Synthesis and biological activity of monothionated analogs of leucine-enkephalin

The synthesis of the four regioisomers of monothionated Leu-enkephalins (Leu-Enk) from previously reported protected precursors is described. The Tyr1-thio analog was obtained as a 1:1 mixture of the L- and D-Tyr diastereomers. The pure compounds were tested for opiate-like activity by using the guinea-pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) preparations, by assessing analgesic effects following intra-cerebroventricular administration and by examining their ability to displace [3H]-D-Ala2, D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE) and [3H]-dihydromorphine from rat brain homogenates. The results demonstrate that depending on the backbone position of the thioamide function, activity can be decreased or increased. In the smooth muscle preparations as well as in the opiate binding tests, the activity of D,L-Tyr1-thio-Leu-Enk and Gly3-thio-Leu-Enk was reduced. The activity of the latter analog was also diminished in the analgesia test. In all biological assays, Phe4-thio-Leu-Enk was either equally or slightly less potent than the parent compound. However, introduction of the sulfur atom in position 2 of Leu-Enk increased the potency of the compound in all assays, the MVD assay being the most sensitive. The results are interpreted in terms of the thioamide (amide) function in receptor recognition processes, the probable behavior of thiopeptides toward physiologically relevant peptidases and the structural divergences between tissue-specific receptors.