title: Methionine-enkephalin peptides in human teeth.
abstract: The presence of the free opioid pentapeptide methionine enkephalin (ME) and of ME-containing peptide(s) was established firmly in decalcified, depulped human teeth by using a combination of methods including RP-HPLC, radioimmunoassay, radioreceptorassay, trypsin, carboxypeptidase B, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and MS/MS methodology. Positive structural identification of ME was made with mass spectrometry. Those data demonstrate the presence of the preproenkephalinergic A system in the human trigeminal sensory termini.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biologic and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Tanzer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tolun
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Fridland
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dass
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Killmar
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Tinsley
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Desiderio
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000032:analysis; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D014070:Tooth / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases