Difference between revisions of "Adrenocorticotropic hormone" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Adrenocorticotropic hormone''' ('''ACTH''' or '''corticotropin''') is a [[polypeptide]] [[hormone]] synthesised (from [[POMC]], pre-opiomelanocortin) and secreted from [[corticotrope]]s in the [[anterior pituitary|anterior lobe]] of the [[pituitary gland]] in response to the hormone [[corticotropin-releasing hormone]] (CRH) released by the [[hypothalamus]]. It consists of 39 [[amino acid]]s.
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'''Adrenocorticotropic hormone''' ('''ACTH''' or '''corticotropin''') is a [[polypeptide]] [[hormone]] synthesised from [[POMC]], pre-opiomelanocortin, and is secreted from [[corticotrope]]s in the [[anterior pituitary|anterior lobe]] of the [[pituitary gland]] in response to the hormone [[corticotropin-releasing hormone]] (CRH) released by the [[hypothalamus]]. The hormone consists of 39 [[amino acid]]s.
  
 
==Structure==
 
==Structure==
ACTH consists of 39 [[amino acid]]s, the first 13 of which (counting from the N-terminus) may be cleaved to form [[melanocyte-stimulating hormone|α-MSH]]. (This common structure is one reason that patients with [[hypocortisolism]], in which ACTH levels are elevated, often present with [[hyperpigmentation|excessively tanned skin]].)
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ACTH consists of 39 [[amino acid]]s, the first 13 of which (counting from the N-terminus) may be cleaved to form [[melanocyte-stimulating hormone|α-MSH]]. (This common structure is one reason that patients with [[hypocortisolism/Addison's disease]], in which ACTH levels are elevated, often present with [[hyperpigmentation|excessively tanned skin]].)
  
 
The [[half-life]] of ACTH in human blood is about 10 minutes.
 
The [[half-life]] of ACTH in human blood is about 10 minutes.
  
 
==Function==
 
==Function==
ACTH acts through the stimulation of cell surface ACTH receptors, which are primarily located on the adrenocortical cells. ACTH stimulates the cortex of the [[adrenal gland]] and boosts the synthesis of [[corticosteroid]]s, mainly [[glucocorticoid]]s but also [[mineralcorticoid]]s and sex steroids ([[androgen]]s). Together with ACTH the hormones [[lipotropin]], [[melanocyte-stimulating hormone]] (MSH), β-[[endorphin]] and met-[[enkephalin]] are also released. ACTH is also related to the [[circadian rhythm]] in many organisms.
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ACTH acts through the stimulation of cell surface ACTH receptors, which are primarily located on the adrenocortical cells. ACTH stimulates the cortex of the [[adrenal gland]] and boosts the synthesis of [[corticosteroid]]s, mainly [[glucocorticoid]]s, but also [[mineralcorticoid]]s and sex steroids ([[androgen]]s). Together with ACTH the hormones [[lipotropin]], [[melanocyte-stimulating hormone]] (MSH), β-[[endorphin]] and met-[[enkephalin]] are also released. ACTH is also related to the [[circadian rhythm]] in many organisms.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 15:22, 8 May 2006

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) is a polypeptide hormone synthesised from POMC, pre-opiomelanocortin, and is secreted from corticotropes in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to the hormone corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) released by the hypothalamus. The hormone consists of 39 amino acids.

Structure

ACTH consists of 39 amino acids, the first 13 of which (counting from the N-terminus) may be cleaved to form α-MSH. (This common structure is one reason that patients with hypocortisolism/Addison's disease, in which ACTH levels are elevated, often present with excessively tanned skin.)

The half-life of ACTH in human blood is about 10 minutes.

Function

ACTH acts through the stimulation of cell surface ACTH receptors, which are primarily located on the adrenocortical cells. ACTH stimulates the cortex of the adrenal gland and boosts the synthesis of corticosteroids, mainly glucocorticoids, but also mineralcorticoids and sex steroids (androgens). Together with ACTH the hormones lipotropin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), β-endorphin and met-enkephalin are also released. ACTH is also related to the circadian rhythm in many organisms.

See also

Hormones and endocrine glands - edit

Hypothalamus: GnRH - TRH - CRH - GHRH - somatostatin - dopamine | Posterior pituitary: vasopressin - oxytocin | Anterior pituitary: GH - ACTH - TSH - LH - FSH - prolactin - MSH - endorphins - lipotropin

Thyroid: T3 and T4 - calcitonin | Parathyroid: PTH | Adrenal medulla: epinephrine - norepinephrine | Adrenal cortex: aldosterone - cortisol - DHEA | Pancreas: glucagon- insulin - somatostatin | Ovary: estradiol - progesterone - inhibin - activin | Testis: testosterone - AMH - inhibin | Pineal gland: melatonin | Kidney: renin - EPO - calcitriol - prostaglandin | Heart atrium: ANP

Stomach: gastrin | Duodenum: CCK - GIP - secretin - motilin - VIP | Ileum: enteroglucagon | Liver: IGF-1

Placenta: hCG - HPL - estrogen - progesterone

Adipose tissue: leptin, adiponectin

Target-derived NGF, BDNF, NT-3


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