| Abstract: | The allowed conformations of the μ-receptor-selective cyclic opioid peptide analog  were determined using a grid search through the entire conformational space. Energy minimization of the 13-membered ring structure lacking the exocyclic Tyr1 residue and the Phe3 side chain using the molecular mechanics program Maximin resulted in only four low-energy conformations. These four ring structures served as templates for a further energy minimization study with the Tyr1 residue and Phe3 side chain added to the molecule. The results indicated that the Tyr1 and Phe3 side chains enjoy considerable orientational freedom, but nevertheless, only a limited number of low-energy side-chain configurations were found. The obtained low-energy conformers are discussed in relation to various proposed models of the bioactive conformation of enkephalins and morphiceptin. |
