CGRP 8-37 (rat)

Rat CGRP-(8-37) (VTHRLAGLLSRSGGVVKDNFVPTNVGSEAF) is a highly selective CGRP receptor antagonist. Sequence: Val-Thr-His-Arg-Leu-Ala-Gly-Leu-Leu-Ser-Arg-Ser-Gly-Gly-Val-Val-Lys-Asp-Asn-Phe-Val-Pro-Thr-Asn-Val-Gly-Ser-Glu-Ala-Phe-NH2.

In Vitro:CGRP-(8-37) is a truncated version of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that binds to the CGRP receptor with similar affinity but does not activate the receptor[1].

In Vivo:CGRP-(8-37) is effective in alleviating mechanical and thermal allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. The 50 nM dose is most efficacious for both forelimb and hindlimb responses. The period of efficacy is 10 min to onset for a duration of 20 min. Post-drug washout responses are not statistically significant compared to pre-drug responses[1]. Intrathecal administration of 5 nmol or 10 nmol of CGRP-(8-37), but not 1 nmol, induces a significant increase in hindpaw withdrawal latency. Intrathecal administration of CGRP-(8-37) not only reverses the SP-induced decrease in latency to both withdrawal responses but also mediates a significant increase in response latency compared to basal levels[2].

References:
[1]. Bennett AD, et al. Alleviation of mechanical and thermal allodynia by CGRP(8-37) in a rodent model of chroniccentral pain. Pain. 2000 May;86(1-2):163-75. [2]. Yu LC, et al. The calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist CGRP8-37 increases the latency to withdrawalresponses in rats. Brain Res. 1994 Aug 8;653(1-2):223-30.

Bioactive beta-bend structures for the antagonist halpha CGRP(8 - 37) at the CGRP(1) receptor of the rat pulmonary artery.[Pubmed:10696108]

Br J Pharmacol. 2000 Mar;129(5):1049-55.

The aim of this study was to determine beta-bend structures and the role of the N- and C-terminus in the antagonist halpha CGRP(8 - 37) at the rat pulmonary artery CGRP receptor mediating halpha CGRP relaxation. Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) Pro(16) (10(-6) M), with a bend-biasing residue (proline) at position 16, did not antagonize halpha CGRP responses, while a structure-conserving amino acid (alanine(16)) at the same position retained antagonist activity (apparent pK(B) 6.6+/-0.1; 10(-6) M). Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) Pro(19) (10(-6) M), with proline at position 19 was an antagonist (apparent pK(B) 6.9+/-0.1). Incorporation of a beta-bend forcing residue, BTD (beta-turn dipeptide), at positions 19 and 20 in halpha CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-6) M) antagonized halpha CGRP responses (apparent pK(B) 7.2+/-0.2); and BTD at positions 19,20 and 33,34 within halpha CGRP(8 - 37) was a competitive antagonist (pA(2) 7.2; Schild plot slope 1.0+/-0.1). Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) analogues, substituted at the N-terminus by either glycine(8) or des-NH(2) valine(8) or proline(8) were all antagonists (apparent pK(B) 6.9+/-0.1; (10(-6) M), 7.0+/-0.1 (10(-6) M), and pA(2) 7.0 (slope 1.0+/-0.2), respectively); while replacements by proline(8) together with glutamic acid(10,14) in halpha CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-6) M) or alanine amide(37) at the C-terminus of halpha CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-5) M) were both inactive compounds. In conclusion, possible bioactive structures of halpha CGRP(8 - 37) include two beta-bends (at 18 - 21 and 32 - 35), which were mimicked by BTD incorporation. Within halpha CGRP(8 - 37), the N-terminus is not essential for antagonism while the C-terminus may interact directly with CGRP(1) receptors in the rat pulmonary artery.

The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist CGRP(8-37) blocks vasodilatation in inflamed rat skin: involvement of adrenomedullin in addition to CGRP.[Pubmed:11585594]

Neurosci Lett. 2001 Sep 14;310(2-3):169-72.

The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent microvascular vasodilator in rat skin and effects are antagonised by CGRP(8-37). In this study, CGRP(8-37) significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the time-dependent (3-5 h) increase in skin blood flow measured in the anaesthetised rat, after intradermal administration of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (3 pmol/site), indicating the involvement of CGRP1 receptors. The CGRP-related peptide adrenomedullin (ADM) is also a potent vasodilator in rat skin, with effects antagonised by CGRP(8-37). We show that ADM mRNA expression is increased in rat skin after treatment with IL-1beta and that the IL-1beta-induced blood flow is blocked by a selective ADM antibody (P<0.05). Thus ADM is expressed locally in the inflamed cutaneous microvasculature where it can, in addition to, or as an alternative to CGRP, contribute to IL-1beta-induced vasoactive effects.

Inhibitory effect of BIBN4096BS, CGRP(8-37), a CGRP antibody and an RNA-Spiegelmer on CGRP induced vasodilatation in the perfused and non-perfused rat middle cerebral artery.[Pubmed:17245362]

Br J Pharmacol. 2007 Mar;150(5):633-40.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A new concept for the inhibition of CGRP signalling has been developed by interaction with the CGRP molecule per se by using a CGRP antibody or a CGRP binding RNA-Spiegelmer (NOX-C89). We have compared these CGRP scavengers with two known receptor antagonists (CGRP8-37 and BIBN4096BS) on CGRP-induced relaxations in the rat middle cerebral artery (MCA). Furthermore, the role of the endothelial barrier has been studied. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We used the luminally perfused MCA in an arteriograph, pressurized to 85 mm Hg and myograph studies of isolated ring segments of the MCA. KEY RESULTS: In myograph studies and in the perfusion system during abluminal application, alphaCGRP and betaCGRP induced concentration-dependent dilatation of the MCA. Given luminally neither peptide was significantly vasodilator. Adrenomedullin and amylin induced weak dilatations. In myograph experiments, relaxation induced by alphaCGRP was prevented by the four CGRP blockers (CGRP8-37, BIBN4096BS, the CGRP antibody and NOX-C89.). In abluminal perfusion experiments, the relaxant response to alphaCGRP was prevented by these agents to a varying degree. Dilatation induced by abluminal application of alphaCGRP was inhibited by luminal CGRP8-37 but not by luminal BIBN4096BS, CGRP antibody or NOX-C89. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: alpha or betaCGRP acted on smooth muscle cell CGRP receptors in rat MCA and were effectively prevented from reaching these receptors by the endothelial barrier. The CGRP blockers significantly inhibited alphaCGRP induced relaxation but were also prevented from reaching the CGRP receptors by the arterial endothelium.

A comparison of the actions of BIBN4096BS and CGRP(8-37) on CGRP and adrenomedullin receptors expressed on SK-N-MC, L6, Col 29 and Rat 2 cells.[Pubmed:12183333]

Br J Pharmacol. 2002 Sep;137(1):80-6.

1. The ability of the CGRP antagonist BIBN4096BS to antagonize CGRP and adrenomedullin has been investigated on cell lines endogenously expressing receptors of known composition. 2. On human SK-N-MC cells (expressing human calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1)), BIBN4096BS had a pA(2) of 9.95 although the slope of the Schild plot (1.37 +/- 0.16) was significantly greater than 1. 3. On rat L6 cells (expressing rat CRLR and RAMP1), BIBN4096BS had a pA(2) of 9.25 and a Schild slope of 0.89 +/- 0.05, significantly less than 1. 4. On human Colony (Col) 29 cells, CGRP(8-37) had a significantly lower pA(2) than on SK-N-MC cells (7.34 +/- 0.19 (n = 7) compared to 8.35 +/- 0.18, (n = 6)). BIBN4096BS had a pA(2) of 9.98 and a Schild plot slope of 0.86 +/- 0.19 that was not significantly different from 1. At concentrations in excess of 3 nM, it was less potent on Col 29 cells than on SK-N-MC cells. 5. On Rat 2 cells, expressing rat CRLR and RAMP2, BIBN4096BS was unable to antagonize adrenomedullin at concentrations up to 10 microM. CGRP(8-37) had a pA(2) of 6.72 against adrenomedullin. 6. BIBN4096BS shows selectivity for the human CRLR/RAMP1 combination compared to the rat counterpart. It can discriminate between the CRLR/RAMP1 receptor expressed on SK-N-MC cells and the CGRP-responsive receptor expressed by the Col 29 cells used in this study. Its slow kinetics may explain its apparent 'non-competitive' behaviour. At concentrations of up to 10 micro M, it has no antagonist actions at the adrenomedullin, CRLR/RAMP2 receptor, unlike CGRP(8-37).

Structural determinants for binding to CGRP receptors expressed by human SK-N-MC and Col 29 cells: studies with chimeric and other peptides.[Pubmed:9756381]

Br J Pharmacol. 1998 Aug;124(8):1659-66.

Structure-activity relationships for the binding of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 (halphaCGRP8-37) have been investigated at the CGRP receptors expressed by human SK-N-MC (neuroblastoma) and Col 29 (colonic epithelia) cells by radioligand binding assays and functional assays (halphaCGRP stimulation of adenylate cyclase). On SK-N-MC cells the potency order was halphaCGRP8-37 > halphaCGRP19-37 = AC187 > rat amylin8-37 > halpha[Tyr0]-CGRP28-37 (apparent pKBs of 7.49+/-0.25, 5.89+/-0.20, 6.18+/-0.19, 5.85+/-0.19 and 5.25+/-0.07). The SK-N-MC receptor appeared CGRP1-like. On Col 29 cells, only halphaCGRP8-37 of the above compounds was able to antagonize the actions of halphaCGRP (apparent pKB=6.48+/-0.28). Its receptor appeared CGRP2-like. halpha[Ala11,18]-CGRP8-37, where the amphipathic nature of the N-terminal alpha-helix has been reduced, bound to SK-N-MC cells a 100 fold less strongly than halphaCGRP8-37. On SK-N-MC cells, halphaCGRP8-18,28-37 (M433) and mastoparan-halphaCGRP28-37 (M432) had apparent pKBs of 6.64+/-0.16 and 6.42+/-0.26, suggesting that residues 19-27 play a minor role in binding. The physico-chemical properties of residues 8-18 may be more important than any specific side-chain interactions. M433 was almost as potent as halphaCGRP8-37 on Col 29 cells (apparent pKB=6.17+/-0.20). Other antagonists were inactive.

Pharmacological characterization of CGRP receptors mediating relaxation of the rat pulmonary artery and inhibition of twitch responses of the rat vas deferens.[Pubmed:9605575]

Br J Pharmacol. 1998 Apr;123(8):1673-83.

1. CGRP receptors mediating vasorelaxation of the rat isolated pulmonary artery and inhibition of contractions of the rat isolated prostatic vas deferens were investigated using CGRP agonists, homologues and the antagonist CGRP8-37. 2. In the pulmonary artery, human (h)alpha-CGRP-induced relaxation of phenylephrine-evoked tone was abolished either by removal of the endothelium or by NG-nitro-L-arginine (10(-5) M). The inhibitory effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine was stereoselectively reversed by L- but not by D-arginine (10(-4) M). Thus, CGRP acts via nitric oxide released from the endothelium. 3. In the endothelium-intact artery, halpha-CGRP, hbeta-CGRP and human adrenomedullin (10(-10) - 3 x 10(-7) M), dose-dependently relaxed the phenylephrine-induced tone with similar potency. Compared with halpha-CGRP, rat amylin was around 50 fold less potent, while [Cys(ACM2,7)] halpha-CGRP (10(-7) - 10(-4) M) was at least 3000 fold less potent. Salmon calcitonin was inactive (up to 10(-4) M). 4 Human alpha-CGRP8-37 (3 x 10(-7) - 3 x 10(-6) M) antagonized halpha-CGRP (pA2 6.9, Schild plot slope 1.2+/-0.1) and hbeta-CGRP (apparent pKB of 7.1+/-0.1 for halpha-CGRP8-37 10(-6) M) in the pulmonary artery. Human beta-CGRP8-37 (10(-6) M) antagonized halpha-CGRP responses with a similar affinity (apparent pKB 7.1+/-0.1). Human adrenomedullin responses were not inhibited by halpha-CGRP8-37 (10(-6) M). 5. In the prostatic vas deferens, halpha-CGRP, hbeta-CGRP and rat beta-CGRP (10(-10) - 3 x 10(-7) M) concentration-dependently inhibited twitch responses with about equal potency, while rat amylin (10(-8) - 10(-5) M) was around 10 fold less potent and the linear analogue [Cys(ACM2,7)] halpha-CGRP was at least 3000 fold weaker. Salmon calcitonin was inactive (up to 10(-4) M). 6 The antagonist effect of halpha-CGRP8-37 (10(-5) 3 x 10(-5)) in the vas deferens was independent of the agonist, with pA2 values against halpha-CGRP of 6.0 (slope 0.9+/-0.1), against hbeta-CGRP of 5.8 (slope 1.1+/-0.1), and an apparent pKB value of 5.8+/-0.1 against both rat beta-CGRP and rat amylin. Human beta-CGRP8-37 (3 x 10(-5) - 10(-4) M) competitively antagonized halpha-CGRP responses (pA2 5.6, slope 1.1+/-0.2). The inhibitory effect of halpha-CGRP on noradrenaline-induced contractions in both the prostatic and epididymal vas deferens was antagonized by halpha-CGRP8-37 (pA2 5.8 and 5.8, slope 1.0+/-0.2 and 1.0+/-0.3, respectively). 7 The effects of halpha-CGRP and halpha-CGRP8-37 in both rat pulmonary artery and vas deferens were not significantly altered by pretreatment with peptidase inhibitors (amastatin, bestatin, captopril, phosphoramidon and thiorphan, all at 10(-6) M). The weak agonist activity of [Cys(ACM2,7)] halpha-CGRP in the vas deferens was not increased by peptidase inhibitors. 8 These data demonstrate that two different CGRP receptors may exist in the rat pulmonary artery and vas deferens, a CGRP1 receptor subtype in the rat pulmonary artery (CGRP8-37 pA2 6.9), while the lower affinity for CGRP8-37 (pA2 6.0) in the vas deferens is consistent with a CGRP2 receptor.

Pharmacology of receptors for calcitonin gene-related peptide and amylin.[Pubmed:8578616]

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1995 Dec;16(12):424-8.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a widespread neuropeptide with multiple actions, has substantial homology with amylin, a peptide implicated in insulin-resistant diabetes, and adrenomedullin, a recently discovered potent vasodilator. There is controversy over the existence of CGRP receptor subtypes, and whether independent receptors exist for amylin and adrenomedullin. In this article, the current status of CGRP receptor classification is reviewed by David Poyner, taking particular account of species differences, and evidence is presented supporting the existence of multiple receptors for CGRP, as well as independent binding sites for amylin.