Neo-tryptophan

An amino acid, wherein said amino acid is neo-tryptophan.

A neo-tryptophan derivative.

A serotonin-like neo-tryptophan derivative, said derivative comprising the following structure:

• 2
• wherein R1, R2, and R3 is H, OH, CH3, SH, F, NH2, or COOH, and A is zero, one, two, or three.

A method of synthesizing neo-tryptophan, said method comprising:

• a) providing 4-hydroxymethyl indole, and
• b) substituting the hydroxyl group of said 4-hydroxymethyl indole with a glycyl unit to produce neo-tryptophan.

A method of synthesizing a neo-tryptophan derivative, said method comprising:

• a) providing 4-hydroxymethyl indole, wherein the N-1 nitrogen of said 4-hydroxymethyl indole is protected by a protecting group, and
• b) substituting the hydroxyl group of said 4-hydroxymethyl indole with a glycyl unit to produce a neo-tryptophan derivative.

A method of making a polypeptide containing neo-tryptophan, said method comprising:

• a) providing a neo-tryptophan derivative, and
• b) linking an amino acid residue to said neo-tryptophan derivative to form said polypeptide containing neo-tryptophan.

A method of inducing a neurotensin response in a mammal, said method comprising administering an effective dose of a polypeptide to said mammal, wherein said polypeptide comprises neo-tryptophan.

A method of treating a mammal having a serotonin recognition molecule, said method comprising administering a composition to said mammal, wherein said composition interacts with said serotonin recognition molecule, said composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of neo-tryptophan, neo-tryptophan derivatives, and serotonin-like neo-tryptophan derivatives.

A method for screening a polypeptide for in vivo use, said method comprising:

• a) contacting a polypeptide with a protease, wherein said polypeptide contains neo-tryptophan, and
• b) determining whether or not said polypeptide remains intact.

The use of a polypeptide in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a mammal, said polypeptide comprising neo-tryptophan.

The use of a compound in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a mammal, said compound being selected from the group consisting of neo-tryptophan, neo-tryptophan derivatives, and serotonin-like neo-tryptophan derivatives.