Effects of glacial acetic acid on the extraction, chemical stability, and biological activities of β-LPH

Sheep β-lipotropic hormone (β-LPH) contains within its structure the complete amino acid sequence of γ-LPH. These two molecules have a sequence of amino acid entirely similar to βSer-melanophore-stimulating hormone (MSH). We have shown that β-LPH is not likely to be degraded into γ-LPH and β-MSH during the purification procedure, or by incubation in an acetic acid/acetone mixture at 50 °C for 20 min. Results are compatible with the hypothesis that β-LPH could be the biological precursor of β-MSH and that γ-LPH is an intermediate component.