Alamandine can be formed from angiotensin A by action of ACE-2 or directly from angiotensin-(1-7) by decarboxylation of its aspartate residue. The angiotensin A analog produces effects resembling those of Ang II (1-7). However, it acts independently of the two known vasodilators receptors of the RAS (Mas and angiotensin II type 2). To produce its effects, alamandine binds to the Mas-related receptor, MrgD. A novel orally active formulation of alamandine produced a long-term antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats and cardioprotective effects. These novel findings will be helpful for developing a new understanding of the RAS, a key regulator of blood pressure and fluid balance. The heptapeptide could serve as a model peptide, e.g. in the development and evaluation of analytical methods.
XR3054 is a novel inhibitor of farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase). XR3054 inhibited the proliferation of the prostatic cancer cell lines LnCAP and PC3 and the colon carcinoma SW480 and HT1080 (IC50 values of 12.4, 12.2, 21.4 and 8.8 microM, respectively) but was relatively inactive when tested against a panel of breast carcinoma cell lines. The activity did not relate to the presence of mutant or wild-type ras in the cell lines tested. In conclusion XR3054 inhibits ras farnesylation, MAP kinase activation and anchorage-independent growth in NIH 3T3 transformed with v12 H-ras. Since the antiproliferative effect of the compound is not related to the ras phenotype, XR3054 may also have effects on other cell signaling mechanisms.