title: Isolation, characterization and opiate activity of beta-endorphin from the pituitary gland of the ostrich, Struthio camelus.
abstract: 1. Avian beta-endorphin was purified from adenohypophyseal glands of the ostrich Struthio camelus by a procedure involving acid/acetone extraction, NaCl fractionation, CM-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex G-50 chromatography and paper electrophoresis (pH 6.7). 2. The 31-amino acid peptide behaved as a single substance during polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing, the isoelectric point being 8.84. 3. Ostrich beta-endorphin exhibited significant opiate activity in the guinea-pig ileum preparation.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D004723:Endorphins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D004723:Endorphins; D009270:Naloxone; D000109:Acetylcholine