EP0845035A2 - Peptides d'urocortine - Google Patents

Peptides d'urocortine

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Publication number
EP0845035A2
EP0845035A2 EP96921584A EP96921584A EP0845035A2 EP 0845035 A2 EP0845035 A2 EP 0845035A2 EP 96921584 A EP96921584 A EP 96921584A EP 96921584 A EP96921584 A EP 96921584A EP 0845035 A2 EP0845035 A2 EP 0845035A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
leu
glu
xaa
arg
ser
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Wylie W. Vale, Jr.
Joan Vaughan
Cynthia J. Donaldson
Kathy A. Lewis
Paul Sawchenko
Jean E. F. Rivier
Marilyn H. Perrin
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Salk Institute for Biological Studies
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Salk Institute for Biological Studies
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/575—Hormones
    • C07K14/57509—Corticotropin releasing factor [CRF] (Urotensin)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P15/00—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives
    • A61P15/04—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives for inducing labour or abortion; Uterotonics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
    • A61P25/22—Anxiolytics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
    • A61P25/28—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P29/00—Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
    • A61P37/02—Immunomodulators
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P43/00—Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • A61P9/02—Non-specific cardiovascular stimulants, e.g. drugs for syncope, antihypotensives
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • A61P9/10—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • A61P9/12—Antihypertensives
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides

Definitions

  • This invention is directed to peptide hormones, to methods for treatment of mammals, including humans, using such peptides, to antibodies which bind such peptides, to methods for diagnosis and drug screening using such peptides and/or antibodies, and to nucleic acid encoding such peptides.
  • the invention relates to a native peptide having certain pharmacological properties in common with urotensin and with CRF, which is termed urocortin (Ucn) , to analogs and fragments thereof (broadly termed Ucn-li e peptides) , to pharmaceutical compositions containing such Ucn peptides and to methods of treatment of mammals, method of diagnosis and methods of screening using such Ucn peptides and antibodies thereto.
  • Ucn urocortin
  • hypothalamus plays a key role in the regulation of adenohypophysial corticotropic cells secretory functions.
  • Guillemin, Rosenberg and Saffran and Schally independently demonstrated the presence of factors in hypothalamus which would increase the rate of ACTH secretion by the pituitary gland incubated in vitro or maintained in an organ culture, a physiologic corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) was not characterized until ovine CRF (oCRF) was characterized in 1981. It was disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
  • CRF hypothalamopituitary-adrenal
  • HPA hypothalamopituitary-adrenal
  • CRF has been found to be distributed broadly throughout the central nervous system as well as in extraneural tissues, such as the adrenal glands, placenta and testes, where it may also act as a paracrine regulator or a neurotransmitter.
  • affective disorders such as anxiety, depression, alcoholism and anorexia nervosa
  • changes in CRF expression may have important physiological and pathophysiological consequences.
  • perturbations in the regulatory loops comprising the HPA axis often produce chronically elevated levels of circulating glucocorticoids; such patients display the physical hallmarks of Cushing's syndrome, including truncal obesity, muscle-wasting, and reduced fertility.
  • CRF has also been shown to modulate autonomic and behavioral changes, some of which occur during the stress response. Many of these behavioral changes have been shown to occur independently of HPA activation in that they are not duplicated by dexamethasone treatment and are insensitive to hypophysectomy.
  • direct infusion of CRF into the CNS mimics autonomic and behavioral responses to a variety of stressors. Because peripheral administration of CRF or a CRF antagonist fails to affect certain of these changes, it appears that CRF exhibits a direct brain action with respect to such functions, which include appetite suppression, increased arousal and learning ability.
  • CRF has also been implicated in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Although it has been observed that CRF plays a pro- inflammatory role in certain animal models, CRF appears to suppress inflammation in others by reducing injury-induced increases in vascular permeability.
  • Sauvagine has the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2): pGlu-Gly-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Ser-Leu-Glu-Leu-Leu-Ar g-Lys-Met-Ile-Glu-Ile-Glu-Lys-Gln-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Gln- Gln-Ala-Ala-Asn-Asn-Arg-Leu-Leu-Leu-Asp-Thr-Ile-NH 2 .
  • Rat CRF(rCRF) was isolated, purified and characterized in about 1982-1983 as a hentetracontapeptide having the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:3):
  • Catostomus commersoni(white sucker or suckerfish) UI is a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NOM) : H-Asn-Asp-Asp-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His- Leu-Leu-Arg-Asn-Met-lle-Glu-Met-Ala-Arg-Ile-Glu-Asn-Glu- Arg-Glu-Gln-Ala-Gly-Leu-Asn-Arg-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Glu-Val- NH 2 ; it is sometimes referred to as suckerfish(sf) urotensin or sfUI.
  • Another urotensin homolog having the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:6): H-Ser-Glu-Glu-Pro-Pro-Met-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His- Met-Leu-Arg-Asn-Met-Ile-His-Arg-Ala-Lys-Met-Glu-Gly-Glu- Arg-Glu-Gln-Ala-Leu-Ile-Asn-Arg-Asn-Leu-Leu-Asp-Glu-Val- NH 2 was later isolated from the urophyses of Hippoglossoides elassodon or Flathead (Maggy) Sole; it is sometimes referred to as Maggy urotensin.
  • Synthetic UIs have been found to also stimulate ACTH and 0-endorphin activities in vitro and in vivo and to have many of the same general biological activities of CRFs and sauvagine.
  • fish CRF was found to be a 41-residue peptide having high homology to r/hCRF; it has the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:7) : H-Ser-Glu-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu- Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Met-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu -Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-Met-Met-Glu-Il e-Phe-NH 2 .
  • Synthetic fish CRF stimulates ACTH and S-endorphin activities in vitro and in vivo and has similar biological activities to mammalian CRFs. Because of the high homology between fCRF and r/hCRF, it is thought that other mammalian hormones may exist which would be the counterparts of urotensin and/or sauvagine.
  • Ucn urocortin
  • Rat Ucn has the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:8) : Asp-Asp-Pro-Pro-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp- Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg- Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile- Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 .
  • Human Ucn has the following amino acid sequence (residues 83-122 of SEQ ID NO:15): Asp-Asn- Pro-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr- Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala- Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 .
  • hUcn is the same as rUcn except for Asn 2 and Ser 4 .
  • Ucn has biological properties which are considered to generally resemble those of known CRFs, urotensins and sauvagine but is more biopotent in a number of respects.
  • the present invention provides Ucn-like peptides, including human and rat Ucn and Analogs thereof, which have substantially all the properties of known CRFs. These Ucn- like peptides not only are potent hypotensive agents, but they have additional pharmacological and physiological properties over and beyond those of heretofore known CRFs. More specifically, agonists are provided for the stimulation of the known CRF receptors (referred to as CRF- Rs) , i.e., CRF-R1 and CRF-R2 and their splice varients, as well as the putative novel receptor for Ucn.
  • CRF- Rs known CRF receptors
  • Ucn competitive antagonists are also provided which bind the CRF-Rs and the putative Ucn receptor with high affinity but do not significantly stimulate or activate such receptors.
  • Such antagonists are broadly created by deleting a sequence of from 7 to 10 residues beginning at the N-terminus from the amino acid sequence of Ucn or from an analog sequence that is substantially the same. Preferably 9 or 10 residues are deleted, and most preferably 9 are deleted. It may be preferred that the shortened N-terminus be acylated with a group having 7 or less carbon atoms, e.g. [Ac-Thr 10 ]-Ucn(10-40) , and the inclusion of one, two or three other residues at the N- terminus, e.g..
  • Pro 10 does not markedly affect biopotency. Other substitutions may be effectively made as described hereinafter. Particularly, D-Phe 11 or D-Tyr 11 may be present at the N-terminus and/or a lactam bond created between residues 29 and 32. These antagonists can be administered to achieve at least the same physiological effects as the known CRF antagonists, and such more effective methods of treatment are thus provided.
  • Ucn and Ucn Analogs that are useful to block CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP) are further provided which are effective to elevate levels of endogenous peptides normally cleared by the binding protein. More specifically, these Ucn-like peptides and blocking fragments bind to human CRF-binding protein with high affinity and effectively compete with human CRF and human Ucn (hUcn) in the formation of complexes with hCRF-BP; in this manner, they increase the effective in vivo concentration of endogenous hCRF and/or hUcn, as well as the effective concentration of any CRF agonist or CRF antagonist that may be optionally administered along therewith for the purpose of achieving a particular therapeutic purpose. As a result of blocking the effect of CRF-BP, these fragments effectively increase the concentration of endogenous CRF in those regions of the body where CRF-BP is normally present.
  • the invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions which include such Ucn-like peptides, or nontoxic salts thereof, dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid or solid carrier.
  • the administration of such peptides or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to mammals, particularly humans, in accordance with the invention may be carried out for regulation of the secretion of ACTH, ⁇ -endorphin, j8-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene and corticosterone and/or for lowering blood pressure or increasing coronary flow and/or decreasing swelling and inflammation and/or for affecting learning, mood, behavior, appetite, gastrointestinal and intestinal functions and autonomic nervous system activities.
  • POMC pro-opiomelanocortin
  • the invention also provides antibodies which recognize Ucn, and assays for practically employing Ucn and analogs and/or such antibodies for the evaluation of the status of pituitary, cardiovascular, reproductive, hepatic, immune, gastrointestinal or central nervous system functions.
  • such antibodies can be used diagnostically to monitor the level of therapeutically administered Ucn, to facilitate the maintenance of therapeutically effective amounts thereof, as well as for the diagnosis of potential physiological disorders that result from abnormal levels of Ucn.
  • Antibodies of the invention may be therapeutically administered to neutralize endogenous Ucn; alternatively DNA encoding such antibodies might be employed in gene therapy.
  • Anti-Ucn antibodies can also be used to purify CRF-R protein as well as to therapeutically counteract the biological action of Ucn in vivo .
  • the invention also provides competitive binding assays which are particularly useful for screening candidates for new drugs, e.g. to identify new Ucn-like peptides or other compounds having even greater or more selective binding affinity for CRF receptors and/or for CRF-BP than Ucn, which candidates would therefore be potentially useful as drugs.
  • Such screening assays may be used to screen for potential agonists of Ucn, and other assays employing a labelled Ucn antagonist with high affinity may be used to screen for more potent antagonists of Ucn.
  • the present invention further provides nucleic acid hybridization probes in the form of isolated nucleic acid encoding native rat Ucn and isolated nucleic acid encoding native human Ucn, which are useful for detecting other Ucn- encoding nucleic acids in biological samples or in libraries of other species in order to identify additional native Ucn or Ucn-like peptides.
  • nucleotide sequences also can be used as coding sequences for the recombinant expression of complete Ucn-like peptides or desired biologically active fragments thereof. Fragments of Ucn- encoding nucleic acid can also be employed as primers for PCR amplification of Ucn-encoding DNA.
  • sequences derived from sequences encoding Ucn or analogs thereof can also be used in gene therapy applications to target the expression of vectors carrying useful genes to specific cell types, and antisense polynucleotides that hybridize with Ucn mRNA may also be used to reduce Ucn levels to counteract certain conditions, e.g. Ucn-secreting tumors.
  • the present invention further provides isolated nucleic acids encoding Ucn as well as Ucn analogs containing L-isomers of the 20 natural amino acids.
  • Such nucleic acids comprise: (a) nucleic acids that encode the amino acid sequence of rat Ucn set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 and that encode the amino acid sequence of human Ucn set forth in SEQ ID NO:15;
  • nucleic acids which hybridize to the nucleic acids of (a) wherein said hybridizing nucleic acids encode biologically active Ucn-like peptides;
  • nucleic acids which encode fragments of Ucn or analogs thereof which are CRF-antagonists or CRF-BP blockers.
  • homologous refers to at least about 70% correspondence
  • substantially homologous refers to a correspondence of at least about 80%
  • highly homologous refers to a correspondence of at least about 90% or preferably about 95% or higher.
  • homolog is generally considered to include analogous proteins, peptides and DNA sequences from other mammalian species wherein insignificant changes have evolved but the homolog still performs the same biological function in substantially the same way.
  • Protein, polypeptide and peptide are used to designate linear sequences of amino acid residues connected one to the other by peptide bonds between the alpha-amino and alpha-carboxy groups of adjacent residues.
  • the term polypeptide may be used interchangeably with peptide and with the term protein; unless otherwise limited, protein is generally used to describe a sequence of about 75 or more residues.
  • analog includes any polypeptide having an amino acid residue sequence generally identical to a sequence specifically shown herein, e.g. rUcn or hUcn, wherein one or more residues has been replaced (with at least about 80% and preferably at least about 90% of the residues being the same) and wherein the analog displays the ability to biologically mimic the parent molecule as described herein in some particular function.
  • rUcn or hUcn e.g. rUcn or hUcn
  • the analog displays the ability to biologically mimic the parent molecule as described herein in some particular function.
  • most if not all of such substitutions are replacements of a residue with a functionally similar residue, i.e. conservative substitutions.
  • conservative substitutions include: the substitution of one non-polar (hydrophobic) residue, such as isoleucine, valine, alanine, glycine, leucine or methionine for another non-polar residue; the substitution of one polar (hydrophilic) residue for another polar residue, such as arginine for lysine, glutamine for asparagine, threonine for serine; the substitution of one basic residue such as lysine, arginine or histidine for another basic residue; and the substitution of one acidic residue, i.e. aspartic acid or glutamic acid, for the other.
  • conservative substitution is also intended to include the use of a chemically derivatized residue in place of a non-derivatized residue provided that the resultant polypeptide displays the requisite biological activity, e.g. binding activity.
  • two peptides are considered to be substantially the same when they only differ from each other by conservative substitutions. Examples of preferred conservative substitutions are set forth in Table 1.
  • “Chemical derivative” refers to a subject polypeptide having one or more residues chemically derivatized by reaction of a functional side group.
  • Such derivatized polypeptides include, for example, those in which free amino groups have been derivatized to form amine hydrochlorides, p-toluene sulfonyl groups, carbobenzoxy groups, t-butyloxycarbonyl groups, chloroacetyl groups or formyl groups.
  • Free carboxyl groups may be derivatized to form salts, methyl and ethyl esters or other types of esters or hydrazides.
  • Free hydroxyl groups may be derivatized to from O-acyl or 0-alkyl derivatives.
  • the imidazole nitrogen of histidine may be derivatized to form N-im-benzylhistidine.
  • Chemical derivatives also include those peptides which contain one or more naturally occurring amino acid derivatives of the twenty standard amino acids. For example: 4-hydroxyproline may be substituted for proline; 5-hydroxylysine may be substituted for lysine; 3-methylhistidine may be substituted for histidine; homoserine may be substituted for serine; and ornithine may be substituted for lysine.
  • Peptides embraced by the present invention also include peptides having one or more residue additions and/or deletions relative to the specific peptide whose sequence is shown herein, so long as the modified peptide maintains the requisite biological activity.
  • compositions, carriers, diluents and reagents are used interchangeably and represent that the materials are capable of administration to a mammal without the production of undesirable physiological effects such as nausea, dizziness, gastric upset and the like.
  • biologically active fragment refers to (a) a fragment of a peptide of the invention which has been truncated with respect to either the N- or C-termini, or both; or (b) a fragment of nucleic acid corresponding to a coding region for rUcn or a highly homologous native peptide of another mammalian species which has been truncated at the 5' or 3' end, or both, and is useful in antisense applications.
  • the peptide fragment shown performs substantially the same function or a directly related biological function as does the parent.
  • modulating the transactivation of CRF receptors refers to administering a therapeutically effective amount of a physiologically tolerable composition containing a Ucn-like peptide to thereby modulate CRF actions in mammals by means of direct or induced antagonistic(competitive) association with CRF receptors (CRF-Rs) .
  • CRF-R is used to refer to a family of receptor protein subtypes which participate in the G-protein-coupled response of cells to CRF and Ucn-like ligands.
  • CRF-Rs are coupled by heterotrimeric G-proteins to various intracellular enzymes, ion channels, and transporters.
  • the G-proteins associate with the receptor proteins at the intracellular face of the plasma membrane.
  • An agonist binding to a CRF-R catalyzes the exchanges of GTP for GDP on the ⁇ -subunit (G-protein "activation") , resulting in its dissociation and stimulation of one (or more) of the various signal-transducing enzymes and channels.
  • G-protein preferentially stimulates particular effectors, and the specificity of signal transduction may be determined, therefore, by the specificity of G-protein/receptor interaction.
  • CRF-R proteins mediate signal transduction through the modulation of adenylate cyclase and perhaps through PI turnover. For example, when CRF or Ucn binds to and activates the CRF-R, adenylate cyclase causes an elevation in the level of intracellular cAMP.
  • An effective bioassay for evaluating whether a test compound is capable of elevating intracellular cAMP is carried out by culturing cells containing cDNA which expresses CRF receptor proteins in the presence of a potential agonist or antagonist whose ability to modulate signal transduction activity of CRF receptor protein is sought to be determined. Such transformed cells are monitored for either an increase or decrease in the level of intracellular cAMP which provides a determination of the effectiveness of the potential agonist or antagonist. Methods for measuring intracellular levels of cAMP, or measuring cyclase activity, are well known in the art.
  • a human CRF receptor was the first to be reported, and it was cloned from a human Cushing pituitary tumor as described in Chen R. , et al, P.N.A.S. , 90 , 8967-8971
  • hCRF-Rl or hCRF-RA and has 415 amino acids; a splice variant thereof includes an insert of 29-amino acids.
  • a rat CRF receptor was isolated, approximately contemporaneously, by hybridization from a rat brain cDNA library. It is referred to as rCRF ⁇ Rl; it has the 415 amino acid sequence which is set forth hereinafter as SEQ ID NO:10. It was disclosed in Perrin, M. , et al., Endocrinology, 133 , 3058-3061 (1993). It was found to be 97% identical at the amino acid level to the human CRF-R1, differing by only 12 amino acids. The receptor has since been reported to be widely distributed throughout the brain and the pituitary and to be likely present in the adrenals and spleen.
  • CRF-R2 A second subclass of CRF receptors has more recently been found, and such receptors are arbitrarily referred to herein as CRF-R2 but are sometimes referred to as CRF-RB.
  • One such receptor having the amino acid sequence set forth hereinafter as SEQ ID NO:11, was obtained by the cloning and characterization of a cDNA from a mouse heart cDNA library. It is 431 amino acid residues in length, and the details of the receptor are set forth in Perrin, M., et al., P.N.A.S, 92 , 2969-2973 (March 1995). It is hereinafter referred to as CRF-R23, but has been referred to as CRF-RB L .
  • CRF-R2 ⁇ Another, slightly shorter receptor of this second subclass was independently obtained from a rat hypothalamus cDNA library. It is referred to herein as CRF-R2 ⁇ and has the 411 amino acid residue sequence set forth hereinafter as SEQ ID NO:12. The details of its cloning are set forth in Lovenberg, T., et al., P.N.A.S . , 92 , 836-840 (January 1995) , wherein a second spliced variant was also identified via PCR as being a putative protein of 431 amino acids that would be the rat homolog of mCRF-R23 identified above.
  • the 431 amino acid sequence is set forth hereinafter as SEQ ID NO:13 and can be seen to be homologous with mCRF-R2S.
  • SEQ ID NO:13 The distribution of Ucn throughout the rat brain is consistent with its being the endogenous ligand for CRF-R2, as is the fact that it exhibits a much higher binding affinity, than does CRF, for the receptor, particularly the R2s which is believed to be the main CRF-R in the brain.
  • Ucn-like peptides can be easily synthesized as described in Example I hereinafter and then individually tested for binding affinity.
  • Binding affinity refers to the strength of interaction between ligand and receptor.
  • the peptides of the invention are easily evaluated using a tracer ligand of known affinity, such as 125 I-radiolabeled oCRF, in binding assay experiments which are well known in this art. The results of such assays indicate the affinity at which each Ucn-like ligand binds to a CRF receptor, expressed in terms of K j , an inhibitory binding affinity constant relative to such a known standard.
  • K (inhibitory binding affinity constant) is determined using a "standard” or “tracer” radioactive ligand and thus measures the displacement of the tracer from the receptor or binding protein; it is most properly expressed with reference to such tracer. So long as these assays are carefully performed under specific conditions with relatively low concentrations of receptor or the like, the calculated K- will be substantially the same as its dissociation constant K nie. It is particularly efficient to test for K f because only a single tracer need be labelled, e.g. radioiodinated.
  • Dissociation constant K j is representative of the concentration of ligand necessary to occupy one-half (50%) of the binding sites of a receptor or the like.
  • a given ligand having a high binding affinity for a CRF receptor will require the presence of very little ligand to bind at least 50% of the available binding sites so that the K j , value for that ligand and receptor will be a small number.
  • a given ligand having a low binding affinity for a particular CRF receptor will require the presence of a relatively high level of the ligand to bind 50% of the sites, so that the K lively value for that ligand and receptor will be a large number.
  • a Ucn- like peptide having a K j of about 10 nM or less means that a concentration of the ligand (i.e., the Ucn-like peptide) of no greater than about 10 nM will be required to occupy at least 50% of the active binding sites of the receptor protein.
  • concentration of the ligand i.e., the Ucn-like peptide
  • concentration of the ligand i.e., the Ucn-like peptide
  • concentration of the ligand i.e., the Ucn-like peptide
  • Preferred Ucn-like peptides have a binding affinity (K p ) such that a ligand concentration of about 10 nanomolar or less is required in order to occupy (or bind to) at least 50% of the receptor binding sites, and particularly preferred Ucn-like peptides have a binding affinity of 1 nM or less.
  • K p binding affinity
  • a dissociation constant of about 5 nanomolar or lower is considered to be an indication of fairly strong affinity
  • a K j of about 1 nanomolar or less is an indication of very strong affinity.
  • Ucn-like peptides which have a substantially higher affinity for CRF-R2, compared to CRF-R1, and which will thus be selective in their biological effect. Because CRF-R2 receptors are distributed widely throughout the body, Ucn will have a substantially greater effect than CRF in modulating many peripheral actions, and because the native peptide or fragments thereof should not be immunogenic, it should be a very good drug physiologically.
  • binding assays employing CRF receptors are straightforward to perform and can be readily carried out with initially identified or synthesized peptides to determine whether such peptides are effective agonists of CRF, or alternatively to determine whether other shortened candidates are effective antagonists of CRF.
  • Such binding assays can be carried out in a variety of ways as well known to one of skill in the art. A detailed example of such an assay is set forth in Perrin, M. , et al., Endocrinology, 118 , 1171-1179 (1986).
  • Competitive binding assays employing Ucn are particularly contemplated to evaluate whether candidate peptides are effective agonists with respect to each of the receptors previously described, i.e.
  • Ucn can be appropriately labeled with a substance that is readily detected, such as a radioactive isotope, e.g. 125 I, or an enzyme or some other suitable tag.
  • a radioactive isotope e.g. 125 I
  • suitably labelled agonists such as 125 I-Tyr°-Ucn
  • suitably labelled antagonists such as 125 I-(cyclo 29-32) [D-Tyr 11 , Glu 29 , Lys 32 ]-Ucn(11-40)
  • Such receptor assays can be used as screens for potential drugs which interact with CRF and/or CRF receptors.
  • the invention provides Ucn-like peptides, including Ucn and analogs of Ucn, having an amino acid sequence which is substantially the same as the following amino acid sequence based upon SEQ ID NO:8 and upon SEQ ID NO:15 (Formula I): Y-R 1 -Pro-R 4 -Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp- Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg- Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile- Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 , wherein Y is an acyl group having 7 or less carbon atoms, preferably acetyl, or hydrogen; R, is Asp-Asp or Asp-Asn or Asp or Asn or desR,; and R 4 is Pro or Ser; as well
  • N- terminus When the N- terminus is shortened by the deletion of 2 residues, it is preferably acylated, e.g. acetylated.
  • acylated e.g. acetylated.
  • These peptides have pharmacological properties somewhat similar to those of oCRF or r/hCRF and additional properties as described hereinafter.
  • analogs of the above having at least about 80% homology with the amino acid sequence of either hUcn or rUcn are preferred for the Ucn-like peptides of the invention, although peptides having at least 66% homology with either hUcn or rUcn, wherein all or all but one of the substitutions are conservative substitutions, are considered to be biologically active and to have advantages over known CRF peptides.
  • analogs which are substantially the same as either hUcn or rUcn (as defined hereinbefore) and which have D-isomer amino acid substitutions and/or cyclizing bonds between the side chains of specific residues in the sequence which are known to increase ligand binding affinity for CRF receptors.
  • Ucn does not merely include one or more conservative substitutions. Instead, bioactive Ucn analogs are found to be defined according to the following amino acid sequence: Y-Asp-R 2 -Pro-R 4 -Leu- Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-R 19 - Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-R 29 -Ala-Glu-R 32 -Asn-Arg- Ile-R- -Phe-R jg -Ser-Val-NH j , wherein Y is an acyl group having 7 or less carbon atoms or hydrogen; R 2 is Asp or Asn; R 4 is Pro or Ser; R 19 is Glu or Ala; R 29 is Arg, Glu, Lys or Orn; R 32 is Gin, Lys, Orn or Glu; R 36 is I
  • One particularly preferred Ucn analog is (cyclo 29-32) [Lys 29 , D-Glu 31 , Glu 3 ]-Ucn, with Ucn being either hUcn or rUcn; others are described in the Examples hereinafter. When N-terminally shortened by 7 to 10 residues, these Ucn analogs are effective antagonists.
  • Ucn analogs according to the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 14) : Y-Xaa,-Xaa 2 -Pro-Xaa 4 -Xaa 5 -Ser-Xaa 7 -Asp-Leu-Xaa 10 -Xaa 1 ,-Xaa 12 - Xaa 13 -Leu-Arg-Xaa 16 -Xaa 17 -Xaa l8 -Xaa 19 -Xaa 20 -Xaa 21 -Xaa 22 -Xaa 23 -
  • the Ucn-like peptides of the invention may be chemically synthesized by any suitable method, such as by exclusively solid-phase techniques, by partial solid-phase techniques, by fragment condensation or by classical solution addition.
  • Ucn may also be synthesized by recombinant DNA techniques as may its analogs which include only natural amino acids.
  • the amino acid sequence for rUcn (SEQ ID NO:8) was deduced from a partial cDNA clone isolated from a rat brain cDNA library. Set forth in Table 2 hereinafter is the native rat nucleic acid sequence encoding Ucn (SEQ ID NO:9). The additional codon encoding glycine that is present at the end of the native sequence is expected to account for the C-terminal amidation of rUcn.
  • nucleic acid encoding the mature hUcn was isolated from a human genomic placental library.
  • Set forth in TABLE 2A hereinafter is the portion of native human nucleic acid sequence encoding the mature Ucn peptide (see SEQ ID NO:16), with the additional codon for glycine at the end being expected to account for C-terminal amidation.
  • Synthesis by the use of recombinant DNA techniques, for purposes of this application, should be understood to include the suitable employment isolated nucleic acid encoding for Ucn or an appropriate analog, as is well known in the art at the present time.
  • synthetic Ucn peptides may be obtained by transforming a microorganism using an expression vector including appropriate regulatory sequences associated with nucleic acid encoding a Ucn-like peptide and causing such transformed microorganism to express the Ucn peptide. Because of the relative shortness of the Ucn-like peptides, about 40 residues or less, chemical or chain elongation synthesis is presently felt to be the method of choice.
  • Analogs of hUcn or rUcn having one or more substitutions can be readily synthesized in this manner and then tested for biological activity in a straightforward manner to determine the specific biological effect of such substitution(s) .
  • Common to such chemical syntheses of peptides is the protection of the labile side chain groups of the various amino acid moieties with suitable protecting groups which will prevent a chemical reaction from occurring at that site until the group is ultimately removed.
  • an alpha-amino group on an amino acid or a short peptide fragment while that entity reacts at the free carboxyl group to effect chain elongation, followed by the selective removal of the alpha-amino protecting group to allow subsequent reaction to take place at that location. Accordingly, it is common that, as a step in the synthesis, an intermediate compound is produced which includes each of the amino acid residues located in its desired sequence in the peptide chain with various of these residues having side-chain protecting groups.
  • intermediates are formed having a protected amino acid sequence such as the following which is based on hUcn SEQ ID NO:15 (Formula II): X 1 -Asp(X 5 )-Asn(X 4 )-Pro-Ser(X 2 )-Leu-Ser(X 2 )-lie-Asp(X 5 )-Leu- Thr(X 2 )-Phe-His(X 6 )-Leu-Leu-Arg(X 3 )-Thr(X 2 )-Leu-Leu-Glu(X 5 )- Leu-Ala-Arg(X 3 )-Thr(X 2 )-Gin(X 4 )-Ser(X 2 )-Gin(X 4 )-Arg(X 3 )- Glu(X 5 )-Arg(X 3 )-Ala-Glu(X 5 )-Gln X 4 )-Asn(X*)-Arg(X 3 )
  • alpha-amino protecting groups contemplated by X 1 are those known to be useful in the art in the step-wise synthesis of polypeptides.
  • alpha-amino protecting groups covered by X 1 are (1) acyl-type protecting groups, such as formyl, aerylyl(Aer) , benzoyl(Bz) and acetyl(Ac) which are preferably used only at the N-terminal; (2) aromatic urethan-type protecting groups, such as benzyloxycarbonyl(Z) and substituted Z, such as p-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-bromobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl; (3) aliphatic urethan protecting groups, such as t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC), diisopropylmethoxycarbonyl, isopropyloxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl
  • the preferred alpha-amino protecting group is BOC if the synthesis employs acid-catalyzed removal of the alpha-amino protecting groups; however, for syntheses employing a base-catalyzed removal strategy, FMOC is preferred, in which case, more acid-labile side chain protecting groups can be used, including t-Butyl esters or ethers as well as BOC.
  • X 2 is hydrogen or a protecting group for the hydroxyl group of Thr and Ser and is preferably acetyl(Ac), benzoyl(Bz), tert-butyl, triphenylmethyl(trityl) , tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl ether(Bzl) or 2,6-dichlorobenzyl (DCB) .
  • the most preferred protecting group is Bzl.
  • X 3 is hydrogen or a protecting group for the guanidino group of Arg, preferably selected from nitro, p-toluenesulfonyl(Tps) , Z, adamantyloxycarbonyl and BOC. Tos is preferred for a BOC strategy, and 4-methoxy-2,3,6- trimethyl benzenesulfonyl (MTR) or pentamethyl chroman-6- sulfonyl (PMC) is preferred for FMOC strategies.
  • MTR 4-methoxy-2,3,6- trimethyl benzenesulfonyl
  • PMC pentamethyl chroman-6- sulfonyl
  • X 4 is hydrogen or a protecting group for the side chain amido group of Asn or Gin, preferably xanthyl(Xan) .
  • Asn or Gin is preferably coupled without side chain protection in the presence of hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) .
  • X 5 is hydrogen or an ester-forming protecting group for the ⁇ - or 7-carboxyl group of Asp or Glu, preferably cyclohexyl (OChx) , benzyl (OBzl), 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, methyl, ethyl and t-butyl ester (Ot-Bu).
  • Chx is preferred for a BOC strategy and Ot-Bu for FMOC strategy.
  • X 6 is hydrogen or a protecting group for the side chain imidazole nitrogen of His, such as Tos.
  • X 7 is NH 2 , a protecting group, such as an ester, or is an anchoring bond of the type used in solid phase synthesis for linking the peptide being synthesized to a solid resin support, preferably one represented by the formulae: -NH-benzhydrylamine (BHA) resin support and -NH-paramethylbenzhydrylamine (MBHA) resin support.
  • At least one of X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , X 5 and X 6 is a protecting group.
  • the protecting group should be stable to the reagent, and under the reaction conditions, selected for removing the alpha-amino protecting group at each step of the synthesis, (b) the protecting group should retain its protecting properties and not be split off under coupling conditions and (c) the protecting group must be removable upon completion of the synthesis under reaction conditions that will not alter the peptide chain.
  • acyl group at the N-terminus of a Ucn-like agonist peptide which is represented by Y
  • acetyl, formyl, aerylyl and benzoyl are preferred.
  • the N-terminus can be slightly shortened by removal of the N-terminal residue or the first two N- terminal residues without significantly affecting biological potency of the peptide to function as a Ucn agonist, and when such shortening occurs, acylation of the residue at the shortened N-terminus may be preferred. More extensive shortening of the N-terminus by a sequence of 7 to 11 residues results in the creation of Ucn antagonists which strongly bind CRF-R without activating the receptor as discussed hereinafter.
  • a process for the manufacture of peptides defined by Formula I or analogs thereof comprising (a) forming an intermediate peptide according to Formula II or an analog thereof wherein there is at least one protective group, with X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , X 5 and X 6 being each either hydrogen or a protective group, and X 7 being either a protective group or an anchoring bond to resin support or NH 2 and (b) splitting off the protective group or groups or anchoring bond from the intermediate peptide of the Formula II and (c) if desired, converting the resulting peptide into a nontoxic salt thereof.
  • the peptides of the invention are prepared by chemical synthesis, they are preferably prepared using solid phase synthesis, such as that described by Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc.. 85, p 2149 (1964), although other equivalent chemical syntheses known in the art can also be used as previously mentioned.
  • solid phase synthesis such as that described by Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc.. 85, p 2149 (1964), although other equivalent chemical syntheses known in the art can also be used as previously mentioned.
  • Ucn-like peptides can be prepared in a straightforward manner and then simply tested for biological activity. This facilitates the ready preparation and evaluation of Ucn- like peptides which are analogs of hUcn or rUcn.
  • Solid-phase synthesis is preferably commenced from the C-terminus of the peptide by coupling a protected alpha-amino acid to a suitable resin as generally set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,244,946 issued Jan. 21, 1981 to Rivier et al. by coupling with the free carboxyl group.
  • the synthesis of Ucn can be initiated by coupling alpha-amino-protected Val to a BHA resin using methylene chloride and dimethylformamide(DMF) .
  • the alpha-amino protecting group may be removed using trifluoroacetic acid(TFA) in methylene chloride, TFA alone or with HCl in dioxane.
  • Preferably 50 volume % TFA in methylene chloride is used with 0-5 weight % 1,2 ethanedithiol.
  • the deprotection is carried out at a temperature between about 0°C and room temperature.
  • Other standard cleaving reagents and conditions for removal of specific alpha-amino protecting groups may be used as described in Schroder & Lubke, "The Peptides", 1, pp 72-75 (Academic Press 1965). After removal of the alpha-amino protecting group of Val, the remaining alpha-amino- and side chain-protected amino acids are coupled stepwise in the desired order to obtain the intermediate compound of Formula II.
  • each amino acid may be coupled to one another prior to addition to the solid phase reactor.
  • the selection of an appropriate coupling reagent is within the skill of the art. Particularly suitable as coupling reagents are N,N'-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide(DCCl) and N,N'-diisopropyl carbodiimide(DICI) .
  • Activating reagents used in the solid phase synthesis of the peptides of the invention are well known in the peptide art.
  • activating reagents examples include carbodiimides, such as N,N'-diisopropyl carbodiimide and N-ethyl-N , -(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide.
  • carbodiimides such as N,N'-diisopropyl carbodiimide and N-ethyl-N , -(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide.
  • Other activating reagents and their use in peptide coupling are described by Schroder & Lubke, supra, in Chapter III and by Kapoor, J. Phar. Sci.. 59, pp 1-27 (1970).
  • P-nitrophenyl ester may also be used to activate the carboxyl end of Asn or Gin for coupling.
  • BOC-Asn can be coupled overnight using one equivalent of HOBt in a 50% mixture of DMF and methylene chloride, in which case no DCCl is added
  • Each protected amino acid or amino acid sequence is introduced into the solid phase reactor in about a fourfold excess, and the coupling is carried out in a medium of dimethylformamide(DMF) :CH 2 C1 2 (1:1) or in DMF or CH 2 C1 2 alone.
  • the coupling is carried out manually, the success of the coupling reaction at each stage of the synthesis is monitored by the ninhydrin reaction, as described by E. Kaiser et al., Anal. Biochem. 34, 595 (1970).
  • the coupling procedure is repeated before removal of the alpha-amino protecting group prior to the coupling of the next amino acid.
  • the coupling reactions can be performed automatically, as on a Beckman 990 automatic synthesizer, using a program such as that reported in Rivier et al., Biopolymers. 1978, 17, pp.1927-1938.
  • the intermediate peptide is removed from the resin support by treatment with a suitable clearing agent.
  • a suitable clearing agent such as liquid hydrogen fluoride, which not only cleaves the peptide from the resin but also cleaves all remaining side chain protecting groups X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , X 5 and X 6 and the alpha-amino protecting group X 1 (unless it is an acyl group which is intended to be present in the final peptide) .
  • a suitable clearing agent such as liquid hydrogen fluoride, which not only cleaves the peptide from the resin but also cleaves all remaining side chain protecting groups X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , X 5 and X 6 and the alpha-amino protecting group X 1 (unless it is an acyl group which is intended to be present in the final peptide) .
  • anisole or cresole and methylethyl sulfide are preferably included in the reaction vessel as scavengers.
  • the candidate peptide is easily evaluated in binding assays with the various CRF receptors earlier discussed using assays as described in Perrin, M. , et al.,
  • a binding assay with human CRF-R1 is preferably carried out using a radioligand oCRF analog; such a binding assay utilizing CRF-R1 receptor is described in Chen, et al., P.N.A.S. , 90 , supra .
  • a straightforward assay using rat anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture can be carried out to determine whether a candidate peptide thereof will function as a CRF agonist and stimulate ACTH secretion by activating CRF receptors on such cells. The procedure which is used is that generally set forth in Endocrinology, 91 , supra.
  • a very similar assay is used to test for antagonistic properties, using a challenge dose of oCRF or the like.
  • CRF-BP By the in vivo administration to mammals of peptides which have a high affinity to human CRF binding protein and which thus compete with endogenous CRF and Ucn for binding to hCRF-BP, CRF-BP is effectively blocked. This leaves endogenous CRF and Ucn available in higher concentrations to carry out their usual biological functions throughout the body, particularly in localized areas where the peptide is administered and/or where CRF-BP is present.
  • fragments of Ucn, or analogs of Ucn between about 19 and 28 residues in length have a very high affinity to hCRF-BP, but generally exhibit relatively low propensity for binding CRF receptors.
  • these blocking fragments can be administered to prevent the clearance of endogenous CRF and/or Ucn from particular regions in the body and thereby stimulate the biological effect of CRF and/or Ucn in vivo.
  • the very nature of these fragments is such that potentially undesirable immunogenic side effects are minimized or totally obviated.
  • blocking fragments are useful for therapeutic treatment to promote parturition in pregnancy, to stimulate the respiratory system, to combat obesity, and to counteract the effects of Alzheimer's disease, and of chronic fatigue syndrome; for the latter four indications, the blocking fragments are preferably administered in a manner so as to be delivered to the brain.
  • Ucn peptides can be used in diagnostic methods to detect the level of Ucn present in a body sample as well as in an inoculum for the preparation of antibodies that immunoreact with epitopes on Ucn.
  • Antibodies generated against Ucn can be employed for diagnostic applications, therapeutic applications, and the like.
  • Such antibodies can be prepared employing standard techniques, as are well known to those of skill in the art, using Ucn or a fragment thereof, as an antigen.
  • Antibodies of the present invention are typically produced by immunizing a mammal, e.g. rabbit, sheep, goat, etc., with an inoculum containing Ucn or fragment thereof thereby inducing the production of antibody molecules having immunospecificity for the immunizing agent.
  • Antibodies which recognize Ucn are raised against either the entire 40-residue amino acid sequence or against a synthetic fragment of a sequence of at least about 5 or preferably 6 residues.
  • such antibodies can be raised against the 6 N-terminal residues, or against the 6 C-terminal residues, or against an interior sequence, such as the sequence embracing residues 18-23.
  • Such antibodies will bind to and thus can be employed to indicate the presence of Ucn; they are therefore useful in assays.
  • certain of these antibodies will bind to and biologically inactivate Ucn, and such antibodies can be administered to animals for the purpose of neutralizing endogenous Ucn.
  • short amino acid sequences from Ucn might be administered as antibody blockers.
  • either the entire 40-residue sequence can be used, or a short peptide sequence can be synthesized constituting one region of particular interest.
  • Such a synthetic short chain peptide is generally conjugated to a large carrier molecule, and the conjugate is then used as inoculum to induce a mammalian immune system in rabbits or sheep or the like. Details of the production of such polyclonal antibodies are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,864 ⁇ 019 (9/5/89).
  • Antibodies so produced can be used in diagnostic methods and systems to detect the level of Ucn present in a human or other mammalian body sample, such as tissue or fluid.
  • the anti-Ucn antibodies may also be used for immunoaffinity or affinity chromatography purification of Ucn, the details of which are well known in this art.
  • an anti-Ucn antibody can be used in human therapeutic methods.
  • DNA encoding such antibodies may be injected via gene therapy methods to raise desired antibodies within a patient or alternatively to provide antibody blockers in an appropriate situation.
  • the first disclosed nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 9) is of the native rat species; in addition to its being useful in an expression vector to express a Ucn peptide, it is also useful to obtain the DNA of other mammalian species encoding the respective counterpart Ucn peptides.
  • nucleic acid sequences at least about 14 nucleotides in length can be used as hybridization probes to obtain and clone counterpart mammalian sequences, as is presently well known in this art.
  • primers based upon the foregoing nucleic acid sequence can be used along with PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) techniques to amplify nucleic acid sequences of other mammalian species using suitable sources of DNA.
  • a nucleic acid “probe” may be a single-stranded DNA or RNA that has a nucleotide sequence of at least 14, and preferably at least 20 or more, contiguous bases that are the same as (or the complement of) any 14 or more contiguous bases set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
  • Labeled nucleic acid encoding Ucn, or fragments thereof can be employed to probe cDNA libraries, genomic libraries and the like for additional nucleotide sequences encoding other novel mammalian members of the Ucn family.
  • Screening may be initially carried out under stringency conditions employing a temperature of about 42.5°C, a formamide concentration of about 20%, and a salt concentration of about 5X standard saline citrate (SSC; 20X SSC contains 3M sodium chloride, 0.3M sodium citrate, pH 7.5).
  • SSC standard saline citrate
  • substantially similarity is meant nucleotide sequences which share at least about 50% homology.
  • hybridization conditions which will identify only sequences having at ieast 70% homology with the probe, while discriminating against sequences which have a lower degree of homology with the probe; such is effected by increasing the stringency used to exceed the above-stated conditions as is well known in this art.
  • SEQ ID NO:9 the entire SEQ ID NO:9 or portions thereof of at least about 14 or 17 or 20 nucleotides in length may be used to screen mammalian genomic or cDNA libraries to identify and isolate homologous nucleic acids encoding Ucn from human and other mammalian species.
  • Oligonucleotide sequences of about 14 or 17 or 20 nucleotides or longer can be prepared by conventional in vitro synthesis techniques. Screening with such oligonucleotides as probes is preferably carried out under high stringency conditions as defined in Sambrook et al., supra. Chapter 11, pp. 11.45-11.57.
  • nucleotide sequences encoding Ucn peptides of other species often involves utilization of either a genomic library or a cDNA library made from RNA isolated from tissue containing Ucn. If such a source is available, it will generally be preferable to create a cDNA library for isolation of nucleotide sequences encoding Ucn so as to avoid any possible problems arising from attempts to determine intron/exon borders.
  • Libraries can be made in either eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cells. Widely available cloning vectors, such as plasmids, cosmids, phage and the like, can be used to generate genetic libraries suitable for the isolation of nucleotide sequences encoding Ucn peptides.
  • Methods for screening genetic libraries for the presence of target nucleotide sequences include using such probes based on the sequence of a known nucleotide sequence are described in detail in Chapter 11 of Sambrook et al., supra. In the present situation, it may be preferable to use the entire length of the rat nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:9 labeled with radionuclides, enzymes, biotin, fluoresces, or the like, as a probe for screening such genetic libraries.
  • Hybridization refers to the binding of complementary strands of nucleic acid (i.e., sense:antisense strands or probe:target-DNA) to each other thrpugh hydrogen bonds, similar to the bonds that naturally occur in chromosomal DNA.
  • Stringency levels used to hybridize a given probe with target-nucleic acid can be readily varied by those of skill in the art.
  • the phrase "high stringency" hybridization refers to conditions that permit target-nucleic acid to bind a complementary nucleic acid that has at least about 80% homology to the target-nucleic acid.
  • stringency conditions would be conditions that are minimally equivalent to hybridization in 50% formamide, 5X Denhart's solution, 5X SSPE, 0.2% SDS at 42°C, followed by washing in 0.2X SSPE, 0.2% SDS, at 65°C.
  • Denhart's solution and SSPE are desirable in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989) and are well known to those of skill in this art; there are other suitable hybridization buffers that may be used. It may be preferred to use stringency conditions requiring greater than about 90% homology to target-DNA.
  • the human form of Ucn was successfully cloned from a human placental genomic library.
  • Approximately 0.6 x 10 6 phage plaques of a human placental genomic library in the EMBL3 SP6/T7 vector (Clontech) were screened by hybridization using a probe corresponding to the mature peptide region of rat Ucn.
  • the 160 bp probe encoding the rat Ucn mature peptide was synthesized by PCR using the following oligos (sense: 5'-
  • the genomic clone isolated from the library which contains the gene for human Ucn has an insert size of approximately 15 kb.
  • a large number of base pairs of the insert have been sequenced (see SEQ ID NO:16) in the region corresponding to the precursor and the mature peptide region of human Ucn.
  • the nucleotide sequence for the mature human Ucn peptide is 88% similar to the nucleotide sequence for the rat Ucn peptide.
  • the amino acid sequence encoded by this region shows 95% similarity between human Ucn and rat Ucn.
  • the mature human peptide (see residues 83-122 of SEQ ID NO:15) is 40 residues of the total of 124.
  • Another suitable technique which may be used in the present situation involves the use of primers based on sequences derived from rat Ucn nucleic acid and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify target nucleic acid.
  • the target can then be isolated using a specific hybridization probe based on the amplified segment, which is then analyzed for its overall sequence and the polypeptide which it encodes.
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • DNA encoding Ucn can be designed using certain codons that are particularly efficient for polypeptide expression in a certain organism, i.e. selection might employ those codons which are most efficient for expression in the type of organism which is to serve as the host for the recombinant vector.
  • any correct set of codons will encode a desired product, although perhaps slightly less efficiently. Codon selection may also depend upon vector construction considerations; for example, it may be necessary to avoid placing a particular restriction site in the DNA coding sequence if, subsequent to inserting the coding sequence, the vector is to be manipulated using a restriction enzyme that cleaves at such a site.
  • a restriction enzyme that would cleave at such a site within the DNA chain.
  • Isolated nucleotide sequences encoding Ucn and analogs thereof can be used to produce purified Ucn by either recombinant DNA methodology or by in vitro polypeptide synthesis techniques.
  • isolated refers to a nucleotide sequence or a polypeptide sequence that has been manually produced and is separated from its native, in vivo, cellular environment and is present in the substantial absence of other biological molecules of the same type.
  • the recombinant, isolated and/or substantially pure DNAs, RNAs, polypeptides and proteins of the invention can be produced in large quantities and are useful in ways that the DNAs, RNAs, polypeptides or proteins as they naturally occur are not, such as identification of selective drugs or compounds.
  • purified as used herein for nucleotide sequences preferably means at least 95% by weight, and most preferably at least 99% by weight, of biological macromolecules of the same type present (but water, buffers, and other small molecules, can be present) .
  • oligonucleotides are constructed by conventional procedures such as those described in Sambrook et al., supra.
  • Sense and antisense oligonucleotide chains up to about 70 nucleotide residues long, are synthesized, preferably on automated synthesizers well known in this art.
  • the oligonucleotide chains are constructed so that portions of the sense and antisense oligonucleotides overlap, associating with each other through hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs and thereby forming double-stranded chains, in most cases with gaps in the strands.
  • oligonucleotides of each strand are joined end to end with nucleotide triphosphates in the presence of appropriate DNA polymerases and/or with ligases.
  • DNA or cDNA encoding the complete structure of a native polypeptide as obtained by screening a library is used.
  • amplification is preferably carried out by using PCR, and the isolated and purified DNA is then incorporated into recombinant molecules.
  • the desired nucleic acid coding sequence to be inserted into a vector preferably has linkers at its ends to facilitate insertion into restriction sites within the cloning vector.
  • the nucleic acid coding sequence may be constructed so as to encode the desired peptide as a portion of a fusion polypeptide; and if so. the coding sequence will generally contain terminal sequences that encode amino acid residue sequences that serve as proteolytic processing sites, whereby the encoded polypeptide may be proteolytically cleaved from the remainder of the fusion polypeptide.
  • the terminal portions of the nucleic acid coding sequence may also contain appropriate start and stop signals.
  • the desired peptide is then expressed by recombinant techniques after the nucleic acid coding sequence is functionally inserted into a vector.
  • functionally inserted is meant in proper reading frame and orientation, as is well understood by those skilled in this art.
  • the preferred starting material is a cDNA library isolate encoding Ucn rather than a genomic library isolate.
  • the Ucn-encoding sequence will be inserted downstream from a promoter and will be followed by a stop codon, although production as a hybrid protein followed by cleavage may be used, if desired.
  • Ucn host-cell-specific sequences which improve the production yield of Ucn will be used, and appropriate control sequences will be added to the expression vector, such as enhancer sequences, polyadenylation sequences, and ribosome binding sites.
  • the production of Ucn can be carried out in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell lines to provide protein for biological and therapeutic use. While Ucn synthesis is easily demonstrated using either bacteria or yeast cell lines, the synthetic genes should also be insertable for expression in cells of higher animals, such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or mammalian tumor cells as described in detail in Sambrook et al, supra.
  • mammalian cells may be grown, for example, as peritoneal tumors in host animals, and Ucn harvested from the peritoneal fluid.
  • Descriptions of mammalian expression systems, baculovirus expression systems, bacterial expression systems and yeast expression systems are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,212,074 (5/18/93).
  • the peptide 0 chain is built step-by-step on the resin. Generally, one to two mmol. of BOC-protected amino acid in methylene chloride is used per gram of resin, plus one equivalent of 2 molar DCCl in methylene chloride, for two hours for the coupling of each additional residue.
  • BOC-Arg(Tos) is 5 being coupled, a mixture of 50% DMF and methylene chloride is used.
  • Bzl is used as the hydroxyl side-chain protecting group for Ser and Thr.
  • the amido group of Asn or Gin can be protected by Xan but need not be.
  • BOC-Asn or BOC-Gln is coupled overnight using one equivalent of DCC and two 0 equivalents of HOBt in a 50% mixture of DMF and methylene chloride. Tos is used to protect the guanidino group of Arg and the imidazole nitrogen of His. The side chain carboxyl group of Glu or Asp is protected by OChx. At the end of the synthesis, the following composition is 5 obtained:
  • the peptide-resin is treated with 1.5 ml. anisole, 0.5 ml. of methylethylsulfide and 15 ml. hydrogen fluoride (HF) per gram of peptide-resin, first at -20°C. for 20 min. and then at 0°C for one and one-half hours. After elimination of HF under high vacuum, the resin-peptide is washed with dry diethyl ether, and the peptide amide is then extracted with de-gassed 2N aqueous acetic acid or a 1:1 mixture of acetonitrile and water. The extract is separated from the resin by filtration, and then lyophilized.
  • anisole 0.5 ml. of methylethylsulfide
  • HF hydrogen fluoride
  • the lyophilized peptide amide is purified by preparative or semi-preparative HPLC as described in Rivier et al., J. Chromatography. 288. 303-328 (1984); and Hoeger et al., Biochromato raphy. 2 , 3 , 134-142 (1987).
  • the chromatographic fractions are carefully monitored by HPLC, and only the fractions showing substantial purity are pooled.
  • the Ucn peptide is hydrolyzed in sealed evacuated tubes containing constant boiling HCl, 3 ⁇ l of thioglycol/ml. and 1 nmol of Nle (as an internal standard) for 9 hours at 140°C.
  • Amino acid analyses of the hydrolysates using a standard amino acid analyzer shows the expected amino acid ratios, which confirms that a 40-residue peptide structure is obtained with the expected amino acid residues which constitute the intended sequence.
  • the rUcn peptide strongly stimulates the secretion of ACTH and ⁇ -endorphin in cultured rodent pituitary cells. It is more biopotent than either r/hCRF or sauvagine, having an EC 50 of about 0.006 ⁇ 0.003 nanomolar, compared to about 0.043 ⁇ 0.012 nM and about 0.033 ⁇ 0.010 nM, respectively; it is also more potent than oCRF. In addition, it is more potent than suckerfishUI (sfUI) which has an EC 50 of 0.017 ⁇ 0.003.
  • sfUI suckerfishUI
  • rUcn also stimulates ACTH and /3-END-LI secretion in vivo in rats to a greater extent than r/hCRF; in fact, at 30 minutes, a 1 ⁇ g/kg dose of rUcn elevates ACTH level in plasma to a substantially greater extent (659 ⁇ 53pg/ml) than does a 5 ⁇ g/kg dose of r/hCRF (422 ⁇ 66 pg/ml) , using an assay as generally described in Science, 218 , 377 (1982) . Such a greater effect continues at 1 hour and at 2 hours.
  • the peptide when administered peripherally e.g.
  • iv also causes a marked fall in mean arterial blood pressure in rats at a dose as low as 250 ng for a standard laboratory rat of about 250 to 275 grams. At a dose of about 3.77 ⁇ g/kg, it lowers blood pressure 2-3 times as much as either sfUI or r/hCRF and for a longer duration.
  • the affinities of test peptides for CRF-Rl and CRF- R23 stably expressed in CHO cells were determined by competitive displacement of 125 I-(Nle 21 , Tyr 32 ) ovine CRF (for CRF-Rl) or of [ 125l I-Tyr°]Ucn (for CRF-R20) as described. Data from at lest 3 experiments were pooled and inhibitory dissociation constant (K,) values (95% confidence limits) were calculated using the LIGAND program of Munson and Rodbard (1980), Anal . Biochem, 107:220-239. The cloned hCRF-Rl binds Ucn with high affinity as determined by the competitive displacement of bound radioligand.
  • the K ⁇ for rUcn was determined to be about 0.16(0.08 - 0.32)nM, compared to r/hCRF of about 0.95(0.47 - 2.0)nM, sfUI of about 0.43(0.23 - 0.81)nM, and sauvagine of about 1.2(0.54 - 2.5)nM. Again, the difference is even more dramatic for similar stably transfected CHO cells expressing human CRF-R23 where the respective results were 0.41(0.26 - 0.66)nM, 17(10 - 29)nM, 3.0(1.8 - 4.8)nM and 2.0(1.1 - 3.6)nM. Testing also shows that rUcn binds more strongly than does r/hCRF to human CRF binding protein
  • Example I In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example I shows that the peptide is about 3 times as effective as r/hCRF, i.e. 3.10 (1.41 - 6.65). The peptide also has significant mammalian vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the secretion of ACTH.
  • EXAMPLE IB The peptide [Tyr°]rUcn(l-40) having the amino acid sequence (see SEQ ID NO:8):
  • H-Tyr-Asp-Asp-Pro-Pro-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu- Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg- Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I.
  • LSIMS shows a value of 4868.58 Da which agrees perfectly with the calculated value of 4868.58 Da.
  • Example I In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example I shows that the peptide is about twice as effective as r/hCRF, i.e. 2.20 (1.28 - 3.88).
  • the peptide also has significant mammalian vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the secretion of ACTH.
  • LSIMS shows a value of 4857.37 Da which agrees with the calculated value of 4857.58 Da.
  • In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example I shows that the peptide is about 1.25 times as effective as r/hCRF, i.e. 1.23 (0.60 - 2.54).
  • the peptide also has significant mammalian vasodilatory- hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the secretion of ACTH.
  • EXAMPLE IIA The peptide (cyclo 29-32) [Ac-Pro 3 ,D-Phe 11 , Glu 29 , D- Glu 31 , Lys 32 ]-hUcn(3-40) having the amino acid sequence: Ac-Pro-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg- Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Glu- Ala-D-Glu-Lys-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner as generally described in Example I but, in addition, the N-terminus is subjected to acetylation by treatment with acetic anhydride after removal of the BOC-protecting group.
  • Example I The cyclizing lactam bond is created as described in Example I of U.S. Patent No. 5,064,939.
  • LSIMS shows a value of 4562.36 Da which agrees with the calculated value of 4462.42 Da.
  • In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example I shows that the peptide is about 6 times as effective as r/hCRF, i.e. 6.14 (2.83 - 14.05).
  • the resultant peptide likewise stimulates the secretion of ACTH and /3-END-LI and causes vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering of systemic blood pressure.
  • EXAMPLE IIB The peptide (cyclo 29-32) [Ac-Pro 3 ,D-Pro 4 ,D-Phe 11 , Glu 29 , Lys 3 ]-hUcn(3-40) having the amino acid sequence: Ac-Pro-D-Pro 4 -Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu- Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu- Glu-Ala-Glu-Lys-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner as generally described in Example I but, in addition, the N-terminus is subjected to acetylation by treatment with acetic anhydride after removal of the BOC-protecting group.
  • Example I The cyclizing lactam bond is created as described in Example I of U.S. Patent No. 5,064,939.
  • LSIMS shows a value of 4472.40 Da which agrees with the calculated value of 4472.44 Da.
  • In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example I shows that the peptide is about 10 times as effective as r/hCRF, i.e. 9.90 (4.48 - 22.85).
  • the resultant peptide likewise stimulates the secretion of ACTH and 3-END-LI and causes vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering of systemic blood pressure.
  • EXAMPLE IIC The peptide (cyclo 29-32) [Ac-Pro 3 ,D-Ser 4 ,D-Phe 11 , Glu 29 , Lys 32 ]-hUcn(3-40) having the amino acid sequence: Ac-Pro-D-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg- Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Glu- Ala-Glu-Lys-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner as generally described in Example I but, in addition, the N-terminus is subjected to acetylation by treatment with acetic anhydride after removal of the BOC-protecting group.
  • Example I The cyclizing lactam bond is created as described in Example I of U.S. Patent No. 5,064,939.
  • LSIMS shows a value of 4462.33 Da which agrees with the calculated value of 4462.42.
  • In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example I shows that the peptide is about 5.75 times as effective as r/hCRF, i.e. 5.69 (2.43 - 14.49) .
  • the resultant peptide likewise stimulates the secretion of ACTH and /S-END-LI and causes vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering of systemic blood pressure.
  • the peptide hUcn(2-40) having the amino acid sequence (see SEQ ID NO:15) :
  • H-Asn-Pro-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg- Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg- Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasodilatory- hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the secretion of ACTH.
  • the peptide [D-Phe 11 ]-hUcn having the amino acid sequence: H-Asp-Asn-Pro-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe- His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser- Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser- Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasodilatory- hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the secretion of ACTH.
  • Each of the foregoing Ucn-like agonist peptides has significant mammalian vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the secretion of ACTH.
  • D-Phe 11 can be replaced by D-Leu or by a D-isomer of another natural ⁇ -amino acid;
  • Glu in the 31-position can be replaced by a D-isomer, e.g. D-Glu, D- Arg, imBzlD-His, etc. ; and the N-terminus can be shortened by 1 or 2 residues.
  • the specific peptides are as follows: [Ac-Pro 3 ,D-Phe 11 ]-hUcn(3-40) [D-Leu 11 , Ala 19 ]-hUcn [D-Phe 11 , Ala 38 ] -hUcn [ D-Tyr 11 , C ⁇ MeI le 36 ] -hUcn [D-Phe 11 , C"MeLeu 36 ] -hUcn [Ac-Asp 1 , D-Phe 11 , Ala 19 «38 ] -hUcn (cyclo 29-32 ) [D-Leu 11 , Glu 29 , Lys 32 ] -hUcn
  • Each of the foregoing Ucn-like agonist peptides has significant mammalian vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the secretion of ACTH.
  • Ucn-like agonist peptides are synthesized which fall within the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 14) :
  • Xaa, 9 is Ser, Ile, Glu or Thr
  • Xaa 40 is Val, Ile, Phe or Ala; provided that there are no more than 3 residues different from Ucn, and that the N-terminus may be shortened by l or 2 residues.
  • Each of the foregoing Ucn-like agonist peptides has significant mammalian vasodilatory-hypotensive activity, including lowering systemic blood pressure and stimulating the production of ACTH.
  • the following group of Examples are directed to N- terminally shortened versions (e.g. shortened by 7-10 residues) of the Ucn-like peptides which have antagonistic properties. All of the statements made hereinbefore with respect to the chemical character and/or the synthesis of Ucn analogs are considered to apply equally to the antagonists and are not thus repeated; the antagonists are merely N-terminally shortened versions of the agonists.
  • the specific peptides set forth in the following Examples exhibit antagonistic biological properties with respect to the effect of Ucn on at least the CRF receptors, CRF-Rl, and CRF-R2. In this respect these Ucn-antagonists are considered to generally at least have characteristics and uses similar to those described for CRF antagonists in U.S. Patent No. 5,245,009.
  • Example VIII In vitro testing is carried out as described in Example VIII, which demonstrates the peptide is bioactive, exhibiting a value of 0.551 (0.333 - 0.857) compared to this highly biopotent Standard Antagonist.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity, causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist.
  • EXAMPLE X The peptide, [D-Tyr 11 ]-Ucn(11-40) , having the amino acid sequence: H-D-Tyr-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr- Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-He-Phe- Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist. It is also effectively iodinated to provide [ 15 I-D-Tyr 11 ]-Ucn(11-40) for use in screening assays and the like.
  • LSIMS shows a value of 3609.82 Da which agrees with the calculated value of 3609.96 Da.
  • In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example VIII shows that the peptide is about 4 times as effective as the Standard Antagonist, i.e. 4.01 (2.32 - 7.05).
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist. It is also iodinated to provide 125 i-D-Tyr 11 cyclic analog for use in screening assays and the like.
  • EXAMPLE XIIA The peptide, (cyclo 29-32) [D-Tyr 11 , Glu 29 , D-Glu 31 , Lys 32 ]-Ucn(11-40) , having the amino acid sequence: H-D-Tyr-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr- Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Glu-Ala-D-Glu-Lys-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe- Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I, with the cyclizing lactam bond being created as described in Example I of U.S. Patent No.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist. It is also iodinated to provide 125 i-D-Tyr 11 cyclic analog for use in screening assays and the like.
  • the peptide, (cyclo 29-32) [D-Phe 11 , Glu 29 , D-Glu 31 , Lys 32 ]-Ucn(11-40) having the amino acid sequence:
  • H-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr- Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Glu-Ala-D-Glu-Lys-Asn-Arg-Ile-He-Phe- Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I, with the cyclizing lactam bond being created as described in Example I of U.S. Patent No. 5,064,939. LSIMS shows a value of 3593.80 Da which agrees with the calculated value of 3593.97.
  • Example VIII In vitro testing for ACTH secretion using anterior pituitary cell cultures as set forth in Example VIII shows that the peptide is about 4.75 times as effective as the Standard Antagonist, i.e. 4.72 (2.19 - 10.00).
  • the peptide also has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist.
  • the synthesis is repeated twice to substitute D-Leu and D-His for D-Phe.
  • the peptides show similar bioactivity as Ucn antagonists.
  • EXAMPLE XIIIA The peptide, (cyclo 29-32) [Pro 10 ,D-Phe 11 , Glu 29 , D- Glu 31 , Lys 32 ]-Ucn(10-40) , having the amino acid sequence: H-Pro-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg- Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Glu-Ala-D-Glu-Lys-Asn-Arg-Ile-He- Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I, with the cyclizing lactam bond being created as described in Example I of U.S.
  • EXAMPLE XIIIB The peptide, (cyclo 29-32) [D-Pro 10 ,D-Phe 11 , Glu 29 , D- Glu 31 , Lys 32 ]-Ucn(10-40) , having the amino acid sequence: H-D-Pro-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg- Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Glu-Ala-D-Glu-Lys-Asn-Arg-Ile-He- Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I, with the cyclizing lactam bond being created as described in Example I of U.S.
  • EXAMPLE XIV The peptide, (cyclo 29-32) [D-Phe 11 , Glu 29 , D-Arg 31 , Orn 32 ]-Ucn(11-40) , having the amino acid sequence: H-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr- Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Glu-Ala-D-Arg-Orn-Asn-Arg-Ile-He-Phe- Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I, with the cyclizing lactam bond being created as described in Example I of U.S. Patent No. 5,064,939.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist.
  • the peptide, (cyclo 29-32) [D-Phe 11 , Lys 29 , D-Glu 31 , Glu 32 ]-Ucn(11-40) having the amino acid sequence:
  • H-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr- Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala-D-Glu-Glu-Asn-Arg-Ile-He-Phe- Asp-Ser-Val-NH 2 is synthesized in the manner described in Example I, with the cyclizing lactam bond being created as described in Example I of U.S. Patent No. 5,064,939.
  • the peptide has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist.
  • Each of the foregoing Ucn-like antagonist peptides has significant mammalian vasoconstrictive activity causing elevation of mean arterial blood pressure, indicative of its being a Ucn antagonist.
  • EXAMPLE XVIII A peptide, Ucn(5-32), having the amino acid sequence (see SEQ ID NO:8) : Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu- Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln is synthesized in the manner described in Example I.
  • a prospective peptide blocker is evaluated using a competitive hCRF-BP ligand binding assay. Binding of [ 125 I- DTyr°]hCRF to soluble hCRF-BP is performed in phosphate- buffered saline (PBS) containing 25 mM EDTA, 0.25% bovine serum albumin, and .01% Triton X-100, using medium enriched by recombinant CHO cells as a source of hCRF-BP. Reactions are performed in a total volume of 400 ⁇ l including 50,000 CPM[ 125 I-DTyr°]hCRF.
  • PBS phosphate- buffered saline
  • a constant amount of radioactive hCRF and hCRF-BP and varying amounts of the sample peptide are used to carry out competitive binding assays. After an overnight incubation at room temperature, precipitation is accomplished using rabbit anti-hCRF-BP antiserum (1:9000 final dilution) and 200 ⁇ l of sheep anti-rabbit IgG solution. After incubating with the primary and secondary antisera for 30 minutes each, 1 ml of saline wash is added, and the test tubes are centrifuged at 2000 x g for 20 minutes at 4°C. Precipitates are counted in a gamma counter.
  • Inhibitory binding affinity constant (K.) values are determined using parameters calculated by the LIGAND computer program, Munson et al., Anal . Biochem . , 107 , 220 (1980), and a Vax/VMS computer system.
  • the CRF-BP blocker Ucn(5-32) has a K, lower than that of hCRF(9-33) and thus is a potentially superior blocking agent for increasing the available amount of CRF and/or Ucn.
  • a peptide, Ucn(8-32) having the amino acid sequence (see SEQ ID NO:8) :
  • EXAMPLE XX A peptide, Ucn(3-27) , having the amino acid sequence (see SEQ ID NO:8) : Pro-Pro-Leu-Ser-He-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr- Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg is synthesized in the manner described in Example I. The peptide has a K ⁇ lower than that of hCRF(9-33) and thus is a potentially superior blocking agent for increasing the available amount of CRF and/or Ucn.
  • EXAMPLE XXI A peptide, [He 18 ]-Ucn(6-29) , having the amino acid sequence (see SEQ ID NO:8) :
  • Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-He-Glu- Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg is synthesized in the manner described in Example I.
  • the peptide has a K ⁇ lower than that of hCRF(9-33) and thus is a potentially superior blocking agent for increasing the available amount of CRF and/or Ucn.
  • Ucn profoundly stimulates the pituitary- adrenalcortical axis and is considered to be useful to stimulate the functions of this axis in some types of patients with low endogenous glucocorticoid production.
  • Ucn and its analogs should be useful in restoring pituitary-adrenal function in patients having received exogenous glucocorticoid therapy whose pituitary-adrenalcortical functions remain suppressed.
  • Most other regulatory peptides have been found to have effects upon the central nervous system and upon the gastrointestinal tract.
  • ACTH and sympathetic nervous system activation secretion is the "sine qua non" of mammal's response to stress, it was not surprising that CRFs have significant effects on the brain as a mediator of the body's stress response. Accordingly, Ucn and its analogs are considered to also find application in modifying the mood, learning, memory and behavior of normal and mentally disordered individuals.
  • Ucn elevates the levels of ACTH, /3-END, 3-lipotropin, other pro-opiomelanocortin gene products and corticosterone
  • its administration can be used to induce the effects of the foregoing POMC-derived peptides on the brain to thereby influence memory, mood, pain appreciation, etc. , and more specifically, alertness, depression and/or anxiety, and also their effects peripherally.
  • CRFs when administered directly into the ventricles, CRFs increase physical activity and improve learning performance in rats and thus may function as a natural stimulant; because Ucn similarly activates the CRF receptors, it will function similarly.
  • CRF-R2 has been found to be abundantly expressed in the heart, especially in association with blood vessels, and because it is known that the addition of CRF into the left atrium of an isolated perfused heart induces a prolonged dilatory effect on coronary arteries,
  • Ucn is responsible, at least in part, for regulating cardiac perfusion because of its particularly high affinity for the CRF-R2s. It is also believed that
  • Ucn and agonists/antagonists thereof (as well as anti-Ucn antibodies) , can be effectively used to selectively
  • Ucn-like agonist and antagonist peptides of the invention are therapeutically useful to modulate blood flow in many various vascular disorders.
  • Ucn and its agonist analogs are considered to be of use for increasing blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract of animals, particularly humans and other mammals, because all CRF-related peptides have been shown to dilate the
  • Ucn and its fragments will also reduce vascular leakage and have a salutary effect on injury- or surgery-induced tissue swelling and inflammation. Therefore, Ucn and its analogs and fragments that are agonists can be administered parenterally to decrease inflammation, swelling and oedema and to reduce fluid loss following heat injury.
  • oCRF, r/hCRF, urotensin I and sauvagine have been shown to inhibit gastric acid production, and Ucn and its analogs are considered to also be effective in the treatment of gastric ulcers by reducing gastric acid production and/or inhibiting certain gastrointestinal functions in a mammal.
  • Ucn and its analogs will be effective in increasing intestinal transit rate and useful in the treatment of acute constipation.
  • a number of direct stimulatory effects of CRF on the GI tract have earlier been described.
  • CRF acts on the gut in vitro to depolarize myenteric neurons in the small intestine.
  • the results of in vivo studies with intravenously administered CRF and CRF antagonists have been consistent with the observed effect of CRF to control gastric emptying and intestinal motility.
  • the Ucn-like peptides of the invention 1 are considered useful in treating intestinal and gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
  • CRF antagonists have previously been used to therapeutically treat irritable bowel syndrome, and antagonists based upon Ucn (which would be selective for CRF-R2) are considered to be even more useful. These antagonists may also be used to treat spastic colon and Crohn's disease. These Ucn-like peptides may also be used to evaluate hypothalamic pituitary adrenal function in mammals with suspected endocrine or central nervous system pathology by suitable administration followed by monitoring bodily functions. For example, administration may be used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate Cushing's disease and affective disorders, such as depressive illness.
  • Ucn an analog or a nontoxic salt thereof, combined with a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable carrier to form a pharmaceutical composition, may be administered to animals, including humans and other mammals, either intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, percutaneously, e.g. intranasally, intracerebrospinally or orally.
  • the isolated peptides should be at least about 90% pure and preferably should have a purity of at least about 98%; however, lower purities are effective and may well be used with mammals other than humans. This purity means that the intended peptide constitutes the stated weight % of all like peptides and peptide fragments present.
  • Ucn or Ucn analogs can also be administered, e.g., icv, to cause an increase of Ucn in the brain and thereby cause (a) improvement in short to medium term memory in a subject afflicted with Alzheimer's disease; (b) relief from chronic fatigue syndrome; (c) suppression of appetite; (d) stimulation of the respiratory system, (e) improvement in learning performance; (f) improvement in memory; (g) improvement in alertness; (h) reduction of depression and/or (i) lessening of anxiety. Particular effectiveness is shown in appetite suppression.
  • Such peptides are often administered in the form of pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable nontoxic salts, such as acid addition salts or metal complexes, e.g., with zinc, iron, calcium, barium, magnesium, aluminum or the like.
  • nontoxic salts such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulphate, phosphate, tannate, oxalate, fumarate, gluconate, alginate, maleate, acetate, citrate, benzoate, succinate, malate, ascorbate, tartrate and the like.
  • the tablet may contain a binder, such as tragacanth, corn starch or gelatin; a disintegrating agent, such as alginic acid; and a lubricant, such as magnesium stearate.
  • a binder such as tragacanth, corn starch or gelatin
  • a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid
  • a lubricant such as magnesium stearate.
  • sweetening and/or flavoring may be used, and intravenous administration in isotonic saline, phosphate buffer solutions or the like may be effected.
  • a dosage form may contain a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt of the compound which has a low degree of solubility in body fluids, for example, an acid addition salt with a polybasic acid; a salt with a polyvalent metal cation; or combination of the two salts.
  • a relatively insoluble salt may also be formulated in a gel, for example, an aluminum stearate gel.
  • a suitable, slow-release depot formulation for injection may also contain Ucn or an analog or a salt thereof dispersed or encapsulated in a slow degrading, non-toxic or non-antigenic polymer such as a polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid polymer, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919.
  • Therapeutically effective amounts of the peptides should be administered under the guidance of a physician, and pharmaceutical compositions will usually contain the peptide in conjunction with a conventional, pharmaceutically or veterinarily-acceptable carrier.
  • a therapeutically effective amount is considered to be a predetermined amount calculated to achieve the desired effect, e.g. to increase or decrease the amount of ACTH, in a patient.
  • the required dosage will vary with the particular treatment and with the duration of desired treatment; however, it is anticipated that dosages between about 10 micrograms and about 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day will be used for therapeutic treatment. It may be particularly advantageous to administer such compounds in depot or long-lasting form as earlier described.
  • a therapeutically effective amount is typically an amount of a Ucn or an analog thereof that, when administered peripherally in a physiologically acceptable composition, is sufficient to achieve a plasma concentration thereof from about 0.1 ⁇ g/ml to about 100 ⁇ g/ml, preferably from about l ⁇ g/ml to about 50 ⁇ g/ml, more preferably at least about 2 ⁇ g/ml and usually 5 to 10 ⁇ g/ml.
  • Antibodies or antisense polynucleotides are also administered in proportionately appropriate amounts in accordance with known practices in this art.
  • the level of ACTH present in a patient, particularly in the plasma can be readily determined by routine clinical analysis.
  • Changes in ACTH levels can be monitored during a treatment regimen to determine the effectiveness of the administered Ucn-like peptide over time.
  • treatment of subjects with these peptides can be carried out in lieu of the administration of ACTH or corticosteroids, in such instances a dosage as low as about 10 ng/Kg of body weight may be employed.
  • SEQ ID NO:l when the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of ovine CRF.
  • SEQ ID NO:2 when pGlu is at the N-terminus and the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of frog sauvagine.
  • SEQ ID NO:3 when the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of rat/human CRF.
  • SEQ ID NO:4 when the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of suckerfish urotensin.
  • SEQ ID NO:5 when the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of carp urotensin.
  • SEQ ID NO:6 when the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of flathead sole (Maggy) .
  • SEQ ID NO:7 when the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of fish CRF.
  • SEQ ID NO:8 when the C-terminus is amidated, is the amino acid sequence of rat-derived urocortin(Ucn) .
  • SEQ ID NO:9 is the nucleic acid sequence from which SEQ ID NO:8 was deduced.
  • SEQ ID NO:10 is the amino acid sequence of the rat- derived CRF receptor referred to as "rCRF-Rl”.
  • SEQ ID NO:11 is the amino acid sequence of a mouse- derived CRF receptor referred to as "mCRF-R2j8”.
  • SEQ ID NO:12 is the amino acid sequence of a rat- derived CRF receptor referred to as "rCRF-R2 ⁇ ”.
  • SEQ ID NO:13 is the amino acid sequence of a rat- derived CRF receptor referred to as "rCRF-R23".
  • SEQ ID NO:14 is the amino acid sequence of a 40- residue peptide defining certain analogs of Ucn.
  • SEQ ID NO:15 is the amino acid sequence of the precursor plus the mature human Ucn peptide.
  • SEQ ID NO:16 is the nucleic acid sequence from which SEQ ID NO:15 was deduced. SEQUENCE LISTING
  • ADDRESSEE FITCH, EVEN, TABIN & FLANNERY
  • MOLECULE TYPE cDNA to mRNA
  • HYPOTHETICAL NO
  • ANTI-SENSE NO
  • MOLECULE TYPE DNA (genomic)
  • HYPOTHETICAL NO
  • ANTI-SENSE NO

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Abstract

L'urocortine (Ucn) est un peptide de mammifère natif généralement lié à l'Urotensine I et au facteur libérateur de corticotropine (CRF). L'Ucn humain présente la formule suivante: Asp-Asn-Pro-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Aer-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:15). L'Ucn dérivé de rat est identique à l'exception de deux substitutions, Asp2 pour Asn?2 et Pro4¿ pour Ser4. L'Ucn ou les analogues de ce dernier ou des sels pharmaceutiquement acceptables peuvent être administrés à l'homme ou à d'autres mammifères pour élever les taux d'ACTH, de β-endorphine, β-lipotropine, d'autres produits du gène de la pro-opiomélanocortine et de la corticostérone. Ils peuvent également permettre d'abaisser la tension artérielle sur un laps de temps prolongé, de stimuler l'humeur et d'améliorer la mémoire et la performance d'apprentissage. Ils peuvent également avoir une application diagnostique. Des fragments raccourcis peuvent être administrés pour libérer le CFR endogène et/ou l'Ucn, dans le cerveau et dans le système périphérique. Des agonistes et des antagonistes d'Ucn marqués peuvent être utilisés dans des dosages avec des récepteurs du CFR. Ils peuvent également avoir une utilisation diagnostique avec les anticorps d'Ucn.
EP96921584A 1995-06-13 1996-06-12 Peptides d'urocortine Withdrawn EP0845035A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US490314 1983-05-02
US49031495A 1995-06-13 1995-06-13
US222395P 1995-08-11 1995-08-11
US2223P 1995-08-11
PCT/US1996/010240 WO1997000063A2 (fr) 1995-06-13 1996-06-12 Peptides d'urocortine
US28444P 1996-10-10

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GB9807504D0 (en) * 1998-04-07 1998-06-10 Univ London Use of corticotropin releasing hormone and like polypeptides in therapy
EP1272209A1 (fr) * 2000-03-31 2003-01-08 Aventis Pharmaceuticals Products Inc. Utilisation d'agonistes des recepteurs de crf pour le traitement ou la prevention de maladies, notamment de maladies neurodegeneratives
KR100879232B1 (ko) 2000-08-04 2009-01-20 리서치 디벨럽먼트 파운데이션 우로코르틴 단백질 및 이를 포함하는 약제학적 조성물
US20020082409A1 (en) * 2000-10-26 2002-06-27 Hsu Sheau Yu Stresscopins and their uses
US6670140B2 (en) 2001-03-06 2003-12-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for identifying compounds for regulating muscle mass or function using corticotropin releasing factor receptors
RU2305109C2 (ru) 2001-03-15 2007-08-27 Рисерч Дивелопмент Фаундейшн Урокортин iii, его аналог (варианты) и фармацевтическая композиция
US7491702B2 (en) 2001-04-18 2009-02-17 The Open University Polypeptides related to amyloid precursor protein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treatment using the same
US7622446B2 (en) 2001-04-18 2009-11-24 The Open University Polypeptides, derivatives and uses thereof
EP2228387A2 (fr) 2001-04-18 2010-09-15 The Open University Polypeptides dérivés de l'APP (Protéine Précurseur Amyloide), et leurs utilisations
US7192923B2 (en) 2002-01-16 2007-03-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Corticotropin releasing factor 2 receptor agonists
WO2008047241A2 (fr) 2006-10-16 2008-04-24 Conjuchem Biotechnologies Inc. Peptides du facteur libérateur de corticotrophine modifiés et leurs utilisations
WO2009040072A2 (fr) * 2007-09-11 2009-04-02 Mondobiotech Laboratories Ag Utilisation d'un peptide en tant qu'agent thérapeutique
WO2009043521A2 (fr) * 2007-09-11 2009-04-09 Mondobiotech Laboratories Ag Utilisation d'un peptide en tant qu'agent thérapeutique
JOP20170153A1 (ar) * 2016-07-15 2019-01-30 Lilly Co Eli نظائر urocortin-2 جديدة معدلة بحمض دهني لعلاج داء السكري وأمراض الكلى المزمنة
WO2018075973A2 (fr) 2016-10-20 2018-04-26 Cortene Inc. Méthodes de traitement de maladies dues à une réponse au stress inadaptée

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CA1341051C (fr) * 1988-09-23 2000-07-11 Jean Edouard Frederic Rivier Antagonistes du crf
US5245009A (en) * 1990-03-23 1993-09-14 The Salk Institute For Biological Studies CRF antagonists
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JP2002504802A (ja) 2002-02-12

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