Human CGRP

This invention is generally directed to a calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) and to methods for pharmaceutical treatment of mammals using such a peptide. More specifically, the invention relates to human CGRP, to pharmaceutical compositions containing human CGRP and to methods of treatment of mammals using human CGRP.

Experimental and clinical observations have supported the concept that neuropeptides play central roles in neurotransmission as well as the regulation of secretory functions of adenohypophysial, pancreatic, adrenalcortical and gut cells. Among the thirty or so neuropeptides that have been implicated in neuronal function in the mammalian central nervous system, several have also been suggested to function as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators primarily in afferant neurons. It has been suggested that the application of recombinant DNA technology to the analysis of mRNAs of the brain or other neural tissues may provide a means for identifying new transmitter substances and their related proteins. Thus, following the inferential discovery of novel brain and other neuropeptide transmitters via DNA sequencing technologies, it is possible to synthesize the predicted structure of the new peptide, generate antibody to this peptide and establish its existence, in various neural tissues by classical immunohistochemical procedures. Furthermore, ihe synthetic peptide itself can be used as a source for identifying and investigating its physiological actions.

Calcitonin is a 32-residue, amidated peptide hormone which was earlier isolated and characterized. Human calcitonin is found in the thyroid and possibly in the pituitary and has the formula: ##STR1## Calcitonin has biological activity in lowering body calcium levels and in promoting absorption of calcium into bone.

The diagnosis of human medullary thyroid carcinoma is primarily based on the presence of high circulating levels of serum calcitonin detected by radio-immunoassay (RIA) or other immuno-diagnostic procedures utilizing anti-calcitonin antibody. Unfortunately, a high percentage of individuals with medullary thyroid carcinoma do not present high calcitonin serum levels. An alternative product expressed by the calcitonin gene, termed CGRP, is a peptide that can be synthesized and secreted by medullary thyroid carcinoma cells. Thus, the production of CGRP and its identification by immuno-diagnostic procedures utilizing anti-CGRP antibody should be valuable in the diagnosis of human medullary thyroid disease.

Calcitonin and calcitonin mRNA are found in the thyroid. Analysis of the human calcitonin gene and human calcitonin gene products by recombinant DNA technologies and direct DNA sequencing allowed the identification of a messenger RNA containing the capacity to encode a 37-residue amidated calcitonin-gene-related peptide, hereinafter termed, human CGRP having the formula: ##STR2## Both human calcitonin and CGRP are believed to be expressed by the same gene as a result of alternative mRNA processing--sometimes referred to as peptide switching. CGRP mRNA appears to be synthesized in non-thyroid tissue, including brain, spinal cord, adrenals, pancreas lung and pituitary. The predicted peptide arising from translation of CGRP mRNA has been identified immunocytochemically throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Based on studies in numerous mammalian species, human CGRP is likely to be widely distributed in brain pathways subserving sensory, motor and autonomic functions. It has also been established that CGRP acts in the central nervous system to stimulate noradrenergic sympathetic outflow.

The 37-residue synthetic peptide substantially lowers blood pressure for an extended time period. As a result, human CGRP in substantially pure form (i.e. substantially free of the remainder of a crude biological extract or of related synthetic replicates) should be useful for this and other applications, and human CGRP having a purity of about 90% or higher is practically obtainable and can be employed in clinical testing.

Pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with the invention include human CGRP, or nontoxic addition salts thereof, dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid or solid carrier. Such peptides or pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts thereof may be administered to mammals in accordance with the invention for the lowering of blood pressure, for the regulation of mineral and bone metabolism, the secretion of other hormones and neuropeptides and/or for affecting mood, appetite, behavioral and gastrointestinal functions.

The nomenclature used to define the peptides is that specified by Schroder & Lubke, "The Peptides", Academic Press (1965) wherein, in accordance with conventional representation, the N-terminal appears to the left and the C-terminal to the right. Where the amino acid residue has isomeric forms, it is the L-form of the amino acid that is represented herein unless otherwise expressly indicated.

The invention provides human CGRP having the following formula (I): ##STR3## Although not specifically shown herein, the formula should be understood also to include the linear form thereof wherein the bridge between the sulfhydryl groups of the Cys residues is not present and is replaced by hydrogen, for oxidation within the body will thereafter take place in a large number of instances.

The peptides can be 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. Synthetic human CGRP may also be synthesized by recently developed recombinant DNA techniques which may likely be used for large-scale production.

For example, the techniques of exclusively solid-phase synthesis are set forth in the textbook "Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis", Stewart & Young, Freeman & Co., San Francisco, 1969, and are exemplified by the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,603, issued Aug. 8, 1978 to Vale et al. The fragment condensation method of synthesis is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,859 (Aug. 3, 1976). Other available syntheses are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,067 (Oct. 15, 1974) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,925 (Jan. 28, 1975).

Synthesis by the use of recombinant DNA techniques, for purposes of this application, should be understood to include the suitable employment of a structural gene coding for CGRP as specified hereinafter. The synthetic CGRP peptide may be obtained by transforming a microorganism using an expression vector including a promoter and operator together with such structural gene and causing such transformed microorganism to express the peptide. A non-human animal may also be used to produce the peptide by gene-farming using such a structural gene and the general techniques set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,282 issued by June 30, 1981 or using microinjection of embryos as described in W083/01783 published May 26, 1983 and W082.0443 published Dec. 23, 1982.

Common to coupling-type chemical syntheses of peptides is the protection of the labile side chain groups of the various amino acid moieties with suitable protecting groups which prevent a chemical reaction from occurring at that site until the group is ultimately removed. Usually also common is the protection of an alpha-amino group on an amino acid or a fragment while that entity reacts at the carboxyl group, 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.

Also considered to be within the scope of the present invention are intermediates of the formula (II): X.sup.1 -Ala-Cys(X.sup.2)-Asp(X.sup.8)-Thr(X.sup.4)-Ala-Thr(X.sup.4)-Cys (X.sup.2)-Val-Thr(X.sup.4)-His(X.sup.5)-Arg(X.sup.6)-Leu-Ala-Gly-Leu-Leu-S er(X.sup.4)-Arg(X.sup.6)-Ser(X.sup.4)-Gly-Gly-Val-Val-Lys (X.sup.7)-Asn(X.sup.3)-Asn(X.sup.3)-Phe-Val-Pro-Thr(X.sup.4)-Asn (X.sup.3)-Val-Gly-Ser(X.sup.4)-Lys(X.sup.7)-Ala-Phe-X.sup.9 wherein:

X.sup.1 is either hydrogen or an .alpha.-amino protecting group. The .alpha.-amino protecting groups contemplated by X.sup.1 are those known to be useful in the art in the step-wise synthesis of polypeptides. Among the classes of .alpha.-amino protecting groups which may be used as X.sup.1 are: (1) aromatic urethan-type protecting groups, such as fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl(FMOC), benzyloxycarbonyl(Z) and substituted Z, suoh as p-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-bromobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl; (2) aliphatic urethan protecting groups, such as t-butyloxycarbonyl(BOC), diisopropylmethoxycarbonyl, isopropyloxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl; and (3) cycloalkyl urethan-type protecting groups, such as cyclopentyloxycarbonyl, adamantyloxycarbonyl, and cyclohexyloxycarbonyl. The preferred .alpha.-amino protecting group is BOC.

X.sup.2 is a protecting group for the sulfhydryl group of Cys, such as benzyl(Bzl), substituted Bzl, e.g. 3,4-dimethyl benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl(MeOBzl), p-chlorobenzyl and p-nitrobenzyl, trityl, Z, substituted Z, thioethyl, acetamidomethyl(Acm) and Bz. Acm is preferred.

X.sup.3 is hydrogen or a protecting group for the amido group of Asn and is preferably xanthyl(Xan).

X.sup.4 is a protecting group for the hydroxyl group of Thr and Ser and is preferably selected from the class consisting of acetyl(Ac), benzoyl(Bz), tert-butyl, triphenylmethyl(trityl), tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl ether(Bzl and 2,6-dichlorobenzyl(DCB). The most preferred protecting group is Bzl. X.sup.4 can be hydrogen, which means there is no protecting group on the hydroxyl group.

X.sup.5 is hydrogen or a protecting group for the imidazole nitrogen of His, such as Tos or 2,4-dinitrophenyl(DNP).

X.sup.6 is a protecting group for the guanidino group of Arg preferably selected from the class consisting of nitro, p-toluenesulfonyl(Tos), Z, adamantyloxycarbonyl and BOC, or is hydrogen. Tos is most preferred.

X.sup.7 is hydrogen or a protecting group for the .epsilon.-amino group of Lys. Illustrative of suitable side chain amino protecting groups are Z, 2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl(2-Cl-Z), Tos, t-amyloxycarbonyl (Aoc), BOC and aromatic or aliphatic urethan-type protecting groups as specified hereinbefore.

X.sup.8 is hydrogen or an ester-forming protecting group for the .beta.-carboxyl group of Asp, preferably selected from the class consisting of benzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, methyl, ethyl and t-butyl ester. OBzl is most preferred.

The selection of a side chain amino protecting group is not critical except that it should be one which is not removed during deprotection of the .alpha.-amino groups during the synthesis. Hence, the .alpha.-amino protecting group and the side chain amino protecting group cannot be the same.

X.sup.9 may be NH.sub.2, OH, OCH.sub.3, hydrazide, an ester or an ester or amide anchoring bond used in solid phase synthesis for linking to a solid resin support, represented by the formula:

--O--CH.sub.2 -polystyrene resin support,

--O--CH.sub.2 -benzyl-polyamide resin support,

--NH-benzhydrylamine (BHA) resin support, and --NH-paramethylbenzhydrylamine (MBHA) resin support.

The polyamide polymer is commercially available and is discussed in detail in Bioorganic Chemistry, 8, 351-370 (1979) where a preferred version of it is discussed in FIG. 6 therein. Use of BHA or MBHA resin is preferred, and cleavage directly gives the CGRP amide or CGRP homolog amide.

In the Formula (II) for the intermediate, at least one of X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3, X.sup.4, X.sup.5, X.sup.6, X.sup.7, X.sup.8 and X.sup.9 is a protecting group or an anchoring bond. Thus, the invention also provides a method for manufacturing a peptide having Formula (I) by (a) first forming a peptide of Formula (II) wherein: X, X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3, X.sup.4, X.sup.5, X.sup.6, X.sup.7, and X.sup.8, are each either hydrogen or a protective group and X.sup.9 is either a protective group or an anchoring bond to resin support or NH.sub.2, with at least one X-group being either a protecting group or an anchoring bond; (b) splitting off the protective group or groups or anchoring bond from said peptide of Formula (II); and (c) if desired, converting a resulting peptide into a nontoxic salt thereof.

In selecting a particular side chain protecting group to be used in the synthesis of the peptides, the following rules are followed: (a) 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 side chain protecting group must be removable, upon the completion of the synthesis containing the desired amino acid sequence, under reaction conditions that will not alter the peptide chain.

When the peptides are not prepared using recombinant DNA technology, 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 is commenced from the C-terminal end of the peptide by coupling a protected .alpha.-amino acid to a suitable resin as generally set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,946 issued Jan. 21, 1981 to Rivier et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a starting material for human CGRP can be prepared by attaching .alpha.-amino-protected Phe to a BHA resin.

Phe protected by BOC is coupled to the BHA resin using methylene chloride or dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent with a suitable coupling reagent. The selection of an appropriate coupling reagent is within the skill of the art. Particularly suitable as a coupling reagent is N,N'-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCCI). The activating reagents used in the solid phase synthesis of the peptides are well known in the peptide art. Examples of suitable activating reagents are 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).

Following the coupling of BOC-Phe to the resin support, the .alpha.-amino protecting group is removed, as by using trifluoroacetic acid(TFA) in methylene chloride, TFA alone or with HCl in dioxane. Preferably 50 weight % TFA in methylene chloride is used with 0-5 weight % 1,2 ethanedithiol. The deprotection is carried out at a temperature between about 0.degree. 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, the remaining .alpha.-amino- and side chain-protected amino acids are coupled step-wise in the desired order to obtain the intermediate compound defined hereinbefore. As an alternative to adding each amino acid separately in the synthesis, some of them may be coupled to one another prior to addition to the solid phase reactor. 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.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 (1:1) or in DMF or CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 alone. In instances where 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). In cases where incomplete coupling occurs, 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.

After the desired amino acid sequence has been completed, the intermediate peptide is removed from the resin support by treatment with a reagent, such as liquid hydrogen fluoride, which not only cleaves the peptide from the resin but also cleaves the .alpha.-amino protecting group X.sup.1 and all remaining side chain protecting groups X.sup.3, X.sup.4, X.sup.5, X.sup.6, X.sup.7 and X.sup.8, except X.sup.2 when Acm is employed, to obtain the peptide with its Cys residues still protected. The cyclic form of the peptide is obtained by oxidatively removing the protecting acetoamido-methyl groups using an iodine solution, preferably as described by Kamber, et al., Helv. Chem. Acta., 63, 899 (1980). Alternatively MeOBzl may be used to protect Cys, and oxidation may be carried out using potassium ferricyanide, as described by Rivier et al., Biopolymers, Vol. 17 (1978), 1927-38, or by air oxidation, or in accordance with other known procedures.

The following Example sets forth a preferred method for synthesizing of CGRP by the solid-phase technique and generally is in accordance with the procedure set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,558 to Vale, et al, issued Nov. 15, 1983, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The synthesis of human CGRP having the formula: ##STR4## is conducted in a stepwise manner on a benzhydrylamine hydrochloride resin, such as available from Bachem, Inc., having a substitution range of about 0.1 to 0.5 mmoles/gm. resin. The synthesis is performed on an automatic Beckman 990B peptide synthesizer. Coupling of BOC-Phe results in the substitution of about 0.35 mmol. Phe per gram of resin. All solvents that are used are carefully degassed, preferably by sparging with an inert gas, e.g. helium or nitrogen. The program used is generally that reported in Rivier, J. J. Liquid Chromatogr., 1, 343-367 (1978).

After deprotection and neutralization, the peptide 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 DCCI in methylene chloride, for two hours. When BOC-Arg(Tos) is 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. Acm is used to protect the sulfhydryl group of Cys. P-nitrophenyl ester(ONp) is used to activate the carboxyl end of Asn, and for example, BOC-Asn(ONp) is coupled overnight using one equivalent of HOBt in a 50% mixture of DMF and methylene chloride. The amido group of Asn is protected by Xan when DCCI coupling is used instead of the active ester method. 2-Cl-Z is used as the protecting group for the Lys side chain. Tos is used to protect the guanidino group of Arg and the imidazole group of His, and the side chain carboxyl group of Asp is protected by OBzl. At the end of the synthesis, the following composition is obtained BOC-Ala-Cys(Acm)-Asp(OBzl)-Thr(Bzl)-Ala-Thr(Bzl)-Cys(Acm)-Val-Thr(Bzl)-His (tos)-Arg(tos)-Leu-Ala-Gly-Leu-Leu-Ser (Bzl)-Arg(tos)-Ser(Bzl)-Gly-Gly-Val-Val-Lys(2-Cl-Z)-Asn (Xan)-Asn(Xan)-Phe-Val-Pro-Thr(Bzl)-Asn(Xan)-Val-Gly-Ser (Bzl)-Lys(2-Cl-Z)-Ala-Phe-resin support. Xan may have been partially or totally removed by TFA treatment used to deblock the .alpha.-amino protecting group.

In order to cleave and substantially deprotect the resulting protected peptide-resin it 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.degree. C. for 20 min. and then at 0..degree. C. for one-half hour. After elimination of the HF under high vacuum, the resin-peptide is washed alternately with dry diethyl ether and chloroform, and the peptides are then extracted with de-gassed 2N aqueous acetic acid and separated from the resin by filtration.

The cleaved peptide is then purified by HPLC and treated with an iodide solution to deprotect the Cys residues and form the disulfide bond between the Cys residues. After cyclization, the peptide is rechromatographed for final purification using semi-preparative HPLC as described in Rivier et al., Peptides: Structure and Biological Function (1979) pp. 125-128. The chromatographic fractions are carefully monitored by HPLC, and only the fractions showing substantial purity are pooled.

The synthetic human CGRP is examined for its effect on mean arterial blood pressure(MAP), gastric acid secretion and plasma catecholamine levels. The effects of CGRP on MAP, gastric secretion and plasma catecholamine levels are determined in unanesthetized rats and Beagle dogs. MAP is measured via direct arterial monitoring, and gastric acids are collected from chronic gastric-abdominal wall cannula. Intraveneous(IV) but not intercerebroventricular (ICV) administration of CGRP to rats and dogs evokes a rapid decrease in MAP, and the degree and duration of hypotension are dose-related. Mean arterial blood pressure in rats falls from about 105 to about 55 mm Hg within about 1 minute following an injection of 6.5 nmoles human CGRP and then slowly returns to control values during a period of more than one hour. The iv administration of an injection equal to about 650 pmoles of CGRP lowers MAP to about 70 mm Hg in about one minute, returning to control value in about 1 hour. IV and ICV administration of human CGRP (10 pmoles) to rats and dogs lowers pentagastrin-induced acid secretion by more than 70% for several hours. IV and ICV administration of CGRP (6.5 nmoles) results in significant elevation of norepinephrine in plasma.

RNA extractions and oligo(dT) chromatography for selection of poly(A)-rich RNA sequences are performed using frozen tissues. Poly(A)-rich RNA from human medullary thyroid carcinoma is used as the initial substrate to generate double-stranded DNA to which Eco RI linkers are blunt-end ligated, and DNA is inserted into the Eco RI site of the plasmid pUC8. Following ligation, the chimeric plasmids are used to transform Escherichia coli DH-1. Of the 40,000 clonal isolates, an ordered library of 2,000 colonies are subjected to a detailed analysis. Screening by immunological and hybridization techniques revealed 78 positive clones using either a calcitonin antiserum or a rat calcitonin coding region-specific clonal probe, and 7 positive using a rat CGRP-coding region-specific clonal probe. Plasmids in positive clonal isolates are amplified using chloramphenicol (25 .mu.g/ml) and purified by a modification of the cleared lysate technique of Clewell and Helinski, P.N.A.S. U.S.A., 62, 1159-1166.

The nucleotide sequences of cDNA clones are subjected to DNA sequence analysis using the method of Maxam and Gilbert, P.N.A.S., 74, 560-564. Plasmids are digested with Eco RI, Dde I, or Hinf I, prior to ending labelling with [.alpha.-.sup.32 P]ATP and T4 polynucleotide kinase (Bethesda Research Laboratories), and digested with a second restriction enzyme prior to electrophoresis procedures, as described by Maxam and Gilbert. All DNA sequence data was confirmed by multiple determinations of overlapping fragments, sequencing in both strands, and across all sites used for labelling.

Total poly(A)-rich RNA is denatured and electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose, 50% formaldehyde gels. RNA is transferred to nitrocellulose, washed in prehybridization buffer and hybridized to probes nick-translated to a specific activity of 8.times.108 cpm per .mu.g using [.sup.32 P]dCTP as the labelled nucleotide. Clonal DNA probes used the 520 base pair Bgl II fragment containing the rat calcitonin coding sequence; CGRP-specific probe was Dde I fragment from pCGRP.sub.1. Common region probe was provided by a Hinf I restriction fragment encompassing the second genomic exon. Genomic DNA blot analysis was performed by the method of Southern, J. Mol Biol., 98, 503-507 using the same clonal probes.

There are two reactive human genes, as evidenced by two reactive bands (4.1 kb, 3.0 kb) of Eco R1, Bam H1-digested human genomic DNA and the subsequent demonstration that all of the reactive sequences are localized to a single internal fragment contained within each Bam H1, Eco R1 fragment. It is postulated that one gene contains sequences reactive to both calcitonin- and CGRP-specific probes (the 4.1 kb Eco R1, Bam H1 fragment), representing the human calcitonin gene and suggesting the possible operation in the human calcitonin gene of RNA processing regulation analogous to that observed in the rat calcitonin gene. cDNA clones that are reactive to calcitonin or CGRP probes are subjected to sequence analysis. A series of clones hybridized to a probe specific for the 5' region in common between calcitonin and CGRP mRNAs. All clones reactive to this probe contained either calcitonin- or CGRP-reactive sequences, but none contained both types of sequences. Three clones exhibiting each reactivity were subjected to mapping and DNA sequence analysis.

DNA sequence analysis confirms that both calcitonin and CGRP mRNAs are indeed expressed in human MTC tumor; both contained identical 5' non-coding and coding regions. Thus, the sequence of the first 225 nucleotides of coding information is identical in both mRNAs, predicting a 75 amino acid "common region" in the precursor peptides encoded by CGRP mRNA and calcitonin mRNA. Following the region of sequence identity, the sequences diverge entirely. Table I shows the divergent sequence for CGRP cDNA of one clone, with deviations from this sequence which were found in another clone being show in parenthesis. These data are entirely consistent with the alternative inclusion of the calcitonin or CGRP exons due to alternative RNA processing events in the expression of the human calcitonin/CGRP genes. The sequence of CGRP mRNA predicts a precursor peptide that will be proteolytically processed to generate a 37 amino acid C-terminal amidated peptide similar to rat CGRP, with differences in the 1-, 3-, 25- and 35-residues. The human calcitonin gene itself has been isolated, and the calcitonin and CGRP coding information are in discrete exons, with the calcitonin exon preceding the CGRP coding exon. These data indicate that alternative RNA processing events do ocur in expression of the human calcitonin/CGRP gene, in a fashion analogous to events in rat calcitonin gene expression.

An open reading frame extends from the B-galactosidase initiation codon within the vector through the insert and encodes the entire sequence of CGRP (underlined in Table I). The open reading frame is followed by non-translated RNA and a Poly(A) tract. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA indicates that, as expected, CGRP is contained within a larger precursor protein. In general, peptides in precursors are flanked by paired basic residues that serve as cleavage sites for protease processing enzymes, and peptides that are C-terminally amidated are generally immediately followed by a glycine that probably serves as the amide donor. The CGRP precursor gene appears to have this same general formula, including the two boxed arginines in Table I preceding the N-terminus of the peptide and additional arginines following glycine in the box at the C-terminal of the peptide. It is predicted that proteolytic processing of CGRP from its precursor would generate two additional peptides, a C-terminal peptide and an N-terminal peptide of a size dependent upon the location of the signal peptide cleavage sites.

Cloned DNA segments obtained from the hybridization-positive CGRP clone are useful for introduction into either eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cells for the purpose of CGRP precursor expression, using known recombinant DNA techniques.

Although the human CGRP precursor has not been shown to have CGRP activity, it nevertheless represents a valuable compound. It may well prove to be the case that, if the precursor is administered to an animal, it will subsequently be processed in vivo into CGRP. In any case, the CGRP precursor may be processed in vitro by exposing it to a human pituitary extract containing processing enzymes. It is likely also that a pituitary extract from a non-human species can be found which will process CGRP precursor to CGRP. Either in vivo or in vitro enzymatic processing of the CGRP precursor would be expected to amidate the terminal carboxyl group. This is a distinct advantage of the natural gene over a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide which encodes only the CGRP amino acid sequence without the processing sequences found in the CGRP cDNA. In the cases where a hybrid protein containing a putative sequence at the amino-terminus is the product of bacterial expression, partial hydrolysis with a reagent, such as cyanogen bromide, may be necessary to release the CGRP for further processing in vitro by the tissue extracts.

cDNA encoding the human CGRP precursor can also be used for expression in eukaryotic systems, either in yeast or mammalian cells. In the case of yeast, mammalian interferons were found to be properly secreted and processed when expressed using a yeast vector, YEplPT (Hitzeman et al. Science, 219, 620-625, 1983). Human CGRP-precursor may be similarly secreted, which would aid in the purification process, and the CGRP precursor may then serve as a substrate for in vitro processing, as described above.

Based on studies in other mammals, human CGRP is likely to exhibit a prompt and extreme lowering of blood pressure in humans. As a result, the peptide may be particularly valuable for the treatment of high blood pressure conditions and also for the treatment of patients who are to undergo certain types of surgery.

High quantities of human CGRP are likely to be found in the trigeminal ganglion, the facial nerve and the hypoglossal nerve. These receive sensory information from the face and head as well as ennervate the salivary glands, tongue and muscles associated with chewing and swallowing. Human CGRP should also be found in the taste buds. Therefore, CGRP should be useful in regulating ingestion behavior and gustatory responses and in treating patients having taste and/or sensory perception difficulties. CGRp should also be useful to desirably affect mineral and bone metabolism.

Most other regulatory peptides have been found to have effects both upon the central nervous system and upon the gastrointestinal tract. Because of its widespread distribution throughout the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system (including the autonomic nervous system) and other cells in particular tissues, including the adrenals, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, it is likely that human CGRP may subserve multiple physiological functions. Human CGRP may be useful in the treatment of disorders of gastric acid secretion, such as gastric or duodenal ulcer disease. Human CGRP may also find application in modifying the mood and behavior of normal and mentally disordered individuals.

Human CGRp or a nontoxic addition salt thereof, combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to form a pharmaceutical composition, may be administered to mammals, including humans, either intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, percutaneously, e.g. intranasally, intracerebrospinally or orally. The peptide should be at least about 90% pure and preferably should have a purity of at least about 98% when administered to humans. However, a purity of as low as about 5% would be substantially greater than the purity of the naturally occurring compound and is considered to have utility in effecting biological responses. This purity means that the intended peptide constitutes the stated weight % of all like peptides and peptide fragments present. Administration may be employed by a physician to lower blood pressure or to create hypotension; the required dosage will vary with the particular condition being treated, with the severity of the condition and with the duration of desired treatment.

Such peptides are often administered in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic salts, such as acid addition salts or metal complexes, e.g., with zinc, iron, calcium, barium, magnesium, aluminum or the like (which are considered as addition salts for purposes of this application). Illustrative of such acid addition salts are hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulphate, phosphate, tannate, oxalate, fumarate, gluconate, alginate, maleate, acetate, citrate, benzoate, succinate, malate, ascorbate, tartrate and the like. If the active ingredient is to be administered in tablet form, 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. If administration in liquid form is desired, sweetening and/or flavoring may be used, and intravenous administration in isotonic saline, phosphate buffer solutions or the like may be effected.

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-acceptable carrier. Usually, the dosage will be from about 1 to about 200 micrograms of the peptide per kilogram of the body weight of the host. As used herein all temperatures are .degree.C. and all ratios are by volume. Percentages of liquid materials are also by volume.

Although the invention has been described with regard to its preferred embodiments, which constitute the best mode presently known to the inventors, it should be understood that various changes and modifications as would be obvious to one having the ordinary skill in this art may be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is set forth in the claims appended hereto. For example, substitutions and modifications at specific positions in the CGRP peptide chain can be made in accordance with present or future developments without substantially detracting from potency and such peptides are considered as being within the scope of the invention. By consisting essentially of, for purposes of this application, is meant that the peptide is present in substantially greater purity than it is found in any natural extract and that the composition is free from any biologically active substances that would detract from its effectiveness. Fragments of this peptide which also display substantially similar biological effectiveness may also be used and are considered to be equivalents of the claimed compounds.

Various features of the invention are emphasized in the claims which follow.