Melanostatin

Literature References: An inhibiting factor which mediates hypothalamic control of MSH, q.v., a pituitary hormone: A. J. Kastin, A. V. Schally, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 7, 452 (1966); A. V. Schally, A. J. Kastin, Endocrinology 79, 768 (1966). Although several substances have MIF activity, the exact nature of MSH release inhibition is not known, cf. A. J. Kastin et al., Yale J. Biol. Med. 46, 617 (1973); eidem, Fed. Proc. 39, 2931 (1980). The first factor with melanocyte-release inhibiting activity to be isolated was the side-chain tripeptide of oxytocin, q.v., now referred to as MIF-I: M. E. Celis et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 68, 1428 (1971). Isoln of bovine MIF-I and identity with the tripeptide (Pro-Leu-GlyNH2): R. M. G. Nair et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 43, 1376 (1971). Synthesis: H. Irie et al., Chem. Lett. 1980, 705. Extrapituitary effects of MIF-I are known, particularly potentiation of DOPA-induced behavioral changes: N. P. Plotnikoff et al., Life Sci. 10, 1279 (1971); eidem, Neuroendocrinology 14, 271 (1974). Clinical studies in Parkinson's disease: A. J. Kastin, A. Barbeau, Can. Med. Assoc. J. 107, 1079 (1972); A. Barbeau, Lancet 2, 683 (1975); V. E. Schneider et al., Arzneim.-Forsch. 28, 1296 (1978). Reviews: A. V. Schally et al., Recent Prog. Horm. Res. 24, 497-581 (1968); A. J. Kastin et al., Life Sci. 25, 401-414 (1979); eidem in Polypeptide Hormones, R. F. Beers, E. G. Bassett, Eds. (Raven Press, New York, 1980) pp 223-224; eidem, Fed. Proc. 39, 2931-2936 (1980).