[Synthesis and enzymatic degradation of beta-casomorphin-5 (author's transl)]

The authors describe the synthesis of beta-casomorphine-5 (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly) by segment condensation and stepwise building-up. Intracerebroventricular application of the pentapeptide to the rat produces a long-lasting analgesia against thermal stimuli (which can be inhibited by naloxone) and counteracts the extinction of a passive avoidance reaction for no less than 4 days following post-shock application. beta-Casomorphin-5 is very rapidly degraded by dipeptidylpeptidase IV; the degradation starts from the N-terminus giving dipeptides. The degradation products are competitive inhibitors of this enzyme.