Solution structure of nocistatin, a new peptide analgesic

Nocistatin, a new heytadecapeptide encoded in the bPNP-3 gene, has a powerf ul biological activity connected with the mechanisms of pain transmission. It does nor bind to the opioid receptors but to another brain receptor with high affinity. In order to substantiate these novel biological data with a structural basis, we have undertaken a conformational study in solution. P roton nmr data ill helicogenic solvents are consistent with a well-defined helical structure that is consistent with the nmr parameters of the the C-t erminal octapeptide, a shorter fragment that retains allodynin-blocking act ivity. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.