Secretion pattern of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides by a pituitary adenoma from a patient with Cushing's disease.
Fragments of the pituitary adenoma of a patient with Cushing's disease were maintained in defined culture medium. Immunoreactive (IR) ACTH, IR alpha-MSH, IR beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH), IR beta-endorphin, and IR gamma-MSHs secreted from the adenoma were studied with gel permeation chromatography and the respective RIAs. The adenoma secreted roughly equimolar quantities of IR beta-LPH plus IR beta-endorphin, IR gamma 3-MSHs, and IR ACTHs. It also secreted IR alpha-MSH as well as IR gamma 1-MSH, although in a much lower concentration than the above four peptides. The secreted gamma 3-MSH-like peptides were found to be glycosylated. The secretion pattern suggests that this particular adenoma processes the pro-opiomelanocortin molecule in pathways which encompass those of both the pars distalis and the pars intermedia.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008083:beta-Lipotropin / Q000378:metabolism
D004723:Endorphins; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D008083:beta-Lipotropin