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.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D008236:Lypressin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009893:Opossums / Q000378:metabolism*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity
D000596:Amino Acids; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D010121:Oxytocin; D008236:Lypressin