U.S. patent application number 11/687785 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for synthesis, modification and reduction of primary structure of hypotensive peptides present in scorpion venom for optimizing their use as a hypotensive medicament.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MINAS GERAIS. Invention is credited to Pierre Edouard BOUGIS, Thiago Verano BRAGA, Carlos Ribeiro DINIZ, Robson Augusto Souza DOS SANTOS, Marie France EAUCLAIRE, Maria Elena de Lima PEREZ-GARCIA, Adriano Monteiro de Castro PIMENTA, Maria da Conceicao Vasconcellos Ribeiro Diniz.
Application Number | 20070275901 11/687785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38750221 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070275901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PEREZ-GARCIA; Maria Elena de Lima ;
et al. |
November 29, 2007 |
SYNTHESIS, MODIFICATION AND REDUCTION OF PRIMARY STRUCTURE OF
HYPOTENSIVE PEPTIDES PRESENT IN SCORPION VENOM FOR OPTIMIZING THEIR
USE AS A HYPOTENSIVE MEDICAMENT
Abstract
The present invention relates to synthetic and recombinant
peptide primary structures including an amino acid sequence
selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 12, wherein
the primary structure includes an +aa-Pro-Pro amino acid in which
"+aa" is Lys, Arg, His or a modified amino acid having a positive
charge at physiological pH. The present invention also relates to a
pharmaceutical composition including at least one peptide having a
primary structure as defined above.
Inventors: |
PEREZ-GARCIA; Maria Elena de
Lima; (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, BR) ; DINIZ;
Carlos Ribeiro; (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, BR) ;
Ribeiro Diniz; Maria da Conceicao Vasconcellos; (Belo
Horizonte, BR) ; DOS SANTOS; Robson Augusto Souza;
(Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, BR) ; BOUGIS; Pierre
Edouard; (Marseille, FR) ; EAUCLAIRE; Marie
France; (Marseille, FR) ; PIMENTA; Adriano Monteiro
de Castro; (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, BR) ;
BRAGA; Thiago Verano; (Belo Horizonte, BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CAESAR, RIVISE, BERNSTEIN,;COHEN & POKOTILOW, LTD.
11TH FLOOR, SEVEN PENN CENTER
1635 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-2212
US
|
Assignee: |
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MINAS
GERAIS
Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627 Reitoria 7 andar/7005
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
BR
31270-901
|
Family ID: |
38750221 |
Appl. No.: |
11/687785 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10517097 |
Jul 6, 2005 |
7192925 |
|
|
PCT/BR03/00073 |
Jun 9, 2003 |
|
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11687785 |
Mar 19, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/15.7 ;
514/21.4; 530/328; 530/329; 530/330; 530/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 9/12 20180101; C07K
14/43522 20130101; A61K 38/00 20130101; Y10S 530/856 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/015 ;
514/016; 514/017; 514/018; 530/328; 530/329; 530/330; 530/331 |
International
Class: |
A61K 38/10 20060101
A61K038/10; A61P 9/12 20060101 A61P009/12; C07K 5/08 20060101
C07K005/08; C07K 5/10 20060101 C07K005/10; C07K 7/06 20060101
C07K007/06; A61K 38/08 20060101 A61K038/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 7, 2002 |
BR |
PI 0202157-9 |
Claims
1. A peptide comprising at least one member selected from the group
consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4,
SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9,
SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11 SEQ ID NO:12, and analogs thereof,
wherein each of the analogs has a primary structure identical to
one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12 with a substitute amino acid substituted
for a lysine closest to a carboxy-terminus of the peptide, said
substitute amino acid having a positive charge at physiological
pH.
2. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the peptide possesses
anti-hypertensive activity.
3. The peptide of claim 1, containing less than 24 amino acids.
4. The peptide of claim 1, consisting of one member of the
group.
5. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the peptide is synthetic.
6. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the peptide is recombinant.
7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide of
claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
8. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide is present in the composition in an anti-hypertensive
amount.
9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide contains less than 24 amino acids.
10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide consists of one member of the group.
11. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide is synthetic.
12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide is recombinant.
13. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1.
14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 5.
15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the at least
one peptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 6.
16. A method for treating hypertension, comprising administering to
an animal an anti-hypertensive amount of at least one peptide of
claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the synthesis, modification
and reduction of the primary structure of arterial hypotension
inducing peptides (hypotensive peptides) named Tityus serrulatus
Hypotensins I to IV found in yellow scorpion Tityus serrulatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Hypertension is an important challenge for the international
public health authorities due to its high occurrence in modern
society, in addition to the cardiovascular and renal risks derived
therefrom. It is estimated that approximately 26% of the world
population, that is, 972 million people suffered from hypertension
in year 2000.
[0003] Blood pressure, or arterial pressure, is measured as
systolic (pressure of the blood in the arteries when the
ventricular systoles occurs) and diastolic (when diastole occurs).
According to World Health Organization (WHO) the optimal blood
pressure is less than 120 systolic and 80 diastolic (120/80 mmHg).
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is considered to be a
pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg and "high normal"
blood pressure is between 130/85 and 140/90 mmHg (Bulletin of the
World Health Organization, 1999).
[0004] Hypertension may be classified as primary and secondary.
Primary or essential hypertension does not have a specific cause,
being the most common form of hypertension and being presented by
95% of the patients. Genetic factors seem to be one of the major
causes of this kind of hypertension.
[0005] The causes of secondary hypertension are known and
pregnancy, cirrhosis and renal disorders may contribute for a
temporary hypertensive condition. Some medicaments such as
cortisone and estrogen may also temporarily increase the blood
pressure. Prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as
aspirin may cause renal disorders and can also affect the treatment
of individuals suffering from hypertension who make use of
anti-hypertensive drugs such as .beta.-blockers and diuretics. It
is known that cocaine causes acute hypertension conditions although
apparently it does not cause a chronic condition. A study shows
that about 10% of the cases related to hypertension are caused by
the abuse of alcohol ingestion. Caffeine causes a temporary
increase of blood pressure. However, studies show that its regular
consumption increases the risks of heart diseases in health
individuals. The dangers associated with caffeine, however, cannot
be compared to smoking, which may increase the risk of death by
cardiomyopathy and hypertension. Blood pressure may also
temporarily increase due to stress or physical activities.
[0006] At the present time, five classes of drugs are recognized as
efficient for hypertensive treatment: diuretics, alpha-blockers,
beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors,
calcium antagonists, and angiotensin II antagonists.
[0007] Diuretics cause the body to excrete water and salt, thus
decreasing the blood plasma volume and, consequently, decreasing
the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors reduce the production of
angiotensin-II and reduce the degradation of bradykinin.
Beta-blockers inhibit the increase of the heart rate caused by the
exciting effect of noradrenaline. Vasodilators expand blood vessels
and calcium channel blockers help decrease the contractions of the
heart.
[0008] All drugs used for hypertension have side effects and,
therefore, there is still a need for novel anti-hypertensive drug
classes.
[0009] The use of peptides as active ingredients for medicaments is
a promising application of biotechnology. The major advantages rely
on the selectivity and affinity of those molecules, as well as on
the possible decrease of side effects and toxicity that result from
chemical intermediates and/or metabolites. There are, on the other
hand, important drawbacks that must be overcome for using those
molecules such as their size that has influence on their absorption
and distribution, as well as the resistance thereof against
enzymatic hydrolysis and degradation in vivo.
[0010] Presently known anti-hypertensive peptides are isolated from
animal venoms and have a primary structure comprising from 5 to 13
amino acid residues. Such peptides have anti-hypertensive activity
based on the inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) that
prevents the hydrolysis of bradykinin (a hypotensive agent) and the
synthesis of angiotensin-II (a hypertensive agent), thereby acting
as anti-hypertensive peptides.
[0011] Scorpion Hypotensive Peptides (SHptP) named TsHpt-I,
TsHpt-II, TsHpt-III and TsHpt-IV, which are disclosed in patent
application U.S. Ser. No. 10/517,097 refer to novel
anti-hypertensive peptides found in animal origin venom. They i)
consist of 24 to 25 amino acid residues, not crosslinked by
disulfide bridges (absence of cysteine) and having molecular
weights in the range of 2500 to 3000 Da; ii) have a molecular
signature with amino acid residues Pro-Pro or Pro-Pro-Ala in their
carboxy-terminal ends; and iii) induce a potent, long and sustained
arterial hypotension, with one of the action mechanisms thought to
be the potentialization of bradykinin occurring independently from
the inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention relates to synthetic peptide primary
structures comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the
group of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12, wherein said primary structure
comprises an +aa-Pro-Pro amino acid in which "+aa" is Lys, Arg, His
or any other modified amino acid that has a positive charge at
physiological pH.
[0013] In another embodiment, the present invention also relates to
a recombinant peptide primary structure as defined above prepared
by recombinant techniques in heterologous expression systems such
as viral systems, bacterial systems, fungal systems or in any other
expression systems in eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells, or
combinations thereof.
[0014] Still in accordance with another embodiment the present
invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at
least one peptide having a primary structure as defined above.
[0015] The present invention also relates to a method for treating
hypertension, comprising administering to an animal at least one
peptide of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will be described in conjunction with the
following drawings wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1.1 is a graph showing the effect on blood pressure of
the injection in bolus (i.v.) of TsHpt-I (35 .mu.g/Kg) (grey bar),
the injection in bolus (i.v.) of 1 .mu.g of bradykinin (BK) (black
bars), and 2 .mu.g of BK (white bar) (n=5; *P<0.05);
[0018] FIG. 1.2 is a graph showing the effect on blood pressure of
the injection in bolus (i.v.) of TsHpt.sub.17-25 (37 .mu.g/Kg)
(grey bar), the injection in bolus (i.v.) of 1 .mu.g of BK (black
bars) and 2 .mu.g of BK (white bar) (n=5; *P<0.05);
[0019] FIG. 1.3 is a graph showing the effect on blood pressure of
the injection in bolus (i.v.) of TsHpt.sub.ac17-25am peptide with a
N-terminal acetylation and C-terminal amidation (43 .mu.g/Kg) (grey
bar), the injection in bolus (i.v.) of 1 .mu.g of BK (black bars)
and 2 .mu.g of BK (white bar) (n=4; *P<0.05);
[0020] FIG. 1.4 is a graph showing the effect on blood pressure of
the injection in bolus (i.v.) of TsHpt.sub.22-25 (37 .mu.g/Kg)
(grey bar), the injection in bolus (i.v.) of 1 .mu.g of BK (black
bars) and 2 .mu.g of BK (white bar) (n=4; *P<0.05);
[0021] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the effect on mean arterial
pressure (MAP) in hypertensive rats SHR (n=4) of the injection
(i.v.) of 100 .mu.g of peptide TsHpt.sub.17-25 (333 .mu.g/Kg);.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the effect on mean arterial
pressure in hypertensive rats TGR (n=4) of the injection (i.v.) of
100 .mu.g of peptide TsHpt.sub.17-25 (333 .mu.g/Kg);
[0023] FIG. 4.1 is a graph showing the vasodilation effect of
peptide TsHpt-I on rings isolated from aorta in absence (black
circles) and presence (white circles) of L-NAME ((n=4) *P<0.05;
**P<0.01; ***P<0.001);
[0024] FIG. 4.2 is a graph showing the vasodilation effect of
peptide TsHpt.sub.17-25 on rings isolated from aorta in absence
(black circles) and presence (white circles) of L-NAME ((n=4)
*P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001); and
[0025] FIG. 4.3 is a graph showing the vasodilation effect of
peptide TsHpt.sub.21-25 on rings isolated from aorta in absence
(black circles) and presence (white circles) of L-NAME ((n=4)
***P<0.001).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] In order to reduce the native structure of the hypotensive
peptides TsHpt-I, TsHpt-II, TsHpt-III and TsHpt-IV, the inventors
developed a synthesis based on the Fmoc solid phase technique (see,
e.g., CHAN, W. C & WHITE, P. D. "Fmoc solid-phase peptide
synthesis. A practical approach." Oxford University Press; 2000) to
synthesize peptides analogous to TsHpt, the structures of which
were reduced to a minimum functional structure. Such minimization
aims also to decrease production costs, to optimize their
absorption and distribution of the active ingredient in the
individual organism and to optimize their protection against
enzymatic hydrolysis and degradation in vivo.
[0027] As the native TsHpts have a structure with 24 or 25 amino
acid residues the primary sequence of which has 2 proline residues
in its carboxy-terminal portion, the inventors developed a
synthesis of peptides analogous to the native molecules based on
their carboxy-terminal portion and obtained the following synthetic
amino acid sequences 1 to 12: TABLE-US-00001 SEQ ID NO:1
(TsHpt.sub.17-25): 1 5 9 Lys-Glu-Thr-Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro-Ala SEQ ID
NO:2 (TsHpt.sub.18-25): 1 5 8 Glu-Thr-Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro-Ala SEQ
ID NO:3 (TsHpt.sub.19-25): 1 5 7 Thr-Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro-Ala SEQ ID
NO:4 (TsHpt.sub.20-25): 1 5 6 Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro-Ala SEQ ID NO:5
(TsHpt.sub.21-25): 1 5 Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro-Ala SEQ ID NO:6
(TsHpt.sub.22-25): 1 4 Lys-Pro-Pro-Ala SEQ ID NO:7
(TsHpt.sub.17-24): 1 5 8 Lys-Glu-Thr-Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro SEQ ID
NO:8 (TsHpt.sub.18-24): 1 5 7 Glu-Thr-Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro SEQ ID
NO:9 (TsHpt.sub.19-24): 1 5 6 Thr-Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro SEQ ID NO:10
(TsHpt.sub.20-24): 1 5 Asn-Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro SEQ ID NO:11
(TsHpt.sub.21-24): 1 4 Ala-Lys-Pro-Pro SEQ ID NO:12
(TsHpt.sub.22-24): 1 3 Lys-Pro-Pro
[0028] The above peptide primary structures of the invention
comprise +aa-Pro-Pro amino acids wherein "+aa" is Lys, Arg, His or
any other modified amino acid that has a positive charge in
physiological pH.
[0029] The insertion of chemical modifications such as acetylation,
cyclization, amidation, amongst others, in the amine- and
carboxy-terminal ends and/or in the side chains have the aim of
providing a higher level of protection of the primary structure
against enzymatic hydrolysis and degradation that may increase the
active ingredient plasmatic half-life leading to a longer
pharmacological effect.
[0030] The hypotensive effect of the synthetic analogues
represented by SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12 as well as native peptide TsHpt-I
demonstrate by in vivo assays a capacity for inducing hypotension
independently from the addition of bradykinin and from the
inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme. Those effects could be
observed through, for example, the intravenous injection of those
compounds in normotensive Wistar rats, that is, rats having blood
pressure at acceptable levels, at doses varying in a range of 35 to
43 .mu.g/kg as shown in FIGS. 1.1 to 1.5. The experiment was also
carried out with groups formed by rats with higher blood pressure
from the strains SHR (Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats) and
TGR(mRENs)27 (Transgenic Hypertensive Rats). The results are shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.
[0031] In the normotensive rats the intravenous injection of both
native and synthetic peptides led to an immediate decrease of the
mean arterial pressure of 5 to 20 mmHg independently from the
addition of bradykinin. The decrease of the mean arterial pressure
due to administration of bradykinin (bradykinin potentializing
effect) in those cases remains for more than 120 minutes.
[0032] In the rats of hypertensive strains (STR and TGR(mRENs)27)
the mean arterial pressure decrease induced by intravenous
injection of synthetic peptides, independently from administration
of bradykinin, was measured for 6 hours with values varying from 5
to 35 mmHg. In vitro assays using preparations with aortic vessels
isolated from male Wistar rats showed that synthetic peptides are
capable of inducing vasodilatation dependent from production of
nitric oxide, which explains its hypertensive effect (see FIGS. 4.1
to 4.4).
[0033] Hypotensive effects independent from bradykinin and from
inhibition of ACE as those observed for native peptide TsHpt-I for
its synthetic analogues, confirm a enhanced pharmacological action
in relation to other bradykinin potentializing peptides identified,
isolated and studied up to this moment and place those new peptides
in a new class of hypotension inducing peptides present in animal
venoms.
[0034] It is known that one of the major problems for developing
proteic drugs is their low stability in the gastrointestinal tract
and their poor absorption by the intestinal cells. However, the
synthetic peptide of SEQ ID NO:5, for example, was able to induce a
prolonged reduction of blood pressure after oral administration at
a dose of 2.5 mg/Kg of rat body weight), demonstrating that the
molecule is resistant to the action of proteolytic enzymes present
in the gastrointestinal tract, in addition to being properly
absorbed in the mucosa thereof.
[0035] The peptide primary structures of the present invention may
be prepared by recombinant techniques in heterologous expression
systems such as viral systems, bacterial systems, fungal systems or
in any other expression systems in eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells,
or combinations thereof.
[0036] The peptide primary structures of the present invention are
useful as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions.
EXAMPLES
[0037] Peptide Synthesis (Fmoc Route) and Chemical Modification of
Peptides
[0038] Peptides were synthesized using the Fmoc/t-butyl route of
synthesis on a solid support (CHAN, W. C & WHITE, P. D. "Fmoc
solid-phase peptide synthesis. A practical approch." Oxford
University Press; 2000).
[0039] In the end of the synthesis process the peptides were
cleaved from resins by using the following cleavage solution:
TFA:TES:H.sub.2O (95:2.5:2.5 v:v:v). After the cleavage reactions
were completed, TFA was removed by bubbling N.sub.2 into the
reaction tubes. Then, the peptides were washed six times with cold
diisopropylic ether which is responsible for the removal of
exceeding protecting groups and carbo-cations sequestrants, in
addition to causing the precipitation of the peptides. The peptides
were then extracted from the resins by means of washings with
water, followed by filtration through a porous plate. This
procedure was immediately followed by lyophilization of the
resulting material.
[0040] After being lyophilized the peptides were purified by high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a Akta Explorer system,
in a reverse phase column (C-18 or other). The peptides thus
obtained were analyzed by mass spectrometry for quality
control.
[0041] As example of a chemical modification of the synthetic
peptides, the amino-terminal and carboxi-terminal of
TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID NO:1) were modified. The amino-terminal was
acetylated using an acetic anhydride: diclorometane solution (1:1,
v/v). The carboxi-terminal of TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID NO:1) was
amidated using the Rink Amide resin to synthesized this peptide,
since after the cleavage of the peptide-resin bond, this resin
causes the amidation of the carboxi-terminal of the peptide.
[0042] Surgical Procedures
[0043] Rats were subjected to a surgery for implanting polyethylene
cannules into femoral vessels 24 hours before the experiments. The
cannules were prepared from polyethylene with two different
diameters (PE50 and PE10), fused by heating and filled with a
solution of NaCl 0.9% w/v. The cannule of the femoral artery was
intended to register the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the one
introduced in the femoral vein was used for administration of the
peptides to be tested. The cannules were exteriorized in the
interscapular of the animals.
[0044] Experiments for Potentialization of Hypotensive Effect of BK
(FIGS. 1.1 to 1.4)
[0045] The peptides were diluted from a stock solution (1 mg/mL)
with a solution of NaCl 0.9% w/v for injection at 10 .mu.g/animal
body (approximately 38 .mu.g/Kg of animal body) resulting in a
final volume of 200 .mu.L of solution.
[0046] Firstly 1 .mu.g of bradykinin (BK) was injected in a final
volume of 100 .mu.L. Later, 2 .mu.g of bradykinin were injected
with the same final volume, and the .DELTA.MAP was calculated
again. The peptides were, then, administrated intravenously and the
MAP variation was measured.
[0047] MAP variation (.DELTA.MAP) was calculated by means of the
following equation: .DELTA.MAP=MAP.sub.final-MAP.sub.initial
[0048] After administration of the peptide, 1 .mu.g of BK was
injected again in intervals of 10 minutes for 120 minutes and the
.DELTA.MAP was calculated to evaluate whether that variation is
near a BK control (1 or 2 .mu.g).
[0049] As an example, the scorpion's native peptide TsHpt-I was
injected in bolus (35 .mu.g/Kg), single dose, in normotensive male
Wistar rats--weighting 250 to 300 g. After 40 minutes of the
intravenous administration (i.v.), the peptide was able to double
the effect of a single dose of BK (1 .mu.g). This effect was
observed up to 2 hours after the administration. A rapid and strong
hypotensive response was observed after the injection of TsHpt-I
(FIG. 1.1). The synthetic peptides comprising all claimed sequences
(SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:12) were also submitted to BK
potentiation in vivo tests. As examples, FIGS. 1.2 to 1.4 show
TsHpt-I analogs (SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:6) when injected, in
bolus, in normotensive male Wistar rats--weighting 245 to 300 g.
Those analogs were also able to induce a hypotensive response
independent of BK in the same way as TsHpt-I. Although these
synthetic analogs were able to potentiate the BK hypotension, these
effects could be observed earlier. While TsHpt-I started to
potentiate BK within 40 minutes (FIG. 1.1), the analog
TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID NO:1) started its action within 10 minutes
(FIG. 1.2). As an example of peptide structure modification, an
analog to TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID NO:1) was synthesized with an
acetylation of its N-terminal residue and an amidation of its
C-terminal residue. As seen from FIG. 1.3, this analog is also able
to induce both BK potentiation and BK independent hypotension.
[0050] Experiments for Evaluation of Hypotensive Effect of
Synthetic Peptides in Hypertensive Rats (SHR and TGR) (FIGS. 2 and
3)
[0051] As a control condition MAP and heart rate of animals were
observed and noted at intervals of 2 minutes during 1 hour. In the
event MAP figures were lower than 150 mmHg, the animal was not
considered as hypertensive and the experiment was interrupted. If
MAP values were equal of higher than 150 mmHg, the peptides were
administrated intravenously (100 .mu.g/rat) and the MAP profile and
heart rate (HR) of the animals were monitored for 6 hours with
measurements of MAP and HR at each 2 minutes.
[0052] As example, the peptide TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID NO:1) (303
.mu.g/Kg) was intravenous injected in SHR hypertensive rats. FIG. 2
shows that this peptide could quickly reduce the MAP, followed by a
rise of this parameter. Approximately 40 minutes after the peptide
administration, a strong and long-lasting hypotension could be
observed. Differently from the results obtained in SHR rat strain,
when the synthetic analog TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID NO:1) (223
.mu.g/Kg) was administered (i.v.) into TGR rats, a brief raise in
the MAP was observed, followed by a rapid and temporary decrease in
the MAP. About 24 minutes after the peptide injection, a strong and
long-lasting decrease in MAP was observed, with few sudden raises
in blood pressure (FIG. 3).
[0053] Evaluation of Vasodilating Effect in Rats Aorta Rings (FIGS.
4.1 to 4.4)
[0054] After being sacrificed, male Wistar rats had their thoracic
aorta carefully removed, isolated from its fat and conjunctive
tissue, and incubated with Krebs-Henseleit solution (mmol/L): NaCl
110.8; KCl 5.9; NaHCo.sub.3 25.0; MgSO.sub.4 1.07; CaCl.sub.2 2.49;
KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 2.33; glucose 11.51. The aorta was, then, cut into
rings (3-4 mm) that were connected to metallic rod coupled with
isometric transducers. This preparation was kept in Krebs-Henseleit
solution aired with carbogen (95% O.sub.2 and 5% CO.sub.2). Tension
(1 g) was regulated during the first hour for stabilizing the
preparation, the solution being changed at intervals of 15 minutes
to avoid the accumulation of metabolism products. After the
stabilization period, the vessels were pre-contracted with
phenylephrine (0.1 .mu.M) and, during the tonic contraction phase,
cumulative concentration-answer curves with the synthetic peptides
(10.sup.-10 at 3.times.10.sup.-7) were built.
[0055] As an example, endothelium-containing aortic rings
pre-contracted with phenylephrine, the synthetic TsHpt-I (FIG. 4.1)
and its analogs TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID NO:1--FIG. 4.2) and
TsHpt.sub.21-25 (SEQ ID NO:5--FIG. 4.3) produced a
concentration-dependent vasodilator effect. To study the
participation of nitric oxide (NO) on the relaxation induced by
TsHpt-I (FIG. 4.1) and its analogs TsHpt.sub.17-25 (SEQ ID
NO:1--FIG. 4.2) and TsHpt.sub.21-25 (SEQ ID NO:5--FIG. 4.3),
experiments were performed in the presence of L-NAME (100 .mu.M),
an inhibitor of NO synthase. After the blockade of NO synthase, the
endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by TsHpt-I and
TsHpt.sub.17-25 were partially inhibited (FIGS. 4.1 and 4.2), while
the relaxation induced by analog TsHpt.sub.21-25 was completely
inhibited (FIG. 4.3).
[0056] Telemetry and Gavage in SHR Rats
[0057] A radio transducer was implanted in the stomach of
hypertensive rats (SHR strain) for measuring, amongst other
variables, the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure
(MAP).
[0058] The synthetic peptides were resuspended in saline solution
(0.9% NaCl w/v) and orally administrated as a single dose (2.5
mg/KG; 0.1 mL per 100 g rat body weight). MAP and HR were measure
by telemetry after the synthetic analog TsHpt.sub.21-25 (SEQ ID
NO:5) was administrated by gavage. This analog was able to induce a
reduction on MAP that was maintained regular up to 72 hours.
Sequence CWU 1
1
12 1 9 PRT Artificial related to peptides in scorpion venom 1 Lys
Glu Thr Asn Ala Lys Pro Pro Ala 1 5 2 8 PRT Artificial related to
peptides in scorpion venom 2 Glu Thr Asn Ala Lys Pro Pro Ala 1 5 3
7 PRT Artificial related to peptides in scorpion venom 3 Thr Asn
Ala Lys Pro Pro Ala 1 5 4 6 PRT Artificial related to peptides in
scorpion venom 4 Asn Ala Lys Pro Pro Ala 1 5 5 5 PRT Artificial
related to peptides in scorpion venom 5 Ala Lys Pro Pro Ala 1 5 6 4
PRT Artificial related to peptides in scorpion venom 6 Lys Pro Pro
Ala 1 7 8 PRT Artificial related to peptides in scorpion venom 7
Lys Glu Thr Asn Ala Lys Pro Pro 1 5 8 7 PRT Artificial related to
peptides in scorpion venom 8 Glu Thr Asn Ala Lys Pro Pro 1 5 9 6
PRT Artificial related to peptides in scorpion venom 9 Thr Asn Ala
Lys Pro Pro 1 5 10 5 PRT Artificial related to peptides in scorpion
venom 10 Asn Ala Lys Pro Pro 1 5 11 4 PRT Artificial related to
peptides in scorpion venom 11 Ala Lys Pro Pro 1 12 3 PRT Artificial
related to peptides in scorpion venom 12 Lys Pro Pro 1
* * * * *