title: Characterization of beta-endorphin- and alpha-MSH-related peptides in rat heart.
abstract: POMC-derived peptides and mRNA have been identified in heart tissue, although POMC processing has not been fully characterized. In the present study, we found that beta-lipotropin and ACTH were localized in rat heart, although they were almost entirely converted to beta-endorphin- and alpha-MSH-related peptides. Ion exchange HPLC analysis revealed that beta-endorphin(1-31) was further processed to alpha-N-acetyl-beta-endorphin(1-31), which comprised 35.9 +/- 0.1% of total immunoreactivity, and smaller amounts of beta-endorphin(1-27), beta-endorphin(1-26), and their alpha-N-acetylated derivates. The predominant alpha-MSH immunoreactive peptides coeluted with alpha-MSH and N,O-diacetyl-alpha-MSH by reverse-phase HPLC, although small amounts of ACTH(1-13)-NH2 were also present. Thus, multiple forms of beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH are localized in rat heart. beta-Endorphin(1-31) is a minor constituent, however, indicating that nonopioid beta-endorphin peptides predominate.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City 64108.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Millington
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Battie
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000032:analysis*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000032:analysis*; D008083:beta-Lipotropin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000521:alpha-MSH; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D008083:beta-Lipotropin