Peptide hormone purification

Abstract Peptide and polypeptide hormones are purified in order to provide information about their physical and chemical properties, to obtain sufficient amounts of pure hormone for further studies or because they are not available in a synthetic or biosynthetic form. Classically, hormones are synthesized by specific organs, and these tissues remain the primary source, e.g. the pituitary gland (1). However, improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of assay systems have resulted in the localization of various hormones in tissues not previously associated with those hormones. Apart from these known sources there are potential sources such as tumours and more obvious possibilities such as blood and urine.