Abstract
Using column and thin layer chromatography, plasma hydrolysis of leu-enkephalin has been studied in man and several laboratory animals. The hydrolysis kinetics determined in the various species examined are considerably different. In addition, also the enzyme forms evidentiated, their molecular weight distribution and relative ratios have been found to vary greatly in the animals under test. Our data suggest that the widely different hydrolysis kinetics reported by various authors are attributable to the differences between species, rather than to differences in the analytical techniques employed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Terenius, L., andWahlstrom, A. 1974. Inhibitor(s) of narcotic receptor binding in brain extract and cerebrospinal fluid. Acta Pharmacol. Tox. 35, Suppl. 1 Sch Comm. 55.
Hughes, J. 1975. Isolation of an endogenous compound from the brain with pharmacological properties simitar to morphine. Brain Research 88:295–308.
Pasternak, K. W., Goodman, R., andSnyder, S. H. 1975. An endogenous morphinelike factor in mammalian brain. Life Sci. 16:1765–1769.
Hexum, T. D., Yang, H.-Y. T., andCosta, E. 1980. Biochemical characterization of enkephaline-like immunoreactive peptides of adrenal glands. Life Sci. 27:1211–1290.
Lewis, R. V., Stern, A. S., Kimura, S., Rossier, J., Stein, S., andUdenfriend, S. 1980. An about 50.000-Dalton protein in adrenal medulla: A common precursor of (Met)- and (Leu)-Enkephalin. Science 208:1459–1461.
Viveros, O. H., Diliberto, E. J., Hazum, E., andChang, K. J. 1979. Opiate-Like Materials in the Adrenal Medulla: Evidence for Storage and Secretion with Catecholamines. Mol. Pharmacol. 16:1101–1108.
Stern, A. S., Lewis, R. V., Kimaura, S., Rossier, J. Gerber, L. D., Brink, L., Stein, S., andUdenfriend, S. 1979. Isolation of the opioid heptapeptide met-enkephaline (Arg6, Phe7) from bovine adrenal medullary granules and striatum. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76:6680–6683.
Hambrook, J. M., Morgan, B. A., Rance, M. J., andSmith, C. F. 1976. Mode of deactivation of the enkephalins by rat and human plasma and rat brain homogenates. Nature 262:782–783.
Clement-Jones, V., Lowry, P. J., Rees, L. H., andBesser, G. M. 1980. Met-enkephaline circulates in human plasma. Nature. 283:295–297.
Dupont, A. Cusan, L., Garon, M., Alvarado-Urbina, G., andLabrie, F. 1977. Extremely rapid degradation of the (3H)methionine-enkephalin by various rat tissues in vivo and in vitro. Life Sci. 21:907–914.
Hogue-Angeletti, R. A., andRoda, L. G. 1980. In vitro interaction of enkephalin with serum and chromaffin granule components. Experientia 36:1420–1421.
Schwartz, J.-C., Malfroy, B., andDe La Baume, S. 1981. Biological inactivation of enkephalins and the role of enkephalin-peptidyl-carboxypeptidase (enkephalinase) as neuropeptidase. Life Sci. 29:1715–1740.
Belluzzi, J. D., Grant, N., Garsky, V., Sarantakis, D., Wise, C. D., andStein, L. 1975. Nature 260:625–626.
Possenti, R., De Marco, V., andRoda, L. G. 1983. Enkephalin-binding system in human plasma. Neurochem. Res. 8:423–432.
Le Maire, M., Rivas, E., andMoller, J. V. 1980. Use of gel chromatografy for determination of size and molecular weight of protein: further caution. Anal. Biochem. 106:12–21.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Venturelli, F., Roscetti, G., Possenti, R. et al. Peripheral enkephalin hydrolysis in different animal species: A comparative study. Neurochem Res 10, 333–342 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964603
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964603