Biosynthesis of oxytocin in the corpus luteum

In this report we demonstrate that ovine and bovine luteal cells synthesise oxytocin by way of a precursor protein similar to that found in the hypothalamus. Isolated ovine or bovine luteal cells were incubated for up to 12 h with [35S]cysteine. Neurophysin-Sepharose column separation and HPLC of cell extracts demonstrated the presence of [35S]oxytocin. Incorporation of [35S]cysteine was confirmed by performic acid oxidation. Immunoprecipitation of cell extract with anti-rat oxytocin-neurophysin followed by SDS-PAGE yielded 2 radioactive bands of 14 kDa and 11-12 kDa. Immunoprecipitation with anti-oxytocin yielded 1 band at 14 kDa. On SDS-PAGE the 14 kDa band had a similar mobility to rat-hypothalamic oxytocin precursor.