Proteolytic resistance and biological activity of N-methylated analogs of [pGlu6] substance P6-11.

Five synthetic N-methylated analogs (II-V) of the C-terminal hexapeptide analog of substance P (SP), [pGlu6]SP6-11 (I) were evaluated for their metabolic stability and in vitro spasmogenic activity. The metabolic resistance of the analogs was tested by two SP degrading systems with different specificities, namely, the rat parotid and the hypothalamic slice systems. Their biological activity was assessed in the isolated guinea pig ileum. The analog [pGlu6, N-Me Phe7, N-Me Gly9]SP6-11 (III), had relative potency of 65% in the spasmogenic assay as compared to the parent compound. It was found to be more stable than the parent peptide in the hypothalamus, whereas in the parotid system it was susceptible as the parent peptide. However, the analog [pGlu6, N-Me Leu10]SP6-11 (II) (46% relative potency in the spasmogenic assay) was more stable than the parent peptide in the parotid system but did not show any improved stability in the hypothalamus. Identification of degradation products of the [pGlu6, N-Me Leu10]SP6-11 reflected the differences in the specificities of the two preparations. A significant drop in potency (7%) was observed for [pGlu, N-Me Phe7]SP6-11 (IV). This analog was more stable in the hypothalamic system than in the parotid. Introduction of a double methylation, [pGlu6, N-Me Leu10] SP6-11, contributed toward the stabilization in both degrading systems. Its relative spasmogenic activity was comparable to that of analog IV. In light of the above mentioned findings the implications of the N-methylated analogs with respect to putative CNS activity are discussed.