Dynamics of Met5- and Leu5-enkephalin and their receptor binding activity in relation to morphine

A complete normal coordinate analysis of Met5- and Leu5-enkephalins using Wilson's GF matrix method and Urey Bradley force field has been carried out to understand the dynamical behaviour of enkephalins. In addition, the charge distributions on different atoms of the two enkephalins and morphine using CNDO/2 method are also reported. The similarity in the charge distribution on the part of these two molecules is indicative of the possible interactions at the same receptor site as that of morphine and its derivatives. Apart from the topographical features and charge distribution, binding onto receptor site is not a static but a dynamic process and low frequency modes must play an important role in the recognition process. The significance of the out-of-plane amide VII band and other skeletal modes as characteristic of conformational states of Met5- and Leu5-enkephalins are discussed.