Beschreibung:
<jats:p>Helodermin is a biologically active peptide isolated from the venom of the Gila monster lizard (<jats:italic>Heloderma suspectum</jats:italic>) whose structure is related to that of vasoactive intestinal peptide and secretin. Using a specific radioimmunoassay based on antisera prepared by immunizing rabbits with natural helodermin, we demonstrated the presence of helodermin‐like material in mammalian salivary glands, including parotid, submaxillary and sublingual glands from rat and dog, and parotid and submaxillary glands from man. All helodermin‐like materials had an apparent molecular mass of 4–12 kDa. Dog saliva, collected after pilocarpine stimulation, revealed similar immunoreactivity with a major component around 6 kDa.</jats:p>