argipressin--phe(2)- and mesotocin

The neurohypophysial hormones of the quokka wallaby (Setonix brachyurus) have been isolated through preparative high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). One oxytocin-like and two vasopressin-like peptides have been found. These peptides have been characterized by their amino acid composition and by their retention time in HPLC. Mesotocin ([I1e8]-oxytocin) has been identified by amino acid composition, polar partition chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography with a reversed phase column, and pharmacological properties. Lysine vasopressin and phenypressin ([Phe2]-arginine vasopressin) have been characterized by amino acid composition, ion-exchange chromatography, and high pressure liquid chromatography. Lysine vasopressin is about twice as abundant as phenypressin. These three peptides have previously been found in three species belonging to the genus Macropus, namely the red kangaroo, the Eastern gray kangaroo, and the tammar wallaby; they are therefore current in the family Macropodidae. Comparison with other native Australian mammals is discussed.

Topics: Amino Acids; Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Female; Lypressin; Macropodidae; Male; Marsupialia; Oxytocin; Pituitary Gland, Posterior; Rats

Mesotocin ([Ile8]-oxytocin), lysipressin ([ Lys8]-vasopressin) and phenypressin ([Phe8]-vasopressin) have been identified in the western gray kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) as well as four other macropodids. Lysipressin and phenypressin, which differ by the amino acids in positions 2 (Tyr/Phe) and 8 (Lys/Arg) are likely products of two separate vasopressin-like genes. It is assumed that arginine vasopressin found in most mammals is the product of two identical genes which can be revealed in some species by differential mutations as seen usually in marsupials. The duality can also be revealed by differential mutations in another domain of the precursors, such as the neurophysin (MSEL-neurophysin), as observed in the ox.

Topics: Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Genes; Lypressin; Marsupialia; Oxytocin; Pituitary Gland, Posterior; Vasopressins

The neurohypophysial hormones of the eastern gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) have been isolated through molecular sieving and paper chromatoelectrophoresis. One oxytocin-like and two vasopressin-like peptides have been found. These peptides have been characterized by amino acid analysis. Mesotocin ([Ile8]-oxytocin), has been identified both by amino acid composition and by behavior in partition chromatography. Lysine vasopressin has been characterized by amino acid composition and by partial amino acid sequence determination. Phenypressin ([Phe2]-arginine vasopressin) has been identified by amino acid composition. Lysine vasopressin is about twice as abundant as phenypressin. These three peptides have previously been identified in two other macropodids, namely, the red kangaroo and the tammar wallaby, and seem to be present in all the family Macropodidae. The evolution of neurohypophysial hormones is discussed in regard to these results.

Topics: Amino Acids; Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Chromatography; Electrophoresis; Lypressin; Macropodidae; Marsupialia; Oxytocin; Pituitary Gland, Posterior

Topics: Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Female; In Vitro Techniques; Kidney; Mammary Glands, Animal; Marsupialia; Oxytocin; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Vasopressin; Uterus; Vasopressins