K. Chang, Y. F. Su, D. Brent
Aug 15, 1985
Citations
2
Influential Citations
86
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
The Journal of biological chemistry
Abstract
Specific radioimmunoassays have been developed for the measurement of naturally occurring morphiceptin and beta-casomorphin. These peptides and related exorphins were isolated from an enzymatic digest of caseins by chromatographic techniques including gel filtration, hydrophobic column and multiple-step high pressure liquid chromatography. Three exorphins were purified and characterized in their radioimmunological, biological, and chemical properties. They were identified as morphiceptin, beta-casomorphin, and 8-prolyl-beta-casomorphin. Since morphiceptin is a highly specific mu-agonist and can be derived from a milk protein, it is possible that morphiceptin is an exogenous opioid ligand specific for mu-receptors in the brain and gastrointestinal tract.