Science 1976-10-15

(D-Ala2)-Met-enkephalinamide: a potent, long-lasting synthetic pentapeptide analgesic.

C B Pert, A Pert, J K Chang, B T Fong

Index: Science 194 , 330, (1976)

Full Text: HTML

Abstract

[D-Ala2]-Met-enkephalinamide (DALA), a synthetic enkephalin analog designed by in vitro analysis, binds to opiate receptors almost as tightly as methionine-enkephalin. Since it is not susceptible to degradation by brain enzymes, low doses (5 to 10 micrograms) cause profound, long-lasting, morphine-like analgesia when microinjected into rat brain.