Backbone modified formyl-methionyl tripeptide chemoattractants

Abstract The conformationally restricted tripeptides HCO-L-Met-L-Phe-OMe [where Xxx is L (D)-Iva, -(αMe)Val or -(αMe)Phe] were synthesized and tested for their β-glucosaminidase release activity. The [L-(αMe)Val] 2 - and [L-(αMe)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.