Abstract: The invention provides a rapid approach for combinatorial synthesis and screening of combinatorial libraries of bicyclic guanidine compounds. The present invention further provides the compounds made by the combinatorial synthesis and individually as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands for melanocortin receptors. For example, the invention provides the melanocortin receptor peptide ligand Ac-Nlc-Gln-His-(p(I)-D-Phe)-Arg-(D-Trp)-Cly-NH2, (SEQ ID NO: 1), where the iodo group is unlabeled or radioactively labeled. The invention additionally provides methods of assaying for melanocortin receptors in a cell or tissue such as brain. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a melanocortin receptor ligand and to methods of administering the pharmaceutical composition to a subject. The invention further provides tetrapeptide ligands for melanocortin receptors and methods of altering melanocortin receptor activity.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a single, selectively N-alkylated compound and libraries of such compounds as set forth in Formula I. Furthermore, the instant invention is directed to methods of effecting analgesia, a decrease in the postprandial rise in the blood glucose levels of a mammal after ingestion of a carbohydrate load by said mammal, and treating microbial infections, utilizing such a single compound of Formula I in conjunction with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. Also, the instant invention is directed to methods for selective alkylation, positional scanning and iterative synthetic and screening technologies.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a single, selectively N-alkylated compound and libraries of such compounds as set forth in Formula I. Furthermore, the instant invention is directed to methods of effecting analgesia, a decrease in the postprandial rise in the blood glucose levels of a mammal after ingestion of a carbohydrate load by said mammal, and treating microbial infections, utilizing such a single compound of Formula I in conjunction with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. Also, the instant invention is directed to methods for selective alkylation, positional scanning and iterative synthetic and screening technologies.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel opioid peptides. Disclosed are opioid peptides having the general structures Ac-Phe-Arg-Trp-Trp-Tyr-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 1); Ac-Arg-Trp-Ile-Gly-Trp-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 2); Trp-Trp-Pro-Lys-His-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 3); and shorter versions of the latter, namely, Trp-Trp-Pro-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 4); Tyr-Pro-Phe-Gly-Phe-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 5); (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Ser-(D)Trp-(D)Trp-Gly.sub.n -Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 6); and (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Thr-(D)Trp-Gly-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 7). Within each genus, Xaa is substituted by a specific amino acid. The invention also relates to an opioid peptide having the general structure Tyr-A1-B2-C3-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 214), wherein A is D-Nve or D-Nle, B is Gly, Phe, or Trp, and C is Trp or Nap. Also included within the invention are opioid peptides of the general structure Me.sub.x H.sub.y N-Tyr-Tyr-Phe.sub.m -Pro.sub.n -NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel opioid peptides. Disclosed are opioid peptides having the general structures Ac-Phe-Arg-Trp-Trp-Tyr-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 1); Ac-Arg-Trp-Ile-Gly-Trp-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 2); Trp-Trp-Pro-Lys-His-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 3); and shorter versions of the latter, namely, Trp-Trp-Pro-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 4); Tyr-Pro-Phe-Gly-Phe-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 5); (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Ser-(D)Trp-(D)Trp-Gly.sub.n -Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 6); and (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Thr-(D)Trp-Gly-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 7). Within each genus, Xaa is substituted by a specific amino acid. The invention also relates to an opioid peptide having the general structure Tyr-A1-B2-C3--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 214), wherein A is D-Nve or D-Nle, B is Gly, Phe, or Trp, and C is Trp or Nap. Also included within the invention are opioid peptides of the general structure Pm and red {Me.sub.x H.sub.y N-Tyr-(NMe).sub.z -Tyr-Xaa.sub.z --NH.sub.2 } (SEQ ID NO.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel opioid peptides which are selective for the kappa opiate receptor. In one embodiment, the kappa-selective opioid peptides have the general structure Ac-A1-B2-C3-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH.sub.2, (SEQ ID NO. 28), wherein A1 is Tyr or Arg, B2 is Arg or Phe, and C3 is Thr, Phe, or Met. In yet other embodiments, the kappa-selective opioid peptides have the general structure (D)Phe-D4-E5-F6 (SEQ ID NO. 29) or (D)Nle-D4-E5-F6 (SEQ ID NO. 30), where in both of these formulae D4 is (D)NapAla or (D)Phe, E5 is (D)Nle, Trp, or (D)Ile, and F6 is (D)Arg or (D)ChAla.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides having the ability to inhibit binding of the mu specific ligand .sup.3 H-[D-Ala.sup.2,MePhe.sup.4,Gly-ol.sup.5 ]enkephalin ("DAGO") to the opioid receptors in crude rat brain homogenate.