turn conformation within the somatostatin tetrapeptide only upon photolysis. The three-dimensional structure of the trans cyclic peptide I obtained by NMR revealed no beta-turn conformation; however, when isomerized to the cis form II with light, the solution structure of the resulting cyclic peptide was found to contain a type II' beta-turn within the Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr sequence. Binding assays with the SRIF receptor demonstrated that the cis peptide displayed enhanced affinity for the receptor over the trans form.     

Roles of residues 3 and 4 in cyclic tetrapeptide ligand recognition by the κ‐opioid receptor

Abstract: A series of cyclic, disulfide‐ or dithioether‐containing tetrapeptides based on previously reported potent μ‐ and δ‐selective analogs has been explored with the aim of improving their poor affinity to the κ‐opioid receptor. Specifically targeted were modifications of tetrapeptide residues 3 and 4, as they presumably interact with residues from transmembrane helices 6 and 7 and extracellular loop 3 that differ among the three receptors. Accordingly, tetrapeptides were synthesized with Phe³ replaced by aliphatic (Gly, Ala, Aib, Cha), basic (Lys, Arg, homo‐Arg), or aromatic sides chains (Trp, Tyr, p‐NH₂Phe), and with d ‐Pen⁴ replaced by d ‐Cys⁴, and binding affinities to stably expressed μ‐, δ‐, and κ‐receptors were determined. In general, the resulting analogs failed to exhibit appreciable affinity for the κ‐receptor, with the exception of the tetrapeptide Tyr‐c[d ‐Cys‐Phe‐d ‐Cys]‐NH₂, cyclized via a disulfide bond, which demonstrated high binding affinity toward all opioid receptors (Ki^μ = 1.26 nm , Ki^δ = 16.1 nm , Ki^κ = 38.7 nm ). Modeling of the κ‐receptor/ligand complex in the active state reveals that the receptor‐binding pocket for residues 3 and 4 of the tetrapeptide ligands is smaller than that in the μ‐receptor and requires, for optimal fit, that the tripeptide cycle of the ligand assume a higher energy conformation. The magnitude of this energy penalty depends on the nature of the fourth residue of the peptide (d ‐Pen or d ‐Cys) and correlates well with the observed κ‐receptor binding affinity.     

Synthesis and Pharmacology of α/β3-Peptides Based on the Melanocortin Agonist Ac-His-dPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2 Sequence

dPhe-Arg-Trp-NH₂. The most potent mouse melanocortin-4 receptor (mMC4R) agonist, Ac-His-dPhe-Arg-β³hTrp-NH₂ (8) showed 35-fold selectivity versus the mMC3R. The study presented here has identified a new template with heterogeneous backbone for designing potent and selective melanocortin receptor ligands.     

Identification of a novel ligand binding residue Arg38(1.35) in the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor

Delineation of peptide ligand binding sites is of fundamental importance in rational drug design and in understanding ligand-induced receptor activation. Molecular modeling and ligand docking to previously experimentally identified binding sites revealed a putative novel interaction between the C terminus of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and Arg(38(1.35)), located at the extracellular end of transmembrane domain 1 of the human GnRH receptor. Mutation of Arg(38(1.35)) to alanine resulted in 989- and 1268-fold reduction in affinity for GnRH I and GnRH II, respectively, the two endogenous ligands. Conservative mutation of Arg(38(1.35)) to lysine had less effect, giving reduced affinities of GnRH I and GnRH II by 24- and 54-fold, respectively. To test whether Arg(38(1.35)) interacts with the C-terminal Gly(10)-NH(2) of GnRH, binding of GnRH analogs with substitution of the C-terminal glycinamide with ethylamide ([Pro(9)-NHEt]GnRH) was studied with wild-type and Arg(38(1.35)) mutant receptors. Mutation of Arg(38(1.35)) to lysine or alanine had much smaller effect on receptor affinity for [Pro(9)-NHEt]GnRH analogs and no effect on binding affinity of peptide antagonist cetrorelix. In parallel with the decreased affinity, the mutants also gave a decreased potency to GnRH-elicited inositol phosphate (IP) responses. The mutant receptors had effects on [Pro(9)-NHEt]GnRH-elicited IP responses similar to that of the parent GnRHs. These findings indicate that Arg(38(1.35)) of the GnRH receptor is essential for high-affinity binding of GnRH agonists and stabilizing the receptor active conformation. The mutagenesis results support the prediction of molecular modeling that Arg(38(1.35)) interacts with the C-terminal glycinamide and probably forms hydrogen bonds with the backbone carbonyl of Pro(9) and Gly(10)-NH(2).     

Discovery of Trp-Nle-Tyr-Met as a novel agonist for human formyl peptide receptor-like 1

Formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) is a structural homologue of FPR, which binds chemotactic peptides as small as three amino acids (e.g., fMet-Leu-Phe, fMLF) and activates potent bactericidal functions in neutrophils. In comparison, FPRL1 ligands include peptides of 6-104 amino acids, such as Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-[d]Met (WKYMVm) and other synthetic peptides. To determine the core peptide sequence required for FPRL1 activation, we prepared various analogues based on WKYMVm and evaluated their bioactivities in an FPRL1-transfected cell line. Although substitution of d-Met(6) resulted in loss of activity, removal of Val(5) together with d-Met(6) produced a peptide that retained most of the bioactivities of the parent peptide. The resulting peptide, WKYM, represents a core structure for an FPRL1 ligand. Further substitution of Lys(2) with Nle slightly improved the potency of the tetrapeptide, which selectively activates FPRL1 over FPR. Based on these structure-activity relationship studies, we propose a model in which the modified tetrapeptide Trp-Nle-Tyr-Met (WNleYM) binds to FPRL1 through aromatic interactions involving the side chains of Trp(1) and Tyr(3), hydrophobic interaction of Nle(2), and the thio-based hydrogen bonding of Met(4), with the respective residues in FPRL1 which have not been identified. The identification of the core sequence of a potent peptide agonist provides a structural basis for future design of peptidomimetics as potential therapeutic agents for FPRL1-related disorders.     

Neuropeptide Y: identification of the binding site

Based on the hypothetical 3D structure of neuropeptide Y (NPY), NPY 1-4-Aca-25-36, a 17 amino acid analogue, has been synthesized replacing the sequence NPY 5-24 by ε-aminocaproic acid (Aca). This low-molecular weight deletion analogue showed nearly comparable receptor affinity to NPY. In order to elucidate the structural requirements for receptor recognition each amino acid of 1-4-Aca-25-36 was exchanged by its D-enantiomer, glycine and L-alanine. In addition distinct amino acids were replaced by closely related residues. Multiple peptide synthesis was applied using Fmoc-strategy and BOP activation. Binding assay was performed on rabbit kidney membrane preparations. The results of structure affinity studies suggest that the C-terminal tetrapeptide NPY 33-36 is essential for receptor recognition.     

Conformational study of the neurotensin and Substance P fragments: Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro and Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro

The conformational behaviour of the basic hydrophilic Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro and Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro peptides, neurotensin (NT) and Substance P fragments, has been taken up by semi-empirical calculations. The presence of two Pro residues prevents these peptides from giving any folded structure (α helix, β turn.). In both peptides the most stable conformations are essentially relative to more or less stretched structures; structures involving one or more residues in a γ turn form are often encountered in Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro peptide while mixed structures involving residues in very different conformations are found for the Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-peptide. In both peptides, positively charged Lys and Arg side-chains most often point in opposite directions. The Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro peptide is part of the active NT (7–13) fragment where both Arg residues are necessary to the activity. A tentative study shows that the hydrophilic tetrapeptide induces NT (7–13) stretched conformations.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation on hMC3, hMC4 and hMC5 receptors of γ‐MSH analogs substituted with l‐alanine

Abstract: To elucidate the molecular basis of the interaction of the native dodecapeptide γ‐MSH with the melanocortin receptors, we performed a structure?activity study in which we systematically replaced l ‐Ala in each position of this peptide. Here we report the binding affinity and agonist potency on human MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. Intracellular cAMP concentration was measured on CHO cells, and binding assays were carried out using membranes prepared from these cell lines which stably express hMC3R, hMC4R and hMC5R. Our results indicate that the last four amino acids in the C‐terminal region of γ‐MSH are not important determinants of biological activity and selectivity at human melanocortin receptors. Interesting results were obtained when l ‐Ala was substituted for His⁶, Phe⁷, Arg⁸ and Trp⁹. For these peptides, the affinity and activity at all three human receptors (MC3R, MC4R and MC5R) decreased significantly, demonstrating that the His‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp sequence in γ‐MSH is important for activity at these three melanocortin receptors. Similar results were obtained when Met³ was replaced with l ‐Ala, suggesting the importance of this position in the interaction with all three receptors. This study highlights the role played by the His‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp sequence in receptor binding and in agonist activity of γ‐MSH.     

Improvement in potency of an oxytocin antagonist after systematic substitutions with L-tryptophan

We report twelve analogues of [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Arg8]oxytocin, ANTAG (Pmp = beta, beta-pentamethylene-beta-mercaptopropionic acid), which is a potent antagonist (pA2 = 7.77) of the uterotonic effect of oxytocin (OT) in rats, as measured in a uterotonic assay. Nine of the following analogues were designed by replacement of each of the nine residues in ANTAG with an L-tryptophan residue: [Ac-Trp1,D-Trp2,Val6,Arg8]OT, [Pmp1,Trp2,Arg8]OT, [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Trp3,Arg8]OT, [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Trp4,Arg8]OT, [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Trp5,Arg8]OT, [Aaa1,D-Trp2,Trp6,Arg8]OT, [Aaa1,D-Trp2,Val6,Arg8]OT, [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Ica7,Arg8]OT, [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Trp7,Arg8]OT, [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Trp8]OT, [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Arg8,Trp9]OT (11), [Pmp1,D-Trp2,Arg8,Trp(For)9]OT (12). In these analogues Aaa = 1-adamantaneacetic acid, and Ica = indoline-2-carboxylic acid. All linear analogues and analogues featuring Trp substitutions in the ring sequence of ANTAG were OT antagonists of lower potency than the parent peptide. All the analogues featuring Trp substitutions in the tail sequence of ANTAG were OT antagonists of equal or better potency than the parent peptide. Replacement with Ica7 gave analogue 8, equipotent with ANTAG, but replacement with Trp7 gave analogue 9, which shows almost a two-fold increase in potency (pA2 = 8.06). Replacement with Trp9 gave analogue 11 (pA2 = 8.03) which is about 1.8 times more potent than the parent antagonist, although Trp(For)9 had lower potency. Of great interest is that substitution with Trp8 leads to a more potent analogue, 10 (pA2 = 8.22), which, unlike most antidiuretic hormone antagonists, lacks any cationic charge in the molecule. The antidiuretic assay shows antagonists 9-11 to be weak antagonists of [Arg8]vasopressin, the antidiuretic hormone, with pA2 less than or equal to 6.0; hence, they may be interesting leads for future design of more potent and specific OT antagonists.     

Structure and solution conformation of the cytostatic cyclic tetrapeptide WF-3161, cyclo[L-leucyl-L-pipecolyl-L-(2-amino-8-oxo-9, 10-epoxydecanoyl)-D-phenylalanyl]

The sequence and configuration of amino acids in the cytostatic cyclic tetrapeptide WF-3161 are established as cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pip-L-Aoe-D-Phe) where Pip = pipecolic acid and Aoe = 2-amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoic acid. In chloroform, WF-3161 adopts a conformation with a possible gamma-turn between Leu NH and Aoe C = O and a cis amide bond between Leu and Pip. The torsion angles for this conformation are L-Aoe, phi, -95 degrees, psi, +85 degrees, omega, -155 degrees; D-Phe, phi, +120 degrees, psi, -80 degrees, omega, -175 degrees; L-Leu, phi, -145 degrees, psi, +35 degrees, omega, -10 degrees; L-Pip, phi, +20 degrees, psi, -135 degrees, omega, -170 degrees. The cis,trans,trans,trans amide bond sequence is related to the dimethyl sulfoxide conformation of chlamydocin, another cytostatic cyclic tetrapeptide.     

Structure–activity relationship of truncated and substituted analogues of the intracellular delivery vector Penetratin

Abstract: Peptides derived from the third α‐helix of the homeodomain (residues 43–58; Penetratin) of Antennapedia, a Drosophila homeoprotein, were prepared by simultaneous multiple synthesis. Sets of N‐ and C‐terminally truncated peptides, as well as a series of alanine substitution analogues, were studied. Cell penetration assays using human cell cultures with these peptides revealed that the C‐terminal segment ⁵²Arg‐Arg‐Met‐Lys‐Trp‐Lys‐Lys⁵⁸ of the parent sequence was necessary and sufficient for efficient cell membrane translocation. Individual Ala substitutions of the peptide’s basic residues led to markedly decreased cell internalization ability, whereas replacement of hydrophobic residues was tolerated surprisingly well. Subcellular localization was seen to be affected by substitutions, with analogues being addressed preferentially to the cytosol or to the nucleus. Conformational constriction of the Penetratin sequence through placement and oxidation of flanking cysteine residues afforded a cyclic disulfide peptide which had lost most of its membrane translocation capacity.     

Structure-function analysis of a series of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs

Abstract: We have used NMR in conjunction with measurements of functional bioactivity to define the receptor-binding structure of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1.) Identification of the important residues for binding was accomplished by the substitution of amino acids at sites that seemed likely, from an examination of the amino acid sequence and from previously published observations, to be important in the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the molecule. Identification of the receptor-bound conformation of GLP-1, because it is a flexible peptide, required constraint of the peptide backbone into a predetermined 3D structure. Constraint was achieved by the introduction of disulfide bonds and specific side chain-side chain cross-links. The biological relevance of the synthetic structure of each rigidified peptide was assessed by measurement of its ability to bind to the receptor present on RINm5F cells and to elicit a functional response, cyclic AMP production. NMR solution structures were obtained for the most biologically relevant of these analogs. The results of this study indicated that the residues necessary for the biological activity of GLP-1 occupy approximately three equally-spaced regions of the peptide 3D structure, at the corners of an equilateral triangle whose sides are, at a minimum estimate, 12–15 Å.     

Solution conformation of a potent cyclic analogue of tuftsin: low- temperature nuclear magnetic resonance study in a cryoprotective mixture.

Tuftsin, a linear tetrapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), corresponding to the sequence 289-292 of the heavy chain of leukokinin, has been the object of intensive SAR studies during the past 30 years, owing to its numerous biological activities and to the possibility of generating a novel anticancer drug. A cyclic tuftsin analogue, c-[T-K-P-R-G], has biological activity 50 times higher than that of the parent linear peptide. Here we present a conformational study of c-[T-K-P-R-G] based on NMR data in a cryoprotective DMSO/water mixture. The preferred conformation is a type VIa turn centered on the K-P residues. The orientation of the side chains of the two basic residues (K and R) may represent the essential feature of the bioactive conformation of tuftsin. A possible role of tuftsin as a DNA binding motif is suggested by the similarity of the bioactive conformation of c-[T-K-P-R-G] and of the beta-turn conformation proposed by Suzuki for the [T,S]-P-K-R motif.