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Speculations on Structural Relationships between the Hypothalamic Releasing Factors of Pituitary Hormones

Nature New Biology volume 237, pages 182–183 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

RECENTLY, hypothalamic releasing factors have been isolated from two different species (porcine and ovine) and their structures elucidated1–5. These factors stimulate the secretion of pituitary hormones and have been shown to be small polypeptides. Thyrotropin releasing factor (TRF) for both species is the tripeptide pyroglutamyl-histidyl-proline amide (pGlu-His-Pro-amide)1,2. TRF acts on pituitary thyrotrophs to stimulate the secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The structure of a hypothalamic factor which stimulates the secretion of the pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) has been determined. This gonadotropin releasing factor, referred to as LRF, is a decapeptide and, like TRF, has both terminals blocked; in both species its primary sequence is pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-amide3–5.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037

    GEOFFREY GRANT & WYLIE VALE

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  1. GEOFFREY GRANT
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  2. WYLIE VALE
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GRANT, G., VALE, W. Speculations on Structural Relationships between the Hypothalamic Releasing Factors of Pituitary Hormones. Nature New Biology 237, 182–183 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio237182a0

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