Isolation and Structure of Somatostatin from Porcine Hypothalami

The isolation and structure of somatostatin (GH-RIH) from pig hypothalami are described. This hormone was purified by preparative gel filtration, solvent extraction, countercurrent distribution in two solvent systems, ion-exchange and partition chromatography, and analytical gel filtration. The somatostatin activity was followed by in vitro bioassays and a radioimmunoassay. The isolated product was homogeneous chromatographically and had biological and immunological properties similar to synthetic somatostatin corresponding to the ovine hormone. The primary structure of porcine somatostatin was shown to be H-Ala-Gly-cyclo-(Cys-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys)-OH. Other immunologically and biologically active form(s) of somatostatin were also detected.