The "endorphin story": a subjective account.
The contribution of the researchers of IDR to some early discoveries on endorphins is recounted. Exact determination of the amino acid sequence of beta-lipotropin, discovery of the analgesic action of beta-endorphin in rats, demonstration of the partial cross-tolerance between morphine and beta-endorphin, description of the elevation of the pain threshold upon inhibition of the enzymatic breakdown of endogenous opioids by bacitracin, demonstration of inhibition of opiate tolerance and dependence by alpha-MSH and Met-enkephalin, development of the second strongest enkephalin analogue, D-Met2,Pro5-enkephalinamide, recognition of some factors conferring analgesic activity to synthetic enkephalin analogues, etc. prove that IDR has played an active role in the early history of endorphin research.
Székely
J I
JI
Institute for Drug Research, Budapest, Hungary.
D000818:Animals; D004723:Endorphins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history* / Q000494:pharmacology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000266:history*
D004723:Endorphins