The NS3 (dengue virus non-structural protein 3) serine protease of dengue virus is an essential component for virus maturation, thus representing an attractive target for the development of antiviral drugs directed at the inhibition of polyprotein processing. In the present study, we have investigated determinants of substrate specificity of the dengue virus NS3 protease by using internally quenched fluorogenic peptides containing Abz (o-aminobenzoic acid; synonymous to anthranilic acid) and 3-nitrotyrosine (nY) representing both native and chimaeric polyprotein cleavage site sequences. By using this combinatorial approach, we were able to describe the substrate preferences and determinants of specificity for the dengue virus NS2B(H)-NS3pro protease. Kinetic parameters (kcat/K(m)) for the hydrolysis of peptide substrates with systematic truncations at the prime and non-prime side revealed a length preference for peptides spanning the P4-P3' residues, and the peptide Abz-RRRRSAGnY-amide based on the dengue virus capsid protein processing site was discovered as a novel and efficient substrate of the NS3 protease (kcat/K(m)=11087 M(-1) x s(-1)). Thus, while having confirmed the exclusive preference of the NS3 protease for basic residues at the P1 and P2 positions, we have also shown that the presence of basic amino acids at the P3 and P4 positions is a major specificity-determining feature of the dengue virus NS3 protease. Investigation of the substrate peptide Abz-KKQRAGVLnY-amide based on the NS2B/NS3 polyprotein cleavage site demonstrated an unexpected high degree of cleavage efficiency. Chimaeric peptides with combinations of prime and non-prime sequences spanning the P4-P4' positions of all five native polyprotein cleavage sites revealed a preponderant effect of non-prime side residues on the K(m) values, whereas variations at the prime side sequences had higher impact on kcat.

Strong evidence suggests a functional link between the melanocortin and dopamine systems. alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) induced grooming behaviour, which can be blocked by dopamine receptor antagonists, is associated with increased dopaminergic transmission in the striatal regions. Whether this effect is mediated specifically by melanocortin (MC) receptors has not previously been established. Using in vivo microdialysis on anesthesized rats we have shown that alpha- MSH administered into the ventral tegmental area induced a significant increase in dopamine and DOPAC levels in the nucleus accumbens. This increase was completely blocked by pre-treatment with the MC4 receptor selective antagonist HS131, indicating that the effects of alpha-MSH on dopamine transmission may be mediated by the MC4 receptor.

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The expression of melanocortin MC(1) receptors on human peripheral lymphocyte subsets was analysed by flow cytometry using rabbit antibodies selective for the human MC(1) receptor and a panel of monoclonal antibodies against lymphocyte differentiation markers. The MC(1) receptor was found to be constitutively expressed on monocytes/macrophages, B-lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells and a subset of cytotoxic T-cells. Interestingly T-helper cells appeared to be essentially devoid of MC(1) receptors. The results were confirmed by RT-PCR which indicated strong expression of MC(1) receptor mRNA in CD14(+), CD19(+) and CD56(+) cells. However, only a faint RT-PCR signal was seen in CD3(+) cells, in line with the immuno-staining results that indicated that only part of the CD3(+) cells (i.e. some of the CD8(+) cells) expressed the MC(1) receptor. The MC(1) receptors' constitutive expression on immune cells with antigen-presenting and cytotoxic functions implies important roles for the melanocortic system in the modulation of immune responses.

Levels of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) 1, 2, 3 and 5 subtypes and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) protein mRNA were measured by the real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method in CD4þ monocytes and CD15 þ granulocytes from healthy donors. We found high levels of all of the MC1, 2, 3 and 5R subtype mRNA in Th cells and moderate levels in NK cells, monocytes and granulocytes. POMC peptide mRNA was found in all examined leucocyte subsets, but only low levels were present in granulocytes. Our findings suggest a co-ordinating role for MCR subtypes and their naturally occurring ligands in the co-operation between innate and adaptive immunity. Moreover, our findings are compatible with earlier finding of MCR-mediated tolerance induction in Th cells.

Proteochemometrics was applied in the analysis of the binding of organic compounds to wild-type and chimeric melanocortin receptors. Thirteen chimeric melanocortin receptors were designed based on statistical molecular design; each chimera contained parts from three of the MC 1,3-5 receptors. The binding affinities of 18 compounds were determined for these chimeric melanocortin receptors and the four wild-type melanocortin receptors. The data for 14 of these compounds were correlated to the physicochemical and structural descriptors of compounds, binary descriptors of receptor sequences, and cross-terms derived from ligand and receptor descriptors to obtain a proteochemometric model (correlation was performed using partial least-squares projections to latent structures; PLS). A well fitted mathematical model (R 2 ϭ 0.92) with high predictive ability (Q 2 ϭ 0.79) was obtained. In a further validation of the model, the predictive ability for ligands (Q 2 lig ϭ 0.68) and receptors (Q 2 rec ϭ 0.76) was estimated. The model was moreover validated by external prediction by using the data for the four additional compounds that had not at all been included in the proteochemometric model; the analysis yielded a Q 2 ext ϭ 0.73. An interpretation of the results using PLS coefficients revealed the influence of particular properties of organic compounds on their affinity to melanocortin receptors. Threedimensional models of melanocortin receptors were also created, and physicochemical properties of the amino acids inside the receptors' transmembrane cavity were correlated to the PLS modeling results. The importance of particular amino acids for selective binding of organic compounds was estimated and used to outline the ligand recognition site in the melanocortin receptors.Melanocortin receptors (MCRs) are members of the seven transmembrane (TM)-spanning G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. To date, five MCR subtypes, MC 1-5, are recognized in mammals, and each of these subtypes stimulates cAMP signal transduction pathways. An endogenous group of peptides, the melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH) and corticotropin and agouti and agouti-related protein, bind to the MCRs with agonistic and antagonistic properties, respectively. However, an exception is the MC 2 R, which binds only the corticotropin (Schioth et al., 1996a).The MCRs have a wide range of physiological roles. The MC 1 R regulates melanin pigment formation in the skin and has a regulating role in the immune system. The MC 2 R regulates corticosteroid production of the adrenals. The MC 3 and MC 4 Rs play important roles in controlling feeding and sexual behaviors, and the MC 5 R is involved in the regulation of exocrine glands (Wikberg et al., 2000Wikberg, 2001). The potential of using the MCRs as targets for drugs to treat important medical conditions such as obesity/diabetes, inflammatory conditions, and sexual dysfunctions prompts the need for compounds that show high specificity for particular MCR subtypes. However, the design of selective dru...

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