title: The melanotropin potentiating factor and beta-endorphin do not modulate the alpha-melanotropin-or adrenocorticotropin-induced corticosteroidogenesis in purified isolated rat adrenal cells.
abstract: The ability of two pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides, the melanotropin potentiating factor (MPF) and beta-endorphin (beta EP), to affect corticosteroid production was studied in purified isolated rat adrenal cells. Addition of MPF or beta EP, in doses from 5 pg to 5 micrograms, alone did not result in a corticosterone production. Furthermore, no effect of MPF or beta EP in doses from 5 pg to as high as 5 micrograms for both peptides upon the ACTH or alpha-MSH-induced corticosteroidogenesis was observed (p greater than 0.1). It is concluded that both MPF and beta EP do not influence the steroidogenic activity in the adrenal gland. Use of these peptides for discrimination of the ACTH/alpha-MSH receptor interactions is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, Catholic University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Goverde
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Pesman
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Smals
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004723:Endorphins; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004151:Dipeptides; D004723:Endorphins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000521:alpha-MSH; D001615:beta-Endorphin; C050079:lysyl-lysyl-glycyl-glutamic acid; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone