Griffiths E C, Kelly J A
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1979 Apr;14(1):3-17. doi: 10.1016/0303-7207(79)90054-6.
The mechanisms of enzymic inactivation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin, the three fully-characterized hypothalamic regulatory hormones, and the possible physiological significance of the peptidases in neuroendocrine control has been reviewed. Application of the criteria of enzyme location (at the sites of biosynthesis, release, action, elimination and excretion), appropriate biochemical characteristics of the enzymes and changes in enzyme activity in physiological circumstances all suggest that the peptidases can contribute to the mechanisms controlling the hypothalamic hormones' release and actions. Besides their physiological function, the enzymes may also be directly involved in certain pathological conditions. There is evidence to indicate that the enzymes degrading the regulatory hormones may participate in the process of hormone activation as well as inactivation. A continuing investigation of the peptidases may lead to a better understanding of the established endocrine and other putative functions of these hypothalamic polypeptide hormones.
促甲状腺激素释放激素、促黄体生成素释放激素和生长抑素是三种已被充分表征的下丘脑调节激素，本文综述了它们的酶促失活机制以及肽酶在神经内分泌控制中的可能生理意义。酶定位标准（在生物合成、释放、作用、消除和排泄部位）的应用、酶的适当生化特性以及生理情况下酶活性的变化均表明，肽酶可能参与控制下丘脑激素释放和作用的机制。除了其生理功能外，这些酶还可能直接参与某些病理状况。有证据表明，降解调节激素的酶可能参与激素的激活以及失活过程。对肽酶的持续研究可能有助于更好地理解这些下丘脑多肽激素已确定的内分泌功能和其他假定功能。
