An unnatural amino acid, β-[6′ -(N, N-dimethyl)amino-2′ -naphthoyl]alanine (Ald) showing polarity-sen sitive fluorescence characteristics, was synthesized. A thorough Ald-scan of dynorphin A (Dyn A), the putative endogenous ligand for κ opioid receptors, was then performed. Replacement of the amino acid residues in positions 5, 8, 10, 12 or 14 of Dyn A(1-13)-NH 2 with Ald resulted in compounds that had almost equal κ binding affinity compared with that of the parent compound; on the other hand, substitution of residues in position 1 or 4 with Ald decreased κ-receptor binding affinity. These results indicate
that Tyr and Phe in Dyn A are very important for maintaining its κ-opioid activity. Evidence from receptor binding assay clearly displays that [Ald 5 ]Dyn A(1-13)-NH 2 is a highly selective κ-opioid receptor agonist. An evaluation of the interaction of Ald-containing Dyn A(1-13)-NH 2 analogues with SDS and DPC micelles was also performed. Interestingly, [Ald 1 ]Dyn A(1-13)-NH 2 and [Ald 4 ]DynA(1-13)-NH 2 showed quite different fluorescence emission maxima in SDS and DPC micelles. This indicates that both peptides are sensitive to electronic properties of the polar surface of the micelles. aladan, dynorphin A, fluorescent amino acid, fluorescent peptide