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Wound healing is a complex process and remains a considerable challenge in clinical trials due to the lack of ideal therapeutic drugs. Here, a new peptide TK-HR identified from the skin of the frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus was tested for its ability to heal cutaneous wounds in mice. Topical application of TK-HR at doses of 50-200 μg/mL significantly accelerated wound closure without causing any adverse effects in the animals. In vitro and in vivo investigations proved the regulatory role of the peptide on neutrophils, macrophages, keratinocytes, and vein endothelial cells involved in the inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases of wound healing. Notably, TK-HR activated the MAPK and TGF-β-Smad signaling pathways by acting on NK1R in RAW264.7 cells and mice. The current work has identified that TK-HR is a potent wound healing regulator that can be applied for the treatment of wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers and infected wounds, in the future.

NK1R antagonists, investigated for the treatment of several pathologies, have shown encouraging results in the treatment of several cancers. In the present study, we report on the synthesis of carbohydrate-based NK1R antagonists and their evaluation as anticancer agents against a wide range of cancer cells. All of the prepared compounds, derived from either d-galactose or l-arabinose, have shown high affinity and NK1R antagonistic activity with a broad-spectrum anticancer activity and an important selectivity, comparable to Cisplatin. This strategy has allowed us to identify the galactosyl derivative 14α , as an interesting hit exhibiting significant NK1R antagonist effect ( k inact 0.209 ± 0.103 μM) and high binding affinity for NK1R (IC 50 = 50.4 nM, K i = 22.4 nM by measuring the displacement of [ 125 I] SP from NK1R). Interestingly, this galactosyl derivative has shown marked selective cytotoxic activity against 12 different types of cancer cell lines.

The neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) plays a significant role in the progression and metastasis of several neuroendocrine tumors. Due to its upregulation in these cancers, NK1R constitutes an attractive receptor for development of ligand-targeted imaging and therapeutic agents. In this report, we present the design and synthesis of an NK1R targeting ligand conjugated to the chemotherapeutic agent, tubulysin B hydrazide (TubBH), via a self-immolative linker. We then explore the ability of this low molecular weight tubulysin conjugate to kill NK1R overexpressing cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo without killing receptor negative healthy cells. Because similar studies in mice bearing NK1-negative tumors reveal no therapeutic impact, we conclude that our NK1R targeting ligand is specific for NK1R-expressing cells. Taken together, the data suggest a possible new approach for the treatment of NK1R-positive neuroendocrine cancers.

The lower efficacy of opioids in neuropathic pain may be due to the increased activity of pronociceptive systems such as substance P. We present evidence to support this hypothesis in this work from the spinal cord in a neuropathic pain model in mice. Biochemical analysis confirmed the elevated mRNA and protein level of pronociceptive substance P, the major endogenous ligand of the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor, in the lumbar spinal cord of chronic constriction injury (CCI)-mice. To improve opioid efficacy in neuropathic pain, novel compounds containing opioid agonist and neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist pharmacophores were designed. Structure-activity studies were performed on opioid agonist/NK1 receptor antagonist hybrid peptides by modification of the C-terminal amide substituents. All compounds were evaluated for their affinity and in vitro activity at the mu opioid (MOP) and delta opioid (DOP) receptors, and for their affinity and antagonist activity at the NK1 receptor. On the basis of their in vitro profiles, the analgesic properties of two new bifunctional hybrids were evaluated in naive and CCI-mice, representing models for acute and neuropathic pain, respectively. The compounds were administered to the spinal cord by lumbar puncture. In naive mice, the single pharmacophore opioid parent compounds provided better analgesic results, as compared to the hybrids (max 70% MPE), raising the acute pain threshold close to 100% MPE. On the other hand, the opioid parents gave poor analgesic effects under neuropathic pain conditions, while the best hybrid delivered robust (close to 100% MPE) and long lasting alleviation of both tactile and thermal hypersensitivity. The results presented emphasize the potential of opioid/NK1 hybrids in view of analgesia under nerve injury conditions.

Combination studies of neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonists and serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have shown promise in preclinical models of depression. Such a combination may offer important advantages over the current standard of care. Herein we describe the discovery and optimization of an indazole-based chemotype to provide a series of potent dual NK1 receptor antagonists/serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitors to overcome issues of ion channel blockade. This effort culminated in the identification of compound 9, an analogue that demonstrated favorable oral bioavailability, excellent brain uptake, and robust in vivo efficacy in a validated depression model. Over the course of this work, a novel heterocycle-directed asymmetric hydrogenation was developed to facilitate installation of the key stereogenic center.

The neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) is implicated in the growth and metastasis of many tumors, including cancers of the brain (e.g., gliomas, glioblastomas, and astrocytomas), skin (e.g., melanomas), and neuroendocrine tissues (cancers of the breast, stomach, pancreas, larynx, and colon). Because overexpression of NK1R has been reported in most of these malignancies, we have undertaken designing an NK1R-targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye for fluorescence-guided surgeries of these cancers. We demonstrate here that an NK1R-binding ligand linked to the NIR dye LS288 selectively accumulates in NK1R-expressing tumor xenografts with high affinity (Kd = 13 nM), allowing intraoperative imaging of these cancers in live mice. Because tumor accumulation is nearly quantitatively blocked by excess unlabeled ligand, and because NK1R-negative tumors and normal tissues display virtually no uptake, we conclude that the observed tumor retention is NK1R-mediated. Results on the synthesis, in vitro characterization, and animal testing of NK1R-targeted NIR dye are presented.

Multifunctional ligands with agonist bioactivities at μ/δ opioid receptors (MOR/DOR) and antagonist bioactivity at the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) have been designed and synthesized. These peptide-based ligands are anticipated to produce better biological profiles (e.g., higher analgesic effect with significantly less adverse side effects) compared to those of existing drugs and to deliver better synergistic effects than coadministration of a mixture of multiple drugs. A systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) study has been conducted to find multifunctional ligands with desired activities at three receptors. It has been found that introduction of Dmt (2,6-dimethyl-tyrosine) at the first position and NMePhe at the fourth position (ligand 3: H-Dmt-d-Ala-Gly-NMePhe-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-Bn(3',5'-(CF3)2)) displays binding as well as functional selectivity for MOR over DOR while maintaining efficacy, potency, and antagonist activity at the NK1R. Dmt at the first position with Phe(4-F) at the fourth position (ligand 5: H-Dmt-d-Ala-Gly-Phe(4-F)-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-Bn(3',5'-(CF3)2)) exhibits balanced binding affinities at MOR and DOR though it has higher agonist activity at DOR over MOR. This study has led to the discovery of several novel ligands including 3 and 5 with excellent in vitro biological activity profiles. Metabolic stability studies in rat plasma with ligands 3, 5, and 7 (H-Tyr-d-Ala-Gly-Phe(4-F)-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-Bn(3',5'-(CF3)2)) showed that their stability depends on modifications at the first and fourth positions (3: T1/2 > 24 h; 5: T1/2 ≈ 6 h; 7: T1/2 > 2 h). Preliminary in vivo studies with these two ligands have shown promising antinociceptive activity.

Multivalent ligands with δ/μ opioid agonist and NK1 antagonist activities have shown promising analgesic potency without detectable sign of toxicities, including motor skill impairment and opioid-induced tolerance. To improve their biological activities and metabolic stability, structural optimization was performed on our peptide-derived lead compounds by introducing 2',6'-dimethyl-L-tyrosine (Dmt) instead of Tyr at the first position. The compound 7 (Dmt-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-[3',5'-(CF(3))(2)-Bzl]) showed improved multivalent bioactivities compared to those of the lead compounds, had more than 6 h half-life in rat plasma, and had significant antinociceptive efficacy in vivo. The NMR structural analysis suggested that Dmt(1) incorporation in compound 7 induces the structured conformation in the opioid pharmacophore (N-terminus) and simultaneously shifts the orientation of the NK1 pharmacophore (C-terminus), consistent with its affinities and activities at both opioid and NK1 receptors. These results indicate that compound 7 is a valuable research tool to seek a novel analgesic drug.

A screening of conformationally constrained aromatic amino acids as base cores for the preparation of new NK1 receptor antagonists resulted in the discovery of three new NK1 receptor antagonists, 19 [Ac-Aba-Gly-NH-3',5'-(CF(3))(2)-Bn], 20 [Ac-Aba-Gly-NMe-3',5'-(CF(3))(2)-Bn], and 23 [Ac-Tic-NMe-3',5'-(CF(3))(2)-Bn], which were able to counteract the agonist effect of substance P, the endogenous ligand of NK1R. The most active NK1 antagonist of the series, 20 [Ac-Aba-Gly-NMe-3',5'-(CF(3))(2)-Bn], was then used in the design of a novel, potent chimeric opioid agonist-NK1 receptor antagonist, 35 [Dmt-D-Arg-Aba-Gly-NMe-3',5'-(CF(3))(2)-Bn], which combines the N terminus of the established Dmt(1)-DALDA agonist opioid pharmacophore (H-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH(2)) and 20, the NK1R ligand. The opioid component of the chimeric compound 35, that is, Dmt-D-Arg-Aba-Gly-NH(2) (36), also proved to be an extremely potent and balanced μ and δ opioid receptor agonist with subnanomolar binding and in vitro functional activity.

Substance P 1-7 (SP(1-7), H-Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-OH) is the major bioactive metabolite of substance P. The interest in this heptapeptide originates from the observation that it modulates, and in certain cases opposes the effects of the parent peptide, e.g., the nociceptive effect. The mu-opioid receptor agonist endomorphin-2 (EM-2, H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH(2)) has been found to also interact with the specific binding site of SP(1-7) with only a 10-fold lower affinity compared to the native peptide. Considering the smaller size of EM-2 compared to the target heptapeptide, it was selected as a lead compound in the development of low-molecular-weight ligands to the SP(1-7) binding site. An alanine scan and truncation study led to the unexpected discovery of the dipeptide H-Phe-Phe-NH(2) (K(i) = 1.5 nM), having equal affinity as the endogenous heptapeptide SP(1-7.) Moreover, the studies show that the C-terminal phenylalanine amide is crucial for the affinity of the dipeptide.

In order to obtain a metabolically more stable analgesic peptide derivative, O-beta-glycosylated serine (Ser(Glc)) was introduced into TY027 (Tyr-d-Ala-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-3',5'-Bzl(CF(3))(2)) which was a previously reported bifunctional compound with delta/micro opioid agonist and neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist activities and with a half-life of 4.8 h in rat plasma. Incorporation of Ser(Glc) into various positions of TY027 gave analogues with variable bioactivities. Analogue 6 (Tyr-d-Ala-Gly-Phe-Nle-Pro-Leu-Ser(Glc)-Trp-NH-3',5'-Bzl(CF(3))(2)) was found to have effective bifunctional activities with a well-defined conformation with two beta-turns based on the NMR conformational analysis in the presence of DPC micelles. In addition, 6 showed significant improvement in its metabolic stability (70 + or - 9% of 6 was intact after 24 h incubation in rat plasma). This improved metabolic stability, along with its effective and delta selective bifunctional activities, suggests that 6 could be an interesting research tool and possibly a promising candidate as a novel analgesic drug.

To provide new insight into the determining factors of membrane-bound peptide conformation that might play an important role in peptide-receptor docking and further biological behaviors, the dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelle-bound conformations of bifunctional peptide derivatives of delta-preferring opioid agonists and NK1 antagonists (1: Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-Leu-Trp-O-3,5-Bzl(CF 3) 2; 2: Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-3,5-Bzl(CF 3) 2; 3: Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-Bzl) were determined based on 2D NMR studies. Although the differences in the primary sequence were limited to the C-terminus, the obtained NMR conformations were unexpectedly different for each compound. Moreover, their biological activities showed different trends in direct relation to the compound-specific conformations in DPC micelles. The important result is that not only were the NK1 antagonist activities different (the pharmacophore located at the C-terminus)but the opioid agonist activities (this pharmacophore was at the structurally preserved N-terminus) also were shifted, suggesting that a general conformational change in the bioactive state was induced due to relatively small and limited structural modifications.

Integral membrane proteins are among the most challenging targets for biomedical research as most important cellular functions are tied to these proteins. To analyze intrinsically their structure/function, their transduction mechanism, or both, these proteins are commonly expressed in cultured cells as recombinant proteins. However, it is not possible to check whether these recombinant proteins are homogeneously or heterogeneously expressed. Owing to difficulties in their purification, very few mass spectrometry studies have been performed with those proteins and even less with G-protein coupled receptors. Here we have set up a procedure that is highly compatible with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to analyze an intact histidine-tagged G-protein coupled, namely, the tachykinin NK-1 receptor expressed in CHO cells, solubilized and purified using cobalt or nickel chelating magnetic beads. The metal-chelating magnetic beads containing the receptor were directly spotted on the MALDI plate for analysis. SDS-PAGE, combined with in-gel digestion analyzed by mass spectrometry, Western blot ((His)6 and FLAG M2 tags), photoaffinity labeling with a radioactive agonist, and Edman sequencing, confirmed the identity of the purified protein as the human tachykinin NK-1 receptor. Mass spectrometry study of both the glycosylated and deglycosylated intact protein forms revealed the existence of several receptor species that is tempting to correlate with the unusual pharmacological behavior of the receptor.

Through modification of a screening hit we have discovered a structurally distinct new lead, (2S)-N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)butanamide (11), which has subsequently served as the departure point for an ongoing program targeting CCR2 antagonists. Optimization of 11 leading to antagonists 26 and 37 is described. Antagonist 26 was shown to have good oral bioavailability in rats. Antagonist 37 had a CCR2 IC50 of 59 nM and excellent potency in a functional assay measuring inhibition of MCP-1 induced monocyte chemotaxis (IC50 of 41 nM).

Two nonstoichiometric ligand binding sites have been previously reported for the NK-1 receptor, with the use of classical methods (radioligand binding and second messenger assays). The most populated (major, NK-1M) binding site binds substance P (SP) and is related to the adenylyl cyclase pathway. The less populated (minor, NK-1m) binding site binds substance P, C-terminal hexa- and heptapeptide analogues of SP, and the NK-2 endogenous ligand, neurokinin A, and is coupled to the phospholipase C pathway. Here, we have examined these two binding sites with plasmon-waveguide resonance (PWR) spectroscopy that allows the thermodynamics and kinetics of ligand-receptor binding processes and the accompanying structural changes of the receptor to be monitored, through measurements of the anisotropic optical properties of lipid bilayers into which the receptor is incorporated. The binding of the three peptides, substance P, neurokinin A, and propionyl[Met(O(2))(11)]SP(7-11), to the partially purified NK-1 receptor has been analyzed by this method. Substance P and neurokinin A bind to the reconstituted receptor in a biphasic manner with two affinities (K(d1) = 0.14 +/- 0.02 nM and K(d2) = 1.4 +/- 0.18 nM, and K(d1) = 5.5 +/- 0.7 nM and K(d2) = 620 +/- 117 nM, respectively), whereas only one binding affinity (K(d) = 5.5 +/- 0.4 nM) could be observed for propionyl[Met(O(2))(11)]SP(7-11). Moreover, binding experiments in which one ligand was added after another one has been bound to the receptor have shown that the binding of these ligands to each binding site was unaffected by the fact that the other site was already occupied. These data strongly suggest that these two binding sites are independent and non-interconvertible on the time scale of these experiments (1-2 h).

We present a method for spreading large (>100 microm(2)) cell membrane fragments across nanoapertures in planar supports. Electron-beam and focused-ion-beam lithography were used to fabricate arrays of 50-600 nm diameter holes in free-standing silicon nitride (SiN) solid films 100-500 nm thick. By pressing adhering live cells onto the nanostructured SiN surface and then removing them, planar cell membrane sheets (CMSs) were transferred in a well-defined orientation onto the SiN support. We demonstrate the accessibility to both extracellular and intracellular surfaces of CMSs by targeting membrane constituents side-specifically with fluorescent markers. Our approach is of interest for studying ligand-receptor interactions using optical, electrical, and scanning probe techniques at the single-molecule level.

We have previously described a series of antagonists that showed high potency and selectivity for the NK(1) receptor. However, these compounds also had the undesirable property of existing as a mixture of interconverting rotational isomers. Here we show that alteration of the 2-naphthyl substituent can modulate the rate of isomer exchange. Comparisons of the NK(1) receptor affinity for the various conformational forms has facilitated the development of a detailed NK(1) pharmacophore model.

With the aim of developing new radioligands for in vivo studies of substance P receptors using positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography, 2- and 3-halo naphthyridone-6-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized. Their affinities toward the target receptors were evaluated on CHO cells and compared to the unsubstituted analogue EP 00652218 (IC(50) = 100 nM +/- 20). The IC(50) value was not altered in the case of 2-chloro compound 1 (IC(50) = 100 nM +/- 15) and only slightly reduced for the 2-fluoro and -iodo analogues 6 and 8 (IC(50) = 500 nM +/- 80). A drastic reduction in binding (IC(50) > 1000 nM) was observed for the halogenated compounds 2-5, 7, and 9.

This paper describes the synthesis and physical and biological effects of introducing different substituents at the alpha-position of the tryptophan containing neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist [(R)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-carbamic acid benzofuran-2-ylmethyl ester (CI 1021). The described compounds all exhibit less than 5 nM binding affinities for the human neurokinin-1 receptor and selectivity over the tachykinin NK(2) and NK(3) receptor subtypes. Application of variable temperature nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of the amide and urethane protons was utilized to determine the existence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond. This intramolecular hydrogen bond increases the apparent lipophilicity to allow increased central nervous system penetration and pharmacological activity (gerbil foot tap test) in the case of the highest affinity compound [(S)-1-dimethylaminomethyl-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-((S)-1-phenyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-carbamic acid benzofuran-2-ylmethyl ester (PD 174424) over those analogues that could not form an intramolecular hydrogen bond.

Photoaffinity labeling, receptor site-directed mutagenesis, and high-resolution NMR spectroscopy have been combined to further define the molecular details of the binding of substance P (SP) to the rat neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor. Mutant NK-1 receptors were constructed by substituting Ala for Met174 and/or Met181: residues previously identified as the sites of covalent attachment of radioiodinated, photoreactive derivatives of SP containing p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bpa) in positions 4 and 8, respectively. Photoaffinity labeling of the M181A mutant using radioiodinated Bpa8-SP resulted in a marked reduction in photoincorporation efficiency compared to the wild-type receptor. In contrast, photoaffinity labeling of the M174A mutant using radioiodinated Bpa4-SP gave the unexpected result of an increase in the efficiency of photoincorporation compared to the wild-type receptor. Enzymatic and chemical fragmentation analysis of the photolabeled receptor mutants established that the sites of covalent attachment were not the substituted alanine, but rather the other methionine on the second extracellular (E2) loop sequence, that is not the primary site of attachment in the wild-type receptor. The results thus suggest a close spatial relationship between Met174 and Met181 on the NK-1 receptor. To evaluate this structural disposition, NMR analyses were performed on a synthetic peptide with a sequence corresponding to the entire E2 loop and segments of the adjoining transmembrane helices to anchor the peptide in the lipids used to mimic a membrane. The structural features of the E2 loop include a centrally located alpha-helix, extending from Pro175 to Glu183, as well as smaller alpha-helices at the termini, corresponding to the transmembrane regions. The two methionine residues are located on the same face of the central alpha-helix, approximately 11 A apart from each other, and are therefore consistent with the conclusions of the photoaffinity labeling results.

Using a 4D-QSAR approach (software Quasar) allowing for multiple-conformation, orientation, and protonation-state ligand representation as well as for the simulation of local induced-fit phenomena, we have validated a family of receptor surrogates for the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor system. The evolution was based on a population of 500 receptor models and simulated during 40 000 crossover steps, corresponding to 80 generations. It yielded a cross-validated r(2) of 0.887 for the 50 ligands of the training set (represented by a total of 218 conformers and protomers) and a predictive r(2) of 0.834 for the 15 ligands of the test set (70 conformers and protomers). A series of five "scramble tests" (with an average predictive r(2) of -0.438) demonstrates the sensitivity of the surrogate toward the biological data, for which it should establish a QSAR. On the basis of this model, the activities of 12 new compounds - four of which have been synthesized and tested in the meantime - are predicted. For most of the NK-1 antagonists, the genetic algorithm selected a single entity - out of the up to 12 conformers or protomers - to preferably bind to the receptor surrogate. Moreover, the evolution converged at an identical protonation scheme for all NK-1 antagonists. This indicates that 4D-QSAR techniques may, indeed, reduce the bias associated with the choice of the bioactive conformation as each ligand molecule can be represented by an ensemble of conformations, orientations, and protonation states.

A set of novel tachykinin-like peptides has been isolated from bullfrog brain and gut. These compounds, ranatachykinin A (RTKA), ranatachykinin B (RTKB), and ranatachykinin C (RTKC), were named for their source, Rana catesbeiana, and their homology to the tachykinin peptide family. We present the first report of the micelle-bound structures and pharmacological actions of the RTKs. Generation of three-dimensional structures of the RTKs in a membrane-model environment using (1)H NMR chemical shift assignments, two-dimensional NMR techniques, and molecular dynamics and simulated annealing procedures allowed for the determination of possible prebinding ligand conformations. RTKA, RTKB, and RTKC were determined to be helical from the midregion to the C-terminus (residues 4-10), with a large degree of flexibility in the N-terminus and minor dynamic fraying at the end of the C-terminus. The pharmacological effects of the RTKs were studied by measuring the elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) in Chinese hamster ovarian cells stably transfected with the bullfrog substance P receptor (bfSPR). All of the RTKs tested elicited Ca(2+) elevations with a rank order of maximal effect of RTKA >/= SP > RTKC >/= RTKB. A high concentration (1 microM) of the neuropeptides produced varying degrees of desensitization to a subsequent challenge with the same or different peptide, while a low concentration (1 pM) produced sensitization at the bfSPR. Our data suggest differences in amino acid side chains and their charged states at the C-terminal sequence or differences in secondary structure at the N-terminus, which do not overlap according to the findings in this paper, may explain the differing degree and type of receptor activation seen at the bfSPR.

Recently we reported using minilibraries to replace Lys(9) [somatostatin (SRIF) numbering] of the potent somatostatin agonist L-363,301 (c[-Pro-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-]) to generate the potent neurokinin receptor (NK-1) antagonist c[-Pro-Phe-D-Trp-p-F-Phe-Thr-Phe-]. This novel cyclic hexapeptide did not bind the SRIF receptor. Thus, a single mutation converted L-363,301, a SRIF agonist with potency ca. 2-8 times the potency of SRIF in laboratory animals,(24) into a selective NK-1 receptor antagonist with an IC(50) of 2 nM in vitro. During the screening of the same libraries for ligands of the delta-opioid receptor, we identified four compounds (1-4) which represent a new class of delta-opioid antagonists, some of which were also NK-1 receptor antagonists. The most potent delta-opioid antagonist, c[-Pro-1-Nal-D-Trp-Tyr-Thr-Phe-] (2), showed a K(e) value of 128 nM in the mouse vas deferens assay and a delta-receptor binding affinity constant of 152 nM in the rat brain membrane binding assay. These results are of interest because they represent a novel class of delta-opioid antagonists and, like two previously reported delta-opioid antagonists, they lack a positive charge. To examine further the requirement for a positive charge in the delta-opioid ligands, we prepared two analogues of the beta-casomorphin-derived mixed mu-agonist/delta-antagonist, H-Dmt-c[-D-Orn-2-Nal-D-Pro-Gly-] (7), in which we eliminated the positive charge either through formylation of the primary amino group (5) or by the deletion of this N-terminal amino group (6). These latter compounds proved to be delta-opioid antagonists with K(e) values in the 16-120 nM range, as well as fairly potent mu-opioid antagonists (K(e) approximately 200 nM). These six compounds provide the most convincing evidence to date that there is no requirement for a positive charge in mu- and delta-opioid receptor antagonists. In addition, cyclic hexapeptide 4 lacks a phenolic hydroxyl group. Taken together, these data suggest that the prevailing assumptions about delta- and mu-opioid receptor binding need revision and that the receptors for these opioid ligands have much in common with the NK-1 and somatostatin receptors.

Enantiopure heterocyclic Boc-protected Phe-Gly dipeptidomimetics containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, and 1,2,4-triazole ring systems have been synthesized as building blocks in the synthesis of pseudopeptides. Three derivatives (1-3) have the carboxylic acid function directly bound to the heterocyclic ring, and three derivatives (4-6) have an extra methylene group between the heterocyclic ring and the acid function to allow for an increased conformational flexibility. The mimetics were used as Phe-Gly replacements in the biologically active peptides dermorphin (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH(2)) and substance P (Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-MetNH(2), SP). The pseudopeptide synthesis was performed using solid-phase methodology on a MBHA-resin using Boc-chemistry. The biological evaluation was performed by testing the micro- and delta-opioid receptor affinities of the dermorphin pseudopeptides and the NK(1) receptor affinities of the SP pseudopeptides. The results showed that all mimetics except 3 were excellent replacements of Phe-Gly in dermorphin since they displayed affinities for the micro-receptor (IC(50) = 12-31 nM) in the same range as dermorphin itself (IC(50) = 6.2 nM). The agonist activity of three pseudopeptides at human micro-receptors was also evaluated. It was shown that the tested compounds retained their agonist activity. The SP pseudopeptides showed considerably lower affinities (IC(50) > 1 microM) for the NK(1) receptor than SP itself (IC(50) = 1.5 nM) indicating that the Phe-Gly replacements prevent the pseudopeptides from adopting bioactive conformations.

Constrained systematic search was used in an exhaustive conformational analysis of a structurally diverse set of substance P (SP) antagonists to identify a unique hypothesis for their bound conformation at the neurokinin-1 receptor. In this conformation, two aromatic groups essential for high affinity adopt a perpendicular or edge-on arrangement. This pharmacophore hypothesis for the receptor-bound conformation was used in a comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) of an expanded set of SP antagonists, and the predictive ability of the resulting three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) was evaluated against a test set of SP antagonists different from those in the training set. This CoMFA model based on the Constrained Search alignment yielded significant cross-validated, conventional, and predictive r2 values equal to 0.70, 0.93, and 0.82, respectively. For comparison, the SP antagonists were forced into an alternative poorer alignment in which the two aromatic rings were parallel and then subjected to a CoMFA analysis. Both the parallel and perpendicular arrangements of the aromatic rings are seen in X-ray structures of SP antagonists and have been proposed as candidates for the receptor-bound conformation. The parallel (or stacked) conformation yielded a poorer correlation with a cross-validated r2 = 0.57, a conventional r2 = 0.90, and a predictive r2 = 0.78. Our results indicate that although both alignments could generate a reasonable CoMFA correlation, the stacked conformation is unlikely to be the receptor-bound conformation, as the covalent structure of the antagonists precludes a common geometry in which the aromatic rings are stacked.

A lead compound which had sub-micromolar affinity for the rabbit NK1 receptor but negligible affinity for rat NK1 receptors, 3a, was discovered by directed screening. 2-Substitution in the ring of the benzylthiourea substituent in the initial lead was found to be important, and halogens (Cl, Br) in this position were found to improve affinity for the human receptor. The activity of a series of 2-halo-substituted benzylthioureas was then optimized by modification of the proline diphenylmethyl amide, guided by a simple conceptual model based on structural overlay between these early antagonists and NK1 selective peptides. In this way, aromatic amino acid amides were identified which had improved affinity with respect to the starting diphenylmethyl (DPM) amides. The first sub-nanomolar ligand for the human NK1 receptor which arose from this series, 4af, combined a 2-chlorobenzylthiourea unit with a 2-naphthylalanine amide. Contemporaneously it was discovered that the benzylthiourea unit could be simplified to a phenylthiourea providing that an appropriate 2-substituent was also incorporated. Combination of these two series gave 2-NO2 phenylthiourea analogues which led directly to the analogous urea, 5f (2-nitrophenylcarbamoyl-(S)-prolyl-(S)-3-(2-naphthyl)alanyl-N-benz yl- N-methylamide, SDZ NKT 343), a highly potent ligand for the human NK1 receptor (Ki = 0.16 nM). In addition to its high in vitro potency, 5f proved to be a potent orally active analgesic in guinea pig models of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. The nature of the 2-aryl substituent was found to be critical for oral activity in this series. Clinical evaluation of 5f as a novel analgesic agent is currently underway.

We show that carbohydrates constitute an attractive source of readily available, stereochemically defined scaffolds for the facile attachment of side chains contained in genetically encoded and other amino acids. beta-D- and beta-L-glucose, L-mannose, and the 6-deoxy-6-N-analogue of beta-D-glucose have been employed to synthesize peptidomimetics that bind the SRIF receptors on AtT-20 mouse pituitary cells, five cloned human receptor subtypes (hSSTRs), and the NK-1 receptor. The affinity profile of various sugar-based ligands at the hSSTRs is compared with that of SRIF. Compound 19 bound hSSTR4 with a Ki of 100 nM. Subtle structural changes affect affinities. Evidence is presented that suggests that one compound (8) binds both the AtT-20 cell receptors and the five hSSTRs via a unique mode. The SARs of the glycosides at SRIF receptors differ markedly from those at the NK-1 receptor. For example a 4-benzyl substituent is important for SRIF receptor binding, but the 4-desbenzyl analogue 27 was highly potent (IC50 of 27 nM) at the NK-1 receptor. A new, nonbasic method for the synthesis of base-sensitive ethers from primary and secondary alcohols is also described.

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) phosphorylate agonist-occupied G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), resulting in GPCR desensitization. GRK2 is one of the better studied of the six known GRKs and phosphorylates several GPCRs. In a previous study, we documented that GRK2 and GRK3 phosphorylate purified and reconstituted rat substance P receptor (rSPR) [Kwatra et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 9161-9164]. Here, we characterize in detail GRK2-catalyzed phosphorylation of human SPR (hSPR) in intact membranes. GRK2 phosphorylates hSPR in urea-washed Sf9 membranes in an agonist-dependent manner with a stoichiometry of 19 +/- 1 mol of phosphate/mol of receptor, which increases slightly (1.3-fold increase) in the presence of G beta gamma. Kinetic analyses indicate that receptor phosphorylation occurs with a Km of 6.3 +/- 0.4 nM and a Vmax of 1.8 +/- 0.1 nmol/min/mg; these kinetic parameters are only slightly affected by G beta gamma [Km = 3.6 +/- 1.0 nM and Vmax = 2.2 +/- 0.2 nmol/min/mg]. The lack of a strong stimulatory effect of G beta gamma on GRK2-catalyzed phosphorylation of hSPR is surprising since G beta gamma potently stimulates GRK2-catalyzed phosphorylation of beta 2-adrenergic receptor and rhodopsin. Involvement of G beta gamma endogenously present in membranes is ruled out as a source of high levels of hSPR phosphorylation, since receptor phosphorylation was not affected by guanine nucleotides that suppress or enhance the release of endogenous G beta gamma. The present study determines, for the first time, the kinetics of phosphorylation of a receptor substrate of GRK2 in intact membranes. Further, our results identify hSPR as a unique substrate of GRK2 whose phosphorylation is strong even in the absence of G beta gamma.

The application of the concept of backbone cyclization to linear substance P (SP) analogs is presented. We describe the synthesis, characterization, and biological activity of a series of backbone-to-amino-terminus cyclic analogs of the C-terminal hexapeptide of SP. These analogs were designed on the basis of NMR data and molecular modeling of the selective NK-1 analog WS-septide (Ac[Arg6,Pro9]SP6-11). A series of peptides with the general formula: cyclo[-CH2)m-NH-CO-(CH2)n-CO-Arg-Phe-Phe-N-]-CH2-CO-Leu-Met-NH2 (n = 2, 3, 6 and m = 2, 3, 4) was synthesized by solid phase methodology using Fmoc chemistry for the main chain and Boc chemistry for the building units [Na-(omega-aminoalkyl)Gly] side chains. Cyclization was performed on the resin after removal of the Boc protecting group from the omega-aminoalkyl chain. Cyclic and precyclic analogs were compared. They were purified by HPLC and characterized by mass spectroscopy and NMR. Biological activity and selectivity to the NK-1 neurokinin receptor were found to depend on cyclization and the ring size: The most active and selective analog had a ring of 20 atoms. This analog was found to have enhanced metabolic stability in various tissue preparation compared to WS-septide.

The preparation of a series of N-heteroarylpiperidine ether-based human NK1 antagonists is described. Two of the compounds 3-[-(2S,3S)-3-(((3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methyl)oxy)- 2-phenylpiperidino}methyl]-1,2,4-triazole (11) and 5-[¿(2S,3S)-3-(((3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)methyl)oxy)-2- phenylpiperidino}methyl]-3-oxo-1,2,4-triazolone (12)), in particular, are orally bioavailable and exhibited significant improvements in potency, both in vitro and in vivo, over the lead (carboxamidomethyl)piperidine ether 1. Rat liver microsome studies on a selected number of compounds from this series show the triazolone heterocycle to be considerably more stable than the others. Furthermore, both 11 and 12 have been profiled in a number of assays that may be predictive of the clinical utility of substance P antagonists.

The endogenous peptides somatostatin (SRIF) and substance P comprise very different structures. Although both bind G-protein-coupled receptors, the SRIF receptors (SSTR 1-5) recognize SRIF and related peptides which retain its beta-turn such as the potent cyclic hexapeptide SRIF agonist L-363,301 (6a), but not substance P. Conversely the NK-1 receptor binds substance P but not the above ligands. In contrast, the beta-D-glucosides 1 and 2, designed to mimic the beta-turn of 6a, bind both receptors. This observation led us to attempt the conversion of 6a into the first potent, selective cyclic hexapeptide ligand for the NK-1 receptor. To this end, we combined design with a minilibrary approach. The goal was accomplished with surprising ease, leading to the NK-1 receptor antagonist 9 (IC50 2.0 +/- 0.4 nM). This demonstrates that peptidomimetics, incorporating in this case the promiscuous beta-D-glucose scaffold, can provide valuable clues about receptor similarities not revealed by their endogenous ligands. In addition, this work suggests that the use of libraries and rational design need not be mutually exclusive approaches to lead discovery.

Three new analogues of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) were synthesized. The C-terminal message segment was made more hydrophilic in (Arg9)SP or more hydrophobic in (Nle9)SP. In (AcPro2, Arg9)SP the charge at the N-terminal address segment was reduced, while that of the message segment was increased. The rationale underlying these substitutions was to correlate the physical-chemical properties of the SP-analogues, in particular their lipid-induced conformation and membrane-binding affinity, with receptor binding and functional activity. In solution, all three analogues exhibited random coil conformations as evidenced by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Addition of SDS micelles induced partially alpha-helical structures. The same structure was also produced by negatively charged lipid vesicles for (AcPro2, Arg9)SP and (Arg9)SP whereas both alpha-helix-like structures and beta-sheet structures were observed for SP and (Nle9)SP. The measurement of the Gibbs adsorption isotherms and monolayer expansion studies provided quantitative data on the surface area requirement and on the membrane penetration area of the SP analogues. The thermodynamic parameters for lipid binding were determined with monolayer expansion for measurements and high-sensitivity titration calorimetry. The apparent binding constants, Kapp, for membranes containing 100% POPG were of the order of 10(3)- 10(5) M(-1). The binding was due to electrostatic attraction of the cationic peptides to the negatively charged membrane surface. The intrinsic (hydrophobic) binding constants, obtained after correcting for electrostatic effects, were much smaller with Kp=10+/- 1 M(-1) for (Arg9)SP, 9 +/- 1 M(-1) for (AcPro2, Arg9)SP, and 39 +/- 3 M(-1) for (Nle9)SP. The measurement of the binding affinities to the NK-1 receptor and of the in vitro activities showed that all three peptides behaved as agonists. Their binding affinity to the neurokinin-1 receptor decreased with the size of the side chains at position 9 of the amino acid sequence but was independent of the cationic charge of the peptides. The fact that even the highly charged (Arg9)SP has agonistic activity provides evidence that the binding epitope at the receptor is in a rather hydrophilic environment. This finding is in agreement with the low hydrophobic binding constants and the weak penetration of the three peptides into negatively charged membranes. It argues against a membrane mediated receptor mechanism and suggests that the agonist approaches the receptor binding, site from the aqueous phase.

We have previously shown that the high-affinity binding of substance P (SP) to its receptor is dependent on an interaction with a PTX-insensitive G protein. This G protein couples SP receptor activation to stimulation of its effector, phospholipase C. In this study, we combined photoaffinity labeling, chemical cross-linking techniques, and immunological characterization using sequence-specific antibody probes to identify G proteins that couple to the SP receptor. First we covalently labeled the SP receptor present on rat submaxillary gland membranes with a radioiodinated photoreactive derivative of SP, p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine(8)-substance P (125I-[Bpa8]SP). Photoincorporation of this SP derivative was susceptible to guanine nucleotide inhibition, indicating that the receptor was coupled to its G protein during labeling. We then used a chemical cross-linking agent to covalently link the photoaffinity labeled SP receptor and its associated G protein. Cross-linking generated a 96 kDa product, formation of which was prevented by the addition of a guanine nucleotide, but not an adenine nucleotide, following photolabeling, but prior to cross-linking. Furthermore, the 96 kDa cross-linked complex was absent in membranes which had been depleted of G proteins by treatment with alkaline buffer prior to addition of the cross-linking agent. Reductive cleavage of the cross-link in the isolated 96 kDa complex yields two products: the 53 kDa SP receptor and a 42 kDa protein identified by immunoblot analysis as either G alpha q or G alpha 11. Antisera against a common sequence within G alpha s, G alpha i, and G alpha o showed no immunoreactivity to the complex or its cleavage products. These results provide the first direct evidence of specific interaction between photoaffinity labeled SP receptor and the alpha subunits of Gq and G11, members of a family of G proteins known to be associated with pertussis toxin-insensitive phospholipase C activation.

The neurokinin-1 receptor is characterized by sub-nanomolar affinity for substance P and 30-100 nM affinity for other substance P-related peptides, including neurokinin B and septide. We have characterized a neurokinin-1 receptor mutant containing a Y216A substitution in the fifth transmembrane segment. This receptor mutant binds substances P with sub-nanomolar affinity but loses much of its peptide discrimination capability, exhibiting 1-2 nM binding affinity for other tachykinins. Kinetic measurements of ligand binding indicate that the increased binding affinity of neurokinin B and septide for the Y216A mutant compared to the wild-type receptor is due to a 100-fold increase in the association rate constant without appreciable change in the dissociation rate constant. The substantially increased association rate constant for the Y216A mutant suggests that the mutant receptor is probably more flexible in accommodating the approaching peptide molecule. It is proposed that a major determinant of peptide specificity for the wild-type neurokinin-1 receptor is the overall conformational compatibility between the receptor and the ligand, rather than residue-specific interactions with the divergent N-terminal residues of different peptides. Furthermore, the highly conserved nature of Tyr-216 in the G protein coupled receptor family suggests that this residue may also play an important role in the receptor activation process in general.

The ability of three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) derived from classical QSAR descriptors and similarity indices to rationalize the activity of 28 N-terminus fragments of tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists was examined. Two different types of analyses, partial least squares and multiple regression, were performed in order to check the robustness of each derived model. The models derived using classical QSAR descriptors lacked accurate quantitative and predictive abilities to describe the nature of the receptor-inhibitor interaction. However models derived using 3D QSAR descriptors based on similarity indices were both robust and significantly predictive. The best model was obtained through the statistical analysis of molecular field similarity indices (n = 28, r2 = 0.846, r(cv)2 = 0.737, s = 0.987, PRESS = 7.102) suggesting that electronic and size-related properties are the most relevant in explaining the affinity data of the training set. The overall quality and predictive ability of the models applied to the test set appear to be very high, since the predicted affinities of three test compounds agree with the experimentally determined affinities obtained subsequently within the experimental error of the binding data.

The effects of substituting (2S,3S)-beta-methylphenylalanine (S-beta MeF) or (2S,3R)-beta-methylphenylalanine (R-beta MeF) for the Phe7 and/or Phe8 residues of the tachykinin substance P (SP, RPKPQQFFGLM-NH2) upon the ability of SP to stimulate contraction of the rabbit iris smooth muscle were investigated. The eight beta MeF-containing SP analogs (four monosubstituted analogs, four disubstituted analogs) 1-8 were synthesized and found to be agonsts of SP in the smooth muscle contraction assay, having EC50 values ranging from 0.15 to 10.0 nM. Three analogs are significantly more active than SP [8R-(beta MeF)SP (4), 7S,8S-(beta MeF)2SP (5), and 7R,8S-(beta MeF)2SP (6)], three analogs are approximately equipotent with SP [7S-(beta MeF)SP (1), 7R-(beta MeF)SP (2), and 7S,8R-(beta MeF)2SP (8)], and two analogs are significantly less active than SP [8S-(beta MeF)SP (3) and 7R,8R-(beta MeF)2SP (7)]. The effects of the beta MeF substitutions upon the activity of SP are not additive and cannot be explained using simple conformational models which focus only on the side chain conformations of the beta MeF residues. It is postulated that the beta MeF residues induce minor distortions in the peptide backbone with resultant consequences upon peptide-receptor binding which are not dictated soley by the side chain conformations. This idea is consistent with 1H-NMR data for the monosubstituted analogs 1-4, which imply that the beta MeF substitutions cause slight distortions in the peptide backbone and that the beta MeF side chains are assuming trans or gauche(-) conformations.

The 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl ester of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan (3), which was derived from the screening lead N-ethyl-L-tryptophan benzyl ester, has been used as a starting point to identify high-affinity substance P receptor antagonists with improved in vivo activity. Altering the ester moiety to an amide or ether led to a substantial loss in binding affinity, but conversion to a ketone provided compounds with affinity comparable to the equivalent esters. A homochiral synthesis of the key intermediate amino ketone 15 was developed which allows its preparation on a large scale. From this intermediate a range of amine-containing acylamino derivatives were prepared with affinity optimized in the morpholinylbutyramide 161 which has an IC50 of 0.17 nM at the human NK1 receptor. In addition to improving affinity, the amino group also provided aqueous solubility for a number of these derivatives. When tested in vivo the quinuclidine derivative L-737,488 (16i) was found to be an orally active (ID50 = 1.8 mg/kg) inhibitor of substance P-induced dermal extravasation in the guinea pig.

The 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl ester of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan 1 (L-732,138) has been identified previously as a potent and selective substance P receptor antagonist. A series of analogs which introduced a 6-membered heterocyclic ring into the backbone of this structure were prepared for evaluation as bioisosteric replacements of the ester linkage of 1. The 2,5-dioxopiperazine 2 had very weak receptor affinity, but 2-oxopiperazine 5 exhibited modest activity. Examination of the conformations accessible to the substituents on these templates led to exploration of the corresponding 5-membered heterocyclic rings. This study culminated in the identification of oxazolidinedione 14 as a suitable ester mimic in terms of the retention of good NK1 binding affinity.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a series of aza-tricyclic analogs of the quinuclidine substance P (SP) antagonist 1 are described. The SP receptor affinity of these compounds was found to vary according to the size of the new ring fused to the quinuclidine and the mode of fusion. Correlations between receptor affinity and (1) the steric bulk of the newly introduced ring fusion and (2) the dihedral angle between the benzhydryl and benzylamino substituents of these aza-tricyclic compounds were explored.

Constrained analogues of phenylalanine have been conceptually designed for analyzing the binding pockets of Phe7 (S7) and Phe8 (S8), two aromatic residues important for the pharmacological properties of SP, i.e., L-tetrahydroisoquinoleic acid, L-diphenylalanine, L-9-fluorenylglycine (Flg), 2-indanylglycine, the diastereomers of L-1-indanylglycine (Ing) and L-1-benz[f]indanylglycine (Bfi), and the Z and E isomers of dehydrophenylalanine (delta ZPhe, delta EPhe). Binding studies were performed with appropriate ligands and tissue preparations allowing the discrimination of the three tachykinin binding sites, NK-1, NK-2, and NK-3. The potencies of these agonists were evaluated in the guinea pig ileum bioassay. According to the binding data, we can conclude that the S7 subsite is small, only the gauche (-) probe [(2S,3S)-Ing7]SP presents a high affinity for specific NK-1 binding sites. Surprisingly, the [delta EPhe7]SP analogue, which projects the aromatic ring toward the trans orientation, is over 40-fold more potent than the Z isomer, [delta ZPhe7]SP. A plausible explanation of these conflictual results is that either the binding protein quenches the minor trans rotamer of [(2S,3S)-Ing7]SP in solution or this constrained amino acid side chain rotates when inserted in the protein. In position 8, the high binding affinities of [Flg8]SP and [(2S,3S)-Bfi8]SP suggest that the S8 subsite is large enough to accept two aromatic rings in the gauche (-) and one aromatic ring in the trans direction. Peptides bearing two conformational probes in positions 7, 8, or 9 led to postulate that S7, S8, and S9 subsites are independent from each other. The volumes available for side chains 7 and 8 can be estimated to be close to 110 and 240 A3, respectively. The large volume of the S8 subsite raises question on the localization of the SP-binding site in the NK-1 receptor. If SP were to bind in the transmembrane domains, the cleft defined by the seven transmembrane segments must rearrange during the binding process in order to bind a peptide in an alpha-helical structure and at least one large binding subsite in position 8. Thus, indirect topographical analysis with constrained amino acids might contribute to the analysis of the receptor/ligand dynamics. Finally, this study demonstrates that a good knowledge of the peptidic backbone structure and a combination of constrained amino acids are prerequisites to confidently attribute the preferred orientation(s) of an amino acid side chain.

As part of a program of screening the Merck sample collection, N-ethyl-L-tryptophan benzyl ester was identified as a weak antagonist at the substance P (NK1) receptor. Structure-activity studies showed that the indole ring system could be replaced by 3,4-dichlorophenyl, alpha- or beta-naphthyl, or benzthiophene with retention or only small loss of affinity. It was found that acylation of the tryptophan nitrogen gave compounds with higher affinity than N-ethyl or other basic amines. Optimization of substitution on the benzyl ester led to the identification of the 3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl ester of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan 26 as a potent and selective substance P receptor antagonist. Compound 26 blocked substance P induced dermal extravasation in vivo and was the most potent compound from this structurally novel class of antagonists which further adds to the diversity of small molecules that bind to the (NK1) receptor.

The neurokinin-1 receptor is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family and has the highest affinity for the endogenous peptide transmitter substance P. Previous studies have indicated that several residues in the first and second extracellular segments, and at least part of the transmembrane domain, of the human neurokinin-1 receptor are involved in substance P binding to the receptor. To further map the peptide binding site, single-residue substitutions in the transmembrane domains were analyzed. Asn-85, Asn-89, Tyr-92, and Asn-96 in the second transmembrane domain and Tyr-287 in the seventh transmembrane domain are required for the high-affinity binding of peptides, with Asn-85 possibly interacting with the C-terminus of substance P. In addition, Glu-78 in the second transmembrane domain and Tyr-205 in the fifth transmembrane domain appear to be involved in the receptor activation process. Some of the key residues for peptide binding are likely to be near those residues that are required for the binding of competitive antagonists (such as His-197, His-265, and Tyr-287). These data suggest that a volume exclusion effect can explain the competitive antagonism of substance P binding by non-peptide antagonists. Furthermore, the key residues identified thus far are required for the high-affinity binding of all three neurokinin peptides, consistent with a hypothesis that the conformational compatibility between the receptor and the peptide agonist may be a major determinant of peptide recognition.

Two novel cyclic heptapeptides, peptides 1a and 1c, were isolated from an Aspergillus flavipes culture, originally isolated from soil, and their structures established by chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Peptide 1a contains a new amino acid, 3-prenyl-beta-hydroxytyrosine, and is a competitive antagonist to substance P at the human NK1 receptor, with an inhibitor affinity constant (Ki) of 8 +/- 4 microM. Methylation of 1a gave the monomethyl derivative 1b, which is a more potent competitive antagonist, with a Ki of 0.12 +/- 0.03 microM at the human NK1 receptor. Herein we report the structure determinations of 1a and 1c, and some structure-activity results. Several analogs of 1a were prepared by derivatization and synthesis. Structure-activity results for these analogs confirmed that the 3-prenyl-beta-hydroxytyrosine moiety is critical for the biological potency of 1a and 1b.