• BMB Reports
• /
• v.46 no.12
• /
• pp.606-610
• /
• 2013

Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates glucose mediated-insulin secretion, nutrient accumulation, and ${\beta}$-cell growth. Despite the potential therapeutic usage for type 2 diabetes (T2D), GLP-1 has a short half-life in vivo ($t_{1/2}$ <2 min). In an attempt to prolong half-life, GLP-1 fusion proteins were genetically engineered: GLP-1 human serum albumin fusion (GLP-1/HSA), AGLP-1/HSA which has an additional alanine at the N-terminus of GLP-1, and AGLP-1-L/HSA, in which a peptide linker is inserted between AGLP-1 and HSA. Recombinant fusion proteins secreted from the Chinese Hamster Ovary-K1 (CHO-K1) cell line were purified with high purity (>96%). AGLP-1 fusion protein was resistant against the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). The fusion proteins activated cAMP-mediated signaling in rat insulinoma INS-1 cells. Furthermore, a C57BL/6N mice pharmacodynamics study exhibited that AGLP-1-L/HSA effectively reduced blood glucose level compared to AGLP-1/HSA.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2002

We have cloned a cDNA encoding a cysteine proteinase of the Acanthamoeba healui OC-3A strain isolated from the brain of a granulomatous amoebic encephalitis patient. A DNA probe for an A. healui cDNA library screening was amplified by PCR using degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of conserved amino acids franking the active sites of cysteine and asparagine residues that are conserved in the eukaryotic cysteine proteinases. Cysteine proteinase gene of A. healui (AhCPI) was composed of 330 amino acids with signal sequence, a proposed pro-domain and a predicted active site made up of the catalytic residues, $Cys^{25},{\;}His^{159},{\;}and{\;}Asn^{175}$. Deduced amino acid sequence analysis indicates that AhCPI belong to ERFNIN subfamily of C 1 peptidases. By Northern blot analysis. no direct correlation was observed between AhCPI mRNA expression and virulence of Acanthamoeba, but the gene was expressed at higher level in amoebae isolated from soil than amoeba from clinical samples. These findings raise the possibility that AhCPI protein may play a role in protein metabolism and digestion of phagocytosed bacteria or host tissue debris rather than in invasion of amoebae into host tissue.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.33-37
• /
• 1961

We have shown that carboxy-peptidase destroys the biological activity of angiotensin octa-and deca-peptides. Since Proline occurs as the seventh amino acid from the amino end of the chain and since carboxypeptidase does not cleave proline from a peptid chain, it is evident that the heptapeptid H.asp-arg-val-tyr-ileu-his-pro.OH is formed by this hydrolysis. This peptide must then be biologically inactive. In order to determine whether the phenyl group of the C-terminal amino acid was the necessary requirement for biological activity of the octapeptide, $ala^8$ angiotensin octapeptide(amino acids of peptides numbered from amino end) was synthesized. For this synthesis the four dipeptides were prepared: carbobenzoxy-L-prolyl-L-alanine-P-nitrobenzyl-ester, m.p. $134-135^{\circ}C,$ carbobenzoxy-L-isoleucyl-imidazole benzyl-L-histidine methyl ester, m.p. $114-116^{\circ}C,$ carbobenzoxy-L-valyl-L-tyrosine hydrazide and carbobenzoxy B-benzyl-L-aspartyl-nitro-L-arginine. The first three dipeptides were obtained as crystalline compounds. Imidazole-benzyl-L-histidine was used in the hope that it would block the histidine imidazole against side reactions in steps subsequent to the formation of the C-terminal tetrapeptide. Also, it was through that the imidazole benzylated peptides would be easier to crystallize. This, however, was not the case. The tetrapeptide, carbobenzoxy-L-isoleucyl-L-im, benzyl-histidyl, L-prolyl-L-alanine-nitrobenzyl ester was not obtained in a crystalline form. Neither could the mono-or dihydrobromide of the tetrapeptide free base be induced to crystallize. Carbobenzoxy-L-valyl-L-tyrosine azide was condensed with the tetrapeptide free base to yield the protected hexapeptide; carbobenzoxy-L-valyl-L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-L-im, benzyl, histidyl-L-Prolyl-L-alanine-nitrobenzyl ester. Upon removal of the carbobenzoxy group with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid an amorphous free base hexapeptide ester was obtained. This compound gave the correct C, H, N analysis and contained the six amino acids in the correct ratio. The octapeptide was obtained by condensing this hexapeptide with carbobenzoxy-B-benzyl-L-aspartyl-nitro, L-arginine using the mixed anhydride method of condensation. This amorphous product was proven to be homogenous by chromatography in two solvent systems and upon hydrolysis yielded the eight amino acids in correct ratio. The five protecting groups were removed from the octapeptide by hydrogenolysis over palladium black catalyst. Biological assay of the free peptide indicated that it possessed less than 0.1 per cent of both pressor and oxytocic activity of the phenylalanine8 angiotensin. This suggests that the phenyl group is a point of attachment between angiotensin and its biological receptor site.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.798-803
• /
• 2014

Cathepsin D (CtsD), an aspartyl peptidase, is involved in apoptosis, resulting in the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria in cells. Here, we investigated microRNA regulation of CtsD expression in 3T3-L1 cells First, we observed the expression of CtsD in cells in response to doxorubicin (Dox). As expected, the level of CtsD mRNA was increased in 3T3-L1 cells exposed to Dox in a dose-dependent manner. Cellular viability of ectopically expressed CtsD cells was also decreased. Next, we used the miRanda program to search for particular microRNA targeting CtsD. MiR-145 was selected as a putative controller for CtsD because miR-145 had a high mirSVR score. In a reporter assay, the luciferase activity of cells containing the CtsD 3'-UTR region was decreased in cells transfected with miR-145 mimic compared to that of a control. The level of CtsD expression was down-regulated in preadipocytes ectopically expressing miR-145 and up-regulated by an miR-145 inhibitor. Cells also suppressed miR-145 expression when exposed to Dox. The miR-145 inhibitor reduced the cellular viability of 3T3-L1 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-145 regulates CtsD-mediated cell death in adipocytes. These findings may have valuable implications concerning the molecular mechanism of CtsD-mediated cell death in obesity, suggesting that CtaD could be a useful therapeutic tool for the prevention and treatment of obesity by regulating fat cell numbers.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.201-209
• /
• 2018

G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) is expressed in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, and its activation promotes insulin secretion in the beta cells of the pancreatic islets as well as the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in intestinal L cells, consequently improving glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Due to this dual mechanism of action, the development of small-molecule GPR119 agonists has received significant interest for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We newly synthesized 1,2,4-triazolone derivatives of GPR119 agonists, which demonstrated excellent outcomes in a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assay. Among the synthesized derivatives, YH18968 showed cAMP=2.8 nM; in GLUTag cell, GLP-1secretion=2.3 fold; in the HIT-T15 cell, and insulin secretion=1.9 fold. Single oral administration of YH18968 improved glucose tolerance and combined treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor augmented the glucose lowering effect as well as the plasma level of active GLP-1 in normal mice. Single oral administration of YH18968 improved glucose tolerance in a diet induced obese mice model. This effect was maintained after repeated dosing for 4 weeks. The results indicate that YH18968 combined with a DPP-4 inhibitor may be an effective therapeutic candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.26-33
• /
• 2024

Background: Sitagliptin is an antidiabetic drug that inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme. This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of sitagliptin in formalin and carrageenan tests and determine the possible mechanism(s) of its antinociceptive activity. Methods: Male Swiss mice (25-30 g) and male Wistar rats (180-220 g) were used for formalin and carrageenan tests, respectively. In the formalin test, paw licking time and in the carrageenan test, paw thickness were considered as indexes of pain behavior and inflammation respectively. Three doses of sitagliptin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) were used in these tests. Also, several antagonists and enzyme inhibitors were used to evaluate the role of adrenergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and opioid receptors as well as the NO/cGMP/K_ATP pathway in the antinociceptive effect of sitagliptin (5 mg/kg). Results: Sitagliptin showed significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in the formalin and carrageenan tests respectively. In the carrageenan test, all three doses of sitagliptin significantly (P < 0.001) reduced paw thickness. Pretreatment with yohimbine, prazosin, propranolol, naloxone, and cyproheptadine could not reverse the antinociceptive effect of sitagliptin (5 mg/Kg), which indicates that adrenergic, opioid, and serotonin receptors (5HT₂) are not involved in the antinociceptive effects. L-NAME, methylene blue, glibenclamide, ondansetron, and sulpiride were able to reverse this effect. Conclusions: NO/cGMP/K_ATP, 5HT₃ and D₂ pathways play an important role in the antinociceptive effect of sitagliptin. Additionally significant anti-inflammatory effects observed in the carrageenan test might contribute in reduction of pain response in the second phase of the formalin test.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.777-783
• /
• 2014

Cathepsin D (CtsD), an aspartyl peptidase, is involved in apoptosis, resulting in the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria in cells. Here, we investigated microRNA regulation of CtsD expression in 3T3-L1 cells. First, we observed the expression of CtsD in cells in response to doxorubicin (Dox). As expected, the level of CtsD mRNA increased in 3T3-L1 cells exposed to Dox in a dose-dependent manner. The cellular viability of ectopically expressed CtsD cells was decreased. Next, we used the miRanda program to search for particular microRNA targeting CtsD. MiR-145 was selected as a putative controller of CtsD because it had a high mirSVR score. In a reporter assay, the luciferase activity of cells containing the CtsD 3'-UTR region decreased in cells transfected with a miR-145 mimic compared to that of a control. The level of CtsD expression was down-regulated in preadipocytes ectopically expressing miR-145 and up-regulated by an miR-145 inhibitor. Cells also suppressed miR-145 expression when exposed to Dox. The miR-145 inhibitor reduced the cellular viability of 3T3-L1 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-145 regulates CtsD-mediated cell death in adipocytes. These findings may have valuable implications concerning the molecular mechanism of CtsD-mediated cell death in obesity, suggesting that CtsD could be a useful therapeutic tool for the prevention and treatment of obesity by regulating fat cell numbers.