Abstract
SINCE the original synthesis of oxytocin1, the principal uterine contracting and milk ejecting hormone of the posterior pituitary gland, more than 200 analogues have been synthesized in a number of laboratories and the structure–function relationships of the parent hormone have been elucidated pharmacologically2. We now wish to report the synthesis and properties of 4-threonine-oxytocin, an analogue of oxytocin in which the glutamine residue in the four position is replaced by a threonine residue. This analogue has strikingly greater activities in the isolated rat uterus and fowl vasodepressor assays than oxytocin itself, and possesses specifically weaker vasopressor and antidiuretic activities than oxytocin. We believe that study of this analogue may help (a) in elucidating the nature of hormone-receptor interactions, (b) from the standpoint of the phylogeny of the neuro-hypophysial hormones, and (c) in clinical use.
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MANNING, M., SAWYER, W. 4-Threonine-Oxytocin: A More Active and Specific Oxytocic Agent than Oxytocin. Nature 227, 715–716 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/227715a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/227715a0
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