Cheng HC, Yamashiro D. Synthesis and receptor binding activity of elephant beta-endorphin, a beta-endorphin homolog with highly potent analgesic activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE AND PROTEIN RESEARCH 1991;
38:66-9. [PMID:
1657806 DOI:
10.1111/j.1399-3011.1991.tb01411.x]
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Abstract
Elephant beta-endorphin and its analog, elephant beta-endorphin(6-31) were synthesized by standard solid phase method. Receptor binding activity showed that elephant beta-endorphin was five to six times more potent than human beta-endorphin in its ability to bind to opiate receptors on rat brain membrane. In a previous study (Wong, C.-L., Wai, M.-K., Cheng, H.-C., Chung, D. & Yamashiro, D (1990) Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 16, 33-37), tail flick test for intracerebroventricularly administered beta-endorphin showed that the antinociceptive potency of elephant beta-endorphin was seven to eight times higher than that of human beta-endorphin in mice. Results from both studies suggest that elephant beta-endorphin was a much more potent antinociceptive agent than human beta-endorphin in tail flick test and its higher analgesic activity might be due to its higher affinity for opiate receptors in the brain.
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