Anglerfish preprosomatostatin II is processed to somatostatin-28 and contains hydroxylysine at residue 23

Discovery and characterization of hydroxylysine in recombinant monoclonal antibodies

Tryptic peptide mapping analysis of a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-expressed, recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody revealed a previously unreported +16 Da modification. Through a combination of MS(n) experiments, and preparation and analysis of known synthetic peptides, the possibility of a sequence variant (Ala to Ser) was ruled out and the presence of hydroxylysine was confirmed. Post-translational hydroxylation of lysine was found in a consensus sequence (XKG) known to be the site of modification in other proteins such as collagen, and was therefore presumed to result from the activity of the CHO homolog of the lysyl hydroxylase complex. Although this consensus sequence was present in several locations in the antibody sequence, only a single site on the heavy-chain Fab was found to be modified.

Molecular evolution of GPCRs: Somatostatin/urotensin II receptors

Somatostatin (SS) and urotensin II (UII) are members of two families of structurally related neuropeptides present in all vertebrates. They exert a large array of biological activities that are mediated by two families of G-protein-coupled receptors called SSTR and UTS2R respectively. It is proposed that the two families of peptides as well as those of their receptors probably derive from a single ancestral ligand-receptor pair. This pair had already been duplicated before the emergence of vertebrates to generate one SS peptide with two receptors and one UII peptide with one receptor. Thereafter, each family expanded in the three whole-genome duplications (1R, 2R, and 3R) that occurred during the evolution of vertebrates, whereupon some local duplications and gene losses occurred. Following the 2R event, the vertebrate ancestor is deduced to have possessed three SS (SS1, SS2, and SS5) and six SSTR (SSTR1-6) genes, on the one hand, and four UII (UII, URP, URP1, and URP2) and five UTS2R (UTS2R1-5) genes, on the other hand. In the teleost lineage, all these have been preserved with the exception of SSTR4. Moreover, several additional genes have been gained through the 3R event, such as SS4 and a second copy of the UII, SSTR2, SSTR3, and SSTR5 genes, and through local duplications, such as SS3. In mammals, all the genes of the SSTR family have been preserved, with the exception of SSTR6. In contrast, for the other families, extensive gene losses occurred, as only the SS1, SS2, UII, and URP genes and one UTS2R gene are still present.

Neuropeptides of the islets of Langerhans: a peptidomics study

Neuropeptides from the endocrine pancreas (the islets of Langerhans) play an important role in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Therefore, our aim is to identify the "peptidome" (the in vivo peptide profile at a certain time) of the pancreatic islets, which is beneficial for medical progress related to the treatment of diabetes. So far, there are few neuropeptides isolated and sequenced from the endocrine pancreas and mainly in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemical techniques have been used to demonstrate the occurrence of peptides in the pancreas. These techniques do not allow for unequivocal identification of peptides. In contrary, mass spectrometry identifies peptides unambiguously. We have analysed the peptidome of the islets using peptidomics, i.e. a combination of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. We are able to identify the peptidome of islets extracts. We not only confirm the presence of peptides with a well-known effect on blood glucose levels, but also identify new peptides, which are unknown to affect blood glucose levels.

Collagen hydroxylases and the protein disulfide isomerase subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylases

Prolyl 4-hydroxylases catalyze the formation of 4-hydroxyproline in collagens and other proteins with an appropriate collagen-like stretch of amino acid residues. The enzyme requires Fe(II), 2-oxoglutarate, molecular oxygen, and ascorbate. This review concentrates on recent progress toward understanding the detailed mechanism of 4-hydroxylase action, including: (a) occurrence and function of the enzyme in animals; (b) general molecular properties; (c) intracellular sites of hydroxylation; (d) peptide substrates and mechanistic roles of the cosubstrates; (e) insights into the development of antifibrotic drugs; (f) studies of the enzyme's subunits and their catalytic function; and (g) mutations that lead to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. An account of the regulation of collagen hydroxylase activities is also provided.

Prosomatostatin-I is processed to somatostatin-26 and somatostatin-14 in the pancreas of the bowfin, Amia calva

With the exception of the Agnatha (lampreys and hagfishes), somatostatin-14 is the predominant molecular form of somatostatin in the pancreas of species from all classes of vertebrates yet studied. The pancreas of the holostean fish, Amia calva (bowfin; order Amiiformes) contained somatostatin-like immunoreactivity that was resolved by reversed phase HPLC in two components. The primary structure of the more abundant peptide (somatostatin-26) was established as: Ser-Ala-Asn-Pro-Ala5-Leu-Ala-Pro-Arg-Glu10-Arg-Lys-Ala-Gly-+ ++Cys15-Lys-Asn-Phe- Phe-Trp20-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser25-Cys. This amino acid sequence shows one substitution (Leu for Met at position 6) and two deletions compared with mammalian somatostatin-28. The minor component was identical to somatostatin-14. The data show that the pathway of post-translational processing of prosomatostatin-I in the bowfin pancreas is appreciably different from the corresponding pathway in teleost fish and higher vertebrates.

Somatostatin 14- and somatostatin 25-like peptides in pancreatic endocrine cells of Sparus aurata (teleost): a light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study

An immunocytochemical investigation demonstrates the presence of somatostatin (SST) 14- and salmon somatostatin (sSST) 25-like peptides in two populations of somatostatin (D) cells in the islets of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Both cell types were identified by their differing immunoreactivities to the somatostatin antisera used. D1 cells in the islet periphery between glucagon cells showed sSST 25-like immunoreactivity and contained large moderate to low electron-dense granules. D2 cells, present only in the central region of the islets between insulin cells, were immunoreactive to the SST 14 antisera and had smaller electron-dense granules. In S. aurata, as in other teleosts, preprosomatostatin I and II are probably synthesized and processed to SST 14- and sSST 25-like peptides, respectively, in different D cell types.

Pancreatic endocrine cells in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) II. Immunocytochemical study of insulin and somatostatin peptides

Insulin (INS)- and somatostatin (SST)-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated by light immunocytochemistry in the endocrine pancreas of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). INS-immunoreactive cells were identified using bovine/porcine, bonito, and salmon (s) INS antisera; the immunostaining was abolished when each antiserum was preabsorbed with its respective peptide but not with unrelated peptides. These cells also reacted with mammal (m) SST-28 (4-14) antiserum. The immunoreaction did not change when this antiserum was preabsorbed by bovine INS. INS-immunoreactive cells were located in the central part of the endocrine areas of the principal, intermediate, and small islets. Two SST-immunoreactive cell types (D1 and D2) were revealed. D1 cells, immunoreactive to SST 14 (562) and sSST-25 antisera, were located next to the glucagon-immunoreactive cells in the peripheral part of the endocrine areas. D2 cells, immunoreactive to SST-14 (562), SST-14 (566), and mSST-28 (4-14) antisera, were found in apposition to the INS-immunoreactive cells. The specificity controls showed that D1 cells expressed sSST-25-like peptides, while D2 cells might contain SST-14 and/or mSST-28-like peptides. The close topographic association between the different SST-immunoreactive cells and both glucagon- and insulin-immunoreactive cells might indicate the existence of a specific paracrine regulation of each endocrine cell type in the sea bass endocrine pancreas.

Comparative distribution of neuropeptide-immunoreactive systems in the brain of the green molly, Poecilia latipinna

The comparative distribution of peptidergic neural systems in the brain of the euryhaline, viviparous teleost Poecilia latipinna (green molly) was examined by immunohistochemistry. Topographically distinct, but often overlapping, systems of neurons and fibres displaying immunoreactivity (ir) related to a range of neuropeptides were found in most brain areas. Neurosecretory and hypophysiotrophic hormones were localized to specific groups of neurons mostly within the preoptic and tuberal hypothalamus, giving fibre projections to the neurohypophysis, ventral telencephalon, thalamus, and brain stem. Separate vasotocin (AVT)-ir and isotocin (IST)-ir cells were located in the nucleus preopticus (nPO), but many AVT-ir nPO neurons also displayed growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF)-like-ir, and in some animals corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF)-like-ir. The main group of CRF-ir neurons was located in the nucleus recessus anterioris, where coexistence with galanin (GAL) was observed in some cells. Enkephalin (ENK)-like-ir was occasionally present in a few IST-ir cells of the nPO and was also found in small neurons in the posterior tuberal hypothalamus and in a cluster of large cells in the dorsal midbrain tegmentum. Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH)-ir cells were found near the rostromedial tip of the nucleus recessus lateralis. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-ir cells were present in the nucleus olfactoretinalis, ventral telencephalon, preoptic area, and dorsal midbrain tegmentum. Molluscan cardioexcitatory peptide (FMRF-amide)-ir was colocalized with GnRH-ir in the ganglion cells and central projections of the nervus terminalis. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH)-ir neurons were restricted to the tuberal hypothalamus, mostly within the nucleus lateralis tuberis pars lateralis, and somatostatin (SRIF)-ir neurons were numerous throughout the periventricular areas of the diencephalon. A further group of SRIF-ir neurons extending from the ventral telencephalon into the dorsal telencephalon pars centralis also contained neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, peptide YY (PYY)-, and NPY flanking peptide (PSW)-like-ir. These immunoreactivities were, however, also observed in non-SRIF-ir cells and fibres, particularly in the mesencephalon. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like-ir had a characteristic distribution in cells grouped in the isthmal region and fibre tracts running forward into the hypothalamus, most strikingly into the inferior lobes. Antisera to cholecystokinin (CCK) and neurokinin A (NK) or substance P (SP) stained very extensive, separate systems throughout the brain, with cells most consistently seen in the ventral telencephalon and periventricular hypothalamus. Broadly similar, but much more restricted, distributions of cells and fibres were seen with antisera to neurotensin (NT) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

In vitro responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) somatotrophs to carp growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and somatostatin

To study the hypothalamic control of growth hormone (GH) release in lower vertebrates, we employed an in vitro technique using a monolayer cell culture system of rainbow trout pituitary glands. Two newly purified carp brain growth hormone-releasing factors, carp GRF(1-45) and carp GRF(1-29), and synthetic somatostatin-14 (SST-14) were applied to the cultured pituitary cells. The results indicate that: (1) The carp GRFs had a dose-related potency in stimulating growth hormone release. The dose of half maximum effect (ED50) for carp GRF(1-45) was 0.107 nM, and an equal potency for carp GRF(1-29) was 0.388 nM. (2) SST-14 inhibited GH release having a dose-dependent potency with an ED50 of 0.186 nM. (3) Osmotic pressure did not influence SST-14 inhibited GH secretion but did affect spontaneous GH release. (4) The response of cultured cells was not affected by length of incubation period with SST-14 or carp GRF but was affected by cell density.

[Ser5]-somatostatin-14: isolation from the pancreas of a holocephalan fish, the Pacific ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei)

The holocephalan fishes were the first class of vertebrate in evolution to develop a pancreatic gland with both endocrine and exocrine parenchyma. An extract of the pancreas of one such fish, the Pacific ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) contained somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (141 pmol/g wet wt), measured with an antiserum raised against mammalian somatostatin-14. Automated Edman degradation and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry established the primary structure of the major molecular form as Ala-Gly-Cys-Lys-Ser-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys. A minor component of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity, constituting 8% of the total, was of approximate molecular weight 6000. Thus, in the ratfish pancreas prosomatostatin-I is processed predominantly to somatostatin-14, as in the mammalian pancreas, but the resulting tetradecapeptide contains the substitution Ser for Asn at position 5.

Distribution of two forms of somatostatin in the brain, anterior intestine, and pancreas of adult lampreys (Petromyzon marinus)

The distribution of two major immunoreactive forms of somatostatin, somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-34, within the brain, pancreas and intestine of adult lampreys, Petromyzon marinus, was identified using antisera raised against these peptides. Immunostaining of the brain is similar in juveniles and upstream migrants, and somatostatin-14 is the major somatostatin form demonstrated. A few somatostatin-34-containing cells are localized within the olfactory bulbs, thalamus and hypothalamus, but cells immunoreactive to anti-somatostatin-34 in the hypothalamus and thalamus do not co-localize somatostatin-14. Immunostaining of pinealocytes within the pineal pellucida with anti-somatostatin-14 may infer a novel function for this structure. Somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-34 are co-localized within D-cells of the cranial pancreas and caudal pancreas of juveniles and upstream migrants. Numerous somatostatin-34-immunoreactive cells are distributed within the epithelial mucosa of the anterior intestine but not all of these cells cross-react with anti-somatostatin-14. It appears that somatostatin-34 is the major somatostatin in the pancreo-gastrointestinal system of adult lampreys.

Prosomatostatin II processing is initiated in the trans-Golgi network of anglerfish pancreatic cells

Anglerfish prosomatostatin II, the precursor of somatostatin-28 II, is produced in different cells from prosomatostatin I, by a cleavage at Arg73. Antibodies were raised against the carboxy-terminal [64-72] portion of the precursor II upstream from somatostatin-28 II sequence. These antibodies recognized only this epitope when unmasked from the entire precursor, allowing the detection of the [1-72] domain which was isolated from pancreatic islets extracts. The antibodies were used to monitor the peptide bond cleavage occurring at the carboxy terminus of Arg73 to generate somatostatin-28 II. Immunocytochemistry revealed labeling both in the vesicles budding from the trans-Golgi network and in the dense core granules. Together, these data support the conclusions that i) prohormone processing is initiated in the Golgi apparatus of the pancreatic islet cells; ii) the "non-hormonal" [1-72] amino-terminal domain of the precursor may be involved in some intra and/or extra-cellular function(s).

Identification of two somatostatin-immunoreactive cell types in the principal islet of Sparus auratus L. (Teleostei) by immunogold staining

Two types of somatostatin (SST 14)-immunoreactive cells are identified by immunogold staining in the Lowicryl-embedded principal islet of Sparus auratus: D1 cells, having large moderate to low electron dense granules, located between A cells in the islet periphery and D2 cells, containing smaller electron-dense granules, present between B cells in the central region of the islet. Although SST 28-like immunoreactivity was not observed in D cells of S. auratus, the presence of SST 14 and a SST 22-,25-, or 28-like sequence in D2 and D1 cells, respectively, is discussed. A third SST 14-immunoreactive cell, found in the islet periphery, showed immunoreactive D1- and unreactive A-like granules. This cell type, which has a pyknotic-like nucleus and a dark appearance in osmicated Epon-embedded tissue, is supposed to be the product of fusion of D1 and A cells.

Physiology of fish endocrine pancreas

From the very beginning of physiological studies on the endocine pancreas, fish have been used as experimental subjects. Fish insulin was one of the first vertebrate insulins isolated and one of the first insulins whose primary and then tertiary structures were reported. Before a second pancreatic hormone, glucagon, was characterized, a physiologically active 'impurity', similar to that in mammalian insulin preparations, was found in fish insulins.Fish have become the most widely used model for studies of biosynthesis and processing of the pancreatic hormones. It seems inconceivable, therefore, that until the recent past cod and tuna insulins have been the only purified piscine islet hormones available for physiological experiments. The situation has changed remarkably during the last decade.In this review the contemporary status of physiological studies on the fish pancreas is outlined with an emphasis on the following topics: 1) contents of pancreatic peptides in plasma and in islet tissue; 2) actions of piscine pancreatic hormones in fish; 3) specific metabolic consequences of an acute insufficiency of pancreatic peptides; 4) functional interrelations among pancreatic peptides which differ from those of mammals. The pitfalls, lacunae and the perspectives of contemporary physiological studies on fish endocrine pancreas are outlined.

Application of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry to posttranslational modifications of neuropeptides

FABMS is a powerful and sensitive analytical technique capable of providing structural information unattainable by standard methods of peptide analysis. Many posttranslational modifications are undetectable by other routine analytical methods. In addition, FABMS is capable of providing information regarding posttranslational modifications at levels of peptide comparable to those required for other methods of analysis (10-1000 pmol). FABMS has had the effect on protein structure analysis that structure determination of any neuropeptide might now be considered incomplete without some form of mass spectrometric analysis. Much of the recent explosive increase in the use of mass spectrometry for solving problems in peptide structure analysis can be traced to improvements in methods capable of producing molecular ions from nonvolatile species. With the development of these methods, it can be expected that refinements of existing methods and new ionization methods will continue to increase the mass range and sensitivity available for peptide structure determination. For a brief review of other mass spectrometric methods applicable to peptides, see Delgass and Cooks.

Somatostatin-related and glucagon-related peptides with unusual structural features from the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Peptides derived from prosomatostatins I and II and from two distinct proglucagons have been isolated from the pancreas of a teleost fish, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). The product of prosomatostatin I processing, somatostatin-14, is identical to mammalian somatostatin-14. A 25-amino-acid-residue peptide (Ser-Val-Asp-Asn-Gln5-Gln-Gly-Arg-Glu-Arg10-Lys-Ala-Gly-Cys- Lys15-Asn-Phe-Tyr- Trp-Lys20-Gly-Pro-Thr-Ser-Cys25) is derived from prosomatostatin II. Compared with the corresponding peptides from other teleost fish, the eel somatostatin-25 contains the unusual substitution Pro for Phe at position 22. This peptide was also isolated in a form containing a hydroxylsyl residue at position 20. A 29-amino-acid-residue eel glucagon contains four substitutions relative to human glucagon Asn for Ser8, Glu for Asp15, Thr for Ser16, and Ser for Thr29). In common with mammalian and avian glucagons but unlike most other fish glucagons, the eel peptide possesses a glutamine residue at position 3. A peptide derived from a second proglucagon comprises 36 amino acid residues. A 7-residue C-terminal extension to the glucagon sequence shows structural similarity to the corresponding extension in ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) glucagon and mammalian oxyntomodulin.

Prosomatostatin processing in anglerfish brain, gut and pancreas

The distribution of somatostatin immunoreactive forms in three tissues of the anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius L.) was analyzed by a combination of gel permeation, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography and amino acid analysis. The data indicate that prosomatostatins I and II are expressed in both neural and gastro-intestinal tissues and that their post-translational processing gives rise to somatostatin-14 I, somatostatin-28 II and to some of its hydroxylysine23-derivative, respectively. It is concluded that, in contrast to the mammals, production of two somatostatins in the Teleostean fish requires two structurally distinct precursors whose processing operates in a fixed pattern rather than in a tissue-specific manner.

Different cellular distributions of two somatostatins in brain and pancreas of salmonids, and their associations with insulin- and glucagon-secreting cells

Invariant somatostatin-14 (SST-14) and somatostatin-25 (SST-25), isolated from coho salmon pancreas (Plisetskaya et al., 1986a) are likely coded by two distinct somatostatin genes. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether these genes are expressed in the same or in different cell types in the pancreatic islets and in the brain of two salmonids: rainbow trout and coho salmon. Antibodies generated against SST-14, mammalian (m) SST-28(1-14), salmon (s) SST-25, salmon insulin, and salmon glucagon were used as immunocytochemical probes. Two distinct cell types containing SSTs were revealed in the pancreas of both salmonid species: one cell type immunoreactive to both SST-14 and mSST-28(1-14) and the other cell type immunoreactive only to sSST-25. The SST-14/mSST-28(1-14)-positive cells were limited to the more central parts of the islets, in apposition to the insulin-positive cells: sSST-25-positive cells were located more peripherally and were associated topographically with the glucagon-positive cells. In contrast to the pancreas, neurons in the neurohypophysis and hypothalamus of the rainbow trout and coho salmon contained only SST-14-like and mSST-28(1-14)-like immunoreactivities, while immunoreactivity to sSST-25 was completely absent. These results suggest that differentiation in the pancreas and brain of salmonid fishes results in cell types in which SST genes are separately expressed. The close topographical association of sSST-25 with glucagon cells, and of SST-14 with insulin cells, in the pancreatic islets implies yet unknown functional regulatory relationships that require detailed study.

Structural characterization of peptides derived from prosomatostatins I and II isolated from the pancreatic islets of two species of teleostean fish: the daddy sculpin and the flounder

The primary structures of three peptides from extracts from the pancreatic islets of the daddy sculpin (Cottus scorpius) and three analogous peptides from the islets of the flounder (Platichthys flesus), two species of teleostean fish, have been determined by automated Edman degradation. The structures of the flounder peptides were confirmed by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The peptides show strong homology to residues (49-60), (63-96) and (98-125) of the predicted sequence of preprosomatostatin II from the anglerfish (Lophius americanus). The amino acid sequences of the peptides suggest that, in the sculpin, prosomatostatin II is cleaved at a dibasic amino acid residue processing site (corresponding to Lys61-Arg62 in anglerfish preprosomatostatin II). The resulting fragments are further cleaved at monobasic residue processing sites (corresponding to Arg48 and Arg97 in anglerfish preprosomatostatin II). In the flounder the same dibasic residue processing site is utilised but cleavage at different monobasic sites takes place (corresponding to Arg50 and Arg97 in anglerfish preprosomatostatin II). A peptide identical to mammalian somatostatin-14 was also isolated from the islets of both species and is presumed to represent a cleavage product of prosomatostatin I.

Peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase is present in islet secretory granules of the anglerfish, Lophius americanus

Anglerfish islet secretory granules have been examined for the presence of an enzyme which could perform C-terminal amidation of glucagon-like peptide II and possibly anglerfish peptide Y. Using [125I]D-Tyr-Val-Gly as substrate, a peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) was detected in islet secretory granule lysates. The enzyme is active between pH 6.0 and 8.5 and exhibits maximal activity near pH 7.0. The islet PAM requires Cu2+, ascorbate, and molecular oxygen for activity. Other divalent metal ions and redox cofactors were tested and found to be inactive in the assay. Even though added Cu2+ and ascorbate are required for detecting islet PAM activity, when these factors were incubated with substrate in the absence of secretory granule lysate, no activity was observed. It was also found that the addition of higher than optimal concentrations of either Cu2+ or ascorbate inhibited amidating activity. The results demonstrate that a PAM is present in secretory granules of anglerfish islet tissue. The characteristics of the islet PAM are similar to those of PAMs identified and characterized in other tissues which produce bioactive C-terminally amidated peptides.

Precursors to regulatory peptides: their proteolytic processing

Precursors to regulatory peptides undergo maturation processes which include proteolytic processing. The enzymes involved in this process remove the hydrophobic peptide located at the amino-terminus of the precursor. Endoprotease cleavage also occurs at single and two adjacent basic residues, this is followed by a removal of basic residues located at the C-terminus of the peptides by a carboxypeptidase-like enzyme.

The amino-acid sequences of sculpin islet somatostatin-28 and peptide YY

Two pancreatic peptides, somatostatin-28 and peptide YY, have been isolated from the Brockmann bodies of the teleost fish Cottus scorpius (daddy sculpin). Following purification by reverse-phase HPLC, each peptide was sequenced completely through to the carboxyl-terminus by gas-phase Edman degradation. Somatostatin-28 was the major form of somatostatin detected and is similar to the gene II product from anglerfish. Peptide YY (36 amino acids) more closely resembles porcine neuropeptide YY and intestinal peptide YY than it does the pancreatic polypeptides.

The influence of mammalian and teleost somatostatins on the secretion of growth hormone from goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) pituitary fragments in vitro

The effect of various vertebrate somatostatins (SRIF) on basal growth hormone (GH) secretion from goldfish pituitary fragments was studied using an in vitro perifusion system. SRIF-14 caused a rapid and dose-dependent decrease in the rate of GH release from goldfish pituitary fragments. The half-maximal effective dose (ED50) of SRIF-14 was calculated as 1.3 nM following exposure to two minute pulses of increasing concentrations of SRIF-14, whereas the ED50 of SRIF-14 calculated after continuous exposure to sequentially increasing doses of SRIF-14 was 65 nM. This difference suggests that the pituitary fragments were less responsive to SRIF-14 in the latter experiment, possibly as a result of previous exposure to SRIF-14. SRIF-28 was found to be equipotent with SRIF-14 in decreasing basal GH secretion from the goldfish pituitary. In contrast, catfish SRIF-22, a uniquely teleost SRIF isolated from catfish pancreatic islets, did not alter GH secretion. These results provide further support for the hypothesis that SRIF-14 or a very similar molecule functions as a GH release-inhibiting factor in teleosts, indicating that this action of SRIF-14 has been fully conserved throughout vertebrate evolution.

Characterization of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) islet somatostatins

Three different somatostatins have been isolated from the pancreatic islet tissue of the coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) by gel filtration and HPLC. Two of these peptides contain 14 amino acids and the larger third peptide consists of 25 amino acids. The sequence of the salmon SST-25 is Ser-Val-Asp-Asn-Leu-Pro-Pro-Arg-Glu-Arg-Lys-Ala-Gly -Cys-Lys-Asn-Phe-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Gly-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys. The sequence of the salmon SST-14-I is Ala-Gly-Cys-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys. The other small somatostatin (SST-14-II) which was not sequenced has an amino acid composition identical to the C-terminal 14 amino acids of the SST-25 and it is probably derived from this larger form. Evidence for low levels of a somatostatin containing 28 amino acids is also presented. This SST-28 appears to be an N-terminal extended precursor of SST-25 or a peptide derived via alternative processing of a common preprosomatostatin. Injected into juvenile salmon, SST-25 caused a decline in circulating levels of plasma insulin, depletion of liver glycogen, and activation of lipolytic pathways. Juvenile salmon treated with anti-SST-25 serum revealed elevated levels of plasma insulin as well as an increase of the glycogen content of the liver.

Specific glucagon-related peptides isolated from anglerfish islets are metabolic cleavage products of (pre)proglucagon-II

Sequence analyses of cDNAs prepared from anglerfish islet mRNA have demonstrated the presence of mRNAs coding for two different preproglucagons, aPPG-I and aPPG-II. Each of these precursors was predicted to contain 29 residue and 34 residue glucagon-related peptides as potential cleavage products. Recently, several glucagon-related peptides found in extracts of anglerfish islets have been isolated and characterized. In order to determine whether any of these peptides could be identified as metabolic cleavage products in anglerfish islets, differentially radiolabeled Mr 2,500-8,000 peptides from islet extracts were subjected to reverse phase HPLC under varying conditions. The potential cleavage products aPPG-II[52-80] and aPPG-II[89-122] could be readily identified among the extract peptides. Both peptides became labeled appropriately (as predicted from their sequences) with 13 different amino acids and demonstrated glucagon-like immunoreactivity in a radioimmunoassay. Conversely, a third peptide (aPPG-II[89-119]) could be found among the labeled products in small amounts only. These results demonstrate that glucagon-II[52-80] and aGLP-II[89-112] are primary cleavage products of aPPG-II and suggest that aGLP-IIc[89-119] may be a peptide generated more slowly by post-translational modification of aGLP-II.

Biosynthesis and processing of the somatostatin family of peptide hormones

Understanding of the biosynthesis of the somatostatin family of peptide hormones has greatly increased in recent years. Isolation and sequencing of the rat somatostatin gene indicates that it contains a single intron located between the codons for Gn(-57) and Glu(-56) of pre-prosomatostatin. The gene contains three repetitive sequences, one at the 5' end of the gene and two of them 3' to the coding portion. Two of the sequences consist of alternating purine-pyrimidine bases and have been shown to adopt Z-DNA structures in vitro. The cDNA for rat somatostatin codes for a 116-residue peptide structurally similar to the anglerfish and catfish precursors to the 14-residue somatostatin (SST-14). In addition to SST-14, the catfish and the anglerfish both contain an additional pancreatic somatostatin, each derived from a different gene. The catfish contains a 22-residue somatostatin, which is O-glycosylated at Thr-5. The second somatostatin gene from anglerfish encodes a prosomatostatin that is processed to a 28-residue peptide. The mature peptide contains a hydroxylated lysine at position 23.

Anglerfish islets contain NPY immunoreactive nerves and produce the NPY analog aPY

It has recently been demonstrated that aPY, a peptide which has significant homology with neuropeptide Y (NPY) is present in extracts of anglerfish islets. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cells or nerves which contain NPY-like immunoreactivity could be identified in anglerfish islet tissue and whether aPY is synthesized by this tissue. Antisera against bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP), NPY and the 200 kd neurofilament polypeptide were used for immunohistochemical analysis of islets. Identical cells were stained by both the NPY and BPP antisera. The NPY and 200 kd neurofilament antisera also labeled nerve fibers in the tissue which were not stained with the BPP antiserum. The nature of the NPY-like peptide synthesized in islet cells was determined by subjecting differentially radioactively labeled Mr 2,500-8,000 peptides from islet extracts to reverse phase HPLC. Labeled aPY was unequivocally identified in the extracts and was labeled appropriately (as predicted from its sequence) with 13 different radioactive amino acids. These results demonstrate that one form of NPY-like peptide synthesized in anglerfish islets is aPY. The form of NPY-like peptide which was immunolocalized in nerves remains to be determined.

Somatostatin: historical aspects

Somatostatin, in essence an almost universal chalone, initially described as a 14 amino-acid-long peptide that inhibits growth hormone (GH) release, has been shown to be one of a family of related peptides, ubiquitous in distribution and versatile as a paracrine factor with a potentially important role in the regulation of gut, pancreatic, and nervous system function, in addition to its well-recognized influence on the pituitary secretion of GH and thyroid-stimulating hormone. With the development of new super agonists, it has become possible to manipulate the endocrine milieu, to modify gut, pancreatic, and pituitary function, and, in the case of several diseases such as acromegaly and intractable diarrhoea, to make a significant advance in therapy.