title: Characterization of immunoreactive corticotropin and corticotropin-releasing factor in human adrenal and ovarian tumours.
abstract: The distribution of immunoreactive ACTH (I-ACTH) and corticotropin-releasing factor (I-CRF) in the human adrenal was determined and these peptides were indentified in adrenocortical adenomas from patients with primary aldosteronism. Cushing's syndrome, and ovarian tumours and compared with the results in phaeochromocytomas. I-ACTH and I-CRF, mainly localized in the adrenal medulla from patients without endocrine disorders, showed a good correlation with the epinephrine concentrations. I-ACTH and I-CRF were present in all the above-mentioned tumours. Gel filtration of I-ACTH and I-CRF from these tumours showed the presence of large molecular weight forms of these peptides as well as authentic peptides. The trypsinization study of I-CRF from phaeochromocytoma suggested that such large molecular weight forms were the precursors of authentic CRF. High performance liquid chromatography showed I-CRF in these tumours to be similar to hypothalamic CRF. Phaeochromocytoma tissue slices incorporated [3H]leucine into ACTH and CRF. These findings raised the possibility that I-ACTH and I-CRF are synthesized and processed in phaeochromocytoma.
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000032:analysis; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000032:analysis*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007984:Leydig Cell Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014357:Trypsin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014357:Trypsin