Inhibitor Of Endopeptidase EC Research Articles

Dynorphin A(1-8): stability and implications for in vitro opioid activity

The opioid binding profile and in vitro activity of the endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin A(1-8) have been studied. At opioid receptors in guinea-pig brain dynorphine A(1-8) was nonselective, although with some preference for the delta receptor (Ki 4.6 nM) over mu (Ki 18 nM) and kappa (Ki 40 nM) receptors. However, a high degree of metabolism was observed, with less than 10% of added dynorphin A(1-8) remaining at the end of the binding assay. In the presence of peptidase inhibitors to prevent breakdown of the N- and C-termini and the Gly3-Phe4 bond the major metabolite was [Leu5]enkephalin (representing 49% recovered material). This was reduced by inclusion of an inhibitor of endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.15. In the presence of all the peptidase inhibitors the affinity for kappa receptors (Ki 0.5 nM) relative to mu and delta receptors increased, but no selectivity of binding was observed. This lack of selectivity was confirmed using membranes from C6 glioma cells expressing rat opioid receptors. The agonist effect of dynorphin A(1-8) in the mouse vas deferens (EC50 116 nM) and guinea-pig ileum (EC50 38 nM) was mediated through the kappa receptor as evidenced by the rightward shifts afforded by the kappa-selective antagonist norbinaltorphimine. In the presence of peptidase inhibition potency was improved 2-fold in the mouse vas deferens and 20-fold in the guinea-pig ileum, but this agonist activity was mediated through delta receptors in the vas deferens and mu receptors in the ileum, as a result of the formation and stabilization of [Leu5]enkephalin. The results confirm the absence of receptor selectivity of dynorphin A(1-8) in binding assays but show that its agonist effects, at least in vitro, are mediated exclusively through the kappa opioid receptor.

Prolonged inhibition of endopeptidase 24.11 in normal man

The renal, hormonal and haemodynamic effects of chronic (4 days) dosing with an inhibitor of endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.11 (UK 79300) were assessed in two groups, each of eight normal volunteers, receiving 25 mg every 12 h (group 1) or 100 mg every 12 h (group 2) of UK 79300 in double-blind, balanced-randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studies. Group 2 (but not group 1) exhibited a significant transient natriuresis (P less than 0.01) and a consequent sustained negative cumulative sodium balance (70 +/- 21 mmol) which was established within 48 h and remained for the duration of dosing with UK 79300. Urine and plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels rose significantly above placebo values (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.001, respectively) in both groups and the effect was sustained throughout the dosing period. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was slightly enhanced by UK 79300 in group 1 (P less than 0.05) but not significantly increased in group 2. Despite a significant increase in heart rate in both groups (P less than 0.001) and of natriuresis in group 2, there was minimal evidence of renin-aldosterone activation in either group. Trends towards lower systolic pressures, observed in both groups, did not attain statistical significance. These findings suggest chronic treatment with UK 79300 induces an increase in tissue ANF levels, with sustained enhancement of plasma and urine concentrations of ANF second messenger (cGMP) and increased heart rate.

Internalization-sequestration and degradation of cholecystokinin (CCK) in tumoral rat pancreatic AR 4-2 J cells

Cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors were investigated in the tumoral acinar cell line AR 4-2 J derived from rat pancreas, after preincubation with 20 nM dexamethasone. At steady state binding at 37°C (i.e., after a 5 min incubation), less than 10% of the radioactivity of [ 125I]BH-CCK-9 (3-(4-hydroxy-[ 125I]iodophenyl)propionyl (Thr 34, Nle 37) CCK(31–39)) could be washed away from intact cells with an ice-cold acidic medium, suggesting high and rapid internalization-sequestration of tracer. By contrast, more than 85% of the tracer dissociated rapidly after a similar acid wash from cell membranes prelabelled at steady state. In intact AR 4-2 J cells, internalization required neither energy nor the cytoskeleton framework. Tracer internalization was reversed partly but rapidly at 37°C but slowly at 4°C. In addition, two degradation pathways of the tracer were demonstrated, one intracellular and one extracellular. Intracellular degradation occurred at 37°C but not at 20°C and resulted in progressive intracellular accumulation of [ 125I]BH-Arg that corresponded, after 1 h at 37°C, to 35% of the radioactivity specifically bound. This phenomenon was not inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors and modestly only by monensin and chloroquine. Besides, tracer degradation at the external cell surface was still observable at 20°C and yielded a peptide (probably [ 125I]BH-Arg-Asp-Tyr(SO 3H)-Thr-Gly). This degradation pathway was partly inhibited by bacitracin and phosphoramidon while thiorphan, an inhibitor of endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.11, was without effect.