Abstract
HUGHES et al.1 have recently described the identification and structure elucidation of methionine- and leucine-enkephalin, the postulated endogenous morphine-like factors from mammalian brain2–4. The structures were confirmed by comparing the mass spectra and electrophoretic mobilities of natural and synthetic material and their biological activities established in vitro in preparations of the mouse vas deferens and the guinea pig ileum. We have synthesised the two pentapeptides H–Tyr–Gly–Gly–Phe–Met–OH and H–Tyr–Gly–Gly–Phe–Leu–OH, as well as two analogues (desamino–Tyr)–Gly–Gly–Phe–Met–OH and H–Tyr–Gly–Gly–OH and compared their biological activities. Our results indicate that the two natural compounds induce analgesia in mice, whereas the two analogues are devoid of such activity.
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BÜSCHER, H., HILL, R., RÖMER, D. et al. Evidence for analgesic activity of enkephalin in the mouse. Nature 261, 423–425 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/261423a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/261423a0
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