Identification and expression of two oxytocin/vasopressin-related peptides in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis

Two novel members of the oxytocin/vasopressin superfamily have been identified in the cephalopod Sepia officinalis. Oxytocin/vasopressin gene sequences were cloned by Race PCR. The two precursors we identified exhibit the classical organization of OT/VP superfamily precursors: a signal peptide followed by a nonapeptide and a neurophysin domain. The neurophysin domain is entirely conserved for the cuttlefish precursors, but the nonapeptides and the signal peptides differ. The first nonapeptide, called sepiatocin, is highly homologous to Octopus vulgaris octopressin. The second nonapeptide, called pro-sepiatocin, shows sequence homologies with a Crustacean oxytocin/vasopressin-like peptide identified in Daphnia culex and with a novel form of oxytocin described in New World monkeys. The expression of pro-sepiatocin is restricted to the supraesophageal and subesophageal masses of the brain whereas sepiatocin is expressed in the entire central nervous system. Sepiatocin, as described for octopressin, modulates the contractile activity of several muscles such as penis, oviduct and vena cava muscles; this suggests its involvement in reproduction and blood circulation. Pro-sepiatocin is released in the hemolymph; it is a neurohormone able to target numerous peripheral organs.

Extraction of oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin from serum and plasma for radioimmunoassay and surface-enhanced laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) are secreted into the blood in low concentrations. To analyze these peptides, we investigated two common extraction procedures, acetone-ether precipitation and C(18)-SepPak columns. Recovery from both procedures approached 70-80% of the spiked amount, though the SepPak columns were more efficient. C(18)-SepPak columns were used to sequentially separate oxytocin from AVP by eluting oxytocin first with 98% acetone followed by elution of AVP with 80% acetonitrile. Surface-enhanced laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) was used to analyze oxytocin and AVP extracted with C(18)-SepPak columns from an autistic patient's plasma sample. We conclude that C(18)-SepPaks provide more consistent and efficient peptide extraction from serum or plasma that augments both quantitative and qualitative analysis by radioimmunoassay and SELDI-TOF MS.

[Development of intranasal lactocin (oxytocin) drops technology]

Pure oxytocin substance was obtained from posterior part of cattle pituitary gland by high pressure liquid chromatography. Biological activity of the substance--450-500 IU/mg. Chromatographically pure Oxytocin substance was used in developing two different compositions of Lactocin intranasal drops (40 IU/ml). Stability evaluation was performed for 2 year period. The technical documentation was prepared on the basis of the research results. Lactocin is active preparation helping lactation and is indicated for lactostasis treatment and its prophylaxis after delivery.

Optimization of the conditions for biuret complex formation for the determination of peptides by capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection

Capillary electrophoresis with UV detection was utilized to optimize copper complexation conditions for the analysis of neuropeptides. Complexation was confirmed by monitoring the response at a visible wavelength. Four complexation strategies were used to compare the UV response of native peptides and their respective copper complexes. All four strategies resulted in complete complexation, but on-capillary complexation provided significant advantages over precapillary and pre-/on-capillary. An increase in UV absorbance along with peak stacking resulted in a significantly greater response using the on-capillary technique. Also, on-capillary complexation does not require dilution of the sample. The effects of temperature and copper concentration were also investigated. The utility of this method for the separation of an enkephalin peptide mixture is presented.

Capillary electrochromatography/nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry for attomole characterization of peptides

The successful coupling of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) to an ion trap mass spectrometer via a nanoelectrospray interface (nESI) is described. Using a conductively coated tip butted to the end of a CEC column, it was possible to obtain a stable spray without any sheath liquid being employed. Selected small peptides were separated with CEC columns (100 microm i.d./25 cm long) packed with 3 microm Hypersil C8 or C18 bonded silica particles with an eluent composed of ammonium acetate/acetonitrile. Peptide mixtures of desmopressin, peptide A, oxytocin, carbetocin and [Met(5)]-enkephalin were detected in the mid-attomole range, which is the lowest amount analyzed using CEC combined with MS detection. It was also observed that sensitivity can be compromised at higher separation voltages. We demonstrate that CEC/nESI-MS, at the current stage of development, represents one of the most sensitive systems for peptide analysis.

Expression, folding, and thermodynamic properties of the bovine oxytocin-neurophysin precursor: relationships to the intermolecular oxytocin-neurophysin complex

Earlier thermodynamic studies of the intermolecular interactions between mature oxytocin and neurophysin, and of the effects of these interactions on neurophysin folding, raised questions about the intramolecular interactions of oxytocin with neurophysin within their common precursor. To address this issue, the disulfide-rich precursor of oxytocin-associated bovine neurophysin was expressed in Escherichia coli and folded in vitro to yield milligram quantities of purified protein; evidence of significant impediments to yield resulting from damage to Cys residues is presented. The inefficiency associated with the refolding of reduced mature neurophysin in the presence of oxytocin was found not to be alleviated in the precursor. Consistent with this, the effects of pH on the spectroscopic properties of the precursor and on the relative stabilities of the precursor and mature neurophysin to guanidine denaturation indicated that noncovalent intramolecular bonding between oxytocin and neurophysin in the precursor had only a small thermodynamic advantage over the corresponding bonding in the intermolecular complex. Loss of the principal interactions between hormone and protein, and of the enhanced stability of the precursor relative to that of the mature unliganded protein, occurred reversibly upon increasing the pH, with a midpoint at pH 10. Correlation of these results with evidence from NMR studies of structural differences between the precursor and the intermolecular complex, which persist beyond the pH 10 transition, suggests that the covalent attachment of the hormone in the precursor necessitates a conformational change in its neurophysin segment and leads to properties of the system that are distinct from those of either the liganded or unliganded mature protein.

Differential colocalization of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) with oxytocin and vasopressin in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the female rat brain: an immunocytochemical study

Evidence exists for the localization of the newly identified estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) within the rat paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON), regions which lack ERalpha. Presently, we investigate whether ERbeta-like-immunoreactivity (-ir) is found within cells of several major neuropeptide systems of these regions. Young adult Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX), and 1 week later half of the animals received estradiol-17beta (E). Dual-label immunocytochemistry was performed on adjacent sections by using an ERbeta antibody, followed by an antibody to either oxytocin (OT), arginine-vasopressin (AVP), or corticotropin releasing hormone. Nuclear ERbeta-ir was identified within SON and retrochiasmatic SON, and in specific PVN subnuclei: medial parvicellular part, ventral and dorsal zones, dorsal and lateral parvicellular parts, and in the posterior magnocellular part, medial and lateral zones. However, the ERbeta-ir within magnocellular areas was noticeably less intense. OT-/ERbeta-ir colocalization was confirmed in neurons of the parvicellular subnuclei, in both OVX and OVX+E brains ( approximately 50% of OT and 25% of ERbeta-labeled cells between bregma -1.78 and -2.00). In contrast, few PVN parvicellular neurons contained both AVP- and ERbeta-ir. As well, very little overlap was observed in the distribution of cells containing corticotropin releasing hormone- or ERbeta-ir. In the SON, most nuclear ERbeta-ir colocalized with AVP-ir, whereas few OT-/ERbeta-ir dual-labeled cells were observed. These findings suggest that estrogen can directly modulate specific OT and AVP systems through an ERbeta-mediated mechanism, in a tissue-specific manner.

[Transformation of genetically engineered oxytocinoyllysine into oxytocin]

Various methods for obtaining oxytocin from its recombinant precursor oxytocinoyllysine were studied. For splitting off the C-terminal lysine residue in oxytocinoyllysine, the carboxypeptidase B and an analogous carboxypeptidase from king crab hepatopancreas were used. Ammonolysis of oxytocinic acid methyl ester proved to be the most efficient method for the last stage of the oxytocin preparation. Reversed-phase HPLC was used for the product analysis at each stage of the recombinant oxytocinoyllysine conversion into oxytocin.

[Genetic engineering of oxytocin: isolation of oxytocinoyllysine]

A hybrid protein, Il-Ox-K, was obtained from cells of E. coli TG1/pTOTEilox strain. The N-terminal sequence of this protein (63 amino acid residues) is a fragment of human interleukin-3, and the C-terminal sequence represents the full amino acid sequence of oxytocin flanked by a lysine residue. The modified oxytocinoyl-Lys containing S-sulfocysteine residues was isolated after tryptic digestion of S-sulfoderivative of the hybrid protein. The modified peptide was converted into the cyclic form containing the disulfide bonds [formula: see text]. Obtaining the oxytocinoyl-Lys proves the possibility of preparing short peptides using the microbiological synthesis.

Sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding an isotocin precursor and localization of the corresponding mRNA in the brain of the cartilaginous fish Torpedo marmorata

The nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding an isotocin hormone precursor has been elucidated by analyzing a lambda ZAPII library constructed using poly(A)+ RNA from the brain of the cartilaginous fish Torpedo marmorata. The sequence predicts a precursor of 126 amino acid residues that consists of a signal peptide, the isotocin moiety, and a neurophysin carrier protein. In contrast to other known fish isotocin precursor sequences, the Torpedo neurophysin moiety is not extended at its carboxy-terminus by a copeptin-like sequence. The T. marmorata isotocin precursor exhibits highest amino acid sequence identity (61%) to the toad mesotocin precursor. As demonstrated by in situ hybridization, the isotocin mRNA is present in neurons of the preoptic area of the Torpedo brain.

A new neurohypophysial peptide, seritocin ([Ser5,Ile8]-oxytocin), identified in a dryness-resistant African toad, Bufo regularis

From the pituitary neurointermediate lobe of the African toad Bufo regularis, vasotocin, hydrin 2 (vasotocinyl-Gly) and a mesotocin-like peptide have been isolated by HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry, amino acid sequence and chromatographic coelution with synthetic peptides. The mesotocin-like peptide has been identified as [Ser5,Ile8]-oxytocin in place of mesotocin ([Ile8]-oxytocin) found in all other amphibians investigated to date. The name seritocin is suggested. The molecule is virtually devoid of oxytocic activity on rat uterus in contrast to mesotocin. On the other hand, the molar ratio of hydrin 2 to vasotocin in the pituitary reaches 2, whereas it is about 1 in toads and frogs from temperate regions. B. regularis is an anuran species able to withstand a hot and dry season by burrowing. The possible relationship between occurrence of seritocin and adaptation to arid environment remains to be demonstrated.

Special evolution of neurohypophysial hormones in cartilaginous fishes: asvatocin and phasvatocin, two oxytocin-like peptides isolated from the spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus caniculus)

In contrast to most vertebrate species that possess one oxytocin-like hormone and one vasopressin-like hormone, a few groups, such as marsupials or cartilaginous fishes, are endowed with two peptides of either or both types, suggesting possible gene duplications. We have now isolated two oxytocin-like hormones from the pituitary of the spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus caniculus (suborder Galeoidei). Microsequencing as well as chromatographic and pharmacological comparisons with synthetic peptides show that these peptides are [Asn4,Val8]oxytocin (asvatocin) and [Phe3,Asn4,Val8]-oxytocin (phasvatocin). Asvatocin and phasvatocin display oxytocic activity on rat uterus, about 80 and 5 milliunits per nmol, respectively, and virtually no pressor activity on anesthetized rats. They occur in roughly equal molar amounts in the gland; vasotocin is also present in a proportional amount that is lower by about a factor of 20. In addition to the duality, conservative amino acid substitutions are observed in the two oxytocic peptides in positions 4 (Gln-4-->Asn) and 8 (Leu-8-->Val), when compared with oxytocin. Furthermore, replacement of the isoleucine residue found in position 3 of all other oxytocin-like hormones by phenylalanine in phasvatocin is exceptional; it determines a dramatic decrease of the oxytocic activity. Preservation of the C-terminal-amidated nonapeptide pattern in the 12 vertebrate neurohypophysial hormones known to date suggests that both precursors and processing enzymes have coevolved tightly. On the other hand, whereas the great evolutionary stability of the mature hormones (generally observed in vertebrates) suggests a strict messenger-receptor coevolution, the exceptional diversity found in cartilaginous fishes (six oxytocin-like peptides identified out of eight known) might be due to a looseness of selective constraints, perhaps in relationship with their specific urea osmoregulation.

Specific radioimmunoassay of oxytocin in rat plasma

Sensitive, specific and reproducible radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for the measurement of oxytocin (OXT) in rat blood plasma after various extraction methods. The assay is based on an antiserum raised against OXT in rabbit. The sensitivity, affinity constant, and cross-reactivity of the antiserum were determined. The 125I-labelled OXT for RIA was produced by chloramine-T method and purified with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two extraction procedures were employed: 1. adsorption to an artificial silicate, Lichroprep Si 60 (Merck); 2. immunoextraction of the hormone applying a magnetic bearer covered with purified antibodies against OXT. The specificity of the extraction methods was characterized in comparative HPLC/RIA studies of specimens extracted from blood plasma in different ways. The basal level of the peptide measured after the extraction with thermally activated Lichroprep Si 60 or after the immunoextraction method was found to be 9.6 +/- 2.3 pg/ml (mean +/- S.E.) and 15.3 +/- 0.9 pg/ml (mean +/- S.E.), respectively. Various well known factors (ether exposure, hyperosmotic stress and suckling) appeared to be potent peripheral stimuli of OXT release, and thus indicated the suitability of the RIA method for the measurement of OXT in blood plasma.

Affinity chromatographic method for the extraction of ocytocin from human and rat plasma

A procedure based on affinity chromatography for the extraction of ocytocin is described. Ocytocin antibody, covalently attached to a magnetizable iron suspension, retains its ability to bind ocytocin from blood plasma. The conjugate can be reused several times. Recovery of ocytocin was 60-70%, and the detection limit for the extraction assay was about 1 pg per tube. The specificity of the extraction method was characterized by HPLC/RIA on specimens extracted from blood plasma. The extracted material was found to be chomatographically identical with the reference ocytocin preparation. Comparison of RIA data for the same samples extracted by immunoextraction (y) and adsorption (x) showed a linear regression of y = 0.83 x + 2.12, r = 0.81, n = 17.

Isolation of Lys-conopressin-G from the venom of the worm-hunting snail, Conus imperialis

Vasopressin homologs have previously been isolated from the venom of fish-hunting cone snails. We investigated whether a vasopressin-like peptide is found in the worm-hunter, Conus imperialis. Using i.c. injections in mice, we isolated a peptide from the venom of C. imperialis which induces scratching and grooming behavior characteristic of the conopressins. Biochemical characterization showed that this peptide is identical to Lys-conopressin-G. The results led us to speculate that the vasopressin-like peptides in Conus venoms may be examples of an evolving conversion of endogenous peptides for specialized venom uses.

Synthesis, turnover, and release of peptides from the neurohypophysis of the Jerboa Jaculus orientalis

Peptide contents of neural lobes from adult jerboas (Jaculus orientalis) under different states of hydration were determined by radioimmunoassay. The amounts of vasopressin, oxytocin, and their associated neurophysins in animals dehydrated for up to 4 weeks were not significantly different from those of controls. The different neurohypophyseal peptide were separated on two different types of gradient using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The shape of the chromatograms suggests that, in contrast to the case of the rat, for which only three types of neurophysins have been shown, there are, in jerboa, many subspecies of neurophysins. This was also shown using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Injection of [35S]cysteine into the supraoptic nucleus followed by HPLC of extracts from the neural lobes from animals under different states of dehydration showed that the labeled material is not released any faster in dehydrated animals than in controls. Labeled vasopressin, oxytocin, and neurophysins could still be detected by HPLC 4 weeks after injection. Neural lobes from animals injected with [35S]cysteine were perfused in vitro and the release of neuropeptides was triggered by bursts of electrical pulses and also by K(+)-induced depolarization. The amplitude of the rate constant for release and the amounts of vasopressin and of radiolabeled material released were similar in animals dehydrated for up to 3 weeks and in controls. Under physiological conditions similar to those that would be expected to occur in their natural habitat, the jerboas appear to have a hypothalamoneurohypophyseal system which is down-regulated.

Isolation, structural characterization and biological function of a lysine-conopressin in the central nervous system of the pharyngobdellid leech Erpobdella octoculata

Several neuropeptides are suspected to act on the control of hydric balance in leeches. One of these peptides, a peptide immunoreactive to an antibody against oxytocin, was previously characterized from the central nervous system of the leech Erpobdella octoculata [Salzet, M., Wattez, C., Verger-Bocquet, M., Beauvillain, J.-C. & Malecha, J. (1993) Brain Res. 601, 173-184]. This paper reports the isolation from the central nervous system of E. octoculata of another peptide of the oxytocin/vasopressin family; a lysine-vasopressin-like molecule. Its purification was performed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography combined with both dot immunobinding assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for lysine-vasopressin. The amino acid sequence was established by Edman degradation and confirmed by electrospray-mass-spectrometry measurement. The nonapeptide obtained corresponded to the lysine-conopressin previously isolated from the venom of the mollusc Conus geographus [Cruz, L. L., de Santos, V., Zafaralla, G. C., Ramilo, C. A., Zeikus, R., Gray, W. R. & Olivera, B. M. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 15821-15824]. In leeches, synthetic lysine-conopressin exerts a diuretic effect which can be compared to that of the arginine-vasopressin-like peptide isolated in the Insect Locusta migratoria [Proux, J., Miller, C. A., Li, J. P., Carney, R. L., Girardie, A., Delaage, M. & Schooley, D. A. (1987) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 149, 180-186].

Chemical identification of the mammalian oxytocin in a holocephalian fish, the ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei)

The neurohypophysial hormones of the ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei), a species belonging to the subclass Holocephali of cartilaginous fishes, have been investigated. An oxytocin-like hormone has been isolated from acetone-desiccated pituitary glands by using successively molecular sieving and high-pressure liquid chromatography. The peptide has been identified as oxytocin by coelution with synthetic oxytocin in HPLC, amino acid sequencing, mass spectrometry, and C-terminal sequencing through carboxypeptidase Y. Vasotocin may be present in a very small amount. Cartilaginous fishes appear to display a great diversity in their oxytocin-like hormones since five different peptides have been identified in rays and sharks that belong to the second subclass Selachii.

Single-step isolation and sequencing of vasopressin and oxytocin precursors

The pre- and post-Golgi processing of preprovasopressin and prepro-oxytocin was evaluated by microsequencing for incorporated radiolabel. 35S-Cysteine and 3H-fucose were microinjected into rat supraoptic nuclei (SON), and proteins and peptides related to the biosynthesis of vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) were isolated at various times from the supraoptic nuclei and neural lobe by employing a one-step procedure of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These proteins and peptides were recognized through their binding to specific antibodies against VP, OT, and rat neurophysins (RNPs), and by their binding to ConA-Sepharose. Two immunoreactive glycoproteins related to VP biosynthesis were recovered from the SON and both contained fucose and had a 35S-cysteine placement consistent with the location of the hormone sequence at the N-terminus. SDS-electrophoresis revealed the major protein form to be 21,000 daltons and the minor protein form to be 19,000 daltons. One nonglycosylated protein of 16,000 daltons related to oxytocin biosynthesis was recovered from the SON, and this protein also had a 35S-cysteine placement consistent with an N-terminal OT sequence. These data provide the first sequential evidence that prior to, or shortly after, packaging in the Golgi the preprohormones of VP and OT have lost their entire leader-peptide structures.

Luteinizing hormone differentially regulates the secretion of testicular oxytocin and testosterone by purified adult rat Leydig cells in vitro

The aims of the present study were to determine whether Leydig cells in vitro synthesize oxytocin, and whether LH modulates the secretion of oxytocin by Leydig cells. Highly purified adult Leydig cells were prepared from adult rats and cultured for 3 days in the presence or absence of 0.1 ng/ml ovine LH, and media were changed daily. The total amount of oxytocin present in the culture was estimated by RIA of cell extracts before culture (day 0) and at the end of day 3 of culture and in media on days 1-3. The content of immunoreactive oxytocin in cell extracts on day 0 (3.4 +/- 1.2 pg/10(6) cells) was significantly lower than the total amount that had been released into the medium and was present in the cell extracts at the end of day 3 (+LH, 27.8 +/- 3.3; -LH, 16.5 +/- 2.7 pg/10(6) cells), suggesting that Leydig cells are able to synthesize and secrete oxytocin. This hypothesis was supported by the observation that oxytocin release into the medium was significantly reduced during a 3-h treatment of Leydig cells with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (5 micrograms/ml for 3 h). The role of LH in regulating testosterone production by Leydig cells is well defined, but whether LH also regulates oxytocin is unknown. Therefore, the effects of LH on oxytocin and testosterone production by Leydig cells were compared. The production of both hormones was stimulated by increasing doses of LH (0.001-100 ng/ml), but no further rise in oxytocin release could be elicited with amounts of LH greater than 0.1 ng/ml. Testosterone production, however, continued to increase with doses of LH up to 100 ng/ml. Furthermore, the two hormones differed in the rate of their responses to both 3- and 12-h exposures to LH; testosterone secretion increased more rapidly than that of oxytocin. These data provide direct evidence that adult Leydig cells produce immunoreactive oxytocin, and that their production of this peptide is regulated by LH.

Evolutionary specificity of hydrins, new hydroosmotic neuropeptides: occurrence of hydrin 2 (vasotocinyl-Gly) in the toad Bufo marinus but not in the viper Vipera aspis

Hydrin 2 (vasotocinyl-Gly), a hydroosmotic peptide resulting from differential processing of provasotocin and recently identified in frog neurohypophysis, has been looked for in the pituitary gland of an exotic toad (Bufo marinus) and of a reptile (Vipera aspis). Hydrin 2 has been found in the amphibian but not in the reptile. This result confirms the evolutionary specificity of hydrin 2 that has been identified only in frogs and toads but not in birds and reptiles. Occurrence of hydrin 2 is explained by its regulatory function on the water permeability of the skin of anurans.

Hypothalamic modulation of immunoreactive oxytocin in the rat thymus

Immunoreactive oxytocin was determined in a peptidic extract of rat thymus by means of a highly specific radioimmunoassay combined with high pressure liquid chromatography fractionation. Rat thymus was found to contain 80 +/- 7.5 pg/g wet tissue (congruent to 0.56 pg/mg protein) of oxytocin-like immunoreactivity, which behaved like synthetic oxytocin in the radioimmunoassay and in two different high pressure liquid chromatography columns. Oxytocin concentration was increased by bilateral electrolytic lesion of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), and by high doses of corticosterone (10 mg/kg IM for 7 days) but was not modified by low doses of corticosterone (1 mg/kg IM for 7 days) or by hypophysectomy. The results suggest that rat thymus synthesizes oxytocin and that thymic oxytocin concentration is modulated by the hypothalamus.

The conformation of deamino-oxytocin: X-ray analysis of the 'dry' and 'wet' forms

Two crystal structures of (1 beta-mercaptopropionic acid) deamino-oxytocin are reported. The 'dry form' in space group C2 has cell dimensions a = 27.08 +/- 0.03, b = 9.06 +/- 0.01, c = 22.98 +/- 0.02 A, beta = 102.06 +/- 0.03 with one deamino-oxytocin and six water molecules per asymmetric unit. The 'wet form' in space group P2(1) has cell dimensions a = 27.27 +/- 0.02, b = 9.04 +/- 0.01, c = 23.04 +/- 0.02 A, beta = 102.24 +/- 0.02, with two deamino-oxytocin and 13 water molecules per asymmetric unit. A local twofold parallel to the monoclinic axis gives a pseudo C2 packing. Initial phases of the 'dry form' were calculated by the heavy-atom method from the isomorphous and anomalous difference Pattersons and anomalous difference Fouier synthesis. The structure was refined by using restrained least-squares at 1.2 A resolution to a crystallographic R = 0.10. The molecular replacement method yielded the P2(1) structure that was refined with geometric restraints to R less than 0.09, by using all data to 1.09 A resolution. Deamino-oxytocin consists of a cyclic tocin ring formed by six amino acids, closed by a disulphide bridge, S1-S6, and held by two trans-annular hydrogen bonds N2-O5 and N5-O2 with a type II turn at residues 3 and 4. A flexible tripeptide tail has a loosely hydrogen-bonded type I beta-turn between N9 and O6. The sulphur of cysteine at position 1 is disordered in all the molecules leading to alternative hands of disulphide. The conformational flexibility of Ile 3, Asn 5, Pro 7 side chains and the disulphide bridge is consistent with previous models of oxytocin in which flexibility is necessary for biological activity.

Oxytocin is the major prolactin releasing factor in the posterior pituitary

Although the posterior pituitary is known to contain the PRL releasing activity or factor (PRF), its chemical identification has been a matter of dispute. In the present study, we purified PRF in porcine posterior pituitary extracts to chemically determine the primary structure. PRF activity was assessed during purification by the release of immunoreactive PRL from superfused rat pituitary cells. Two hundred seventy porcine posterior pituitaries were boiled, homogenized, and extracted with 2 M acetic acid. The acid extract was precipitated with 67% acetone, and the supernatant was absorbed onto a C18 column. The column was eluted step-wise with 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60% acetonitrile (CH3CN) in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The greatest PRF activity was recovered in the 30% CH3CN/0.1% TFA fraction and was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography on SP-Sephadex, followed by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-50. The Sephadex G-50 fractions with major PRF activity were finally purified by two cycles of reverse phase HPLC, yielding a single peak of PRF. Amino acid, as well as sequence analyses, indicated that the highly purified PRF was oxytocin. Authentic oxytocin showed the same chromatographic behavior and biological activity as those of the isolated peptide. In another experiment, desalted crude extracts of rat and porcine posterior pituitary tissues were directly chromatographed by reverse phase HPLC, and each fraction was assayed for PRF activity. Only two areas showed PRF activity; the largest activity coeluted with oxytocin and the smaller one co-eluted with vasopressin. The fractions which coeluted with oxytocin also showed oxytocin immunoreactivity, as examined by RIA. The results clearly indicated that the major PRF in these posterior pituitary extracts was oxytocin.

Is oxytocin present in platelets?

For arginine-vasopressin (AVP) it has been suggested that about 90% of the total amount present in peripheral blood is platelet-membrane bound. Oxytocin (OT) and AVP are nonapeptides which are similar in many respects. We investigated the possibility that OT might be found in platelet-rich plasma samples from patients undergoing ovarian super-stimulation for in-vitro fertilization purposes. These plasma samples were treated with acid repeated freezing/thawing and sonification in an attempt to solubilize or expose the possible bound OT. No differences between OT concentrations in platelet-rich or -poor plasma samples were found. We conclude that plasma OT is not bound or confined to platelets.

[High performance liquid chromatography of peptide bioregulators, their fragments and derivatives. IV. Chromatographic behavior and purification of oxytocin]

Chromatographic behaviour of oxytocin has been studied. A simple and convenient technique has been developed for preparative purification of oxytocin using silica and ethanol. The product obtained contains not more than 3% impurities and has activity about 450 IU/mg.

Hydrins, hydroosmotic neurohypophysial peptides: osmoregulatory adaptation in amphibians through vasotocin precursor processing

From neurointermediate pituitary glands of Xenopus laevis and Rana esculenta, previously unreported peptides termed hydrins, active on water permeability of frog urinary bladder and frog skin (Brunn or "water-balance" effect), have been isolated and sequenced. These peptides seem to be derived from the pro-vasotocin-neurophysin precursor. Hydrin 1, found in Xenopus, has been identified as vasotocin C-terminally extended with the Gly-Lys-Arg sequence; hydrin 2, found in Rana, has been identified as vasotocin C-terminally extended with glycine. Hydrin 2 has been detected in several Ranidae (R. esculenta, Rana temporaria, Rana pipiens) and Bufonidae (Bufo bufo, Bufo ictericus) and appears to have a large distribution in terrestrial or semiaquatic anurans. Hydrins, in contrast to vasotocin, are not active on rat uterus or rat blood pressure. They are absent from other vasotocin-bearers such as birds and could be involved specifically in water-electrolyte regulation of amphibians.

Preparative high-performance liquid chromatography of peptides on a new reversed-phase packing material, Kromasil C18

Preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography has found wide use in the production of peptides for pharmaceutical formulations. Purity of the substance and overall economy of the chromatographic system are the most important criterias. In this sense optimized, silica particles and production process with capability to separately control parameters important to chromatography, are essential to high-performance chromatography. Kromasil C18 packing material was tested and evaluated in respect of its selectivity, flow and pressure properties, resolution, load capacity, recovery, adsorption effects, mechanical strength and chemical degradation.

Preparation of serum oxytocin and arginine vasopressin prior to radioimmunoassay: simultaneous extraction and separation on C18 Sep-Pak cartridges

Oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are often secreted in response to the same stimuli. The hormones are seldom assayed together, however, because of labor intensive sample preparation and the duplicate volumes required. A method has been developed for the simultaneous extraction and separation of OT and AVP from a single serum sample. The method is suited for sample preparation prior to radioimmunoassay (RIA) and reduces sample volume and processing time by 50%. Serum, supplemented with labeled and unlabeled OT and AVP, was adsorbed onto C18 (octadecasilyl-silica, ODS) Sep-Pak cartridges. After washing with phosphosaline and 3% aqueous acetone, OT was eluted with 98% aqueous acetone followed by AVP with 80% acidified (0.02 mol/L HCl) acetone. The recoveries, determined by radioactivity and RIA measurements, were 86 +/- 3% (OT) and 71 +/- 7% (AVP). Cross contamination was less than 10%. Sep-Paks extracted up to 100 pg/mL of the hormones from 10 mL of serum. The method was employed to measure OT and AVP in the pregnant ewe. Both hormones were elevated during salt-loading and dehydration and were decreased by carotid infusions of ethanol.

Is oxytocin of conceptus origin involved in inhibition of luteal regression in early pregnancy in ewes?

This study describes the presence in and production by the ovine conceptus of an oxytocin-like peptide during the early stages of development. Oxytocin was measured by radioimmunoassay in ovine conceptuses from days 14 to 30 of pregnancy. Tissue concentrations of oxytocin increased from day 14 (24.8 +/- 5 pg/100 mg) until day 19 (122.9 +/- 52 pg/100 mg) and then decreased (3 +/- 1 pg/100 mg). Oxytocin was released into culture medium by day-15 ovine conceptuses at a rate of 262 +/- 55 pg/24 h. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of peptides extracted from a pool of ovine conceptuses was conducted using chromatographic conditions developed to separate oxytocin from other nonapeptides. Radioimmunoassay of HPLC fractions for oxytocin revealed an immunoactive conceptus peptide in a single fraction at the same retention time as chromatographed authentic oxytocin. Radioimmunoassay and chromatographic data therefore suggest that this oxytocin-like peptide is similar, if not identical, to authentic oxytocin. Concentrations of oxytocin in conceptus tissue were maximal during the period of inhibition of luteal regression (days 14-19). It is proposed that conceptus oxytocin is involved in the maintenance of luteal function in early pregnancy.

Neurohypophyseal hormone-like peptides in the ovine pineal gland using reverse-phase liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay

A method is described for the determination of the neurohormone contents of ovine pineal tissue by radioimmunoassay (RIA) after successive fractionation on gel filtration in formic acid and reverse-phase liquid chromatography (HPLC). This method gives a good resolution for the neurohormones vasopressin, vasotocin and oxytocin, without a significant interference of aspecific cross-reacting of peptides with the RIA. An acid extract from ovine pineal tissue was found to contain amounts of immunoreactive AVP- and OXT-like peptides, whereas an AVT-like peptide was not detectable over background levels after HPLC with post-column RIA. It is concluded from our results that an AVT-like peptide is not present in ovine pineal tissue, and the pineal AVP- and OXT-like peptides appeared to be associated to neurophysin molecules.

Isolation of neurosecretory granules containing vasopressin and MSEL-neurophysin from guinea pig neurointermediate pituitary

Neurosecretory granules have been isolated from rat and guinea pig neurointermediate pituitaries and their contents have been analyzed by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Granule components have been compared with synthetic neurohypophysial hormones and chemically characterized neurophysins. In rat granules, oxytocin, arginine vasopressin and MSEL- and VLDV-neurophysins have been identified. In isolated guinea pig granules, only arginine vasopressin and mature MSEL-neurophysin have been found. From these results it can be concluded that both the "dibasic" cleavage between vasopressin and MSEL-neurophysin and the "monobasic" cleavage between MSEL-neurophysin and copeptin occur within the granule compartment. Previous isolation from frozen guinea pig glands of a partially processed precursor encompassing MSEL-neurophysin and copeptin suggests a two-step processing of the three-domain vasopressin precursor, each involving a distinct enzymic system.

Invertebrate vasopressin/oxytocin homologs. Characterization of peptides from Conus geographus and Conus straitus venoms

The vasopressin-oxytocin family of peptides is of very ancient lineage, found in organisms as diverse as hydra and man. Although these peptides have been intensively studied in vertebrates, the presumably more extensive invertebrate series was defined primarily by immunological methods. In this report, we describe the purification and structures of two peptides of the vasopressin-oxytocin family from molluscs ("Conopressins"), which were found in the venom of fish-hunting marine snails of the genus Conus. The biological activity observed when the two snail peptides are injected intracerebrally into mice is very similar to that elicited by the vertebrate neurohypophyseal hormones and presumably reflects their actions upon a common receptor in the brain. The sequences of the purified peptides reveal unique features not found in the vertebrate peptide series, most notably an additional positive charge. These are the first members of the invertebrate series of the vasopressin-oxytocin family to be characterized biochemically. The sequences of these peptides are: from Conus geographus venom, Lys-conopressin-G, Cys-Phe-Ile-Arg-Asn-Cys-Pro-Lys-Gly-NH2; and from Conus striatus venom, Arg-conopressin-S, Cys-Ile-Ile-Arg-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly-NH2.

[Evidence of apparent vasopressin and oxytocin peptides in the brain of the leech Rhynchobdelle Theromyzon tessulatum (O.F.M.)]

Vasopressin- and oxytocin-immunoreactive cells have been demonstrated in the brain of the leech Theromyzon tessulatum. A mapping of their localization in the different compartments of the brain has been undertaken. The cells immunohistochemically identified have been compared to previously described cell types defined by classical staining methods for neurosecretory material. Preliminary results obtained with high performance liquid chromatography confirm the presence in brain homogenates of substances with chromatographic properties similar to that of vertebrate nonapeptides. The possible role of these vasopressin- and oxytocin-like substances in osmoregulation is discussed.

Mesotocin and vasotocin, two neurohypophysial hormones in the ostrich, Struthio camelus

Two neurohypophysial hormones have been isolated from an avian species, the ostrich, Struthio camelus. Both have been characterized by amino acid analysis and sequence determination. The data obtained suggest that the oxytocin-like hormone is [Ile8-oxytocin] (mesotocin) and the vasopressin-like hormone is [Ile3-vasopressin] (vasotocin). Bioactivity measurements based on urinary conductivity showed vasotocin to be about five times as active as mesotocin.

The neuroendocrine thymus: coexistence of oxytocin and neurophysin in the human thymus

Immunoreactive oxytocin and neurophysin were identified and measured by radioimmunoassay in human thymus extracts. Serial dilutions of extracts paralleled the appropriate standard curves. Thymus-extracted oxytocin and neurophysin eluted in the same positions as reference preparations on Sephadex G-75. Authenticity of oxytocin was confirmed by biological assay and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. In most instances, thymus contents of oxytocin and neurophysin were far greater than those expected from known circulating concentrations and declined with increasing age. The molar ratio of oxytocin to neurophysin in thymus was similar to that found in the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system, which strongly suggested with the other data a local synthesis of oxytocin. These findings indicate the presence of neurohypophyseal peptides in the human thymus and further support the concept of a neuroendocrine function integrated in an immune structure.

Precursors of mesotocin and vasotocin in birds: identification of VLDV- and MSEL- neurophysins in chicken, goose, and ostrich

Precursors of neurohypophysial hormones are small proteins processed into nonapeptide hormones and neurophysins during axonal transport to the neurohypophysis. In mammals, oxytocin is associated with VLDV-neurophysin and vasopressin with MSEL-neurophysin. In birds, mesotocin and vasotocin are found instead of mammalian oxytocin and vasopressin. From goose, chicken and ostrich posterior pituitary glands, two types of neurophysins related to mammalian VLDV- and MSEL-neurophysins, respectively, have been identified by their N-terminal sequences. It is assumed that, as in mammals, hormonal peptide and the first 9 residues of the corresponding neurophysin are encoded by a common exon and that mesotocin and vasotocin, evolutionary predecessors of oxytocin and vasopressin, are associated in the precursors with VLDV-neurophysin and MSEL-neurophysin, respectively.

Isolation and sequence analysis of oxytocin from the sheep corpus luteum

Studies have revealed that the corpus luteum (CL) of the sheep releases oxytocin (OT) -like immunoreactivity under normal and physiological conditions. We have now purified and completely characterized the OT-like species from ovine CL and established by Edman degradation and comparative reverse-phase HPLC its identity with hypothalamic oxytocin. On the basis of radioimmunoassay, the characterized oxytocin was the only peptide possessing OT-like immunoreactivity. This study represents the first identification by sequence analysis of oxytocin outside the central nervous system.

Similarity of pituitary and pineal human oxytocin neurophysins indicated by peptide mapping after radioactive alkylation and proteolysis

We have compared the immunoreactive oxytocin neurophysin from the human pineal gland with human neurohypophyseal neurophysin. The two proteins were reduced and carboxymethylated with [14C]-iodoacetic acid. Since the pineal protein was available only in a very small amount, we were obliged to use [12C]-carboxymethyl apomyoglobin as a nonalkylatable carrier. The trypsin and subtilisin digests of the two labelled proteins were compared by high-voltage electrophoresis on paper, partition paper chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The distribution of radioactivity in the above peptide separations suggests a great similarity between the two proteins and few significant differences. As far as we are aware, this study is the first attempt to analyze an extrahypophyseal neurophysin at the molecular level.

Pituitary enzyme conversion of putative synthetic oxytocin precursor intermediates

Neurosecretory granule lysate from bovine posterior pituitary was shown to contain both carboxypeptidase B and amidating activities. The former sequentially releases COOH-terminal basic residues from the oxytocin biosynthetic precursor fragment oxytocinyl-GKR (CYIQNCPLGKR) to form oxytocinyl-GK and then oxytocinyl-G. The amidating enzyme converts the resulting oxytocinyl-G into oxytocin (CYIQNCPLG-NH2). The carboxypeptidase B was separated from a less specific carboxypeptidase present in granule lysate by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. Percoll density gradient centrifugation (after preliminary differential centrifugation) also yielded granule fractions enriched in the specific carboxypeptidase B activity. The carboxypeptidase B which converts the oxytocinyl peptides showed a fairly sharp pH dependence with an optimum of 5.5-6, was activated by cobalt ion, and was inhibited by cupric ion, EDTA, and a thiol protease inhibitor, p-chloromercuribenzoate. The amidating activity which converts oxytocinyl-G to oxytocin was competed by degradation due to proteases and/or peptidases present in lysate of Percoll gradient-derived granules. Oxytocinyl-GKR was shown by analytical affinity chromatography to bind noncovalently to neurophysin with an affinity close to that of mature oxytocin. This binding activity and the observation of carboxypeptidase B activity in the presence of large concentrations of neurophysin are consistent with the view that the exoproteolytic processing and amidation steps which occur after initial endoproteolysis of pro-oxytocin/neurophysin likely take place on oxytocin intermediate peptides which are bound in noncovalent complexes with the neurophysin domain from the precursor.

Neurohypophyseal hormones as evolutionary tracers: identification of oxytocin, lysine vasopressin, and arginine vasopressin in two South American opossums (Didelphis marsupialis and Philander opossum)

The neurohypophyseal hormones of two South American opossums (Didelphis marsupialis and Philander opossum) were isolated by molecular sieving and preparative high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). One oxytocin-like and two vasopressin-like peptides were found in each species. These peptides have been identified by their amino acid composition and by their retention time in HPLC. Oxytocin, lysine vasopressin, and arginine vasopressin have been characterized in both species. Lysine vasopressin is roughly as abundant as arginine vasopressin. Comparison is made with Australian marsupials Macropodidae and Phalangeridae, and possible evolutionary mechanisms are discussed.

Oxytocin: anti-insulin-like effects in isolated fat cells

Oxytocin has both insulin-like and insulin antagonistic actions in fat cells in vitro. The anti-insulin-like effects of oxytocin in dispersed rat fat cells have been studied. The magnitude of the anti-insulin-like activity varies with the metabolic pathway of glucose utilization; oxidation [14CO2 production], 32%; glycogen synthesis (D-[U-14C] glucose incorporation into glycogen), 77%. In addition, direct inhibition of the activation of fat cell glycogen synthase has been shown. These inhibitory effects depend upon an intact disulfide ring, since the ability of N-ethylmaleimide-reacted oxytocin to inhibit insulin-stimulated processes was reduced by more than 90% when compared to the intact molecule.

In vivo biosynthesis and transport of oxytocin, vasopressin, and neurophysins to posterior pituitary and nucleus of the solitary tract

A growing body of literature suggests that oxytocin (OXY) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP), in addition to their neuroendocrine roles, may serve as neuromodulators within the central nervous system of mammals. The present study investigated the biosynthesis of OXY, AVP, and their associated neurophysins in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the transport of these peptides to the neural lobe and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in the brainstem of the rat. Rats were cannulated bilaterally in the PVN, and 24 hr later a 2-hr pulse of [35S]cysteine was administered using an Alzet minipump delivery system. After a 10-hr chase period, the neural lobe was removed and the PVN and NTS were punched. Tissue homogenates were adsorbed to and eluted from octadecyl-silica cartridges and analyzed by linear high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gradient elution, chemical and enzymatic modification, and exponential gradient HPLC elution followed by linear HPLC gradient analysis using an ion-pairing buffer system. This rigorous approach has allowed us to identify 35S-labeled material which co-purifies with OXY and AVP from the PVN, neural lobe, and NTS samples. Specific transport of the nonapeptides to the NTS was demonstrated when a unilateral transection of the hypothalamic fibers resulted in a unilateral depletion of the radiolabeled peptides from the NTS samples. Additionally, each of the neurophysins was purified from the neural lobe and NTS samples after linear HPLC gradient analysis, ion-pairing buffer linear gradient analysis, then tryptic digestion followed by exponential gradient HPLC analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Marsupial neurohypophysial hormones: identification of mesotocin, lysine vasopressin, and phenypressin in the quokka wallaby (Setonix brachyurus)

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.