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delta-Selective antagonism of [L-Tic2]-peptides, including the simple dipeptide Tyr-L-Tic-NH2, is linked to the Tyr-Tic-"recognition site". In order to gain further information on the conformational preferences of the Tyr-Tic-moiety we have undertaken a structural study of a cyclic analog, the diketopiperazine of Tyr-Tic. A conformational study of cyclo[-Tyr-Tic-], that is almost devoid of opioid activity, can also be useful to discriminate between the role of the two aromatic rings and of the basic nitrogen in determining antagonism. The structure of cyclo[-Tyr-Tic-] has been solved in a DMSO/water solution at 278 K by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray diffraction methods. The two informations are almost identical, with an arrangement of the aromatic rings rather different from that of the putative bioactive conformation of the parent linear dipeptide. This difference points to the importance of conformational effects and is in agreement with the hypothesis that the positive center may be not essential for antagonism.

The kinetics of the spontaneous formation of 2,5-dioxopiperazines from peptides containing the Tic (1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid) residue in the 2-position of the sequence has been studied in DMSO and water solution. The reaction is first order in Tic-peptide and subject to general-acid catalysis. Moreover, only the fraction of peptide having the amino terminal group in the deprotonated state reacts with appreciable rate. In pure organic solvent, and in aqueous solution with low buffer concentration, the degradation reaction of Tic-peptides is very low; at 20 degrees C for the peptide H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-NH2, in DMSO and in neutral water in the absence of buffer, the half-lives (t1/2) are 3 x 10(4) and 1.2 x 10(4) h, respectively. The addition of carboxylic acids or buffers to the reaction solutions markedly increases the reaction rate; in 0.01 m HAc in DMSO and in 0.1 M phosphate buffer in water, pH 7.1, t1/2 values for the tetrapeptide are 61 and 121 h, respectively.

Sixteen dermorphin analogues were synthesized and characterized for mu- and delta-opioid receptor binding properties using [3H]DAGO and [3H]DPDPE, respectively. The analogues included the following: substitutions at position 4 and/or the C-terminal residue; deletions of Gly4 or Pro6-Ser7; inclusion of Z or an acetyl group on the epsilon-amino group of Lys7; and the presence of either a C-terminal amide or free acid group. Two peptides, [Lys7-OH]- and [Lys7-NH2]dermorphin, had mu-affinities (Ki mu = 0.15-0.13 nM) and mu-selectivities (Ki delta/Ki mu = 1158-1482) higher than dermorphin (Ki mu = 0.28 nM; Ki delta/Ki mu = 295) and best fitted a one-site binding model similar to dermorphin. Significantly better (P < 0.0001) fits to a two-site binding model vs. a one-site model were observed with four dermorphin analogues: [Lys(Z)7-OH]heptapeptide, [des-Gly4(Tyr4,Pro5,Asn6-OH)]hexapeptide and two pentapeptides, [Tyr5-NH2] and [Trp4,Asn5-OH]. Our data revealed a complex binding pattern for dermorphin analogues to brain mu-receptors in which Hill coefficients less than 0.85 generally suggest heterogeneity of mu-receptors; however, only detailed analyses of the data derived from the non-linear regression fits for one- or two-components gave evidence for the possible existence of two separate [3H]DAGO binding sites. Eight of our dermorphin analogues had significantly better fits for a two-site model (P < 0.05), but only four seemed to have two distinct Ki values (P < 0.0001).

The synthesis of pseudotetrapeptides H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-NH-(CH2)2--NH2 (1a), H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-psi (CH2--NH)-Gly-NH2 (2a), H-Tyr-D-Ala-psi (CH2--NH)-Phe-Gly-NH2 (3a), and H-Tyr-psi (CH2--NH)-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-NH2 (4a), representing the N-terminal tetrapeptide sequence of dermorphin, in which amide bonds are replaced by CH2--NH bond, is described. N-acetyl-Tyr and desamino-Tyr pseudopeptide analogs (1-4b), (1-3c) are also described. The analogs were assayed in binding studies based on displacement of mu and delta-receptor selective radiolabels from rat brain membrane and in a bioassay using guinea pig ileum (GPI). Pseudopeptides in which the C-terminal (1a) or D-Ala-Phe (3a) amide bond are substituted, exhibit higher mu-affinities and mu-receptor selectivity than the corresponding Phe-Gly or Tyr-D-Ala analogs (2a, 4a). Acetyl-and desamino-Tyr pseudopeptide analogs (1-4b) and (1-3c) did not exhibit mu and delta-opioid receptor affinity at nM concentration. The relevance of the single peptide replacement and of its association to acetylation or amino group elimination of Tyr, is discussed on the basis of a receptor model for mu and delta opioids.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is initiated by the attachment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to a surface glycoprotein CD4 present on T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and other cells. A simple octapeptide (H-Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr-OH, peptide T) seems to inhibit HIV infectivity and to activate human monocyte chemotaxis. In order to study in vitro metabolic stability and structure-activity relationships, peptide T and a number of analogues were prepared and tested on human monocytes by chemotactic assay. Peptide T and the shorter fragments T(3-8)-OH and T(4-8)-OH displayed potent bioactivity (maximal chemotactic activity in the range 10(-11)-10(-10) M). The C-terminal heptapeptide showed a reduction of potency, while further truncations at N-terminus of T(4-8)-OH abolished the biological action. In the octapeptide series, whereas the alpha-amino butyric acid (Abu) substitution for Thr4 was well tolerated, the same "slight" structural change at Thr5 or Thr8 was very detrimental. Finally, [D-Asn6]T(1-8)-OH analogue has low chemotactic activity. All these results indicate that i) the C-terminal pentapeptide is the minimum sequence required for bioactivity, ii) residues 5 to 8 appear to play a crucial biological role, iii) peptide T chemotaxis is mediated, at least in part, through the polar properties of Thr side chains at the critical positions 5 and 8, while the Thr4 does not interfere with biological characteristics of peptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2 (demorphin), and opiate-like peptide, and tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexapeptide-amide analogs, were synthesized by conventional methods in solution, to determine the minimum peptide chain-length, required for analgesic activity.

The general strategy for the synthesis, by conventional procedures, of the entire sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal) is discussed. The synthesis of two protected peptides corresponding to positions 2-10 and 1-10 of the proposed primary structure of the inhibitor is described. The heptapeptide free base threonyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinylthreonylseryl-gamma-tert-butylglutamylvalylserine tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide (sequence 4-10) was acylated, by the azide procedure, with either the dipeptide benzyloxycarbonyl-gamma-tert-butylglutamylalanine hydrazide (sequence 2-3) or the tripeptide Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-Nomega-nitroarginylglutamylala-nine hydrazide (sequence 1-3). The stereochemical homogeneity of the resulting peptides, benzyloxycarbonyl-gamma-tert-butylglutamylalanylthreonyl-S-acetamidomethyl-cysteinylthreonylseryl-gamma-tert-butylglutamylvalylserine tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide and Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-Nomega-nitroarginylglutamylalanylthreonyl-S-acetamido-methylcysteinylthreonylseryl-gamma-tert-butylglutamylvalylserine tert-butyloxycarbonyl-hydrazide, was assessed, after partial deprotection with liquid hydrogen fluoride, by digestion with aminopeptidase M followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.

C-Terminal amino acid residues of dermorphin (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) were replaced by N alpha-methyl- or D-amino acids in order to examine the effect on opioid activity. In binding studies based on displacement of mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptor selective radiolabels from guinea pig brain membranes, the 13 new analogues showed, like dermorphin, a negligible affinity for the kappa binding site. The introduction of N alpha-methyl- or D-amino acid residues at position 5, 6, or 7 of dermorphin, when matched with C-terminal amide function modifications, generally produced analogues with reversed mu/delta specificity.

The Phe3 and/or Tyr5 residues in dermorphin (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) and its N-terminal hexapeptide-amide were replaced by delta-Phe or by Phe5 in order to examine the effect on opioid activity. On GPI preparation, the substitution of Phe5 for Tyr5 was well tolerated, whereas the hexa and heptapeptides containing delta Phe in position 3 and/or 5 displayed low potency. The unsaturation at position 3 alone or at positions 3 and 5 was particularly detrimental to mu activity. In the tail flick test, the influence of unsaturation or substitution at positions 3 and 5 generally matched the results of the in vitro assay. Dehydropeptides showed comparatively low antinociceptive effects and [Phe5] analogues displayed about 50% of the analgesic potency of the original peptides.

The synthesis of the protected duopentacontapeptide corresponding to the entire amino acid sequence I-52 of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal type) is described. The benzyloxycarbonyltetradecapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide (sequence 1-14) was selectively deblocked with trifluoroacetic acid and used to acylate, by the azide procedure, the peptide free base corresponding to the sequence 15-52. The isolated material was purified by ion exchange chromatography and the protecting groups were removed by successive treatments with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, 1 M piperidine and mercuric acetate. F02M phosphate buffer, pH8. Determination of the inhibitory capacity indicated that the synthetic material is about 50% effective, at 30:1 inhibitor:trypsin molar ratio in inhibiting the tryptic hydrolysis of Nalpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-4-nitroanilide. Full inhibition was achieved at a higher inhibitor:trypsin molar ratio. The stability constants and the standard free energy of binding of the complex between trypsin and the synthetic inhibitor have been determined.

Dermorphinoyl(DMR)-glycine, DMR-sarcosine and DMR-glycyl-arginine have been prepared in order to examine the effect of C-terminal extension of dermorphin (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) on opioid activity. On GPI preparation the addition of Gly, Sar, or Gly-Arg to the carboxyl terminus of dermorphinoic acid was detrimental to mu activity: dermorphinoyl-derivatives, in fact, retain only 5-20% of dermorphin potency. Following intracerebroventricular administration (tail-flick test), whereas the analgesic activities of compounds showed the trend dermorphin greater than DMR-Sar greater than DMR-Gly-Arg greater than DMR-Gly greater than morphine, the nonapeptide displayed highest activity after subcutaneous injection in mice: DMR-Gly-Arg was 2.5 and 10 times more potent than dermorphin and morphine, respectively.

Dehydropeptide analogs of dermorphin (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) and N-terminal fragments containing one or two dehydrophenylalanine residues in the 3rd and/or 5th position, have been investigated by means of CD spectroscopy. The results indicate that the above dehydropeptides can adopt different conformations in alcohol and water solutions. In methanol and trifluoroethanol, the CD spectra are mainly consistent with the presence of folded structures, probably stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds. In water, conversely, CD data indicate disruption of ordered structures and formation of preferentially extended flexible conformations. Models of the involved folded structures are tentatively proposed, taking into account the geometric features of dehydro residues and their tendency to favor hydrogen-bonded 10-membered rings.

We studied the effect of partial retro-inverso modification of selected peptide bonds of dermorphin (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2. The modifications concern two consecutive peptide bonds (Phe3-Cly4-Tyr5, I) or a single one (Gly4-Tyr5-, II or Phe3-Gly4, III). All pseudoheptapeptides showed low opioid activity in the in vitro and in vivo tests. Compound III has a biological potency comparable to that of morphine but only 2-5% of original dermorphin when tested in guinea pig ileum preparation and in mice tail-flick assay after intracerebro or subcutaneous administration.

Dehydrophenylalanine having the Z-configuration (delta Phe) and D-Phe were incorporated in positions 3 and/or 5 into dermorphin-(1-5)-peptide amide (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-NH2) in order to study the effect of structure or configurational changes. On GPI preparation, whereas the activity of [L-Phe5]-pentapeptide was fourfold higher than parent peptide and comparable to that of dermorphin, the substitution of Phe3 by its D-enantiomer was barely tolerated. The pentapeptides containing delta Phe in positions 3 and/or 5 displayed even lower potency: particularly the unsaturation at position 3 alone or at position 3 and 5 was very detrimental to mu activity.

The synthesis by fragment condensation of protected peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequences 15-35, 25-52 and 15-52 of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal type) is described. The Rudinger modification of the azide procedure was used in the fragment coupling steps. The tert-butyloxycarbonylheptapeptide hydrazide (sequence 22-28) was reacted with the heptapeptide methyl ester free base (sequence 29-35) and the resulting tert-butyloxycarbonyltetradecapeptide methyl ester after selective deprotection, coupled with the benzyloxycarbonylheptapeptide hydrazide (sequence 15-21) to give the protected peptide methyl ester corresponding to the 15-35 sequence which was then converted to the corresponding hydrazide. The synthesis of the 25-52 sequence was achieved by assembling the protected peptide hydrazide corresponding to the amino acid residues 25-35, with the C-terminal heptadecapeptide 36-52. The resulting protected octaeicosapeptide (sequence 25-52) was selectively deblocked with trifluoroacetic acid and acylated with the benzyloxycarbonyldecapeptide hydrazide 15-24 to give the desired octatriacontapeptide corresponding to sequence 15-52 of the inhibitor. An attempt to prepare the 15-52 sequence through the condensation of fragments corresponding to 15-35 and 36-52 sequences was unsuccessful. The identity and purity of the synthetized peptide derivatives wre established by elemental analysis (in some cases), amino acid analysis, optical rotation, and thin-layer chromatography in two solvent systems. The final products were also evaluated, after partial deprotection with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride or aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by paper electrophoresis at different pH values.

Synthesis is described of the partially protected nonapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonyl-valylleucylisoleucylglutaminyl-N-trifluoroacetyllsylserylglycylprolyl-S-acetamido-methylcysteine corresponding to positions 44-52 of the amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II. The hexapeptide free base glutaminyl-N-trifluoroacetyllsylserylglycylprolyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteine, prepared by two alternative routes, was acylated by the azide procedure, with the tripeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylvalylleucylisoleucine hydrazide. The stereochemical homogeneity of the resulting nonapeptide was assessed, after partial deprotection by treatment with aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by digestion with papain and aminopeptidase M followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.

The secondary and tertiary structure of isoinhibitor A from bovine pancreas secretion (Kazal inhibitor) was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence measurements. The protein shows noteworthy thermal stability as seen by the temperature dependence of the CD spectra and the intensity of emission fluorescence at different pH values.

The synthesis, by fragment condensation, of protected peptides related to the N-terminal (positions 1-14) and C-terminal (positions 36-52) portions of the amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal type) is described. The alpha-carboxyl function of the lysyl residue in position 14 was used as the free acid, or protected by the tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide. Two different synthetic pathways were used in the preparation of the 36-52 sequence of the inhibitor. The identity and purity of the synthesized peptide derivatives were established by amino acid analysis of acid hydrolysates, optical rotation and this layer chromatography in two solvent sytems. The final products were also evaluated, after partial deprotection with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride or aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by paper electrophoresis at different pH values and enzymic digestion with papain and aminopeptidase M followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.