Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0030193 (pain)
 261,466 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Kinins and substance P have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis by virtue of their abilities to induce vasodilation, edema, and pain. The relative biological potencies of these peptides in vivo would depend at least in part upon their rates of catabolism in the joint. We hypothesized that human synovial lining cells may regulate intraarticular levels of kinins and neuropeptides via degradation by cell surface-associated peptidases. We exposed intact human synovial fibroblasts to kinins and substance P, in the presence or absence of specific peptidase inhibitors, and measured the amount of intact substrate remaining and degradation product(s) generated over time. Aminopeptidase M (AmM; EC 3.4.11.2), neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (NEP-24.11; EC 3.4.24.11), and dipeptidyl(amino)peptidase IV (DAP IV; EC 3.4.14.5) were identified on the cell surface of synovial cells. Bradykinin degradation was due entirely to NEP-24.11 (1.39 +/- 0.29 nmol/min per well). Lysylbradykinin was also degraded by NEP-24.11 (0.80 +/- 0.19 nmol/min per well); however, in the presence of phosphoramidon, AmM-mediated conversion to bradykinin (3.74 +/- 0.46 nmol/min per well) could be demonstrated. The combined actions of NEP-24.11 (0.93 +/- 0.15 nmol/min per well) and DAP IV (0.84 +/- 0.18 nmol/min per well) were responsible for the degradation of substance P. AmM (2.44 +/- 0.33 nmol/min per well) and NEP-24.11 (1.30 +/- 0.45 nmol/min per well) were responsible for the degradation of the opioid peptide, [Leu5]enkephalin. The identity of each of the three peptidases was confirmed via synthetic substrate hydrolysis, inhibition profile, and immunological identification. The profiles of peptidase enzymes identified in cells derived from rheumatoid and osteoarthritic joints were identical. These data demonstrate the human synovial fibroblast to be a rich source of three specific peptidases and suggest that it may play a prominent role in regulating peptide levels in the joint.
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PMID:Cultured human synovial fibroblasts rapidly metabolize kinins and neuropeptides. 138 26

We investigated the effects of collagen II-induced arthritis on two cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) enzymes converting dynorphin A and substance P (SP), namely dynorphin-converting enzyme (DCE) and substance P endopeptidase (SPE). The products generated by these enzymes are the bioactive fragments Leu-enkephalin-Arg6 and substance P, respectively. The strain used (DA rats) is very sensitive towards induction of arthritis. The collagen arthritis is a chronic autoimmune arthritis induced by native rat collagen type II (CII). Following intradermal injection of CII into the tailbase. CSF was sampled on day 21 (acute arthritis) and day 38 (chronic arthritis). Control rats were untreated because the strain used developed an acute and self-limited arthritis (adjuvant arthritis) when administered vehicle (i.e. incomplete Freund's adjuvant). The DCE activity was significantly lowered in the acute phase of arthritis (P less than 0.05) when analysed with two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). The enzyme converting SP (SPE) also showed a significant decrease in the acute phase of arthritis (P less than 0.05). These results demonstrate that both DCE and SPE are affected in the acute phase of arthritis. A functional role of these enzymes in processing pain-related neuropeptides is therefore implicated.
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PMID:Decreased neuropeptide-converting enzyme activities in cerebrospinal fluid during acute but not chronic phases of collagen induced arthritis in rats. 138

N-([(R,S)-2-benzyl-3[(S)(2-amino-4-methylthio)butyl dithio]-1-oxopropyl)-L-phenylalanine benzyl ester (RB101) is the first systemically active prodrug generating through a biologically dependent cleavage of the disulfide bond the potent (S)2-amino-1-mercapto-4-methylthio butane (aminopeptidase N) (IC50 = 11 nM) and N-[(R,S)-2-mercapto-methyl-1-oxo-3-phenylpropyl]-L-phenylalanine (neutral endopeptidase) (IC50 = 2 nM) inhibitors (aminopeptidase N). RB101 easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, as shown by the observed complete inhibition of cerebral endopeptidase 24.11 after i.v. injection in mice. The prodrug induces strong, dose-dependent antinociceptive responses in mice after i.v., i.p. or s.c. administration, in the hot plate (ED50 = 9 mg/kg) and phenylbenzoquinone-induced writhing (ED50-3.25 mg/kg) tests in mice, which are currently used in analgesics screening. RB101 is also active in the tail-flick and tail-electric stimulation tests in rats. In contrast, under disulfide forms, the above selective aminopeptidase N or endopeptidase 24.11 inhibitors are inactive after i.v. administration and their association 3 times less potent than RB101 alone. In all the tests used, the pain-alleviating effect of RB101 was suppressed by naloxone, but, except for the tail-flick and the motor response to tail-electric stimulation, not by the delta-selective antagonist naltrindole. The preferential involvement of mu opioid receptors in the analgesic effects of endogenous enkephalins, whose extracellular levels are increased by the two RB101-generated inhibitors, is suggested by the similar apparent pA2 values for RB101-naloxone (pA2: 7.53 +/- 0.046) and DAMGO (mu-selective ligand)-naloxone (pA2: 7.38 +/- 0.049).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Inhibition of the enkephalin-metabolizing enzymes by the first systemically active mixed inhibitor prodrug RB 101 induces potent analgesic responses in mice and rats. 156 Mar 64

Characterization of the distribution of the peptide-degrading enzyme neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (E.C. 3.4.24.11; NEP; enkephalinase) in the rat brainstem was examined by means of a unique fluorescent histochemical method. Enzyme staining was completely blocked by three potent NEP inhibitors (thiorphan, phosphoramidon, and JHF-26) at a concentration of 50 nM, supporting the specificity of this method to visualize sites of NEP activity selectively. At all levels of the brainstem, NEP was localized to cell bodies, cell processes or terminal-like fields and was localized to more than 90 distinct nuclei or subnuclei. In the mesencephalon these included the central gray, cuneiform n., dorsal and lateral tegmental n., inferior colliculus, interpeduncular n., lateral and medial geniculate n., central linear raphe n., mesencephalic n. of the trigeminal nerve, mammillary nuclei, occulomotor n., red n., superior colliculus, ventral n. of the lateral lemniscus, substantia nigra-ventral tegmental area, and the zona incerta. In the pons, NEP staining was restricted to fewer regions or nuclei, including the dorsal and ventral cochlear n., facial n., motor trigeminal n., principal sensory trigeminal n., parabrachial nuclei, pontine n., the oral and caudal pontine reticular n., pontine olivary nuclei, several pontine tegmental nuclei, pontine raphe nuclei, and the trapezoid n. In the cerebellum, staining was localized largely to the granule cell layer of the cerebellar cortex. Scattered staining was observed in the molecular cell layer. The medulla contained extensive NEP staining localized to nuclei that included the ambiguous n., dorsal motor n. of the vagus, hypoglossal n., inferior olivary n., prepositus hypoglossus n., solitary tract n., nuclei of the spinal tract of the trigeminal n., and the lateral, medial, and superior vestibular nuclei. Nuclei of the medullary reticular formation that were also richly stained for NEP included the raphe magnus n., raphe obscurus n., raphe pallidus n., dorsal, lateral, and ventral reticular nuclei of the medulla, and the gigantocellular, lateral paragigantocellular, linear, paramedian and parvicellular reticular nuclei. The widespread distribution of NEP in the brainstem suggests the existence of a number of functional systems, including the pathways involved in the mechanisms of pain and analgesia, which are potential targets of NEP inhibitors. In most regions, the distribution of NEP closely overlapped with that reported for the enkephalins, and showed a more restricted overlap with the reported distribution of substance P.
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PMID:Fluorescent histochemical localization of neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (enkephalinase) in the rat brainstem. 169 88

Enkephalinase (endopeptidase 24.11) is a metallopeptidase that is able to cleave not only neuropeptides and hormones but also immune mediators. The enzyme was quantified in synovial fluid obtained from 36 swollen joints. Its concentration correlated with the synovial fluid cell count, mainly the polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes, and with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. No statistically significant difference in enkephalinase levels was demonstrated between the groups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondylarthropathy, microcrystalline arthritis, or osteoarthritis. The presence of enkephalinase in the synovial fluid could reflect the intensity of the inflammatory process, or it could represent a physiologic regulator of inflammation and pain within the joint.
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PMID:Enkephalinase: a physiologic neuroimmunomodulator detected in the synovial fluid. 185 79

The activity levels of a dynorphin converting enzyme (DCE), a substance P endopeptidase (SPE) and a substance P alpha-amidating enzyme (SP-GLYE) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 90 patients with chronic low back pain, sciatica and neurological signs of rhizopathy. The DCE activity was significantly higher in men than in women. Age was related to the DCE activity independent of sex, i.e., older patients had higher enzyme activity. The activities of two substance P converting enzymes were not related to sex or age. Self-reported pain experience and affective covariates (anxiety, depression, hostility, somatization) of pain, and myelography data were not found to be related to the enzyme activity levels once adjustment had been made for sex and age. The activity levels of the enzymes measured here had no predictive value for the long-term outcome of rehabilitation and therapy at the 5-year follow-up of the patients. The sex difference in DCE activity provides further evidence in favor of the role of gender in the psychoendocrine coping with pain distress.
Pain 1990 Nov
PMID:Neuropeptide converting enzyme activities in CSF of low back pain patients. 215 Aug 78

Peptides with hormonal or neuronal activity are derived by enzymatic processing from pro-hormones, which by themselves are biologically inert. Processing and other enzymatic conversions may occur step-wise, leading to the formation of a cascade of biologically active (or inactive) peptides. The neurokin in substance P is known to be metabolically transformed both by amino- and endopeptidases. More N-terminal substance (1-7) has been found than C-terminal (2-11 to 5-11) fragments in various CNS areas. The substance P (1-7) fragment also shows biological activity e.g., providing analgesia, lowering blood pressure, inhibiting aggressive behavior and (in contrast to substance P) inhibiting grooming behavior. An endopeptidase generating substance P (1-7) and to a lesser extent, substance (1-8), has been isolated and characterized from human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and bovine spinal cord, as a metalloenzyme with essential SH-groups. Substance P co-exists with calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in a large population of non-myelinated primary afferent ('pain') fibers. Intrathecal injection of substance P causes behavioral and physiological responses which are potentiated and prolonged by CGRP. It was found that CGRP competes with substance P for the endopeptidase. It is suggested that the main action of CGRP in the spinal cord is to inhibit substance P degradation.
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PMID:Modulation of endopeptidase activity by calcitonin gene related peptide: a mechanism affecting substance P action? 245 90

The possible changes in neutral endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.11 ("enkephalinase", NEP), mu and delta opioid binding sites, were investigated using in vitro quantitative radioautography in various regions of the central nervous system of the Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rat, a model of chronic pain. Enkephalinase was labeled by a specific tritiated inhibitor, [3H]N-[(2RS)-3-hydroxyaminocarbonyl-2-benzyl-1-oxopropyl]glycine ([3H]HACBO-Gly), while mu and delta opioid binding sites were selectively labelled with [3H]Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-(Me)Phe-Gly-ol ([3H]DAGO) and [3H]Tyr-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr ([3H]DTLFT), respectively. As compared to controls, no significant modifications were found in NEP, mu or delta binding sites at both supraspinal and spinal levels of arthritic rats. These results suggest that the enhanced efficiency of exogenous opioids or endogenous enkephalins, reported to occur in this model of chronic inflammatory pain, are not directly related to changes in mu and delta opioid binding sites or steady state levels of NEP.
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PMID:Lack of significant changes in mu, delta opioid binding sites and neutral endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.11 in the brain and spinal cord of arthritic rats. 255 47

We designed phethiol (1-amino-1-benzyl-2-mercaptoethane) as a potent and selective inhibitor of Zn-containing aminopeptidases. This compound inhibited purified aminopeptidase M (EC.3.4.11.2) with a Ki of 5 nM but was at least 1000 times less potent against other metallopeptidases comprising angiotensin-converting enzyme EC 3.4.15.1), enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11), thermolysin (EC 3.4.24.4), or dipeptidylaminopeptidases. Phethiol alone significantly but partially protected endogenous (Met5) enkephalin released from depolarized brain slices, total protection being achieved when it was associated with an enkephalinase inhibitor. In order to obtain a parenterally-active inhibitor of cerebral aminopeptidases, the prodrug carbaphetiol, a readily hydrolyzable S-phenylcarbamoyl derivative of phethiol, was designed. Carbaphethiol (i.v.) elicited a rapid rise in mouse striatal level of Tyr-Gly-Gly, a characteristic extracellular metabolite of enkephalins. Carbapethiol alone and, even more, when associated with an enkephalinase inhibitor, exerted a potent naloxone-reversible antinociceptive activity. Carbaphethiol appears as the first parenterally-active inhibitor of cerebral aminopeptidases, potentially useful in neuropeptides degradation studies and as a pain-suppressing agent.
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PMID:Potent inhibition of cerebral aminopeptidases by carbaphethiol, a parenterally active compound. 324 26

Two analogues of the aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin, Z 4212 (N-[(2S, 3R)-3-Amino-2-hydroxy-4-(4-methylsulphonyl-phenyl)-1-oxobutyl]-1- aminocyclopentanecarboxylic) and Z 1796 ((2S)-N-[(2S,3R)-3-Amino-2-hydroxy-4-(4-methylsulphonyl-phenyl)-1- oxobutyl]-L-leucine) were found to behave as hypoalgesics when intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered to mice in the hot-plate test. At high doses, Z 4212 was also found to reduce the pain threshold after intraventricular (i.v.) administration. Hypoalgesia induced by bestatin analogues was prevented by prior treatment with the opiate receptor blocker naloxone. Thiorphan, a potent inhibitor of NEP, was found to enhance the hypoalgesic effect of low doses of either Z 4212 or Z 1796. These results indicate that both the major opioid-degrading peptidases, i.e. aminopeptidases and neutral endopeptidase (NEP), are individually implicated in the hypoalgesia induced by peptidase inhibitors. In vitro studies showed that these new bestatin analogues readily inhibit aminopeptidases in membranes from mouse c. striatum whereas more than 1000 times the concentration was required for NEP to be blocked. Ex vivo experiments showed that, at variance with bestatin, the hypoalgesic action of Z 4212 or Z 1796 appeared to implicate central aminopeptidases but not NEP, so partially sparing the metabolism of other NEP substrates that might produce additional alterations (substance P and ANP). On the basis of the antitumour and immunomodulatory actions of bestatin, these new analogues might be potentially useful as mixed antitumour and hypoalgesic agents in malignancy.
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PMID:Hypoalgesic action of bestatin analogues that inhibit central aminopeptidases, but not neutral endopeptidase. 824 55


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