Elzbieta Masiukiewicz

Metal complexes of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies

The results are reported of a potentiometric and spectroscopic study of the H+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ complexes of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH, HL) at 25 degrees C and an ionic strength 0.10 mol dm-3 (KNO3), since there is much evidence that the in vivo release of LHRH is influenced by the concentration of copper ions. With Cu2+ the hormone has been shown to behave similarly to the thyrotropin releasing factor, forming a very stable [CuH-1L] complex involving coordination of three nitrogen donors: the Nim atom of the imidazole side chain and the two amido-N atoms of the pyroglutamylhistidyl unit. With Ni2+, coordination proceeds differently to give four nitrogen coordination.

Binding of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+GnRH complexes with the rat pituitary receptor

Complex of copper with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone, GnRH, competed more efficiently for the GnRH receptor than native GVRH, while complexes of nickel with GnRH and zinc with GnRH had slightly lower affinity. Copper ion added to the incubation mixture inhibited the buserelin binding to the receptor.

Increased LH and FSH release from the anterior pituitary of ovariectomized rat, in vivo, by copper-, nickel-, and zinc-LHRH complexes

The effect of Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ and their complexes with LHRH on the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was estimated in in vivo experiments with the use of the method proposed by Ramirez and McCann. Ovariectomized, estradiol, and progesterone pretreated rats were injected intravenously either with LHRH alone, a metal ion alone, a mixture of metal and hormone, or a metal-LHRH complex. A metal alone or a mixture of it with LHRH did not affect gonadotropin release at all or no more than LHRH alone. However, the complex of Cu2+ with LHRH brought about a high release of LH and even higher release of FSH. This indicates that copper complex is more effective than metal-free LHRH. The nickel complex showed a similar although lesser effect. The zinc complex had similar potency to free LHRH though higher FSH-releasing ability was noticed. We conclude that copper-, nickel-, and zinc-LHRH complexes were more potent than the peptide hormone itself and promoted the FSH release in the ovariectomized, estradiol, and progesterone pretreated rats.

Peptide Synthesis with 5‐Amino‐1‐methyl‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazole‐3‐carboxylic Acid

Abstract In the search for the peptide synthesis of new potential lexitropsins, starting with methyl 5‐amino‐1‐methyl‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazole‐3‐carboxylate 1a, we synthesized the chloroacetyl derivative of 2a, which was hydrolyzed to acid 2b and ammonolyzed to the peptide 2c. A more effective route was the use of (t‐butoxycarbonyl)glycyl‐benzotriazolide 3 to the acylation 1a, which leads the N/C protected peptide 4. This peptide was selectively N‐deprotected to be the useful segment 5 for further peptide syntheses to the N‐terminus. It was also C‐deprotected, that is hydrolyzed to give peptide 2c for further C‐extension. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first peptide that is a derivative of amino‐1‐methyl‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazole‐carboxylic acid.

Susceptibility of Methyl 3-Amino-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate to Acylation

Abstract In the search for a new method of synthesis of hybrid peptides with aminopyrazole carboxylic acid, we tried to force selective acylation at the aromatic amino group instead of at the ring nitrogen atom with fairly gentle acylating agents. The acylating agents used were acid anhydrides: acetic anhydride, tert-butyl pyrocarbonate, and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxyacetic acid/dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. We succceded in acylation at this amino group with almost none at the ring nitrogen atom. Sometimes, however, acylation in small quantities at the ring nitrogen atom was observed as a by-product. To remove this by-product, imidazole was used. Thus, we were able to obtain the hybrid peptides in question with no protection and subsequent removal required. We synthesized a few these free peptides with no protection of the pyrazole ring. This is a simpler method than that being used currently.