[Conformational properties of biologically active melanostatin analogs]

On the basis of the two-dimensional 1H NMR studies the conformation of melanocyte inhibiting hormone (HCl.Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2, MIF) and its five analogues with p-substituted phenylalanine has been determined. Structure-antidepressant activity relationship (examined by the Porsolt test) of MIF and its analogues has been estimated by means of the multivariate statistical analysis, the vicinal spin coupling constants, which determine phi and chi dihedral angles of the second amino acid and phi and dihedral angle of glycine, being selected as structural parameters. It is shown that a biologically active conformation (10-membered beta-turn II) is realized for the considered peptides.