A dynorphin A 1-13 amide (DYN) derivative biotinylated in position lysine 13 (B-DYN) has been prepared by automated solid-phase peptide synthesis. The derivative retained its ability to bind to avidin, and B-DYN-avidin complex showed a dissociated half-life of 10 hr at 37 degrees C. Opioid receptor binding was measured in membrane preparations of rat brain (mu), NG-108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells (delta), and guinea pig cerebellum (kappa). Biotinyl substitution of DYN either did not effect receptor binding (delta) or slightly reduced binding affinity (mu and kappa). Binding of B-DYN to the kappa receptor was very tight, with an IC50 value in the low picomolar range, while binding to mu and delta sites was over two orders of magnitude lower. Preassociation of B-DYN with avidin resulted in a reduction of the affinities to the investigated opioid receptors by 100- to 1000-fold. However, the apparent affinity of B-DYN-avidin for the kappa-opioid receptor is sufficient to suggest that B-DYN may be a useful tool for kappa-opioid receptor assay, localization, and purification.