Griffths E C, McDermott J R
Neuroendocrinology. 1984 Dec;39(6):573-81. doi: 10.1159/000124039.
The ability of neuropeptides to act as precursors for smaller, biologically active fragments is discussed in terms of their biotransformation. This process may involve cleavage of the parent peptide by peptidase enzymes to produce shorter polypeptides with defined biological activity, though other enzymic processes such as sulphation and acetylation may be implicated. Detection of the specific fragments in vivo, their release, receptor-binding and biological actions may confirm biotransformation of the parent peptide. Control of biotransformation will depend upon the localization, both regional and subcellular, and the specificity of the enzymes involved. This process may give an additional degree of flexibility to the biological effects of neuropeptides.
根据神经肽的生物转化来讨论其作为较小生物活性片段前体的能力。这个过程可能涉及肽酶对母体肽的切割，以产生具有特定生物活性的较短多肽，不过其他酶促过程如硫酸化和乙酰化也可能参与其中。在体内检测特定片段、它们的释放、受体结合及生物学作用，可能证实母体肽的生物转化。生物转化的控制将取决于区域和亚细胞水平的定位以及所涉及酶的特异性。这个过程可能会给神经肽的生物学效应带来额外程度的灵活性。
