[Synthesis and biological activity of some Val(Ala)-Tyr and Val-Tyr-Tyr peptides]

15B2 and WF-10129, reported as potent angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), were used as lead compounds for design of novel ACEI. Some of Val-Tyr-Tyr and Val-Tyr peptides were synthesized and tested for ability to inhibit ACE in vitro and in Vivo. The most potent compound was found to be N-(1-benzoyl-1-carboxymethyl)-L-Alanyl-L-Tyrosine (II5, IC50 = 7.9 x 10(-10) mol/L) which was prepared by the addition of Ala-Tyr to benzoyl-acrylic acid in the presence of triethylamine. The structure-activity relationships were also discussed.