Corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH) is a 39-amino acid polypeptide hormone produced and secreted by the pituitary gland. It is often produced in response to biological stress (along with corticotropin-releasing hormone). Its principal effects are increased production of androgens and cortisol. Corticotropin is processed from the precursor pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). The enzyme that performs the cleavage of POMC to corticotropin is prohormone convertase 1 (PC1). In addition to corticotropin, POMC is processed into other small, biologically active fragments. These include lipotropins, melanocyte-stimulating hormone and endorphins.
Lerner, AB, Buettner-Janusch, V, Lee, TH
Creemers, JW, Sanders, L, Raffin-Sanson, ML, Jackson, RS, Montague, CT, O'Rahilly, S, Hutton, JC, Ohagi, S
serine-type endopeptidase activity of PC1:calcium cofactor [secretory granule lumen]
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