Isolation and partial characterization of insulin-glucagon liberin from bovine hypothalamus

A tridecapeptide that enhances insulin and glucagon release from isolated islets of Langerhans was extracted from bovine hypothalami. Following the recommendation of the IUPAC-IUB Commission on Biological Nomenclature, the name Insulin-Glucagon Liberin (IGL) is proposed. The extraction, purification and partial characterization of the peptide is reported. The biological significance of hypothalamic IGL is still unknown but it could be a neurohumoral link between the hypothalamus and islet function, related to the regulation of food intake and body weight.