Structure-activity studies on position 14 of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide

A structure-activity study was performed to examine the role of position 14 of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (h-alpha-CGRP) in activating the CGRP receptor. Interestingly, position 14 of h-alpha-CGRP contains a glycyl residue and is part of an alpha-helix spanning residues 8-18. Analogues [Ala(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, [Aib(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, [Asp(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, [Asn(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, and [Pro(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP were synthesized by solid phase peptide methodology and purified by RP-HPLC. Secondary structure was measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Agonist activities were determined as the analogues' ability to stimulate amylase secretion from guinea pig pancreatic acini and to relax precontracted porcine coronary arteries. Analogues [Ala(1)4]-h-alpha-CGRP, [Aib(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, [Asp(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, and [Asn(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, all containing residues with a high helical propensity in position 14, were potent full agonists compared to h-alpha-CGRP in both tissues. Interestingly, replacement of Gly(14) of h-alpha-CGRP with these residues did not substantially increase the helical content of these analogues. [Pro(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP, predictably, has significantly lower helical content and is a 20-fold less potent agonist on coronary artery, known to contain CGRP-1 receptor subtypes, and an antagonist on pancreatic acini, known to contain CGRP-2 receptor subtypes. In conclusion, the residue in position 14 plays a structural role in stabilizing the alpha-helix spanning residues 8-18. The alpha-helix is crucial for maintaining highly potent agonist effects of h-alpha-CGRP at CGRP receptors. The wide variety of functional groups that can be tolerated in position 14 with no substantial modification of agonist effects suggests the residue in this position is not in contact with the CGRP receptor. [Pro(14)]-h-alpha-CGRP may be a useful pharmacological tool to distinguish between CGRP-1 and CGRP-2 receptor subtypes.

Lactobacillus strains isolated from infant faeces possess potent inhibitory activity against intestinal alpha- and beta-glucosidases suggesting anti-diabetic potential

Purpose: Inhibitors of intestinal alpha-glucosidases are used therapeutically to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Bacteria such as Actinoplanes sp. naturally produce potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor compounds, including the most widely available drug acarbose. It is not known whether lactic acid bacteria (LAB) colonising the human gut possess inhibitory potential against glucosidases. Hence, the study was undertaken to screen LABs having inherent alpha- and beta-glucosidase inhibitory potential. Methods: This study isolated, screened, identified and extracted Lactobacillus strains (Lb1–15) from human infant faecal samples determining their inhibitory activity against intestinal maltase, sucrase, lactase and amylase. Lactobacillus reference strains (Ref1–7), a Gram positive control (Ctrl1) and two Gram negative controls (Ctrl2–3), were also analysed to compare activity. Results: Faecal isolates were identified by DNA sequencing, with the majority identified as unique strains of Lactobacillus plantarum. Some strains (L. plantarum, L. fermentum, L. casei and L. rhamnosus) had potent and broad spectrum inhibitory activities (up to 89 %; p < 0.001; 500 mg/ml wet weight) comparable to acarbose (up to 88 %; p < 0.001; 30 mg/ml). Inhibitory activity was concentration-dependent and was freely available in the supernatant, and was not present in other bacterial genera (Bifidobacterium bifidum and Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium). Interestingly, the potency and spectrum of inhibitory activity across strains of a single species (L. plantarum) differed substantially. Some Lactobacillus extracts had broader spectrum activities than acarbose, effectively inhibiting beta-glucosidase activity (lactase) as well as alpha-glucosidase activities (maltase, sucrase and amylase). Anti-diabetic potential was indicated by the fact that oral gavage with a L. rhamnosus extract (1 g/kg) was able to reduce glucose excursions (Area under curve; 22 %; p < 0.05) in rats during a carbohydrate challenge (starch; 2 g/kg). Conclusion: These results definitively demonstrate that Lactobacillus strains present in the human gut have alpha- and beta-glucosidase inhibitory activities and can reduce blood glucose responses in vivo. Although the potential use of LAB such as Lactobacillus as a dietary supplement, medicinal food or biotherapeutic for diabetes is uncertain, such an approach might offer advantages over drug therapies in terms of broader spectrum activities and fewer unpleasant side effects. Further characterisation of this bioactivity is warranted, and chronic studies should be undertaken in appropriate animal models or diabetic subjects.

alpha-Synuclein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases and its inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy

There is strong evidence for the involvement of alpha-synuclein in the pathologies of several neurodegenerative disorders, including PD (Parkinson's disease). Development of disease appears to be linked to processes that increase the rate at which alpha-synuclein forms aggregates. These processes include increased protein concentration (via either increased rate of synthesis or decreased rate of degradation), and altered forms of alpha-synuclein (such as truncations, missense mutations, or chemical modifications by oxidative reactions). Aggregated forms of the protein are toxic to cells and one therapeutic strategy would be to reduce the rate at which aggregation occurs. To this end we have designed several peptides that reduce alpha-synuclein aggregation. A cell-permeable version of one such peptide was able to inhibit the DNA damage induced by Fe(II) in neuronal cells transfected with alpha-synuclein (A53T), a familial PD-associated mutation.

alpha-Synuclein aggregation

Alpha-synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease and is found associated with several other forms of dementia. As with other neurodegenerative diseases, the ability of alpha-synuclein to aggregate and form fibrillar deposits seems central to its pathology. We have defined a sequence within the NAC region of alpha-synuclein that is necessary for aggregation. Exploitation of chemically modified analogues of this peptide may produce inhibitors of aggregation.

Inhibition and fibril formation and toxicity of a fragment of alpha-synuclein by an N-methylated peptide analogue

Alpha-synuclein has been linked to amyloidogenesis in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. We have previously shown that a peptide comprising residues 68-78 of alpha-synuclein is the minimum fragment that, like alpha-synuclein itself, forms amyloid fibrils and exhibits toxicity towards cells in culture. Hughes et al. [J. Biol. Chem. 275 (2000) 25109] showed that an N-methylated derivative of Abeta(25-35) inhibited the formation of fibrils by Abeta(25-35) and reduced its toxicity. We have now extended this concept to an amyloidogenic alpha-synuclein-based peptide. Alpha-synuclein(68-78), N-methylated at G1y73, was compared to non-methylated peptide. Whereas alpha-synuclein(68-78) formed fibrils and was toxic to cells, the N-methylated analogue had neither of these properties. Moreover, an equimolar mixture of the non-methylated and methylated peptides formed very few fibrils and toxicity was markedly reduced.

Aggregation and neurotoxicity of alpha-synuclein and related peptides

Fibrillar deposits of alpha-synuclein occur in several neurodegenerative diseases. Two mutant forms of alpha-synuclein have been associated with early-onset Parkinson's disease, and a fragment has been identified as the non-amyloid-beta peptide component of Alzheimer's disease amyloid (NAC). Upon aging, solutions of alpha-synuclein and NAC change conformation to beta-sheet, detectable by CD spectroscopy, and form oligomers that deposit as amyloid-like fibrils, detectable by electron microscopy. These aged peptides are also neurotoxic. Experiments on fragments of NAC have enabled the region of NAC responsible for its aggregation and toxicity to be identified. NAC(8-18) is the smallest fragment that aggregates, as indicated by the concentration of peptide remaining in solution after 3 days, and forms fibrils, as determined by electron microscopy. Fragments NAC(8-18) and NAC(8-16) are toxic, whereas NAC(12-18), NAC(9-16) and NAC(8-15) are not. Hence residues 8-16 of NAC comprise the region crucial for toxicity. Toxicity induced by alpha-synuclein, NAC and NAC(1-18) oligomers occurs via an apoptotic mechanism, possibly initiated by oxidative damage, since these peptides liberate hydroxyl radicals in the presence of iron. Molecules with anti-aggregational and/or antioxidant properties may therefore be potential therapeutic agents.

Enhanced inflammatory responses in alpha-tocopherol transfer protein null mice

The liver preferentially secretes alpha-tocopherol into plasma under the control of the hepatic alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP). alpha-TTP-null mice (Ttpa(-/-) mice) are vitamin E deficient, therefore were used for investigations of in vivo responses to sub-normal tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations during inflammation. Increased basal oxidative stress in Ttpa(-/-) mice was documented by increased plasma lipid peroxidation, and superoxide production by bone marrow-derived neutrophils stimulated in vitro with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injected intraperitoneally induced increases in lung and liver HO-1 and iNOS, as well as plasma NO(x) in Ttpa(+/+) mice. LPS induced more modest increases in these markers in Ttpa(-/-) mice, while more marked increases in plasma IL-10 and lung lavage TNF alpha were observed. Taken together, these results demonstrate that alpha-tocopherol is important for proper modulation of inflammatory responses and that sub-optimal alpha-tocopherol concentrations may derange inflammatory-immune responses.