Diabetogenic action of human growth hormone. Synthesis and activity of C-terminal fragments.

Three peptides corresponding to the C-terminal region of human growth hormone have been synthesized by the solid-phase method: HGH-(177--191), HGH-(178--191) and HGH-(179--191). The diabetogenic activities of these synthetic peptides are reported. The data indicate that extension of HGH-(179--191) at its NH2-terminus is required for in vivo activity. The reduced and S-carbamidomethylated form of HGH-(177--191) was also active, indicating that the disulphide bond is possibly not a prerequisite for biological activity.