Synthesis and activities of neurotensin, and its acid and amide analogs: possible natural occurrence of [Gln4]-neurotensin

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1976 Nov;73(11):3833-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.73.11.3833.

Abstract

It was considered, a priori, that the isolation of the tridecapeptide, neurotensin, might have inadvertently sllowed the hydrolysis of either the [Gln4]- or the [Leu13-NH2]-moieties. Neurotensin and its three acid and amide analogs, i.e., [Gln4]-neurotensin, neurotensin-NH2, and [Gln4]-neurotensin-NH2 were synthesized. Neurotensin and [Gln4]-neurotensin were indistinguishable by the hypotensive assay, hyperglycemic assay, contraction of the ileum, and radioimmunoassay. Neurotensin-NH2 and [Gln4]-neurotensin-NH2 showed less than 1% of these neurotensin activities. Present information does not elucidate whether the glutamic acid residue in position 4 of neurotensin in situ is present as Glu4 or as Gln4. At high levels, neurotensin released the luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and thyrotropin; [Gln4]-neurotensin-NH2 released thyrotropin, and [Gln4]-neurotensin released luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, but these activities do not appear biologically significant.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cross Reactions
  • Glutamine
  • Gonadotropins, Pituitary / metabolism
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Ileum / drug effects
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins* / chemical synthesis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins* / immunology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins* / pharmacology
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Gonadotropins, Pituitary
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Glutamine