Synthesis and conformational studies of peptides encompassing the carboxy-terminal helix of thermolysin

The 21-residue fragment Tyr-Gly-Ser-Thr-Ser-Gln-Glu-Val-Ala-Ser-Val-Lys-Gln-Ala-Phe-Asp-Ala-Val-Gly-Val-Lys, corresponding to sequence 296–316 of thermolysin and thus encompassing the COOH-termi-nal helical segment 301–312 of the native protein, was synthesized by solid-phase methods and purified to homogeneity by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The peptide 296–316 was then cleaved with trypsin at Lys³⁰⁷ and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease at Glu³⁰², producing the additional fragments 296–307, 308–316, 296–302, and 303–316. All these peptides, when dissolved in aqueous solution at neutral pH, are essentially structureless, as determined by circular dichroism (CD) measurements in the far-ultraviolet region. On the other hand, fragment 296–316, as well as some of its proteolytic fragments, acquires significant helical conformation when dissolved in aqueous trifluoroethanol or ethanol. In general, the peptides mostly encompassing the helical segment 301–312 in the native thermolysin show helical conformation in aqueous alcohol. In particular, quantitative analysis of CD data indicated that fragment 296–316 attains in 90% aqueous trifluoroethanol the same percentage (～58%) of helical secondary structure of the corresponding chain segment in native thermolysin. These results indicate that peptide 296–316 and its subfragments are unable to fold into a stable native-like structure in aqueous solution, in agreement with predicted location and stabilities of isolated subdomains of the COOH-terminal domain of thermolysin based on buried surface area calculations of the molecule     

The conformational and biological analysis of a cyclic anti‐obesity peptide from the C‐terminal domain of human growth hormone

Abstract: The three‐dimensional solution structure of anti‐obesity drug (AOD), a 15‐residue, disulfide‐bonded, cyclic peptide, cyclo(6,13)‐H₂N‐Leu‐Arg‐Ile‐Val‐Gln‐Cys‐Arg‐Ser‐Val‐Glu‐Gly‐Ser‐Cys‐Gly‐Phe‐OH, derived from the C‐terminal domain of the human growth hormone (hGH) (residues 177–191) was determined using two‐dimensional ¹H NMR spectroscopy. AOD stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis, in vitro, in rodent, porcine and human adipose tissues. These biological effects suggest that AOD is a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of obesity. Conformational studies of AOD were conducted in aqueous solution and in water/dimethylsulfoxide mixtures. In general, spectral quality was superior in the water/dimethylsulfoxide mixtures. The cyclic region of AOD in water/dimethylsulfoxide adopts type I β‐turns at residues Ser⁸‐Val⁹‐Glu¹⁰‐Gly¹¹ and Ser¹²‐Cys¹³‐Gly¹⁴‐Phe¹⁵, each preceded by loop‐like structures. Comparison of the conformation of this peptide with residues 177–191 in the native hGH protein X‐ray crystal structure indicates that the synthetic peptide retains some structural similarity to the intact protein. This study provides evidence that the C‐terminal region of hGH is a specific functional domain of the multifunctional hGH protein.     

Proteolysis of Human Growth Hormone by Rat Thyroid Gland in Vitro: Application of Electrospray Mass Spectrometry and N-Terminal Sequencing to Elucidate a Metabolic Pathway

The present studies were designed to provide structural characterization of peptide metabolites of biosynthetic human growth hormone (hGH) formed by rat thyroid gland proteases in vitro. Electro-spray ionization mass/spectrometry (ESI-MS) and N-terminal sequencing were used to characterize the peptide metabolites. The predominant enzyme in the thyroid gland preparations was a chymotrypsin-like serine protease which was biochemically similar to rat mast cell protease-I. Metabolic intermediates were formed by cleavage of hGH exclusively at Tyr/Phe/Leu-Xaa bonds. After a 5- or 45-min incubation of hGH with thyroid gland S9 pellet fraction, the majority of metabolites formed were two-chain variants of hGH having masses ranging from 16,002 to 22,143 Da. These metabolites were formed as a result of proteolysis in the large disulfide loop region of hGH in combination with processing at Tyr⁴²–Ser⁴³. Based upon the time-related appearance and structural characterization of these intermediates, a sequence of metabolic events is proposed. The initial event appears to be cleavage by the chymotrypsin-like protease between Tyr¹⁴³–Ser¹⁴⁴ to form a two-chain hGH. This intermediate is then cleaved between Tyr⁴²–Ser⁴³, liberating the N-terminal peptide, Phe¹–Tyr⁴². Two other metabolites were generated as a result of the deletion of the peptides Lys¹⁴⁰–Tyr¹⁴³ and Ser¹⁴⁴–Phe¹⁴⁶ from the large loop region. The identification of similar metabolites truncated by a single amino acid at the carboxyl terminus indicated the action of a carboxypeptidase on these metabolic products. After a 4.5-hr incubation, the protease isolated from the S9 pellet fraction degraded hGH to >20 small peptides, having masses 2300 Da. The data illustrate the utility of combining ESI-MS and N-terminal sequencing in the study of protein metabolism and the enzymatic pathways involved.     

Synthesis and conformation of constrained peptides with hypoglycaemic activity derived from human growth hormone

The α-aminosuccinimide (Asu¹¹) octapeptide analogue of human growth hormone hGH[6-13] (Leu⁶-Ser-Arg-Leu-Phe-Asu-Asn-Ala¹³) has been reported [Robson et al. (1990) Biol. Chem. Hoppe Seyler 371 , 423-431] to have hypoglycaemic activity whilst the corresponding peptide with Asp at position 11 is inactive. In order to determine whether this change in activity is caused by conformational and/or stereo-electronic effects, the incorporation of two different isomeric γ-lactam structures at position 11 has been investigated. One lactam structure (i) is of the type developed by Freidinger and coworkers [Freidinger et al. (1982) J. Org. Chem. 47 , 102-107], whilst the isomeric γ-lactam structure (ii) represents a new type of constrained synthon for use in peptide synthesis. The chiral type-ii γ-lactam was synthesized via a suitably protected desoxo-dipeptide prepared in several ways from L-aspartic acid. The solution conformations of the [Asu¹¹]- and the [γ-lactam¹¹]-containing hGH[6-13] peptide analogues were investigated with the aid of two-dimensional NMR (COSY and NOESY) spectroscopy. Conformational similarities were found for these hGH[6-13] peptide analogues. For example, for all peptide analogues studied, weak NOEs were evident between the Phelo ring protons and protons of the amino acid residues at the C-terminus. Overall, however, the NOESY NMR spectra of the [Asu¹¹]- and the [γ-lactam¹¹]-containing peptides related to hGH[6-13] suggest the presence of an extended structure in solution with a possible weak type II′β-turn at position 11. The extent of conformational constraint introduced into these hGH[6-13] peptide analogues by substitution of the Asu¹¹ residue with either isomeric γ-lactam structure was reflected as differences in their hypoglycaemic activity. In particular, the hGH[6-13] peptide analogue derived from the new chiral type-ii γ-lactam exhibits both lower activity in intravenous insulin tolerance tests in vivo and weaker NOEs than the isomeric hGH[6-13] peptide analogue derived from the type (i) γ-lactam structure. The relative change in blood glucose levels from 20 to 90 min for the racemic (R,S)-form of the type-ii γ-lactam compared to the control values was approximately half that of the (S)-stereoisomer. © Munksgaard 1994.     

Semisynthesis of carboxy-terminal fragments of thermolysin

Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of two polypeptide fragments, one of which is obtained by chemical synthesis, in the presence of proteolytic enzymes and in aqueous organic solvents constitutes a convenient procedure for the synthesis of proteins and their analogs. This novel semisynthetic procedure was investigated for preparing COOH-terminal fragments of the metallo-protease thermolysin. Fragment 205–316, obtained by autolysis of the protein in the presence of EDTA, was first cleaved selectively with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease at the level of the single Glu³⁰² residue into fragments 205–302 and 303–316. Upon incubation for 2–5 days of fragment 205–302 with a 5–fold excess of peptide 303–316, prepared by solid phase synthesis, with V8-protease in 0.1M ammonium acetate, pH6.0, containing 50% glycerol as organic cosolvent, enzyme-catalyzed reformation of the peptide bond was achieved in yields up to ñ90% (based on fragment 205–302). The same procedure was used to prepare also the thermolysin fragments 205–315 and 205–311 by enzymatic coupling of fragment 205–302 to peptide 303–315 or 303–311, these last prepared by proteolytic digestion of the synthetic peptide 303–316. This procedure of semisynthesis opens up an approach for the site-directed modification of the tetrahelical COOH-terminal fragment 205–316 of thermolysin at the level of its helical segment encompassing residues 301–312 in the native, intact protein. Such analogs will be useful for examining structure-folding-stability relationships in this folded fragment possessing domain-like characteristics.     

Microencapsulate Aspergillus niger peptidases from agroindustrial waste wheat bran: spray process evaluation and stability

The aim of this work was to obtain microencapsulated stable Aspergillus niger peptidases by post fermentation spray drying. The enzymatic extract was evaluated before and after spray drying microencapsulation to verify the effects of five different process parameters on the extract enzymatic activity, i.e. air flow, extract feed rate, drying temperature, homogenising time and weight ratio of extract to encapsulation material. The optimal conditions were determined by desirability functions and experimentally confirmed. Additionally, the stability of the microparticles was assessed during 60 days at 4?°C, 25?°C and 40?°C. The results revealed that the microparticles stored at 4?°C retained approximately 100% of their proteolytic activity at nine days of storage. Considering the industrial adaptation of the bioprocess and the prospect of commercial application of the proteases, the evaluation of different parameters for drying enzymes is required as a valuable alternative to obtain biotechnological products with high added value.     

Conformational analysis of human growth hormone [6-13] peptide analogues

The conformational analysis of a series of ten hGH[6-13] peptide analogues is reported. As part of our earlier studies, the x-aminosuccinimide modified fragment Asu¹¹-hGH[6-l3] has previously been identified as a potentiator of insulin activity in intravenous insulin tolerance tests, and various analogues have been subsequently designed, synthesised and employed to acquire structure-activity data. These studies have lead to the conclusion that the conformational characteristics at the C-terminus of each of the active peptide analogues is important to the biological activity. In the present investigation, molecular dynamics and simulated annealing techniques have been used to examine the accessible conformational states of the C-terminal region of ten different hGH[6-13] peptide analogues. Of these six are active peptide analogues while the other four show no biological activity. Examination of the conformer groups identified using this molecular dynamics approach showed a common conformational motif for each of the active peptides. © Munksgaard 1996.     

Calorimetric study of tryptophan synthase α-subunit and two mutant proteins

Heat-denaturation of tryptophan synthase α-subunit from E. coli and two mutant proteins (Glu 49 ± Gln or Ser; called Gln 49 or Ser 49, respectively) has been studied by the scanning microcalorimetric method at various pH, in an attempt to elucidate the role of individual amino acid residues in the conformational stability of a protein. The partial specific heat capacity in the native state at 20°, C_p²⁰, has been found to be (0.43 ± 0.02) cal ± K^-1 ± g^-1, the unfolding heat capacity change, Δ_dC_p, (0.10 ± 0.01) cal ± K^-1 ± g^-1, and the unfolding enthalpy value extrapolated to 110°, Δ_dh¹¹⁰, (9.3 ± 0.5) cal ± g^-1 for the three proteins. The value of C_p²⁰ was larger than those found for fully compact protein and that of Δ_dh¹¹⁰ was smaller. Unfolding Gibbs energy, Δ_dG at 25° for Wild-type, Gln 49, and Ser 49 were 5.8, 8.4, and 7.1 kcal ± mol^-1 at pH 9.3, respectively. Unfolding enthalpy, Δ_dH, of the three proteins seemed to be the same and equal to (23.2 ± 1.2) kcal ± mol^-1 at 25°. As a consequence of the same value of Δ_dH and the different value in Δ_dG, substantial differences in unfolding entropy, Δ_dS, were found for the three proteins. The values of Δ_dG for the three proteins at 25° coincided with those from equilibrium methods of denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride.     

Purification and Characterisation of a Newly Isolated Stable Long-Life Tannase produced by F. subglutinans (Wollenweber and Reinking) Nelson et al.

A stable long-life tannase was synthesised by Fusarium subglutinans and the fermentation processing parameters were optimised. Maximum enzyme production (9.38 U/ml) was recorded after 96 h of incubation at 35°C, initial pH 5, in submerged culture (200 rpm) utilising 2% (w/v) tannic acid as a sole carbon source. The tannase produced was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity through two-step column chromatography and the purified form remained stable in a pH range of 6–8. Its midpoint of thermal inactivation (T _m) was recorded at 70°C after 60 min of exposure. Maximum tannase activity was enabled at pH 6 and 40°C. Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn⁺ showed a stimulatory effect while Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Zn⁺ showed a competitive inhibitory effect on enzyme activity. Values of K _m, V _max, K _cat and the molecular mass of the purified enzyme were 0.116 μM ml⁻¹ min⁻¹, 3.57 mM, 1.16 μM ml⁻¹ min⁻¹ and 150 kDa, respectively. The participation of the SH group and carbohydrates in the enzyme structure was also suggested by the results. The stability of the purified and partially purified enzyme at −15°C extended to 13 months.     

Synthesis and biological activity of substance P analogues

The synthesis of the hexapeptide [Glu⁶]SP_6-11 and its glycosylated analogue at the Glu⁶γ-carboxyl position by solution procedures according to several strategies is discussed. The biological activity of SP, [GIu⁶]SP_6-11 (VI) and [Glu(β-d -Glcp)⁶]SP_6-11 (VIII) have been determined and compared to SP by the GPI and RVD assays. The introduction of a β-d -glucopyranosyl moiety at the sixth position of the [Glu⁶]SP_6-11 did not affect to a great extent the in vitro activity pattern of the parent hexapeptide.     

Purification and characterization of an acid proteinase from mesophilic Mucor sp. solid-state cultures

Abstract: The fourth-day extract of a solid-state culture of the mesophilic Mucor sp. (M-105) strain showed a high milk-clotting activity and a clotting/proteolytic activity ratio similar to that of commercial preparations from microbial origin used in cheese manufacture. After ultrafiltration of the crude extract, the milk-clotting proteinase was purified in two steps: ion-exchange followed by size-exclusion chromatography. Enzyme homogeneity was assessed by HPLC, SDS-PAGE and N-terminal residue determination. A pI value of 4.21 was obtained and a molecular weight of 33 kDa was calculated from size-exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE data. The optimum pH for proteolytic activity towards dimethylcasein was in the 3.0–3.5 range. The proteinase retained 26 and 13% of its proteolytic activity after a 30-min incubation period, at pH 5.0 and 50 and 60°C, respectively. This evidenced a lower heat stability than that of the thermophilic enzymes currently used in the cheese industry and also than that of bovine chymosin. The enzyme was fully inhibited by pepstatin A and no effect was observed with PMSF, p-CMPS or EDTA. The N-terminal amino acid sequence: GTGTVPVTDDGNLNEYYXTVTVGXP was compared with those from other fungal enzymes.     

Solution structure of synthetic peptide inhibitor and substrate of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. A study by 2D 1H NMR and molecular dynamics

Peptides derived from the inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, PKI, have been studied by 2D ¹H NMR techniques. These include the inhibitor PKI(6-22), the substrate [Ala²⁰-Ser²¹] PKI(5-24), and a phosphorylated form of the latter [Ala²⁰-Ser²¹P] PKI(5-24). A homologous fold was found in the three peptides which consisted of an N-terminal segment in helical conformation to residue 13 and a C-terminal segment poorly defined conformationally. A parallel study was carried out by molecular dynamics (MD) for the inhibitor peptide PKI (5-24). The N-terminal helix, as observed in the crystal structure of the catalytic subunit-PKI(5-24) complex, was conserved in the MD simulations with the enzyme-free inhibitor. Similarly the Gly¹⁴-Gly¹⁷ turn was apparent in all MD structures, whereas the C-terminal region, residues 18-24, was directed towards the N-terminal helix in contrast to the extended conformation of this segment pointing away from the N-terminal helix in the crystal structure. This is primarily due to ionic interaction between Asp⁹ and Arg¹⁵. Indeed, a detailed analysis of the NOE contacts by NOESY at low temperature (2°C) shows the occurrence of pH-dependent contacts with Phe¹⁰. We conclude that the binding of short inhibitors, such as PKI (5-24), to the enzyme involves a conformational rearrangement of the C-terminal region. The substrate [Ala²⁰-Ser²¹] PKI (5-24) and the product [Ala²⁰-Ser²¹P] PKI(5-24), give very similar structures with local rearrangements involving some of the side chains. © Munksgaard 1997.     

Conformational analysis of cyclo(2,9)-Ac-QCRSVEGSCG-OH from the C-terminal loop of human growth hormone

A 10 amino acid residue cyclic peptide, cyclo(2,9)-Ac-Glnl-Cys2-Arg3-Ser4-Val5-Glu6-Gly7-Ser8-Cys9-Glyl0, from the C-terminal region of human growth hormone (hGH) was synthesized and studied by 2D proton NMR and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The solubility of the peptide was low in water; hence, NMR studies were done in two solvent mixtures, water and deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide. NOE-constrained molecular dynamics and MD simulations resulted in major and minor conformers in solution. The major conformer has a type I β-turn at Glnl-Cys2-Arg3-Ser4 and a loop structure around Glu6-Gly7-Ser8. Comparison of the conformation of this peptide with the peptide fragment 181-190 in the intact hGH protein X-ray crystal structure indicated that the synthetic peptide retains some structural similarity to the intact protein. Since the C-terminal region is important in binding the hGH protein to its receptor, the conformation of the synthetic peptide could be useful in understanding the binding mechanism. © Munksgaard 1997.     

Protein binding of sotalol enantiomers in young and elderly human and rat serum using ultrafiltration

The protein binding of sotalol (STL) enantiomers was evaluated using an ultrafiltration technique with serum from young (32±2 years, n=5) and elderly (73±6 years, n=5) male and female humans, and young (8 weeks, n=4) and elderly (60 weeks, n=3) male Sprague—Dawley rats. Serum samples were collected and immediately frozen at ?20°C. Within 1 week, the serum samples were thawed at room temperature, and adjusted to pH 7.4 using 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 5.0. Aliquots were spiked with 250 ng mL^?1 and 500 ng mL^?1 of each STL enantiomer, placed in ultrafiltration sets (Microsep, 30K molecular weight cut-off), capped, equilibrated to 37°C, and centrifuged at 1850g for 1.5h at 37°C. Aliquots of ultrafiltrate and unspun serum were analysed for STL enantiomer concentration using a stereospecific HPLC assay. In all groups, bound fraction was less than 7% for both STL enantiomers. There were no significant differences in bound fraction between groups, or between enantiomers. Adsorption of STL enantiomers to the ultrafiltration device and membrane, evaporative loss of serum samples during centrifugation, and protein concentration in each ultrafiltrate sample were all negligible. It is concluded that the binding of STL in human and rat serum at therapeutic concentrations and physiological temperature and pH is negligible and non-stereoselective.     

Monoclinic polymorph of Boc-Trp-Ile-Ala-Aib-Ile-Val-Aib-Leu-Aib-Pro-OMe(anhydrous)

The structures of two crystal forms of Boc-Trp-Ile-Ala-Aib-Ile-Val-Aib-Leu-Aib-Pro-OMe have been determined. The triclinic form (PI, Z= l) from DMSO/H₂O crystallizes as a dihydrate (Karle, Sukumar & Balaram (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, 9284-9288). The monoclinic form (P2¹, Z = 2) crystallized from dioxane is anhydrous. The conformation of the peptide is essentially the same in both crystal systems, but small changes in conformational angles are associated with a shift of the helix from a predominantly α-type to a predominantly 3₁₀-type. The r.m.s. deviation of 33 atoms in the backbone and Cβ positions of residues 2-8 is only 0.29 Å between molecules in the two polymorphs. In both space groups, the helical molecules pack in a parallel fashion, rather than antiparallel. The only intermolecular hydrogen bonding is head-to-tail between helices. There are no lateral hydrogen bonds. In the P2₁ cell, a = 9.422(2)Å, b = 36.392(11)Å, c = 10.548(2)Å, β= 111.31(2)° and V = 3369.3ų For 2 molecules of C⁶⁰H⁹⁷N¹¹O¹⁰ per cell.     

INSULIN-POTENTIATING ACTION OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE:

Four peptides from the N-terminal region of human growth hormone have been synthesized by the solid-phase method: hGH(6–13), hGH(7–13), hGH(8–13) and hGH(9–13). Although these peptides contain the sensitive -Asp-Asn-sequence, apparently homogeneous products were obtained by synthesis on polystyrene resin, cleavage by hydrogen fluoride and purification by ion-exchange chromatography. The insulin-potentiating activity of these peptides is reported. The data indicates that extension of hGH(9–13) at its N-terminus is required for in vitro activity.     

Thiol-Disulfide Exchange in Human Growth Hormone

Purpose

Thiol-disulfide exchange was monitored in recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) and in model tryptic peptides derived from hGH to investigate the effects of higher-order structure on the reaction.

Methods

Different free thiol-containing peptides, varying in length and amino acid sequence, were used to initiate the reaction at pH 7.0 and 37°C in hGH. Protein samples were digested with trypsin and analyzed for native disulfides, scrambled disulfides and free thiols using LC/MS. The loss of native disulfide and disulfide exchange was compared with model peptides derived from hGH.

Results

Loss of native disulfide in cyclic (cT20-T21) and linear peptides (T20-T21_pep) derived from the C-terminal hGH disulfide during the first 60 min of reaction was greater than loss of the C-terminal disulfide in hGH itself. Of the thiols tested, glutathione (GSH) was the most reactive, forming the highest percentage of mixed disulfides in intact hGH and in the model peptides. At longer reaction times (>240 min), native disulfides in both hGH and cT20-T21 were regenerated. The fastest rates of regeneration were observed for Cys and the di- or tripeptide containing an Arg residue adjacent to Cys, suggesting that they may be useful in refolding.

Conclusions

Thiol-disulfide exchange reactions in hGH and related model peptides were influenced by higher order structure, by the size of the thiol reactant and by an Arg residue adjacent to Cys in the thiol reactant. Reduction of disulfide bonds in hGH did not affect higher order structure as measured by CD and HDX-MS.

     

Stability of the Thrombolytic Protein Fibrolase: Effect of Temperature and pH on Activity and Conformation

The effect of temperature and pH on the activity and conformation of the thrombolytic protein fibrolase was examined. Fibrolase maintained proteolytic activity over 10 days at room temperature (22°C). At 37°C, greater than 50% of the proteolytic activity was lost within 2 days and no activity remained after 10 days. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra at elevated temperatures showed that alphahelical structure was lost in a cooperative transition (T _m of 50°C at pH 8). Structural changes were detected by NMR prior to unfolding which were not observable by CD, and the T _m determined by NMR was 46°C at pD 8. The effect of pH on the proteolytic activity and structure of fibrolase was examined over the pH range from 1 to 10. Activity was maintained at neutral to alkaline pH values from pH 6.5 to pH 10.0 but decreased substantially in acidic media. While CD spectra indicated little variation in secondary structure over the pH range 5 to 9, significant differences were noted at pH 2 to 3. The melting temperature of fibrolase decreased to 43°C at pH 5. Protein concentrations determined over the pH range 1 to 10 showed an apparent solubility minimum at pH 5.0, which did not correspond to the isoelectric point of 6.5. Explanations for these observations are proposed.     

Cytotoxin and hemolysin in diseased fish during epidemic outbreaks

Outbreaks of fish diseases have been reported in many parts of the world. The outbreaks are difficult to control. During December 1982 and March 1983, there were severe outbreaks of fish disease in Thailand. A study on the presence and inactivation of harmful toxins, i.e., cytotoxin and hemolysin, by heat, salt and gastric pH was undertaken. Cytotoxin and hemolysin were detected in all diseased snakehead fish (Ophicephalus striatus) homogenates. Aeromonas hydrophila F 588 isolated from the diseased snakehead fish also produced cytotoxin and hemolysin. No detectable cytotoxic or hemolytic activity was found in the fish homogenates or A. hydrophila F 588 cell suspensions after heating at 100°C for 5 minutes or autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes at 15 lb/in.² Cytotoxic activity remained positive in all concentrations (0% to 30% W/V) of NaCl. However, no cytotoxin could be detected when the pH of the samples was 2.0. There was a 55% decrease in hemolytic activity when A. hydrophila F 588 was incubated in 30% NaCl for 1 month at 30°C. Furthermore, there was a 50% decrease in the activity when the pH of the samples was 2.0. Hence, the diseased fish is safe for consumption if it is heated for 5 minutes at 100°C. However, it is unsafe to consume unheated salt-fermented fish.     

Structure and conformation of peptides involving prolyl residue III. L-Prolyl-L-isoleucine monohydrate

The dipeptide, L-prolyl-L-isoleucine monohydrate (C₁₁ H₂₀N₂O₃· H₂O, molecular weight 246.3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁, with a = 6.601(3)Å, b = 5.413(3) Å, c = 19.128(6) Å, β= 98.1(1)°, Z = 2, Do = 1.20g·cm^-3 and Dc = 1.208g·cm^-3. The structure was solved by MULTAN–80 and refined to a final R-factor of 0.081 for 594 reflections measured on a Enraf Nonius CAD-4 diffractometer. The peptide linkage exists in the trans conformation. The pyrrolidine ring is disordered with two alternate envelope conformations for the C^γ atom. The values of the sidechain torsion angles are: χ₁₁=– 63.6(17)°, χ₁₂= 171.1(16)° and χ₂=– 59.6(21)° for isoleucine (C-terminal). The crystal structure is stabilized by a three-dimensional network of N—H ? O, O—H ? O and C—H ? O hydrogen bonds. The dipeptide exists in the extended Conformation.