Dynorphin-(1-13), an extraordinarily potent opioid peptide.
We describe the opioid properties of a tridecapeptide, the sequence of which corresponds to the NH2-terminal sequence of dynorphin, a novel porcine pituitary endorphin. It contains [Leu]enkephalin. In the guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle preparation it is about 700 times more potent than [Leu]enkephalin. Its effects in this tissue are blocked completely by naloxone, but the apparent affinity of naloxone is 1/13th that for blockade of [Leu]enkephalin or normorphine. In the mouse vas deferens, this peptide is 3 times more potent than [Leu]enkephalin. Well-washed rat brain membranes degrade the peptide rapidly, suggesting the presence of a membrane-bound degradative enzyme. The peptide displays considerable immunoreactivity in assays with antisera that have been used for the immunohistochemical localization of [Leu]enkephalin. The remarkable enhancement of the potency of [Leu]enkephalin by the COOH-terminal extension -Arg-Arg-Ile-Arg-Pro-Lys-Leu-Lys-OH suggests new interpretations concerning the structure of opiate receptors and the function of the enkephalin pentapeptides.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004723:Endorphins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D051381:Rats; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013552:Swine
D004723:Endorphins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid