Biosynthesis of the C-terminal amide in peptide hormones

Recent developments in the study of peptide amidation are reviewed. The main areas covered are assay procedures, purification of amidating enzymes, co-factors and regulation, mechanism and specificity of the amidating reaction, and multiple forms of the amidating enzyme and glycosylation. Discussion is presented on aspects that are poorly understood and new areas open to investigation are indicated.