Synthesis and biological activity of some partially modified retro-inverso analogues of cholecystokinin.

Syntheses of some partially modified retro-inverso analogues of the C-terminal octa- or heptapeptide of cholecystokinin are described. These analogues (in which the C-terminal carboxamide was deleted or not) were obtained by reverting one or several peptide bonds in the parent molecule. All these compounds were able to inhibit binding of labeled CCK-8 to rat pancreatic acini and guinea pig brain membranes and to stimulate amylase release from rat pancreatic acini with various potencies. Some of these derivatives reproduce only part of the biological response of CCK on amylase release.