Synthesis and glutathione S-transferase structure-affinity relationships of nonpeptide and peptidase-stable glutathione analogues.

A series of nonpeptidic glutathione analogues where the peptide bonds were replaced by simple carbon-carbon bonds or isosteric E double bonds were prepared. The optimal length for the two alkyl chains on either side of the mercaptomethyl group was evaluated using structure-affinity relationships. Affinities of the analogues 14a-f, 23, and 25 were evaluated for a recombinant GST enzyme using a new affinity chromatography method previously developed in our laboratory.

Boomerang effect between [Met]-enkephalin derivatives and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

[Met]-enkephalin or its precursor, pre-[Met]-enkephalin, were exposed to activated oxygen species produced by human phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and then analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The chromatograms recorded at the tyrosine maximum wavelength (lambda em 300 nm and lambda ex 280 nm) showed the formation of new peptides by oxidation of methionyl residue in position 5 and ortho, meta, or para hydroxylation of phenylalanyl residue in position 4. The chromatograms recorded at the dityrosine maximum wavelength (lambda em 400 nm and lambda ex 325 nm) showed the formation of new dimeric peptides which contained two [Met]-enkephalin-derivatives linked by a dityrosyl group.

Reciprocal effects between opioid peptides and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes--II. Enhancement of phorbol myristate acetate-induced respiratory burst in human polymorphonuclear leukocyte by opioid peptides previously exposed to activated oxygen species.

Activated oxygen species (AOS) have often been shown to promote strong modifications in peptide structures and thus in their biological functions. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Leu-enkephalin, beta-endorphin, dynorphin and some fragments are evaluated, before and after exposure of peptides to AOS, by studying their influence on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) respiratory burst. None of the tested opioid peptides (modified or not) were shown to affect resting oxidative metabolism in the PMNs.

Reciprocal effects between opioid peptides and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes--I. Chemical modifications of Leu-enkephalin by phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

When L-tyrosyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucine (Leu-enkephalin) is exposed to the activated oxygen species produced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), hydroxylation of the phenylalanyl residue in position 4 of the peptide occurs, producing hydroxy-phenylalanyl derivatives which are identified by HPLC analysis and mass spectrometry. Attack of hydroxyl radicals generated by the Cu (II)/ascorbate system upon Leu-enkephalin also produces isomeric o-, m- and p-hydroxy-phenylalanyl derivatives. When PMNs are incubated with a synthetic peptide, L-tyrosyl-glycyl-glycyl-L-tyrosyl-L-leucine used as a model of hydroxylated Leu-enkephalin, their chemiluminescence response to PMA activation is higher than that of PMNs incubated with Leu-enkephalin.

Nickel (II) complexes of histidyl-peptides as Fenton-reaction catalysts.

Addition of histidyl-peptides containing the glycyl-glycyl-L-histidyl sequence stimulated the catalysis of Ni(II) hydrogen peroxide reduction. Maximum bleaching of murexide or nitrosodimethylaniline was obtained with glycyl-glycyl-L-histidine. A decrease in the bleaching rates was observed upon addition of SOD or hydroxyl radical scavengers, showing that the hydrogen peroxide/Ni(II)/glycyl-glycyl-L-histidine system generated superoxide anions as well as hydroxyl radicals.