Characterization of N alpha-acetyl-alpha-endorphin from rat neurointermediate lobe and its distribution in pituitary and brain
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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area
Published on: August 10, 2012
Abstract:
N alpha-Acetyl-alpha-endorphin was characterized from rat neurointermediate lobe. The distribution of the acetylated and the non-acetylated form of alpha-endorphin in dissected areas of pituitary and brain appeared to be uneven. alpha-Endorphin appeared to be the main peptide in the anterior pituitary, whereas in the neurointermediate lobe N alpha-acetyl-alpha-endorphin accounted for most of the alpha-endorphin immunoreactivity. In the brain, the highest concentration of alpha-endorphin immunoreactivity was found in the hypothalamus. In hypothalamus and thalamus alpha-endorphin predominated, whereas in amygdala, hippocampus and septum N alpha-acetyl-alpha-endorphin represented most of the alpha-endorphin-immunoreactivity. In view of the non-opioid properties of acetylated endorphins, it is suggested that acetylation represents a mechanism allowing the organism to specifically select the non-opioid behavioral activities enclosed in the endorphin sequence.
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