Abstract
gamma-Lipotropin has been purified to homogeneity from human pituitary glands. It consists of 56 amino acids with one residue each of Trp, Thr, Val, Tyr, and Phe. The amino acid sequence has been determined as follows: H-Glu-Leu-Thr-Gly-Gln-Arg-Leu-Arg-Gln-Gly-Asp-Gly-Pro-Asn-Ala-Gly-Ala-Asp-Asp-G ly-Pro-Gly-Ala-Gln-Ala-Asp-Leu-Glu-His-Ser-Leu-Leu-Val-Ala-Ala-Glu-Lys-Lys-Asp- Glu-Gly-Pro-Tyr-Arg-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Ser-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-OH. Comparison with the structure of the ovine and porcine hormones reveals that the 23-amino-acid sequence at the COOH terminus is highly conserved in evolution.