SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES RELATED TO THE DELTA-RECEPTOR AGONIST, DERMORPHIN GENE ASSOCIATED PEPTIDE

The delta-receptor selective dermorphin gene associated peptide (DGAP) and five of its analogues having structural modifications at position s 2, 4 and 5 were synthesized by the solid phase method using 9-fluore nylmethoxycarbonyl amino acid trichlorophenyl esters as coupling agent s and p- benzyloxybenzyl alcohol resin as the solid support. The delta -receptor selectivity of these peptides was determined by guinea pig i leum and mouse vas deferens assays. The latter assay was carried out u sing modified Kreb's solution aerated with pure oxygen instead of carb ogen. All the synthetic peptides were found to be delta-receptor selec tive.