FK 224, a novel cyclopeptide substance P antagonist with NK1 and NK2 receptor selectivity

We have discovered a novel cyclopeptide substance P (SP) antagonist, FK 224 (N-[N2-[N-[N-[N-[2,3-didehydro-N-methyl-N-[N-[3-(2-pentylphenyl )- propionyl]-L-threonyl]tyrosyl-L-leucynyl]-D-phenylalanyl]-L-allo- threonyl]-L-asparaginyl]-L-serine-nu-lactone), which inhibited [3H]SP binding to guinea pig lung membranes in a dose-dependent manner. According to Rosenthal analysis, the inhibitory effect of FK 224 on [3H]SP binding appears to be competitive. In order to clarify the receptor subtype selectivity of FK 224, we have studied the interaction of FK 224 with three tachykinin receptors (NK1, NK2 and NK3) by using receptor binding techniques and in vitro bioassays, and have also compared FK 224 with the novel nonpeptide antagonist, (+/-)-CP-96,345. In binding experiments, FK 224 dose-dependently inhibited [3H]SP binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes (NK1) and [3H]neurokinin (NK) A (NKA) binding to rat duodenum smooth muscle membranes (NK2), but did not affect [3H]eledoisin binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes (NK3). In bioassay experiments, FK 224 inhibited SP-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum (NK1) and NKA-induced contraction of rat vas deferens (NK2) in a dose-dependent manner, but did not affect NKB-induced contraction of rat portal vein (NK3). In contrast, (+/-)-CP-96,345 inhibited SP-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum, but not NKA-induced contraction of rat vas deferens or NKB-induced contraction of rat portal vein. In the presence of FK 224, SP dose-response curves and NKA dose-response curves were shifted to the right in parallel with no depression of the maximal contraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)