[Biosynthesis of some hypothalamic neuropeptides. Identification of precursor forms (author's transl)]

The current knowledge on the biosynthetic mechanisms of three hypothalamic neuropeptides, neurophysins, vasopressin and somatostatin, is reviewed. Both neurophysin and vasopressin appear to be first synthesized as higher molecular weight precursors. The methodology elaborated allows to characterize essentially two main forms with apparent Mr similar to or approximately 25 000 and 80 000 respectively. It can be demonstrated that both neurophysin and vasopressin are derived from common precursors.