Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The enkephalins

Peptides with morphine-like activity

  • Published:
Naturwissenschaften Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Two penta-peptides with morphine-like properties have recently been found in the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. These peptides known as enkephalins are unevenly distributed in the brain, the highest concentration being in the globus pallidus. The enkephalins are found to have analgesic properties and are also anti-tussive, anti-diarrheal and able to stimulate release of prolactin and growth hormone. Synthetic analogues of the enkephalins containing specific D-amino acid substitutions have been developed and show a wide spectrum of activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kosterlitz, H.W., Waterfield, A.A.: Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. 15, 29 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Pert, C.B., Snyder, S.W.: Science 179, 1011 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Creese, I., Snyder, S.H.: J. Pharm. Exp. Ther. 194, 205 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Simon, E.J., et al.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 69, 1835 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Terenius, L.: Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 33, 377 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Mayer, D.J., Price, D.: Pain 2, 379 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hughes, J., et al.: Nature 255, 577 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Miller, R.J., et al.: BBRC 76, 1311 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Buscher, H., et al.: Nature 261, 423 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Li, C.H.: Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 183, 592 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ling, N., Guillemin, R.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 73, 3308 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hong, J.S., et al.: Brain Res. 134, 383 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Miller, R.J., et al.: J. Biol. Chem. 253, 531 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kobayashi, K., et al.: Life Sci. (in press)

  15. Krieger, D.T., et al.: BBRC 76, 930 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Pert, C.B., et al.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 73, 2226 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gintzler, A.K.: ibid. 73, 2132 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Smith, T.W., et al.: in: Opiates and Endogenous Opiate Peptides (H. Kosterlitz, ed.). Amsterdam: North-Holland 1976

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bloom, F.E., et al.: Life Sci. 20, 43 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Mains, R., Eipper, B.: J. Biol. Chem. 74, 4115 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mains, R., et al.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 74, 3014 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Giagnani, G., et al.: ibid. 74, 2259 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Guillemin, R., et al.: Science 197, 1367 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Eide, K., et al.: Neuroscience 1, 349 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hokfelt, T., et al.: Neurosci. Lett. 5, 25 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Simantov, R., et al.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 74, 2167 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hokfelt, T., et al.: ibid. 74, 3081 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Shaar, C.J., et al.: Life Sci. 21, 853 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Cusan, L., et al.: Nature 268, 544 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Rivier, C., et al.: Endocrinology 100, 238 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Segal, D.S.: Science 158, 411 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Belluzzi, J.S., Stein, L.: Nature 266, 556 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Polak, J.M., et al.: Lancet 1977, 972

  34. Horn, A.S., Rogers, J.: Nature 260, 793 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bradbury, A.F.: ibid. 260, 793 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Hambrook, J.M., et al.: ibid. 262, 783 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Pert, C.B., et al.: Science 194, 330 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Miller, R.J., et al., in: Centrally Acting Peptides (J. Hughes, ed.). New York: Macmillan 1977

    Google Scholar 

  39. Bajusz, S., et al.: FEBS Lett. 76, 91 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Romer, D., et al.: Nature 288, 547 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Wei, E., Loh, H.H.: Science 193, 1262 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Waterfield, A.A., et al.: Nature 260, 624 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Lord, J.A.H., et al.: ibid. 267, 495 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Beddel, C.R., et al.: Proc. Roy. Soc. B 198, 249 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Richard J. Miller

    Present address: Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, University of Chicago, 947 East 58th Street, 60637, Chicago, Illinois

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wellcome Research Labs, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

    Richard J. Miller & Pedro Cuatrecasas

Authors
  1. Richard J. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pedro Cuatrecasas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miller, R.J., Cuatrecasas, P. The enkephalins. Naturwissenschaften 65, 507–514 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439790

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439790

Keywords

Search

Navigation