Origin of neurohypophyseal neuropeptide-FF (FLFQPQRF-NH2).

Neuropeptide-FF (FLFQPQRF-NH2), originally isolated from bovine brain, is an FMRF-NH2-like peptide with morphine-modulating activity. Neuropeptide-FF (NPFF) is unevenly distributed in the central nervous system, with the highest concentrations in posterior pituitary and spinal cord. In the rat pituitary, NPFF is found exclusively in the neural lobe, where it is localized in nerve terminals and fibers, indicating the hypothalamus as a possible source of the neural lobe NPFF.

Distribution and characterization of neuropeptide FF-like immunoreactivity in the rat nervous system with a monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibodies against neuropeptide FF were produced and characterized. The antibodies are directed and highly specific to neuropeptide FF, and reactivity requires the C-terminal dipeptide of neuropeptide FF (Arg-Phe-NH2). Tissue extracts from bovine spinal cord, rat spinal cord and hypothalamus were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with radioimmunoassay using the characterized monoclonal antibody.

Mammalian FMRF-NH2-like peptide in rat pituitary: decrease by osmotic stimulus.

Previous studies with the Brattleboro rat suggested a possible interaction at the pituitary level between AVP and the neuropeptide, F-8-F-NH2. In order to test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of various osmotic stimuli on neurohypophyseal F-8-F-NH2. In rats drinking 2% NaCl solution for two days, neural lobe AVP and F-8-F-NH2 levels were equally reduced by 87%.

FMRF-NH2-like peptide is deficient in the pituitary gland of the Brattleboro rat.

Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH2 (F-8-F-NH2), isolated from bovine brain, is an FMRF-NH2-like peptide with morphine-modulating activity. In the rat, F-8-F-NH2 immunoreactivity (IR) is highly localized in the neurohypophysis. In this study, F-8-F-NH2-IR was studied in the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system of an Arg8-vasopressin (AVP)-deficient animal, the Brattleboro (DI) rat, and the normal control Long-Evans (LE) strain.