title: Evidence that the agonist action of dynorphin A(1-8) in the guinea-pig myenteric-plexus may be mediated partly through conversion to [Leu5]enkephalin.
abstract: 1. The agonist action of the opioid peptide dynorphin A(1-8) on the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum has been characterized. 2. The endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin A(1-8) was rapidly degraded by slices of myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum. 3. A product of the degradation was the delta-receptor preferring [Leu5]enkephalin. Levels of [Leu5]enkephalin were markedly increased in the presence of the peptidase inhibitors bestatin, thiorphan and captopril. 4. In the myenteric plexus dynorphin A(1-8) acted as a kappa-receptor agonist. In the presence of bestatin, thiorphan and captopril a mu-receptor agonist effect was observed. This mu-agonist action was lost in the presence of N-[1-(RS)-carboxy-2-phenylethyl]Ala-Ala-Phe-p-aminobenzoate, an inhibitor of the endopeptidase enzyme EC 3.4.24.15. 5. The results suggest that formation of [Leu5]enkephalin from dynorphin A(1-8) may be an important conversion process. The enzyme responsible may be the Zn2(+)-metalloendopeptidase, EC 3.4.24.15.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Technology, Loughborough, Leics.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Traynor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine; D009271:Naltrexone; C024524:beta-funaltrexamine; D004399:Dynorphins; C026770:dynorphin (1-8)