Abstract

Molecular processes of the action of polycationic peptides that represent polylysine homo- and heterodendrimers on the functional activity of the biogenic amine- and peptide hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase signaling system (AC system) in rat myocardium and brains were studied. An intended use of these peptides is that of highly effective polymer carriers for biologically active substances. The polylysine homodendrimers of the third [(NH2)16(Lys)8(Lys)4(Lys)2Lys-Ala-NH2] (I), fourth [(NH2)32(Lys)16(Lys)8(Lys)4(Lys)2Lys-Ala-NH2] (II), and fifth [(NH2)64(Lys)32(Lys)16(Lys)8(Lys)4(Lys)2Lys-Ala-NH2] (III) generations, as well as polylysine heterodendrimers of the fifth generation, [(NH2)64(Lys-Glu)32(Lys-Glu)16(Lys-Glu)8(Lys-Glu)4(Lys-Glu)2Lys-Ala-Ala-Lys(ClAc)-Ala-NH2] (IV), [(NH2)64(Lys-Ala)32(Lys-Ala)16(Lys-Ala)8(Lys-Ala)4(Lys-Ala)2Lys-Ala-Lys(ClAc)-Ala-Ala-NH2] (V) and [(NH2)64(Lys-Gly-Gly)32(Lys-Gly-Gly)16(Lys-Gly-Gly)8(Lys-Gly-Gly)4(Lys-Gly-Gly)2Lys-Gly-Gly-Lys(ClAc)-Ala-Ala-NH2] (VI), interact with the C-terminal regions of α subunits of the heterotrimeric G proteins, preferably of the inhibitor type, and stimulate its activity in respector-independent manner. The most effective G-protein activators were homodendrimers II and III and heterodendrimer V. The polylysine dendrimers disturbed the functional coupling of receptors of biogenic amines and peptide hormones with Gi proteins and, to a lesser extent, Gs proteins. This was manifested as a decrease in the regulatory effects of the hormones on AC activity and the GTP binding of the G protein, as well as by a decrease in the affinity of receptors to agonists in the presence of polylysine dendrimers, which is a consequence of the dissociation of the receptor-G protein complex. It has also been shown that, based on their molecular mechanisms and selectivity of action on G proteins, polylysine dendrimers are similar to mastoparan and melittin, which are natural toxins of insect venom.

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