Pharmacological activities of the MIF-1 analogues Pro-Leu-Gly, Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly and pareptide.

The pharmacological activities of the related free acid analogues of MIF-1, Pro-Leu-Gly (PLG) and Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly (YPLG), were investigated because of the possibility that they may be formed during the digestion of milk and wheat proteins in vivo. The amino acid sequences -Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly- and -Pro-Leu-Gly- are present in proteins from these foods. Chronic administration of either PLG (0.25 mg/kg, SC, BID) or the control substance, pareptide (0.25 mg/kg, SC, BID), antagonized the development of tolerance to the cataleptic effects of haloperidol in mice. The effect of YPLG (0.25 mg/kg, SC, BID) on the development of this tolerance was borderline and not statistically significant. Nanomolar concentrations of PLG, YPLG, and pareptide each increased the in vitro binding of 3H-apomorphine to rat striatal receptors. In this in vitro system, bell-shaped dose response curves were observed for each peptide. The effects of these peptides on tolerance development and apomorphine binding are similar to those previously reported for MIF-1 and demonstrate that amidation at the carboxyl terminus is not required for biological activity.