Synthesis and biological activity of novel, potent and long-acting analogs of AC-CCK-7 with high affinity for peripheral (type A) receptors

Analogs of cholecystokinin (CCK-7) in which the N-terminal Tyr(SO3H) was acetylated, Asp6 replaced with Thr(SO3H) and Phe7 replaced with N-methyl-Phe were prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis and evaluated for their receptor-binding activity and ability to suppress appetite. The receptor binding activities of these synthetic analogs of CCK-7 and their selectivity for the CCK-A and CCK-B receptor subtypes were determined using solubilized membrane preparations from rat pancreatic tissue and bovine striatum. The synthetic peptide Ac-Tyr(SO3H)-Met-Gly-Trp-Met-Thr(SO3H)-N-methyl-Phe-NH2 (referred to as Ro 23-7014) demonstrated superior satiating potency (ED50 = 0.3 micrograms/kg, i.p.), increased selectivity for CCK-A receptors (400-fold), increased resistance to peptidergic degradation and a longer duration of action (4 to 5 hours). This analog also effectively suppressed food intake following intranasal administration (ED50 = 100 micrograms/kg). These studies demonstrate the feasibility of designing analogs of CCK-8 with greater selectivity, potency and duration of action, which may be useful as nonsystemically administered appetite suppressants.