Description
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)/corticotropin is a 39 amino acid peptide generated by cleavage of the POMC, a preprotein which also can also be cleaved to produce MSH,beta-endorphin and Met-enkephalin, depending on tissue expression and context. ACTH is a ligand for the ACTH receptor, also known as melanocortin receptor 2. ACTH is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland upon stimulation by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) which is secreted by the hypothalamus. The principal effect of ACTH is production of cortisol by the adrenal gland but it also mediates bone formation and osteoblast survival. ACTH has been shown to induce insulin resistance in adipocytes and promote pro-inflammatory adipokine secretion