Gas-phase structures reflect the pain-relief potency of enkephalin peptides

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2019 Oct 24;21(41):22700-22703. doi: 10.1039/c9cp04098f.

Abstract

We use cold ion spectroscopy and quantum-chemical computations to solve the structures of opioid peptides enkephalins in the gas phase. The derived structural parameters clearly correlate with the known pharmacological efficiency of the studied drugs, suggesting that gas-phase methods, perhaps, can be used for predicting the relative potency of ligand drugs that target the hydrophobic pockets of receptors.

MeSH terms

  • Enkephalins / chemistry*
  • Enkephalins / pharmacology
  • Gases / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / chemistry
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / pharmacology
  • Spectrum Analysis*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Enkephalins
  • Gases
  • Neurotransmitter Agents