Abstract
Conclusions
In conclusion, the long-sought growth hormone-releasing factor has been characterized and sequenced in several species (human, porcine, bovine, and murine). The noteworthy achievement with GRF has been the rapidity with which the sum of information has been gathered. In the space of 12 months most of the pioneering studies on the mechanism of action of the peptide in vivo and in vitro were described. Immunocytochemical mapping of GRF neurons was carried out. Structure-function studies were initiated. Clinical trials were started and confirmed the potent GH-releasing activity of GRF in man. The effect of the peptide on specific GH mRNA levels was described and molecular cloning was used to establish the structures of human (pancreas) preproGRF. All the hypothalamic releasing factors which had been postulated in the early fifties as humoral regulators of the secretion of each pituitary hormone have now been characterized.
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