CCK-8-related C-terminal tetrapeptides: affinities for central CCKB and peripheral CCKA receptors

We investigated the binding affinity of new tetrapeptides derived from the C-terminal sequence of CCK8 to central CCKB and peripheral CCKA receptors. Compound 1 (Boc-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2) showed high affinity for central CCKB receptors (Ki 4.2 x 10(-8) M, pancreas/cortex ratio = 283). Compounds 2 (Suc-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2) and 3 (Suc-Trp-Leu-Asp-Phe-NH2) also exhibited high affinity (Ki 2.7 x 10(-8) M and 5.6 x 10(-8) M, respectively) but their CCKB selectivity was nearly 50 times higher (Ki ratio greater than 14,000). Replacement of Met or Leu by other amino acids resulted in less effective tetrapeptides.