SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF THE C-TERMINAL PENTAPEPTIDE AMIDE OF AVIAN PANCREATIC HORMONE III (APP)

Abstract

Model building studies and analogies drawn from peptides of similar biological activity have indicated that the C-terminus of avian pancreatic hormone III may possess significant biological information. To test this hypothesis, the C-terminal pentapeptide amide sequence was synthesized by the Merrifield method. The synthesis, purification and characterization of this compound were reported in detail. In vivo studies [using chickens] indicated that this synthetic segment possesses none of the secretogogic activity of the parent hormone. Rather, it reduces gastric secretion levels even in the presence of the intact hormone.