1. Structural requirements in positions 1, 2, 3, and 6 of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) for antiovulatory activity
J Humphries, Y P Wan, T Wasiak, K Folkers, C Y Bowers J Med Chem. 1979 Jul;22(7):774-7. doi: 10.1021/jm00193a005.
Sixteen analogues of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were synthesized by the solid-phase method. In new and surprising relationships, it was found that the substitution of D-Trp into position 3 of [D- less than Glu1,D-Phe2,amino acid3,D-Phe6]-LH-RH significantly enhanced the antiovulatory potency, but substitution by Pro, N-Me-Phe,N-Me-Leu, or L-Trp reduced antiovulatory activity. The substitution of L- less than Glu in position 1 of [D-Phe2,Pro3,D-Phe6]-LH-RH by cyclohexylcarbonyl (Chc), benzoyl (Bz), Ac, Hyp, Ac-Met, hydrogen, Pro, and D- less than Glu residues, and the substitution of D-Phe in position 2 by D-Trp, D-His, D-Phg, and L-Phe residues resulted in analogues with no antiovulatory activity at 750 microgram/rat. Structural requirements for the design of inhibitors of higher potency have been discussed.
2. Synthesis and biological activity of LH-RH antagonists modified in position 1
A Horvath, D H Coy, M V Nekola, E J Coy, A V Schally, I Teplan Peptides. 1982 Nov-Dec;3(6):969-71. doi: 10.1016/0196-9781(82)90066-3.
As part of our studies on the design of more potent antagonists of the LH-RH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) decapeptide, twelve new highly soluble D-Arg6-analogs have been synthesized. These peptides contain modifications in position 1 and are typified by the general formula (N-acetyl-X1, D-p-Cl-Phe2, D-Trp3, D-Arg6, D-Ala10) LH-RH. We have found that a lyophilic, aromatic substituent is required in position 1 in order to elicit antiovulatory activity at a dose as low as 3 micrograms. The larger the hydrophobic amino acid (X: p-Br-Phe, beta-Nal-2) in position 1, the higher is the antiovulatory activity that can be attained. Analogs with non-aromatic or hydrophilic amino acids (X: Gly, Leu, Arg, His, Glu) in position 1 generally have much lower activities in this series of LH-RH antagonists.
3. Pseudosymmetry in the structure of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Studies on a series of novel analogs
C R Beddell, P J Fraser, D Gilbert, P J Goodford, L A Lowe, S Wilkinson J Med Chem. 1975 Apr;18(4):417-23. doi: 10.1021/jm00238a019.
Pseudosymmetry in the LH-RH structure is described. Eleven analogs of LH-RH (SMALLER THAN Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2) have been synthesized by the fragment condensation method and the repetitive excess mixed anhydride method. Multiple substitutions have been made in the LH-RH sequence, which retain the pseudosymmetry of the LH-RH molecule, while presenting fewer problems of synthesis than the corresponding residues in the natural decapeptide. Thus Trp3, Ser4, Tyr5, Gly6, Leu7, and Arg8 residues were replaced by amino acids having similar properties to the residues that they replace. In all but one of the peptides the Gly10-NH2 residue was replaced by ethylamide, while in the remaining peptide, 1-methyl-5-aminomethyltetrazole (AMT-Me) was substituted at position 10. The compounds were assayed in vitro and in vivo. The following analogs had in vivo and in vitro activities in the range 1-28 percent relative to LH-RH: I, smaller than Glu-His-Phe-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-NHEt; II, smaller than Glu-His-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-NHEt; VII, smaller than Glu-His-Phe-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Arg-Pro-NHEt; IX, smaller than Glu-His-Phe-Ala-Tyr-D-Ala-Leu-Arg-Pro-NHEt; XI, smaller than Glu-His-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-AMT-Me.