M-FISH applications in clinical genetics

Until recently, presence of de novo marker or derivative chromosomes was quite problematic for genetic counseling especially in prenatal diagnosis, because characterization of marker and derivative chromosomes by conventional cytogenetic techniques was nearly impossible. However, recently developed molecular cytogenetic technique named Multicolor Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (M-FISH) which paints all human chromosomes in 24 different colors allows us to characterize marker and derivative chromosomes in a single hybridization. In this study, we applied M-FISH to determine the origin of 3 marker and 3 derivative chromosomes. Marker chromosomes were found to originate from chromosome 15 in two postnatal and one prenatal case. Of these, one of the postnatal cases displayed clinical findings of inv dup (115) syndrome and the other of infertility, and the prenatal case went through amniocentesis due to the triple test results. Karyotypes of the patients with derivative chromosomes were designated as 46,XY,der (21)t(1;21)(q32;p11), 46,XX,der(8)t(8;9)(p23;p22) and 46,XX,der(18)t(18;20)(q32;p11.2) according to cytogenetic and M-FISH studies. All of the M-FISH results were confirmed with locus specific or whole chromosome painting probes. The case with der (8)t(8;9) had trisomy 9(p22-pter) and monosomy 8(p23-pter) due to this derivative chromosome. The case with der(18)t(18;20) had trisomy 20(p11.2-pter) and monosomy 18(q32-qter). Parental origins of the derivative chromosomes were analyzed using microsatellite markers located in the trisomic chromosomal segments. Patients' clinical findings were compared with the literature.     

Synthesis of galactofuranose disaccharides of biological significance

Methyl beta-D-galactofuranoside was readily obtained by tin(IV) chloride-catalyzed glycosylation of penta-O-benzoyl-alpha,beta-D-galactofuranose, followed by debenzoylation with sodium methoxide. Glycosylation of 1 with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-galactono-1,4-lactone or with the 6-O-trityl-lactone derivative 5 gave the benzoylated beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1----6)-D-galactono-1,4-lactone 6 in excellent yield. The structure of disaccharide 6 was confirmed by borohydride reduction to the glycosyl-alditol 7. A byproduct of the condensation reaction of 1 with 4 or 5 was identified as the benzoylated (1----1)-beta,beta'-D-galactofuranosyl disaccharide 8. Compound 8 was readily prepared (88% yield) by controlled addition of water to 1, in the presence of stannic chloride. O-Debenzoylation of 8 afforded crystalline beta'-D-galactofuranosyl-(1----1)-beta-D-galactofuranoside. The glycosyl-lactone 6 constitutes a key intermediate for the synthesis of a disaccharide derivative having both units in the furanoid form. Thus, diisoamylborane reduction of the lactone function of 6 led to the disaccharide derivative 10, from which the methyl glycoside 12 was prepared. O-Debenzoylation of 12 gave the corresponding methyl beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D-galactofuranoside. The free disaccharide beta-D-Galf-(1----6)-D-Galp and its acetylated derivative were also synthesized from 10.     

Synthetic study on carbocyclic analogs of cyclic ADP-ribose, a novel second messenger: an efficient synthesis of cyclic IDP-carbocyclic-ribose.

An efficient synthesis of cyclic IDP-carbocyclic-ribose, as a stable mimic for cyclic ADP-ribose, was achieved. 8-Bromo-N1-carbocyclic-ribosylinosine derivative 10, prepared from N1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)inosine derivative 5 and an optically active carbocyclic amine 6, was converted to 8-bromo-N1-carbocyclic-ribosylinosine bisphosphate derivative 15. Treatment of 15 with I2 in the presence of molecular sieves in pyridine gave the desired cyclic product 16 quantitatively, which was deprotected and reductively debrominated to give the target cyclic IDP-carbocyclic-ribose (3).     

Synthesis and biological properties of new phosmidosine analogs having an N-acylsulfamate linkage

A new phosmidosine analog 10, in which the proline and 8-oxoadenosine moieties were linked by an N-acyl sulfamate linkage, was successfully synthesized by the sulfamoylation of an 8-oxoadenosine derivative 5 followed by coupling with an L-proline derivative 8. An L-alanine-substituted derivative 13 and its derivative 14 without the alanyl residue were also synthesized. The morphological reversion activity of these synthetic compounds in v-src(ts) NRK cells and their antitumor activity in L1210 and KB cells were studied. As the result, neither L-proline- nor L-alanine-substituted phosmidosine analogs 10 and 13 showed any antitumor activity. Contrary to these results, the derivative 14 lacking the amino acid residue showed potent antitumor activities against cancer cells.     

Pyrrolidinium-type fullerene derivative-induced apoptosis by the generation of reactive oxygen species in HL-60 cells

The biological activities of C₆₀-bis(N,N-dimethylpyrrolidinium iodide), a water-soluble cationic fullerene derivative, on human promyeloleukaemia (HL-60) cells were investigated. The pyrrolidinium fullerene derivative showed cytotoxicity in HL-60 cells. The characteristics of apoptosis, such as DNA fragmentation and condensation of chromatin in HL-60 cells, were observed by exposure to the pyrrolidinium fullerene derivative. Caspase-3 and -8 were activated and cytochrome c was also released from mitochondria. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the pyrrolidinium fullerene derivative was observed by DCFH-DA, a fluorescence probe for the detection of ROS. Pre-treatment with α-tocopherol suppressed cell death and intracellular oxidative stress caused by the pyrrolidinium fullerene derivative. The apoptotic cell death induced by the pyrrolidinium fullerene derivative was suggested to be mediated by ROS generated by the pyrrolidinium fullerene derivative.     

Recognition and detection of 8-oxo-rG in RNA using the DNA/OMeRNA chimera probes containing fluorescent adenosine-diazaphenoxazine analog

Recent studies indicate that oxidative damage to RNA results in dysfunction of translation and eventual pathogenesis. A representative oxidized base in RNA is 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-oxo-rG), however, unlike its DNA counterpart (8-oxo-dG), its role in pathogenesis has not attracted much attention until recently. The 2′-deoxyadenosine derivative with a diazaphenoxazine skeleton at the 6-amino group (Adap) was shown to be selective for 8-oxo-dG in DNA. In this study, the 2′-O-methoxy derivative of Adap (2′-OMeAdap) was designed as a selective molecule for 8-oxo-rG in RNA. 8-Oxo-rG in the homopurine RNA was selectively recognized by the ODN probe incorporating Adap. In contrast, although it was not possible by the Adap-containing ODN prove due to the instability of the corresponding duplex, 8-oxo-rG in homopyrimidine RNA was selectively detected by the 2′-OMeRNA probe incorporating 2′-OMeAdap.     

8-thiocyanatoflavins as active-site probes for flavoproteins.

8-Thiocyanatoflavins at the riboflavin, FMN, and FAD level were prepared via the diazonium salt of the corresponding 8-aminoflavin and some of the physical and chemical properties studied. 8-Thiocyanatoriboflavin has a UV-visible spectrum similar to that of the native flavin with absorbance maxima at 446 nm (epsilon = 14,900 M-1 cm-1) and 360 nm. Reaction with thiols such as dithiothreitol and mercaptoethanol gives rise to an 8-mercapto- and an 8-SR-flavin, whereas reaction with sulfide yields only the 8-mercaptoflavin. The 8-SCN-flavin binds to riboflavin-binding protein as the riboflavin derivative, to apoflavodoxin, apo-Old Yellow Enzyme, and apo-lactate oxidase as the FMN derivative, and to apo-D-amino acid oxidase, apo-p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase, apo-glucose oxidase, apo-anthranilate hydroxylase, and apo-general acyl-CoA dehydrogenase as the FAD derivative. In two cases, namely, with anthranilate hydroxylase and D-amino acid oxidase, the 8-SCN-FAD was spontaneously and completely converted to the 8-mercapto-FAD derivative, suggesting the presence of a nucleophile (most likely the thiol of a cysteine residue) in the vicinity of the 8-position. It was also found that flavodoxin stabilizes the neutral radical and Old Yellow Enzyme the anionic radical of 8-SCN-FMN. Further studies with Old Yellow Enzyme, established that fully (two electron) reduced 8-SCN-FMN undergoes photoelimination of cyanide.     

Synthetic mucin fragments: methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D- 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl- beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactoyranoside. pyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside

Methyl 2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (5) was obtained crystalline by way of its 3-O-allyl derivative, which was in turn obtained by ring-opening of a presumed 3,4-O-stannylene derivative of methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside, followed by benzylation. Condensation of 5 with 2-methyl-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-beta-D-glucopyra no)-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline in 1,2-dichloroethane in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid afforded the disaccharide derivative methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2, 4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (6) Deacetylation of 6 in methanolic sodium methoxide afforded the disaccharide derivative 7, which was acetalated with alpha, alpha-dimethoxytoluene to afford the 4',6'-O-benzylidene acetal (10). Catalytic hydrogenolysis of the benzyl groups of 7 afforded the title disaccharide 8. Glycosylation of 10 with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl bromide in 1:1 benzene-nitromethane in the presence of mercuric cyanide gave the fully protected trisaccharide derivative 12. Systematic removal of the protecting groups of 12 then furnished the title trisaccharide 14. The structures of 5, 8, and 14 were all confirmed by 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. The 13C-n.m.r. chemical shifts for methyl alpha- and beta-D-galactopyranoside, and also those of their 3-O-allyl derivatives, are recorded, for the sake of comparison, in conjunction with those of compound 5.     

Synthesis of a biotin-conjugate of phosmidosine O-ethyl ester as a G1 arrest antitumor drug

This paper deals with the synthesis of a stable biotin–phosmidosine conjugate molecule 3 that is required for isolation of biomolecules that bind to phosmidosine (1). It was found that introduction of a biotin residue into the 6-N position of phosmidosine could be carried out by reaction of an N⁷-Boc-7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenosine derivative 13 with phenyl chloroformate followed by displacement with a diamine derivative 6 along with the simultaneous removal of the Boc group and one of the two phenoxycarbonyl groups and the successive condensation with an N-tritylated biotin derivative 5. The condensation of an N-prolylphosphorodiamidite derivative 4 with an appropriately protected 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenosine derivative 17 having the biotin residue gave the coupling product 18, which was deprotected to give the biotin–phosmidosine (O-ethyl ester) conjugate 3.     

Syntheses of fused heterocyclic compounds and their inhibitory activities for squalene synthase.

A variety of fused heterocyclic compounds (2-11) were synthesized as a modification of the lead compound 1a and evaluated for their inhibition of squalene synthase. 4,1-Benzothiazepine derivative 2, 1,4-benzodiazepine derivative 6, 1,3-benzodiazepine derivative 7, 1-benzazepine derivative 9, and 4,1-benzoxazocine derivative 10 potently inhibited squalene synthase activity, whereas the 4,1-benzoxazepine derivatives 1 was the most potent inhibitor. 4,1-Benzothiazepine S-oxide derivative 4, 1,4-benzodiazepine derivative 5, 1,3,4-benzotriazepine derivative 8, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivative 11 were found to be weakly active. Comparison of the X-ray structures of these compounds (1a, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10) suggests that orientation of the 5- (or 6)-phenyl group is important for activity.     

Hydantoin derivative formation from oxidation of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and incorporation of 14C-labeled 8-oxodG into the DNA of human breast cancer cells

One-electron oxidation of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) yielded a guanidinohydantoin derivative (dGh) and a spiroiminodihydantoin derivative (dSp), both putatively mutagenic products that may be formed in vivo. The nucleoside dGh was the major product at room temperature, regardless of pH. The results are contrary to previously published model studies using 2',3',5'-triacetoxy-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (Luo, W.; Miller, J. G.; Rachlin, E. M.; Burrows, C. J. Org. Lett. 2000, 2, 613; Luo, W.; Miller, J.G.; Rachlin, E.M.; Burrows, C.J. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 2001, 14, 927), who observed a spiroiminodihydantoin derivative as the major product at neutral pH. Clearly, the functional groups attached to the ribose moiety of 8-oxodG influence the oxidation chemistry of the nucleobase derivative. To explore this chemistry in vivo, (14)C-labeled 8-oxodG was synthesized and incubated with growing MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, resulting in the incorporation of the compound into cellular DNA as measured by a novel accelerator mass spectrometry assay.     

Investigations with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrate loss of the telomeres on the reciprocal chromosome in three unbalanced translocations involving chromosome 15 in the Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes

Two patients with classical features of Angelman syndrome (AS) and one with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) had unbalanced reciprocal translocations involving the chromosome 15 proximal long arm and the telomeric region of chromosomes 7, 8 and 10. Fluorescence isitu hybridization (FISH) was used for the detection of chromosome 15(q11-13) deletions (with probes from the PWS/AS region) and to define the involvement of the telomere in the derivative chromosomes (with library probes and telomere-specific probes). The 15(q11-13) region was not deleted in one patient but was deleted in the other two. The telomere on the derivative chromosomes 7, 8 and 10 was deleted in all three cases. Thus, these are true reciprocal translocations in which there has been loss of the small satellited reciprocal chromosome (15) fragment.     

Structure-Plant Phytotoxic Activity Relationship of 7,7′-epoxylignanes, (+)- and (−)-verrucosin: Simplification on the aromatic ring substituents

The synthesized 7-aryl derivatives of (7R,7′S,8S,8′S)-(+)-verrucosin were applied to growth inhibitory activity test against ryegrass at 1 mM. 7-(3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 12 and 7-(2-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 4 showed comparable activity to those of (+)-verrucosin against the root (−95%) and the shoot (−60%), respectively. The growth inhibitory activity test against lettuce using synthesized 7-aryl derivatives of (7S,7′R,8R,8′R)-(−)-verrucosin at 1 mM showed that the activities of 7-(3-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 20 and 7-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 28 are similar to that of (−)-verrucosin against the root (−95%). Against the shoot, 7-(3-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 20 showed higher activity (−80%) than that of (−)-verrucosin (−60%). As the next step, (7S,7′R,8R,8′R)-7-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-7′-aryl-(−)-verrucosin derivatives, in which the most effective 3-hydroxyphenyl group is employed as 7-aromatic ring, were synthesized for the assay against lettuce. In this experiment, 7′-(2-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 37 and 7′-(3-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 38 showed similar activity to that of derivative 20. The effect of 7- and 7′-aryl structures of 7,7′-epoxylignanes on the plant growth inhibitory activity was clarified. The 7- and 7′-aryl structures were simplified to show comparable activity to or higher activity than that of (−)-verrucosin. The plant growth inhibitory activity of a nutmeg component, (+)-fragransin C_3b, was estimated as −80% inhibition at 1 mM against ryegrass roots.     

Synthesis of bromoindolyl 4,7-di-O-methyl-Neu5Ac: specificity toward influenza A and B viruses.

N-Acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) was converted into the methyl ester methyl ketoside-8,9-epoxy derivative (8). Methylation of 8 followed by deprotection gave 4,7-di-O-methyl-Neu5Ac (10). Compound 10 was converted into the corresponding methyl ester-chloroacetate derivative, which was subsequently coupled to 5-bromo-indol-3-ol to give the chromogenic product (13). Deprotection of 13 gave 5-bromo-indol-3-yl 4,7-di-O-methyl-Neu5Ac (5). The product 5 was specifically cleaved by sialidase from either influenza A or influenza B virus to give an indigo-blue precipitate, but was not cleaved by several bacterial or viral sialidases tested. The properties of product 5 relative to a fluorescent substrate for sialidase were also documented.     

Nucleosides and nucleotides. 192. Toward the total synthesis of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose. Formation of the intramolecular pyrophosphate linkage by a conformation-restriction strategy in a syn-form using a halogen substitution at the 8-position of the adenine ring

The synthesis of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose (2), as a stable mimic for cyclic ADP-ribose, was investigated. Construction of the 18-membered backbone structure was successfully achieved by condensation of the two phosphate groups of 19, possibly due to restriction of the conformation of the substrate in a syn-form using an 8-chloro substituent at the adenine moiety. SN2 reactions between an optically active carbocyclic unit 8, which was constructed by a previously developed method, and 8-bromo-N6-trichloroacetyl-2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine 9c gave N-1-carbocyclic derivative, which was deprotected to give 5'-5"-diol derivatives 18. When 18 was treated with POCl3 in PO(OEt)3, the bromo group at the 8-position was replaced to give N-1-carbocyclic-8-chloroadenosine 5',5"-diphosphate derivative 19 in 43% yield. Treatment of 19 with 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride gave the desired intramolecular condensation product 20 in 10% yield. This is the first chemical construction of the 18-membered backbone structure containing an intramolecular pyrophosphate linkage of a cADPR-related compound with an adenine base.     

Lambda Ig constant region genes are translocated to chromosome 8 in Burkitt's lymphoma with t(8;22)

By in situ hybridization of normal human chromosomes with a cloned genomic probe specific for the constant region of the lambda immunoglobulin genes, band 22q11 was preferentially labelled. In two cell lines with t(8;22) derived from Burkitt's lymphoma a strong signal was noted on the 8q+ chromosome derivative, indicating that the constant region of the lambda Ig gene cluster was translocated from chromosome 22 to chromosome 8. In addition, the signal observed on the 22q- derivative chromosome was stronger than the background in one of the two cell lines tested, but not in the other. The implications are that the break point in chromosome 22 in some cases lies within the Ig gene itself or between clusters of such genes, and that different cases have different break points.     

Plasmids in Streptococcus lactis: evidence that lactose metabolism and proteinase activity are plasmid linked.

Populations of lactose positive (Lac+) and proteinase positive (Prt+) cells from Streptococcus lactis M18, C10, and ML3 grown at 39 degrees C gave rise to increasing proportions of Lac- Prt- clones. The deficiencies did not appear until after a number of generations at the elevated temperature, and the rate depended on the strain.Lac- Prt+ and Lac+ Prt- mutants were isolated after treatment with ethidium bromide. Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated by cesium chloride-ethidium bromide equilibrium density gradient centrifugation from the parent cultures as well as from their Lac- Prt-, Lac- Prt+, and Lac+ Prt- mutants. Five distinct plasmid sizes of approximate molecular weights of 2,4, 8, 21, and 27 million were found in S. lactis C10, whereas the Lac- Prt- derivative lacked the 8- and 21-million-dalton plasmids, but the 8-million-dalton plasmid was present in the Lac-Att mutant. In S. lactis m18 five plasmids possessing molecular weights of about 2, 4, 10, 18 and 27 million were observed. The 10- and 18-million-dalton plasmids were not detected in the Lac- Prt- mutants, whereas the Lac- Prt+ derivative lacked only the 18-million-dalton plasmid and the Lac+ Prt- mutant lacked only the 10-million-dalton plasmid. In S. lactis ML3 five distinct plasmids, with approximate molecular weights of 2, 4, 8, 22, and 30 million, were present. The 8- and 22-million-dalton plasmids were not detected in the Lac- Prt- derivative, but the 8-million-dalton plasmid was present in the Lac- Prt+ mutant. The evidence suggests that lactose-fermenting ability and proteinase activity in these organisms are mediated through two distinct plasmids having molecular weights of 8 x 10(6) to 10 x 10(6) for proteinase activity and 18 x 10(6) to 22 x 10(6) for lactose metabolism.     

Synthesis of 3-methylpseudouridine and 2′-deoxy-3-methyl-pseudouridine

The first chemical synthesis of 3-methyl-ψ-uridine (5) and its 2′-deoxy analogue (9) has been achieved. ψ-Uridine was trimethylsilylated and the crude product was treated with acetyl chloride, to give the 1-acetyl derivative (3). Crude 3 was methylated with dimethoxymethyldimethylamine and then saponified, to give crystalline 5 in 82% overall yield. Treatment of 5 with 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraiso-propyldisiloxane afforded the 3′,5′-protected product, which was converted into the 2′-O-[(imidazol-1-yl)thiocarbonyl] derivative 7. Reduction of 7 with tributyltin hydride followed by deblocking of the product gave crystalline 2′-deoxy-3-methyl-ψ-uridine (9) in 35% yield from 5.     

Identification and properties of 8-hydroxyflavin--adenine dinucleotide in electron-transferring flavoprotein from Peptostreptococcus elsdenii.

1. A new flavin prosthetic group has been isolated in pure form from the electron-transferring flavoprotein of Peptostreptococcus elsdenni. Its structure has been established as the FAD derivative of 7-methyl-8-hydroxyisoalloxazine: (see article). Proof of this structure has been obtained by chemical syntehsis of 7-methyl-8-hydroxyisoalloxazine models, and by stepwise degradation of the native compound to 7-methy-8-hydroxyalloxazine. The orange chromophore is characterized by a strong absorption band with a maximum at 472 nm (xi = 41 000 M-1 CM-1) and a pK at 4.8 due to the ionisation of the C(8)-OH group. 2. The properties of a series of functionally substituted derivatives of 8-hydroxy flavins and lumichromes have been investigated to provide a basis for interpreting the effects of pH on the spectroscopic properties of the 8-hydroxy derivatives of FAD and FMN. 3. The 8-hydroxy derivative of FAD is bound by apo-D-amino acid oxidase; the complex shows no catalytic activity. The 8-hydroxy derivative of FMN is bound by apoflavodoxin to give a complex which has catalytic activity similar to that of native flavodoxin. The complex is reversibly reduced by dithionite, first to a relatively stable semiquinone and further to the dihydroflavin form.     

Photoaffinity labeling of pituitary GnRH receptors: significance of the position of photolabel on the ligand

Photoreactive derivatives of GnRH and its analogues were prepared by incorporation of the 2-nitro-4(5)-azidophenylsulfenyl [2,4(5)-NAPS] group into amino acid residues at positions 1, 3, 6, or 8 of the decapeptide sequence. The modification of Trp3 by the 2,4-NAPS group led to a complete loss of the luteinizing hormone (LH) releasing as well as LH-release-inhibiting activity of the peptide. The [D-Lys(2,4-NAPS)]6 analogue was a very potent agonist that, after covalent attachment by photoaffinity labeling, caused prolonged LH secretion at a submaximal rate. [Orn(2,4-NAPS)]8-GnRH, a full agonist with a relative potency of 7% of GnRH, after photoaffinity labeling caused prolonged maximal LH release from cultured pituitary cells. In contrast, [Orn(2,5-NAPS)]8-GnRH, although being equipotent with the 2,4-NAPS isomer in terms of LH releasing ability, was unable to cause prolonged LH release after photoaffinity labeling. Thus, [Orn(2,4-NAPS)]8-GnRH is a very effective photolabeling ligand of the functionally significant pituitary GnRH receptor. Based on this compound, a pituitary peptidase resistant derivative, D-Phe6,[Orn(2,4-NAPS)]8-GnRH-(1-9)-ethylamide, was synthesized. This derivative showed high-affinity binding to pituitary membranes with a Kd comparable to those of other GnRH analogues. A radioiodinated form of this peptide was used for pituitary GnRH-receptor labeling. This derivative labeled 59- and 57-kDa proteins in rat and 58- and 56-kDa proteins in bovine pituitary membrane preparations, respectively. This peptide also labeled pituitary GnRH receptors in the solubilized state and therefore appears to be a suitable ligand for the isolation and further characterization of the receptor.