Glucagon-like polypeptides in canine brain.

Glucagon-like material has been detected by radioimmunoassay in several areas of the canine brain. High concentrations of glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI), measured with antibodies directed against the N-terminal region of glucagon, have been found in the hypothalamus, amygdala, and mesencephalon, but a high concentration of immunoreactive glucagon (IRG), measured with antibodies directed against the C-terminal region of glucagon, has been found only in the hypothalamus. The predominant molecular forms of GLI isolated from brain extracts by affinity chromatography are the same as those isolated from gut extracts. The predominant form of IRG in brain extracts is of the same (approximate) molecular weight as pancreatic glucagon.