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Molecular evolution of the neurohypophysial hormones: The active peptides of a primitive bony fish Polypterus bichir
Author(s) -
Acher Roger,
Chauvet Jacqueline,
Chauvet Marie-Thérs̀e
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(70)80561-0
Subject(s) - vasotocin , oxytocin , biology , vertebrate , hormone , fish <actinopterygii> , peptide hormone , neuropeptide , endocrinology , medicine , anatomy , biochemistry , gene , receptor , fishery
Neurohypophysial hormones have been so far identified in Neopterygii and Crossopterygii but not in species of the bird sub‐class of bony fishes, the Palaeopterygii. Isolation and chemical characterization of the active principles of a primitive bony fish, Polypterus bichir , have been performed. Isotocin (Ser 4 —Ile 8 —oxytocin) and arginine vasotocin (Arg 8 —oxytocin) have been identified. Because the same peptides were found in the recent Neopterygii, it can be deduced that neurohypophysial hormones have displayed a peculiar stability in the course of the evolution of bony fishes. However isotocin and vasotocin are replaced by oxytocin and vasopressins in mammals and therefore might be regarded as “old” molecules.