Synthesis and properties of oxytocin analogues modified in the tripeptide side chain
Two oxytocin analogues were synthesized by fragment condensation (6 + 3) in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. In one of the analogues, proline in the position 7 and leucine in the position 8 were substituted by 2-[1-(2-oxo-3-aminopyrrolidinyl)]-4-methylpentanoic acid, in the other proline was replaced by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. Biological activities of the first analogue were strongly reduced and dissociation of the uterotonic and galoctogogic activities was observed with both the analogues. The structure of 2-(3-tert-butyloxycarbonylaminopyrrolidin-2-on-1-yl)-4-methylpentanoylglycine and its amide was confirmed by mass and 1 H NMR spectroscopy.