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Science 3 April 1981:
Vol. 212. no. 4490, pp. 75 - 77
DOI: 10.1126/science.6259732
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Articles

Science, Vol 212, Issue 4490, 75-77
Copyright © 1981 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Morphiceptin (NH4-tyr-pro-phe-pro-COHN2): a potent and specific agonist for morphine (mu) receptors

KJ Chang, A Lillian, E Hazum, P Cuatrecasas, and JK Chang

The synthetic peptide NH2-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-CONH2 (morphiceptin), which is the amide of a fragment of the milk protein beta-casein, has morphinelike activities and is highly specific for morphine (mu) receptors but not for enkephalin (delta) receptors. It is as active as morphine in the guinea pig ileum but much less active in the mouse and rat vas deferens. The discovery of this specific morphine receptor ligand substantiates the hypothesis of multiple opiate receptors. The ligand, which may be of physiological significance since a very similar, or identical, activity can be detected in enzymatic digests of beta-casein, may prove useful for further investigation of the functions of opiate receptor subtypes.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Functional Characterization of Opioid Receptor Ligands by Aequorin Luminescence-Based Calcium Assay.
J. Fichna, K. Gach, M. Piestrzeniewicz, E. Burgeon, J. Poels, J. V. Broeck, and A. Janecka (2006)
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 317, 1150-1154
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Opioid and Cholecystokinin Antagonists Alleviate Gastric Inhibition of Food Intake by Premeal Loads of Casein in Meal-Fed Rats.
M. A. Froetschel, M. J. Azain, G. L. Edwards, C. R. Barb, and H. E. Amos (2001)
J. Nutr. 131, 3270-3276
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Food Peptides: A New Class of Hormones?.
J. E. Morley (1982)
JAMA 247, 2379-2380
   Abstract »    PDF »
Morphine in cow and human milk: could dietary morphine constitute a ligand for specific morphine (mu) receptors?.
E Hazum, J. Sabatka, K. Chang, D. Brent, J. Findlay, and P Cuatrecasas (1981)
Science 213, 1010-1012
   Abstract »    PDF »


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