Evidence for homologous actions of pro-opiocortin products.
alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a modified fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone, derives from the same biosynthetic route as beta-endorphin and is stored by the same arcuate neurons. Microinjection of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and several related peptides into the periaqueductal gray matter significantly reduced responsiveness to pain and had a behavioral profile similar to that produced by beta-endorphin.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D002535:Cerebral Aqueduct; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D004723:Endorphins; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones