Comparison of the antinociceptive effect between D-Arg containing dipeptides and tetrapeptides in mice

Peptidomimetics and Their Applications for Opioid Peptide Drug Discovery

Despite various advantages, opioid peptides have been limited in their therapeutic uses due to the main drawbacks in metabolic stability, blood-brain barrier permeability, and bioavailability. Therefore, extensive studies have focused on overcoming the problems and optimizing the therapeutic potential. Currently, numerous peptide-based drugs are being marketed thanks to new synthetic strategies for optimizing metabolism and alternative routes of administration. This tutorial review briefly introduces the history and role of natural opioid peptides and highlights the key findings on their structure-activity relationships for the opioid receptors. It discusses details on opioid peptidomimetics applied to develop therapeutic candidates for the treatment of pain from the pharmacological and structural points of view. The main focus is the current status of various mimetic tools and the successful applications summarized in tables and figures.

Involvement of spinal release of α-neo-endorphin on the antinociceptive effect of TAPA

The antinociceptive effect of i.t.-administered Tyr-d-Arg-Phe-β-Ala (TAPA), an N-terminal tetrapeptide analog of dermorphin, was characterized in ddY mice. In the mouse tail-flick test, TAPA administered i.t. produced a potent antinociception. The antinociception induced by TAPA was significantly attenuated by i.t. pretreatment with the κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine, as well as by the μ-opioid receptor antagonist β-funaltrexamine and the μ1-opioid receptor antagonist naloxonazine. TAPA-induced antinociception was also significantly suppressed by co-administration of the μ1-opioid receptor antagonist Tyr-d-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2 (d-Pro(2)-endomorphin-2) but not by co-administration of the μ2-opioid receptor antagonists Tyr-d-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2 (d-Pro(2)-endomorphin-1) and Tyr-d-Pro-Trp-Gly-NH2 (d-Pro(2)-Tyr-W-MIF-1). In CXBK mice whose μ1-opioid receptors were naturally reduced, the antinociceptive effect of TAPA was markedly suppressed compared to the parental strain C57BL/6ByJ mice. Moreover, the antinociception induced by TAPA was significantly attenuated by i.t. pretreatment with antiserum against the endogenous κ-opioid peptide α-neo-endorphin but not antisera against other endogenous opioid peptides. In prodynorphin-deficient mice, the antinociceptive effect of TAPA was significantly reduced compared to wild-type mice. These results suggest that the spinal antinociception induced by TAPA is mediated in part through the release of α-neo-endorphin in the spinal cord via activation of spinal μ1-opioid receptors.

Involvement of spinal μ1-opioid receptors on the Tyr-d-Arg-Phe-sarcosine-induced antinociception

The involvement of spinal mu-opioid receptor subtypes on the antinociception induced by i.t.-administered Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-sarcosine (TAPS), a N-terminal tetrapeptide analog of dermorphin, was determined in mice tail-flick test. Intrathecal administration of TAPS produced the marked inhibition of the tail-flick response in a dose-dependent manner. The antinociception induced by TAPS was completely eliminated by i.t.-co-administration of Tyr-D-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2 (D-Pro2-endomorphin-2), the mu1-opioid receptor antagonist, whereas i.t. co-treatment with Tyr-D-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2 (D-Pro2-endomorphin-1) or Tyr-D-Pro-Trp-Gly-NH2 (D-Pro2-Tyr-W-MIF-1), the mu2-opioid receptor antagonists, did not affect the TAPS-induced antinociception. In contrast, the antinociception induced by i.t.-administered [D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin was significantly attenuated by i.t.-co-administration of D-Pro2-endomorphin-1 or D-Pro2-Tyr-W-MIF-1, but not D-Pro2-endomorphin-2. These results suggest that TAPS may stimulate spinal mu1-opioid receptors to produce the antinociception.

The synthesis and opioid receptor binding affinities of analogues of dermorphin and its N-terminal tetrapeptide fragment with dibasic acids in position 2

Analysis of possible mu opioid receptor active conformations for dermorphin suggested that the topographical location of the tyramine moiety of the N-terminal tyrosine can be simulated with the phenol of tyrosine or desamino-tyrosine (4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid) and a basic group located on the side chain of a dibasic acid residue located in position 2. The biological properties of respective analogs with D- or L-arginine, and D- or L-lysine in the position 2 of dermorphin or desamino-dermorphin and their N-terminal tetrapeptide fragments, has provided evidence in support of this prediction, and questions the dogma that an N-terminal tyrosine is a necessary element for opioid agonist peptides.

Tolerance and cross-tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of [D-Arg2]-dermorphin tetrapeptide analogue and morphine

Rats were given repeated subcutaneous injections of [D-Arg2, Sar4]-dermorphin (1-4) [DAS-DER-(1-4)] and/or morphine over a period of 4 or 7 days. Antinociception was determined at 90 min for DAS-DER (1-4) and 30 min for morphine after each morning injection (9:00 a.m.), using the tail-flick and digit pinching tests in rats. Subcutaneous administration of DAS-DER (1-4) and morphine produced the development of antinociceptive tolerance, respectively. A marked tolerance to DAS-DER (1-4) and morphine was seen in rats made tolerant to morphine. However, administration of morphine produced no significant decrement in the antinociceptive activity in rats made tolerant to DAS-DER (1-4). These results suggest that the site of action of DAS-DER (1-4) may be more limited than that of morphine in the nociceptive pathways, for lack of its antinociceptive efficacy in morphine-tolerant rats.

Comparison of opioid properties between d-arg-containing dipeptides and tetrapeptides

Since the D-Arg-containing dipeptides, H-Tyr-D-Arg-OMe (TDA) and H-Tyr(Et)-D-Arg-OMe, and D-Arg2-substituted dermorphin N-terminal tetrapeptide analogues, H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Gly-OEt (TDAPG) and H-Tyr(Et)-D-Arg-Phe-Gly-OEt gave different pharmacological responses in vivo, opioid interaction and structure-activity relationships have been investigated in vitro. In the isolated guinea-pig ileum assay, the tetrapeptides were potently inhibitory, their activity markedly exceeding that of the dipeptides. In particular, the first tetrapeptide had twice the activity of morphine, while the potency of the dipeptides was less than one twentieth that of morphine. Also in the opioid receptor binding assay, tetrapeptides had a higher affinity than the dipeptides. IC50 values of tetrapeptides were 8.46 and 23.7 nM, respectively, which were lower than that of morphine. Ethylation of the Tyr residue of TDA much increased the opioid activity whereas that of TDAPG greatly decreased it. All peptides used were extremely stable to aminopeptidase-M and carboxypeptidase-Y and had an inhibitory effect on enkephalin (EK)-degrading enzymes. From these results, it appears that the effects of the tetrapeptides are due mainly to specific interaction with opioid receptors, whereas the dipeptides do not act specifically on the opioid receptors, but are involved in non-opioid mechanisms. The resistance to enzymes and inhibitory effect of the peptides used on the EK-degrading enzymes may also account for their potent and long-lasting opioid-like activities.

Spinal antinociception: comparison of a dermorphin tetrapeptide analogue, [D-arginine2, sarcosine4]-dermorphin (1-4) and morphine in rats

Intracerebroventricular injections of [D-arginine2, sarcosine4]-dermorphin (1-4) (DAS-DER 1-4) and morphine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the tail-flick response to thermal stimulation. The ED50 value for each drug was 3.23 (1.35-7.73) nmol/rat and 32.0 (13.3-76.6) nmol/rat, respectively. When injected into the spinal subarachnoid space, the ED50 value was 0.035 (0.015-0.086) nmol/rat for the tetrapeptide and 11.9 (5.7-25.2) nmol/rat for morphine, respectively. Antinociception induced by DAS-DER 1-4 and morphine, through the intracerebroventricular and intrathecal routes, was clearly reduced by pretreatment with a small dose of naloxone. After spinal transection, the antinociceptive potency of systemically-administered morphine was significantly reduced while that of DAS-DER 1-4 was unaltered. The activity of DAS-DER 1-4 and morphine was also reversed by naloxone in spinal animals. It is concluded that DAS-DER 1-4, a dermorphin analogue, has a minor supraspinal action but acts mainly at the level of the spinal cord, in contrast to the action of morphine.

Dermorphin analogues containing D-kyotorphin: structure-antinociceptive relationships in mice

The antinociceptive effects of synthetic dermorphin and its analogues containing D-Arg in position 2 injected into the lateral cerebroventricle were examined in conscious mice. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of dermorphin and [D-Arg2] dermorphin produced potent and long-lasting antinociceptive activity as assayed by the tail-pressure test. Dermorphin and [D-Arg2] dermorphin were 210 and 52 times more potent than morphine, respectively. The antinociceptive effects produced by these heptapeptides were antagonized by a low dose (0.5 mg kg-1, i.p.) of the opioid antagonist naloxone. The ED50 values for [D-Arg2] dermorphin (1-6), (1-5) and (1-4) were not significantly different from that for [D-Arg2] dermorphin. The potency of the shortest fragment, [D-Arg2] dermorphin (1-2) was found to possess a severely reduced activity, whilst [D-Arg2] dermorphin (1-3) maintained activity and was 10 times more potent than morphine. [D-Arg2] dermorphin analogues showed almost identical effects when tested on the electrically-induced contractions of the guinea-pig isolated ileum. These results led us to conclude that the presence of the N-terminal tripeptide in the structure of [D-Arg2] dermorphin is of crucial importance for the manifestation of the full intrinsic opioid-like antinociceptive activity of [D-Arg2] dermorphin, which is presumably mediated through opioid receptors in the brain.

Physical dependence of a dermorphin tetrapeptide analog, [D-Arg2, Sar4]-dermorphin (1-4) in the rat

The characteristics of an analog of tetrapeptide dermorphin (H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Sar-OH), [D-Arg2, Sar4]-dermorphin (1-4) were examined in comparison with morphine by the appearance of typical withdrawal signs upon cessation of administration or treatment with naloxone, an opioid antagonist. The dose of [D-Arg2, Sar4]-dermorphin (1-4) or morphine in the physical dependence test can be quantified by determining the ED50 to inhibit the tail-flick response to thermal stimuli. Doses from 8 to 64 times the ED50 doses were employed in the subcutaneous injection schedules. The cessation of [D-Arg2, Sar4]-dermorphin (1-4) or naloxone treatment was largely without effect on body weight, in contrast to a marked loss of weight in morphine-dependent rats. The tetrapeptide failed to substitute for morphine in morphine-dependent rats. The physical dependence of [D-Arg2, Sar4]-dermorphin (1-4) was revealed by the behavioral signs of withdrawal precipitated by naloxone. However, the scores of lacrimation, diarrhea and urination were much lower in chronically tetrapeptide-treated rats than in morphine-treated rats, though the score of teeth chatter was higher. These findings indicate that [D-Arg2, Sar4]-dermorphin (1-4) may differ from morphine in physical dependence.

Administered peptides inhibit the degradation of endogenous peptides. The dilemma of distinguishing direct from indirect effects

Virtually all peptides are biologically active following central administration as a consequence of both direct and indirect cellular actions. Direct effects are mainly interactions with specific membrane receptors but may include unions with other components of the receptor/effector complex. Significant indirect biological effects of exogenous peptides, including apparent secretagogue effects on endogenous peptides largely overlooked in practice, result from extensive competition with endogenous peptides for degradative enzymes (peptidases). A consequence of this competition is enhancement of tonic or intermittent activity of endogenous peptides. The pharmacological profile of any peptide reflects or includes, therefore, the spectrum of endogenous peptides that is protected from peptidase action. It is likely that certain pharmacologically active peptides, including a large number of di-, tri- and oligo-peptides, elicit responses mainly or exclusively by competing for peptidases. Therefore, reliable estimates of the relative contributions of direct and indirect actions of exogenous peptides may be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.

A comparison of the antinociceptive and behavioral effects of D-Arg substituted dipeptides and tetrapeptides in mice

Intracerebroventricular administration of D-Arg substituted dipeptides, H-Tyr-D-Arg-OMe and H-Tyr(Et)-D-Arg-OMe, and D-Arg2 substituted N-terminal tetrapeptides of dermorphin, H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Gly-OEt and H-Tyr(Et)-D-Arg-Phe-Gly-OEt resulted in dose-related and naloxone-reversible antinociceptive effects. Among them, tetrapeptides not only exhibited much more potent and prolonged activities than dipeptides but also were significantly antagonized even by a low dose of naloxone. Spontaneous motor activity was lowered by dipeptides throughout the observation period, which was scarcely antagonized by naloxone. Tetrapeptides elicited locomotor hyperactivity following an initial locomotor suppression. Only the locomotor hyperactivity was significantly antagonized by naloxone. These results suggest that tetrapeptides induce the effects via opioid receptors, whereas the effects of dipeptides are involved in various systems non-specifically.