The Synthesis of Oxytocin<sup>1</sup>

Vigneaud, Vincent du; Ressler, Charlotte; Swan, JM; Roberts, Carleton W.; Katsoyannis, Panayotis G.

doi:10.1021/ja01641a004

Cited by 428 publications

(213 citation statements)

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“…However, it was not until du Vigneaud and colleagues (1952) isolated the peptide that specific activities could be ascribed. Following this finding, the nine amino acid sequence and structures of Avp (Turner et al, 1951;Archer and du Vigneaud, 1953;du Vigneaud et al, 1953a) and the related hormone oxytocin (Oxt) (Tuppy, 1953;du Vigneaud et al, 1953b) were elucidated, followed shortly by their synthesis (du Vigneaud et al, 1954a;du Vigneaud et al, 1954b). In 1955, du Vigneaud won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry due, in part, to his early descriptions and syntheses of Avp and Oxt.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vasopressin: Behavioral roles of an “original” neuropeptide

Caldwell

Lee

Macbeth

et al. 2008

Progress in Neurobiology

413

416

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Vasopressin (Avp) is mainly synthesized in the magnocellular cells of the hypothalamic supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) whose axons project to the posterior pituitary. Avp is then released into the blood stream upon appropriate stimulation (e.g., hemorrhage or dehydration) to act at the kidneys and blood vessels. The brain also contains several populations of smaller, parvocellular neurons whose projections remain within the brain. These populations are located within the PVN, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), medial amygdala (MeA) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).Since the 1950's, research examining the roles of Avp in the brain and periphery has intensified. The development of specific agonists and antagonists for Avp receptors has allowed for a better elucidation of its contributions to physiology and behavior. Anatomical, pharmacological and transgenic, including "knockout," animal studies, have implicated Avp in the regulation of various social behaviors across species.Avp plays a prominent role in the regulation of aggression, generally of facilitating or promoting it. Affiliation and certain aspects of pair-bonding are also influenced by Avp. Memory, one of the first brain functions of Avp that was investigated, has been implicated especially strongly in social recognition. The roles of Avp in stress, anxiety, and depressive states are areas of active exploration. In this review, we concentrate on the scientific progress that has been made on understanding the role of Avp in regulating of these and other behaviors across species, as well as discuss the implications for human behavior.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vasopressin: Behavioral roles of an “original” neuropeptide

Caldwell

Lee

Macbeth

et al. 2008

Progress in Neurobiology

413

416

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Though the galactogogue action of thymic extracts had already been reported at the beginning of this century [18], oxytocin (OT) was identified as the primary mediator of galactokinesis only in the early 50's [19]. OT and vasopressin (VP) are nonapeptides that are synthesized by distinct neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei.…”

Section: Thymic Neurohypophysial Self-antigen [See Complete Review Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Central Self - Tolerance by Thymic Presentation of Self - Antigens and Autoimmunity

Geenen

Martens

Hansenne³

et al. 2001

CMCIEMA

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Before reacting against non-self infectious agents, the immune system is educated to tolerate the host molecular structure (self). The induction of self-tolerance is a multistep process that begins in the thymus during fetal ontogeny (central tolerance) and also involves inactivating mechanisms outside the thymus (peripheral tolerance). The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ implicated in the development of competent and self-tolerant T cells. During ontogeny, T cell progenitors originating from hemopoietic tissues (yolk sac, fetal liver, and then bone marrow) enter the thymus and undergo a program of proliferation, T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement, maturation and selection. Close interactions between thymocytes (pre-T cells) and the thymic cellular environment are crucial both for T cell development and induction of central self-tolerance. Thymic epithelial and stromal cells synthesize polypeptides belonging to various neuroendocrine families. The thymic repertoire of neuroendocrine-related precursors transposes at the molecular level the dual role of the thymus in T cell negative and positive selection. Thymic precursors not only constitute a source of growth peptides for cryptocrine signaling between thymic stromal cells and pre-T cells, but are also processed in a way that leads to the presentation of self-antigens by thymic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. Thymic neuroendocrine self-antigens often correspond to peptide sequences highly conserved during the evolution of their corresponding family. The thymic presentation of some neuroendocrine self-antigens is not restricted by MHC alleles. Following the presentation of neuroendocrine self-antigens by thymic MHC proteins, the T cell system might be educated to tolerate main hormone families. Recent experiments argue that a defect in the thymic essential tolerogenic function is implicated as an important factor in the pathophysiology of many autoimmune diseases.

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“…Another large class of drugs that hold licences for use in pregnancy is the labour induction agents. Oxytocin was the first polypeptide hormone to be sequenced and synthesised way back in 1954 [5]. Its synthetic form, syntocinon, is used on a daily basis in maternity units around the world to augment labour.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%