Miroslava Blechová

The Peptidic GHS-R antagonist [D-Lys3]GHRP-6 markedly improves adiposity and related metabolic abnormalities in a mouse model of postmenopausal obesity

It was demonstrated that estrogen deficiency and consuming high fat (HF) diet enhanced orexigenic activity of ghrelin. Therefore, we hypothesized that antagonizing of ghrelin action would attenuate food intake and body weight in mice obese both from ovariectomy (OVX) and feeding a HF diet. Ghrelin receptor antagonist [D-Lys(3)]GHRP-6 after seven days of subcutaneous treatment markedly decreased food intake in OVX mice fed both HF and standard diets; furthermore, it reduced body weight and blood glucose, insulin and leptin, and increased β-hydroxybutyrate level and uncoupling-protein-1 mRNA in brown adipose tissue. Pair-feeding revealed that effect of [D-Lys(3)]GHRP-6 was primary anorexigenic. Estrogen supplementation reduced anorexigenic effects of [D-Lys(3)]GHRP-6. OVX [D-Lys(3)]GHRP-6 treatment in mice on HF diet resulted in markedly increased circulating level and liver expression of a major metabolic regulator, fibroblast growth factor 21. Our data suggest that ghrelin antagonists could be especially beneficial in individuals with common obesity combined with estrogen deficiency.

Structure–activity relationship of CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptide fragments

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptides are neuropeptides abundant in the central nervous system and periphery found to be involved in the regulation of food intake behavior and other physiological processes. Recently, we reported specific binding of (125)I-CART(61-102) to the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line PC12, both intact cells and cell membranes. In this study, several fragments of CART(61-102) corresponding to its structural loops were synthesized and tested for their potency in binding experiments using PC12 intact cells and cell membranes and in feeding test with fasted mice. From all shorter peptides tested, only CART(74-86) and CART(62-86) containing disulfide bridges kept partial binding potency of the original molecule with K(i) in 10(-5) and 10(-4)M range. However, these fragments were not able to inhibit food intake after their central administration up to a dose of 4 nmol/mouse. The results showed that a compact structure containing three disulfide bridges is necessary for preservation of full biological activity of CART peptides.

Neuropeptide FF analog RF9 is not an antagonist of NPFF receptor and decreases food intake in mice after its central and peripheral administration

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) belongs to the RF-amide family of peptides bearing the identical C-terminal amino acid sequence (R-F-NH2). In addition to NPFF, prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), another RF-amide, binds to NPFF receptors with high affinity. A selective antagonist of PrRP has not yet been identified, but a selective antagonist of NPFF, 1-adamantanecarbonyl-RF-NH2 (RF9), was recently reported to antagonize the hyperalgesic effect of NPFF after central administration to mice. In the present study, RF9 competed with NPFF analog D-Y-L-(N-Me)-F-Q-P-Q-R-F-NH2 (1DMe) in binding to CHO-K1 cell membranes transfected with the human NPFF2 receptor. In rat pituitary RC-4B/C cells, where the expression of the NPFF2 receptor was proved by immunodetection, RF9 did not reverse the phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK1/2 induced by [Tyr(1)]NPFF. In vivo experiments with fasted mice confirmed that centrally injected [Tyr(1)]NPFF significantly lowered food intake. However, RF9, a putative NPFF2 antagonist, did not reverse the anorectic effect of [Tyr(1)]NPFF. Paradoxically, RF9 itself exhibited an anorectic effect in fasted mice not only after intracerebroventricular but also after subcutaneous administration. This finding casts doubt on claims that RF9 is an NPFF antagonist.

Novel lipidized analogs of prolactin-releasing peptide have prolonged half-lives and exert anti-obesity effects after peripheral administration.

Objectives:Obesity is a frequent metabolic disorder but an effective therapy is still scarce. Anorexigenic neuropeptides produced and acting in the brain have the potential to decrease food intake and ameliorate obesity but are ineffective after peripheral application. We have designed lipidized analogs of prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), which is involved in energy balance regulation as demonstrated by obesity phenotypes of both PrRP- and PrRP-receptor-knockout mice.Results:Lipidized PrRP analogs showed binding affinity and signaling in PrRP receptor-expressing cells similar to natural PrRP. Moreover, these analogs showed high binding affinity also to anorexigenic neuropeptide FF-2 receptor. Peripheral administration of myristoylated and palmitoylated PrRP analogs to fasted mice induced strong and long-lasting anorexigenic effects and neuronal activation in the brain areas involved in food intake regulation. Two-week-long subcutaneous administration of palmitoylated PrRP31 and myristoylated PrRP20 lowered food intake, body weight and improved metabolic parameters, and attenuated lipogenesis in mice with diet-induced obesity.Conclusions:Our data suggest that the lipidization of PrRP enhances stability and mediates its effect in central nervous system. Strong anorexigenic and body-weight-reducing effects make lipidized PrRP an attractive candidate for anti-obesity treatment.

Characterization of new stable ghrelin analogs with prolonged orexigenic potency.

Ghrelin, the only known peripherally produced and centrally acting peptide that stimulates food intake, is synthesized primarily in the stomach and acts through the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). In addition to its orexigenic effect, ghrelin stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH). In this study, we investigated the biological properties of full-length and shortened ghrelin analogs in which octanoylated Ser3 is replaced with an octanoic acid moiety coupled to diaminopropionic acid (Dpr). Ghrelin analogs stabilized with Dpr(N-octanoyl) in position 3 and noncoded amino acids in position 1 (sarcosine) and/or position 4 (naphthylalanine or cyclohexylalanine) were found to possess affinities similar to those of ghrelin for cell membranes with transfected GHS-R1a. In vivo, the prolonged orexigenic effects of analogs containing Dpr(N-octanoyl)3 compared with that of ghrelin in adult mice and a similar impact on GH secretion in young mice were found. Full-length [Dpr(N-octanoyl)3]ghrelin and its analogs with a noncoded amino acid in position 1 and/or 4 showed significantly prolonged stability in blood plasma compared with that of ghrelin. Ghrelin analogs with a prolonged orexigenic effect are potential treatments for GH deficiency or cachexia that accompanies chronic diseases. Desoctanoylated ghrelin analogs and N-terminal penta- and octapeptides of ghrelin did not show any biological activity.

Characterization of prolactin-releasing peptide: binding, signaling and hormone secretion in rodent pituitary cell lines endogenously expressing its receptor.

The recently discovered prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) binds to the PrRP receptor and is involved in endocrine regulation and energy metabolism. However, its main physiological role is currently unknown. Two biologically active isoforms of PrRP exist: the 31 (PrRP31) and the 20 (PrRP20) amino acid forms, which both contain a C-terminal Phe amide sequence. In the present study, the PrRP receptor was immunodetected in three rodent tumor pituitary cell lines: GH3, AtT20 and RC-4B/C cells. The saturation binding of radioiodinated PrRP31 to intact cells demonstrated a K(d) in the 10(-9)M range and a B(max) in the range of tens of thousands binding sites per cell. For binding to RC-4B/C cells, both PrRP31 and PrRP20 competed with (125)I-PrRP31 with a similar K(i). The C-terminal analog PrRP13 showed lower binding potency compared to PrRP31 and PrRP20. All PrRP analogs increased the phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK1/2 (mitogen-activated phosphorylase/extracellular-regulated kinase) and CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) in RC-4B/C cells. Additionally, prolactin release was induced by the PrRP analogs in a dose-dependent manner in RC-4B/C cells. Finally, food intake after intracerebroventricular administration of PrRP analogs in fasted mice was followed. Both PrRP31 and PrRP20 decreased food intake, but PrRP13 did not show significant effect. Studies on pituitary cell lines expressing the PrRP receptor are more physiologically relevant than those on cells transfected with the receptor. This cell type can be used as a model system for pharmacological studies searching for PrRP antagonists and stable effective PrRP agonists, as these drugs may have potential as anti-obesity agents.

Biological properties of prolactin-releasing peptide analogs with a modified aromatic ring of a C-terminal phenylalanine amide.

Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP)-induced secretion of prolactin is not currently considered a primary function of PrRP, but the development of late-onset obesity in both PrRP and PrRP receptor knock-out mice indicates the unique anorexigenic properties of PrRP. In our recent study, we showed comparable potencies of peptides PrRP31 and PrRP20 in binding, intracellular signaling and prolactin release in pituitary RC-4B/C cells, and anorexigenic effect after central administration in fasted mice. In the present study, eight analogs of PrRP20 with C-terminal Phe amide modified with a bulky side chain or a halogenated aromatic ring revealed high binding potency, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK1/2) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and prolactin release in RC-4B/C cells. In particular, [PheNO(2)(31)]PrRP20, [1-Nal(31)]PrRP20, [2-Nal(31)]PrRP20 and [Tyr(31)]PrRP20 showed not only in vitro effects comparable or higher than those of PrRP20, but also a very significant and long-lasting anorexigenic effect after central administration in fasted mice. The design of potent and long-lasting PrRP analogs with selective anorexigenic properties promises to contribute to the study of food intake disorders.

New analogs of the CART peptide with anorexigenic potency: The importance of individual disulfide bridges

The CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptide is an anorexigenic neuropeptide that acts in the hypothalamus. The receptor and the mechanism of action of this peptide are still unknown. In our previous study, we showed that the CART peptide binds specifically to PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells in both the native and differentiated into neuronal phenotype. Two biologically active forms, CART(55-102) and CART(61-102), with equal biological activity, contain three disulfide bridges. To clarify the importance of each of these disulfide bridges in maintaining the biological activity of CART(61-102), an Ala scan at particular S-S bridges forming cysteines was performed, and analogs with only one or two disulfide bridges were synthesized. In this study, a stabilized CART(61-102) analog with norleucine instead of methionine at position 67 was also prepared and was found to bind to PC12 cells with an anorexigenic potency similar to that of CART(61-102). The binding study revealed that out of all analogs tested, [Ala(68,86)]CART(61-102), which contains two disulfide bridges (positions 74-94 and 88-101), preserved a high affinity to both native PC12 cells and those that had been differentiated into neurons. In food intake and behavioral tests with mice after intracerebroventricular administration, this analog showed strong and long-lasting anorexigenic potency. Therefore, the disulfide bridge between cysteines 68 and 86 in CART(61-102) can be omitted without a loss of biological activity, but the preservation of two other disulfide bridges and the full-length peptide are essential for biological activity.

Impact of novel palmitoylated prolactin-releasing peptide analogs on metabolic changes in mice with diet-induced obesity

Analogs of anorexigenic neuropeptides, such as prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), have a potential as new anti-obesity drugs. In our previous study, palmitic acid attached to the N-terminus of PrRP enabled its central anorexigenic effects after peripheral administration. In this study, two linkers, γ-glutamic acid at Lys11 and a short, modified polyethylene glycol at the N-terminal Ser and/or Lys11, were applied for the palmitoylation of PrRP31 to improve its bioavailability. These analogs had a high affinity and activation ability to the PrRP receptor GPR10 and the neuropeptide FF2 receptor, as well as short-term anorexigenic effect similar to PrRP palmitoylated at the N-terminus. Two-week treatment with analogs that were palmitoylated through linkers to Lys11 (analogs 1 and 2), but not with analog modified both at the N-terminus and Lys11 (analog 3) decreased body and liver weights, insulin, leptin, triglyceride, cholesterol and free fatty acid plasma levels in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Moreover, the expression of uncoupling protein-1 was increased in brown fat suggesting an increase in energy expenditure. In addition, treatment with analogs 1 and 2 but not analog 3 significantly decreased urinary concentrations of 1-methylnicotinamide and its oxidation products N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide and N-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide, as shown by NMR-based metabolomics. This observation confirmed the previously reported increase in nicotinamide derivatives in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and the effectiveness of analogs 1 and 2 in the treatment of these disorders.

Glutamate carboxypeptidase II does not process amyloid-β peptide

The accumulation of amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide is thought to be a major causative mechanism of Alzheimers disease. Aβ accumulation could be caused by dysregulated processing of amyloid precursor protein, yielding excessive amounts of Aβ, and/or by inefficient proteolytic degradation of the peptide itself. Several proteases have been described as Aβ degradation enzymes, most notably metalloendopeptidases, aspartic endopeptidases, and some exopeptidases. Recently a report suggested that another metallopeptidase, glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), can also cleave Aβ. GCPII is a zinc exopeptidase that cleaves glutamate from N‐acetyl‐L‐aspartyl‐L‐glutamate in the central nervous system and from pteroylpoly‐γ‐glutamate in the jejunum. GCPII has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target for disorders caused by glutamate neurotoxicity. However, an Aβ‐degrading activity of GCPII would compromise potential pharmaceutical use of GCPII inhibitors, because the enzyme inhibition might lead to increased Aβ levels and consequently to Alzheimers disease. Therefore, we analyzed the reported Aβ‐degrading activity of GCPII using highly purified recombinant enzyme and synthetic Aβ. We did not detect any Aβ degradation activity of GCPII or its homologue even under prolonged incubation at a high enzyme to substrate ratio. These results are in good agreement with the current detailed structural understanding of the substrate specificity and enzyme‐ligand interactions of GCPII.—Sedlák, F., Šácha, P., Blechová, M., Březinová, A., Šafařík, M., Šebestík, J., Konvalinka, J. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II does not process amyloid‐β peptide. FASEB J. 27, 2626‐2632 (2013). www.fasebj.org