title: The identification and characterization of alpha-N-acetylated beta-endorphin in the human pituitary gland.
abstract: By using a radioimmunoassay specific for alpha-N-acetyl beta-endorphin and its C-terminally shortened forms, we have established the presence of immunoreactive alpha-N-acetyl endorphin (irNacEP) in extracts of five postmortem human pituitary glands (2.27 +/- 0.64 ng/gland). This immunoreactivity has been further characterized by subjecting these extracts to reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). In all cases the major peaks of irNacEP co-migrated with synthetic human standard alpha-N-acetyl alpha-endorphin (Nac alpha EP), alpha-N-acetyl gamma-endorphin (Nac gamma EP) and Nac beta EP. These studies thus represent the initial demonstration that alpha-N-acetylation of beta-endorphin and its shorter molecular forms occurs in the human pituitary gland.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Funder
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000368:Aged; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004723:Endorphins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; C035101:N-acetyl-beta-endorphin