Synthesis and characterization of potent and selective mu-opioid receptor antagonists, [Dmt(1), D-2-Nal(4)]endomorphin-1 (Antanal-1) and [Dmt(1), D-2-Nal(4)]endomorphin-2 (Antanal-2)

J Med Chem. 2007 Feb 8;50(3):512-20. doi: 10.1021/jm060998u.

Abstract

To synthesize potent antagonists of the mu-opioid receptor, we prepared a series of endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 analogues with 3-(1-naphthyl)-d-alanine (d-1-Nal) or 3-(2-naphthyl)-d-alanine (d-2-Nal) in position 4. Some of these analogues displayed weak antagonist properties. We tried to strengthen these properties by introducing the structurally modified tyrosine residue 2,6-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) in place of Tyr1. Among the synthesized compounds, [Dmt1, d-2-Nal4]endomorphin-1, designated antanal-1, and [Dmt1, d-2-Nal4]endomorphin-2, designated antanal-2, turned out to be highly potent and selective mu-opioid receptor antagonists, as judged on the basis of two functional assays, the receptor binding assay and the hot plate test of analgesia. Interestingly, another analogue of this series, [Dmt1, d-1-Nal4]endomorphin-1, turned out to be a moderately potent mixed mu-agonist/delta-antagonist.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aequorin
  • Analgesics / chemical synthesis
  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Brain / metabolism
  • CHO Cells
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Ileum / drug effects
  • Ileum / physiology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Luminescent Agents
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiology
  • Oligopeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Vas Deferens / drug effects
  • Vas Deferens / physiology

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Luminescent Agents
  • Oligopeptides
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • endomorphin-1, Dmt(1)-2-Nal(4)-
  • endomorphin-2, Dmt(1)-2-Nal(4)-
  • Aequorin
  • Calcium