Izabela Derdowska

New bradykinin analogs in contraction of rat uterus

In this study, we evaluated 20 of our previously synthesized peptides on isolated rat uterus by Holtons procedure with minor modifications, and compared their activity with that assessed previously by their ability to inhibit vasodepressor response to exogenous bradykinin (BK) in conscious rats. We used [D-Arg(0), Hyp(3), Thi(5, 8), (D-Phe)(7)]BK, the B(2) antagonist of Vavrek and Stewart as a model when designing our analogs. We observed that, in the case of the rat uterus test, the activity of peptides modified by acylation of the N-terminus with various bulky groups depends substantially on the chemical character of the substituent. We also learned that, contrary to previous examples, acylation of the N-terminus of antagonists, which contain a sterically restricted fragment in the C-terminal part, may not improve their antagonistic potencies. Besides an improved characterization of a series BK analogs, our studies have provided new information on the structure-activity relationship, which in turn may be of value in the design of more potent and selective bradykinin antagonists. The results of our studies appear to support the hypothesis of others about the presence of different subtypes of B(2) receptors in rat uterus and blood vessels.

Analogues of arginine vasopressin modified in position 2 or 3 with naphthylalanine : Selective antagonists of oxytocin in-vitro

In this study we describe the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of six new analogues of arginine vasopressin (AVP).

Unusual gain in the coordination ability of vasopressin-like peptides towards Cu2+ ions by insertion of the highly hydrophobic side chain

Potentiometric and spectroscopic data show an unusual gain in the stability constants of Cu2+ complexes with vasopressin analogues having the highly hydrophobic naphthalene-alanine residue inserted in position three (Nal3). The naphthalene derivative is a much more powerful ligand for binding Cu2+ ions that the parent peptide. Theoretical calculations indicate the effective hydrophobic protection of the metal site by Tyr2 and Nal3 aromatic side-chains. The interaction of the guanidine moiety of Arg4 with naphthalene can also increase distinctly the stability of the respective 4N complex.

Novel analogues of arginine vasopressin containing α-2-indanylglycine enantiomers in position 2

Continuing our efforts to obtain potent and selective analogues of AVP we synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated ten new compounds modified at position 2 with α‐2‐indanylglycine or its D‐enantiomer (Igl or D‐Igl, respectively). All the peptides were tested for pressor, antidiuretic, and in vitro uterotonic activities. We also determined the binding affinity of these compounds to human OT receptor. The Igl2 substitution resulted in a significant change of the pharmacological profile of the peptides. The new analogues were moderate or potent OT antagonists (pA2 values ranging from 7.19 to 7.98) and practically did not interact with V1a and V2 receptors. It is worth emphasizing that these new peptides were exceptionally selective. On the other hand, the D‐Igl2 substituted counterparts turned out to be weak antagonists of the pressor response to AVP and displayed no antidiuretic activity. Some of the results were unexpected, e.g. dual activity in the rat uterotonic test in vitro: the D‐Igl peptides showed a strong antioxytocic potency (pA2 values ranging from 7.70 to 8.20) at low concentrations and full agonism at high concentrations. The results provided useful information about the SAR of AVP analogues. Copyright

Synthesis and some pharmacologic properties of five novel V1 or V1/V2 antagonists of AVP

Based on [1-(1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid),2-(O-ethyl-D-tyrosine),4-valine]-8-arginine-vasopressin as a model, five new analogues of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) were designed and synthesized. Four of them have in position 1 a large lipophilic substituent, whereas the fifth contains pchloro-D-phenylalanine at position 2. We found that the anti-antidiuretic potency with 1-mercapto-4-methycyclohexaneacetic acid is higher than with 1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid (model peptide) in position 1 and this analogue is among the most potent antagonists of the antidiuretic response to AVP known to date. Upon further increase of the size of substituents, antagonistic potency was significantly decreased or totally eliminated. As for the substitution of p-chloro-D-phenylalanine in position 2, we conclude that this modification leads to substantial decrease of the V2 antagonistic potency.

Influence of Conformationally Constrained Amino Acids Replacing Positions 2 and 3 of Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) and Its Analogues on Their Pharmacological Properties

Synthesis of thirteen new analogues of arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been described. Amino acid residues at positions 2 and 3 of AVP, [3-mercaptopropionic acid (Mpa)(1)]AVP (dAVP), [Mpa(1),d-Arg(8)]VP (dDAVP) and [Mpa(1),Val(4),d-Arg(8)]VP (dVDAVP) were replaced with one amino acid residue using sterically constrained non-proteinogenic amino acids, 4-aminobenzoic acid (Abz), cis-4-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (ach) or its trans-isomer (Ach). In the case of a potent V(1a) antagonist, [1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid (Cpa)(1)]AVP, only one similar analogue has been prepared by replacing positions 2 and 3 with Abz. Unfortunately, all new peptides were inactive in bioassays for the pressor, antidiuretic and uterotonic in vitro activities in the rat.

Structure-function studies of vasopressin analogues with d-3 pyridyl-alanine in position 2

A number of analogues of vasopressin, incorporating the substitution of D-3-(pyridyl)-alanine in position 2, were synthesized and tested for antidiuretic (V2), vasoconstrictor (V1a) and ACTH secretory (V1b; pituitary) activities. One analogue, deamino-[D-3-(pyridyl)-alanine2]arginine-vasopressin (abbreviated d[D-3Pal]VP) was a potent pituitary agonist, weaker antidiuretic agonist, and weak vasoconstrictor antagonist. Another analogue, [D-3-(pyridyl)-alanine2]arginine-vasopressin, had very weak pituitary activity but no measurable antidiuretic or vasoconstrictor activity. Other D-3-(pyridyl)-alanine-substituted analogues had only very weak activity in one or two of the bioassays. In further examination of the relationship between the actions of vasopressin on generation of cyclic AMP and secretion of ACTH in pituitary cells, the cyclic AMP responses to d[D-3Pal]VP, to another analogue of vasopressin ([Val4,D-Arg8]VP) with potent agonist activity at pituitary and renal (V2) receptors, and to CRF were compared to that of vasopressin. At the prescribed concentrations, the ACTH secretory responses to vasopressin, d[D-3Pal]VP, and [Val4,D-Arg8]VP were comparable; but only ([Val4,D-Arg8]VP) and CRF, which did not change ACTH secretion, increased intracellular cyclic AMP. These results indicate the possibility of synthesizing analogues of vasopressin with selective activity for the pituitary response and the potential for further study of vasopressin receptor subtypes, using the D-3-(pyridyl)-alanine substitution. They are also consistent with the concept that the ACTH secretory response to vasopressin by itself is not linked to cyclic AMP, although adenylate cyclase may be activated.

New antagonists of the vasopressin receptor mediated contraction in rat tail artery

A perfused isolated rat tail artery preparation was employed to study antagonistic properties of four newly synthesized arginine-vasopressin (AVP) analogues against the V1 receptor. The activity of the agents SCATyr(Me)AVP, OCATyr(Me)AVP, OCAAVP and SCAAVP was related to that of a recognized antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP. SCATyr(Me)AVP elicited outstanding antagonistic properties by blocking at concentration of 10(-7) M nearly completely the constrictory activity of AVP. At concentration of 10(-9) M the agent inhibited the AVP-induced constriction of artery about 40 times more effectively than the oxytocin (OXT)-induced constriction. The results obtained prove the validity of the structure-activity relationship based search for new potent V1 receptor antagonists.