Hormone: ACTH

Scientific name(s):
Category: Peptide
Steroid

Source(s):
Trigger(s):
Target(s):
Target(s)
Responses:

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Corticotropin
AA Length:___39__
AA Derivative of:
Other category notes:

Anterior pituitary gland

Produced in response to biological stress with the precursor cotroctropin releasing hormone
from the hypothalamus ACTH is synthesized from pre-POMC
ACTH will act upon adrenal cortex cell to secrete glucocorticodid steroid hormones. Targeting is
predominatnly in the zona fasiculata of the adrenal gland.
Stimulates the enzyme adenylyl cyclase, leads to an increase in intracellular cAMP and finally the
activation of protein kinase A. Secreation of cortisol. Also, simulation of cholesterol delivery of
cholesterol to the mitochondria , uptake of lipoprotein by the cortical cells

Mode of action: Membrane receptor

2nd Messenger: cAMP
Cytosolic receptor

Receptor linked to:

Typical blood concentration:

9-52 pg/mL

Half-life, t1/2 :

Has a half-llife of 10 minutes

Hormone Transport / Carrier(s):

G-protein coupled receptor

Sterol carrier protein

Other notes:
A synthetic form of ACTH was made by Klaus Hofmann at the Univesrity of Pittsburgh . Synthetic drugs of
ACTH are Cortosyn and Synacth. Synacthen is being used in the UK to test primary and secondary adrenal
insufficiency

Name:

Hormone: ACTH

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Image(s):

Disease(s) / Pathologies:
Hyersecretion:, Cushings disease
Hyposecretion: Addisons disease,

Therapies: Hypersecretation: mIfepristone, removal of tumor with transsphenoidal surgery, pituitary

radiation therapy, bilateral adrenalectomy
Hyposecretion: Adrenal adenoma may be surgically removed, replacement with hydrocortisone,
Name:

Hormone: ACTH

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACTH_receptor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACTH_stimulation_test
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenocorticotropic_hormone
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-5113-3_13#page-1

Name:

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