1. Changes in the rat sleep-wake cycle produced by D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine, a tryptophan analog
C Rogemont, N Sarda, A Gharib, H Pacheco Neurosci Lett. 1988 Nov 11;93(2-3):287-93. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(88)90097-3.
The effects of i.p. injections of D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine, a synthetic analog of tryptophan were tested on the rat sleep-waking cycle. Administration of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in slow-wave sleep (SWS) and a decrease in paradoxical sleep (PS). These modifications were dose-dependent. These results were compared with those previously obtained with L-tryptophan and several analogs and discussed in relation with possible changes in central serotonergic activity.
2. Comparison of effects of L-tryptophan and a tryptophan analog, D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine, on processes relating to hepatic protein synthesis in rats
H Sidransky, E Verney, R Kurl J Nutr. 1990 Oct;120(10):1157-62. doi: 10.1093/jn/120.10.1157.
Earlier studies reported that the administration of L-tryptophan increased polyribosomal aggregation, protein synthesis and levels of cytoplasmic poly(A) mRNA in rat liver. This study was concerned with the effects of an L-tryptophan analog, D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine, in comparison with those of L-tryptophan. Both D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine and L-tryptophan bound to the L-tryptophan receptor protein and increased poly(A)polymerase and nucleoside triphosphatase activities of hepatic nuclei. However, only L-tryptophan was associated with increases in the release of labeled nuclear RNA (in vitro), in protein synthesis, in polyribosomal aggregation and in glycosylation ([14C]glucosamine incorporation into proteins) of rat liver. These results indicate that although D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine affected hepatic nuclei (binding and enzyme levels), it did not stimulate nucleocytoplasmic translocation of mRNA and concomitant protein synthesis, as did L-tryptophan.
3. Synthesis and microbiological activities of beta-(1-chloro-2-naphthyl) alanine and beta-(1-bromo-2-naphthyl) alanine
T J McCord, R N Watson, C E DuBose, K L Hulme, A L Davis J Med Chem. 1976 Mar;19(3):429-30. doi: 10.1021/jm00225a020.
beta-(1-Chloro-2-naphthyl)alanine and beta-(1-bromo-2-naphthyl) alanine were synthesized by ammonolysis of the corresponding alpha, 1-dihalo-2-naphthalenepropanoic acids derived from 1-nitro-2-naphthylamine by diazotization and condensation with acrylic acid in the presence of cuprous halides. The two analogs as well as the previously reported beta-(2-naphthyl)alanine and beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine were studied as growth inhibitors of Escherichia coli 9723, Leuconostoc dextranicum 8086, and Lactobacillus plantarum 8014. In general, the chloro and bromo analogs were more effective than the unsubstituted naphthylalanines as growth inhibitors of the three microorganisms studied.
