We have previously demonstrated that red blood cells (RBC) are an important sink of intravascularly generated peroxynitrite even in the presence of physiological concentrations of CO2 or other plasmatic biotargets. Once inside erythrocytes, peroxynitrite reacts fast with oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb; k2=2 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4) and isomerizes to nitrate. Herein, we investigated whether, in spite of the fast diffusion and consumption of extracellularly added peroxynitrite by intraerythrocytic oxyHb, peroxynitrite-dependent radical processes could occur at the RBC membrane, focusing on tyrosine nitration. For this purpose, the hydrophobic tyrosine analogue N-t-BOC-L-tyrosine tert-butyl ester (BTBE) was successfully incorporated for the first time to a biological membrane, that is, RBC membrane, with incorporation yields approximately 1-3 x 10(7) molecules per RBC. The membrane integrity of BTBE-containing RBC was not significantly altered after BTBE incorporation as demonstrated by permeability studies. The probe was then used to study peroxynitrite-dependent reactions. The addition of peroxynitrite to BTBE-containing RBC suspensions resulted in BTBE nitration and dimerization to 3-nitro-BTBE and 3,3'-di-BTBE, respectively, indicative of peroxynitrite-derived radicals reactions in the membrane. Peroxynitrite addition to RBC also caused tyrosine nitration of membrane-associated proteins. The free radical nature of the process was also shown by the detection of protein-derived radicals by DMPO-immunospin trapping. While the presence of extracellular CO2 was potently inhibitory of intracellular oxyHb oxidation, membrane protein and BTBE nitration by peroxynitrite at
2. Cyclosporin H is a potent and selective formyl peptide receptor antagonist. Comparison with N-t-butoxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanyl-L- leucyl-L-phenylalanine and cyclosporins A, B, C, D, and E
K Wenzel-Seifert, R Seifert J Immunol. 1993 May 15;150(10):4591-9.
The cyclic undecapeptide, cyclosporin (Cs) H, is a potent inhibitor of FMLP-induced superoxide anion (O2-) formation in human neutrophils. We studied the effects of CsH in comparison with those of N-t-butoxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucyl-L- phenylalanine (BocPLPLP), a well known formyl peptide receptor antagonist, and of other Cs on activation of N6,2'-O-dibutyryl adenosine 3:5'-monophosphate-differentiated HL-60 cells and human erythroleukemia cells (HEL cells). CsH inhibited FMLP binding in HL-60 membranes with a Ki (inhibition constant) of 0.10 microM. CsH inhibited activation by FMLP of high affinity GTPase (the enzymatic activity of alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric regulatory guanine nucleotide-binding proteins) in HL-60 membranes with a Ki of 0.79 microM. CsH inhibited the stimulatory effects of FMLP on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), O2- formation, and beta-glucuronidase release with Ki values of 0.08, 0.24, and 0.45 microM, respectively. BocPLPLP was 14-fold less potent than CsH in inhibiting FMLP binding and 4- to 6-fold less potent than CsH in inhibiting FMLP-induced GTP hydrolysis, rises in [Ca2+]i, O2- formation, and beta-glucuronidase release. CsA reduced FMLP-induced O2- formation by 20%, but CsB, CsC, CsD, and CsE did not. CsA, CsB, CsC, CsD, and CsE did not affect FMLP-induced rises in [Ca2+]i. BocPLPLP inhibited leukotriene B4-induced rises in [Ca2+]i with a Ki of 0.33 microM, whereas CsH showed no inhibitory effect. CsH and BocPLPLP did not inhibit the rises in [Ca2+]i induced by several other stimuli in HL-60 cells and HEL cells. Our results show that 1) CsH is a more potent formyl peptide receptor antagonist than BocPLPLP; 2) unlike BocPLPLP, CsH is selective; and 3) N-methyl-D-valine which is present at position 11 of the amino acid sequence of CsH but not of other Cs is crucial for FMLP antagonism.
3. New Method to Prepare N-t-Butoxycarbonyl Derivatives and the Corresponding Sulfur Analogs from di-t-Butyl Dicarbonate or di-t-Butyl Dithiol Dicarbonates and Amino Acids
D S Tarbell, Y Yamamoto, B M Pope Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1972 Mar;69(3):730-2. doi: 10.1073/pnas.69.3.730.
Di-t-butyl dicarbonate and one of its dithiol analogs, practical methods of preparation for which are given, react with amino-acid esters to form the N-t-butoxycarbonyl (t-BOC) derivatives and the thiol analogs in good yield under mild conditions. The thiol analogs are stable to acidic conditions, which rapidly remove the t-BOC group itself. t-Butyl trimethylsilyl carbonate forms a (CH(3))(3)Si ether from a N-thiol-t-BOC serine methyl ester. The N-thiol-t-BOC group can be removed from the -NHCOSR (R = t-butyl) by heating with peroxide-acetic acid.Action of the dicarbonates described above has not been attended by racemization in the cases examined. The two dicarbonates may be useful as agents for selective blocking and deblocking of amino or other groups.
