Acth

STRUCTURE

ACTH consists of 39 Amino Acid s, 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 , 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 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

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Acth