Backbone Modified Formyl-Methionyl Tripeptide Chemoattractants

The conformationally restricted tripeptides HCO-L-Met-Xxx-L-Phe-OMe [where Xxx is L (D)-Iva, -(alphaMe)Val or -(alphaMe)Phe] were synthesized and tested for their beta-glucosaminidase release activity. The [L-(alphaMe)Val]2- and [L-(alphaMe)Leu]2- analogues turned out to be the most active compounds examined. The positive effects induced by increasing side-chain hydrophobicity and by the L-chirality of the Xxx residue on peptide-receptor interactions are discussed.