Synthesis and binding affinities of cyclic and related linear analogues of CCK8 selective for central receptors

To investigate the role of the sulfate group and the influence of cyclization on the biological properties of conformationally constrained CCK8 analogues, three series of compounds were synthesized: Boc-Glu-Tyr-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (1), Boc-Glu-Tyr(SO3H)-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (2), and Boc-Glu-Tyr-(SO3H)-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (3) (series A); Boc-D-Glu-Tyr-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (4), Boc-D-Glu-Tyr(SO3H)-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (5), Boc-D-Glu-Tyr(SO3H)-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (6), and Boc-D-Glu-Tyr(SO3H)-Nle-D-Nle-Trp-Asp-Phe-NH2 (7) (series B); and Boc-gamma-D-Glu-Tyr-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (8), Boc-gamma-D-Glu-Tyr(SO3H)-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (9), and Boc-gamma-D-Glu-Tyr-(SO3H)-Nle-D-Lys-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2 (10) (series C). The selectivity of these peptides was studied by measuring their ability to displace 3H]propionyl-CCK8 from guinea pig brain and pancreatic membranes. All the peptides displayed low affinities (KI values around 10(-6) M) for the pancreatic receptors (A type). In contrast, both sulfated and nonsulfated cyclic analogues displayed high affinities for central-type binding sites (B type), especially compounds belonging to series C KI(8) = 4.7 nM and KI(9) = 0.56 nM]. In all series the linear analogues had relatively poor affinities (KI approximately 300 nM) for B-type receptors. Compound 9 was the most potent (KI = 0.56 nM) and selective KI(pancreas)/KI(brain) = 4464] for central-type CCK receptors of guinea pig. The cyclization of the N-terminal region of CCK8 permits one therefore to obtain probes for central receptors, and small changes directed toward the cyclic part modulate the affinity for these receptors.