Ultrastructural localization of corticotropin, beta-lipotropin, and alpha- and beta-endorphin in the porcine anterior pituitary.
The peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical technique was used to identify the ACTH/endorphin cells in the porcine pituitary at the ultrastructural level and to determine the precise subcellular localization of the pro-ACTH/endorphin fragments. The cells display different aspects: 1) large, regular shapes with numerous and large secretory granules; 2) small, irregular and angular shapes with small granules aligned along the periphery of the cell; and 3) intermediate forms. The presence of alpha- and beta-endorphin not only in the same cells but also in the same secretory granules that contain ACTH and beta-LPH clearly indicates that both the precursor or its fragments and the above-mentioned peptides are stored in the same granules and released simultaneously by the corticotropic cells. The presence of FSH in some corticotropic cells is also discussed.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000032:analysis; D004723:Endorphins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009940:Organoids / Q000032:analysis; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*; D018822:alpha-Endorphin; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008083:beta-Lipotropin / Q000032:analysis*
D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D018822:alpha-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D008083:beta-Lipotropin