BIOLOGY OF ENTEROSTATIN .2. DEVELOPMENT OF ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY (ELISA) FOR ENTEROSTATIN (VAL-PRO-ASP-PRO-ARG), THE PROCOLIPASE ACTIVATION PEPTIDE

Enterostatins belong to a family of pentapeptides (e.g., Val-Pro-Asp-P ro-Arg in pig, horse, dog, and rat; Ala-Pro-GIy-Pro-Arg in human and c hicken; and Val-Pro-Gly-Pro-Arg in rat) derived from the amino-terminu s of procolipase after the action of trypsin. Pharmacologic studies wi th Val-Pro-Asp-Pro-Arg have suggested a role for this peptide in appet ite regulation and pancreatic insulin secretion. Studies into the dist ribution of enterostatins or the role of endogenous peptides have not been possible due to the lack of a suitable method for enterostatin as say. To this end, we raised a highly specific antibody and developed a n enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Val-Pro-Asp-Pro-Arg. Using the newly developed assay we have shown the presence of Val-Pro-Asp-Pro-A rg-like immunoreactivity (2455+/-440 pmol/g) in the rat brain. (C) 199 5 Academic Press, Inc.