A high throughput screen for 17 Dermorphin peptides in equine and human urine and equine plasma.
Abstract: The Dermorphins are a family of peptides that act as potent agonists of the opioid μ receptor. Originally identified as a seven amino acid peptide on the skin of the South American Phyllomedusa frog, peptide chemists have since developed a large number of Dermorphin variants, many with superior opioid activity to the original peptide. Dermorphins are unique among the peptide opioid agonists as they appear to have a limited ability to cross the blood brain barrier, producing effects on both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is this ability of Dermorphins to provide central anaesthesia after intravenous or subcutaneous administration that allows their use as analogues of the opioid class of drugs. Recently, illicit use of the Dermorphin peptide in the racing industry has shown the need for an analytical method to control the use of these peptides. We present a high-throughput liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry screen for 17 Dermorphin peptides in equine urine and plasma with limits of detection down to 5 pg/mL. The peptide extraction technique is also suitable for use in human urine.
Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-11-20 PubMed ID: 24259424DOI: 10.1002/dta.1585Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research identifies a new method for detecting the misuse of potent opioid peptides known as Dermorphins in the racing industry using mass spectrometry for testing equine and human urine and equine plasma.
Overview of the Dermorphin Peptides
- The Dermorphin peptides that the study focuses on are a class of potent opioid agonists.
- These peptides were initially found as a seven-amino-acid peptide on the skin of the Phyllomedusa frog species from South America.
- Chemists focusing on peptides have developed numerous variants of the Dermorphin peptides, with several exhibiting improved opioid activity compared to the original peptide.
Dermorphins’ Unique Characteristics and Use
- Dermorphin peptides exhibit unique characteristics among peptide opioid agonists, such as a limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This means they can produce effects on both the central and peripheral nervous system.
- This attribute of Dermorphins allows for their use as analogs of the drug class of opioids since they can provide central anaesthesia following intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
- In recent times, the illegal use of Dermorphin peptides in the racing industry has been observed, highlighting the need for a technique to regulate the usage of these peptides.
Introducing A More Effective Testing Technique
- In response to the illicit use of Dermorphin and the need for regulation, the research presents a high-throughput liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry screening approach.
- This method is used to screen for 17 different Dermorphin peptides present in equine urine and plasma, and is effective with detection limits as low as 5 pg/mL.
- The extraction technique used for the peptides is also applicable for use in human urine, extending its benefits beyond the racing industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Steel R, Timms M, Levina V, Vine J.
(2013).
A high throughput screen for 17 Dermorphin peptides in equine and human urine and equine plasma.
Drug Test Anal, 6(9), 909-921.
https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1585 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Biological Research Unit, Racing Analytical Services Ltd, 400 Epsom Road, Flemington, Victoria, Australia, 3031.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chromatography, Liquid
- Doping in Sports / prevention & control
- High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods
- Horses / blood
- Horses / urine
- Humans
- Limit of Detection
- Opioid Peptides / blood
- Opioid Peptides / urine
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Substance Abuse Detection / methods
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Willemse T, Eiselt E, Hollanders K, Schepens W, van Vlijmen HWT, Chung NN, Blais V, Holleran B, Longpré JM, Schiller PW, Maes BUW, Sarret P, Gendron L, Ballet S. Chemical space screening around Phe(3) in opioid peptides: Modulating µ versus δ agonism by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018 Jul 15;28(13):2320-2323.
- Judák P, Grainger J, Goebel C, Van Eenoo P, Deventer K. DMSO Assisted Electrospray Ionization for the Detection of Small Peptide Hormones in Urine by Dilute-and-Shoot-Liquid-Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2017 Aug;28(8):1657-1665.
- Barker L, Cawley A, Speers N, Knowler K, Chilman K. Sports Supplement Analysis Survey for the Prevalence of WADA Prohibited Substances in the Australian Online Marketplace. Drug Test Anal 2025 Oct;17(10):1857-1864.
- Thomas A, Walpurgis K, Naumann N, Piper T, Thevis M. Bioanalytical methods in doping controls: a review. Bioanalysis 2025 Mar;17(5):359-370.
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