Methionine-enkephalin peptides in human teeth.
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.
Tanzer
F S
FS
Department of Biologic and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
Tolun
E
E
Fridland
G H
GH
Dass
C
C
Killmar
J
J
Tinsley
P W
PW
Desiderio
D M
DM
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*
D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases