title: Pro-adrenocorticotropin/endorphin-derived peptides: coordinate action on adrenal steroidogenesis.
abstract: A synthetic peptide, representing a portion of the 16K (16,000 dalton)-fragment sequence within the pro-adrenocorticotropin/endorphin precursor molecule, potentiates the steroidogenic action of the 1 to 24 portion of adrenocorticotropin [ACTH(1-24)] on the rat adrenal cortex. The peptide has 27 amino acid residues and consists of gamma-melanotropin with a carboxyl terminal extension. It affects both the inner and outer adrenocortical zones of hypophysectomized animals, as evidenced by a synergistic augmentation of corticosterone and aldosterone production, respectively. The peptide can be distinguished from adrenocorticotropin by its activation of cholesterol ester hydrolase and its failure to stimulate cholesterol side-chain cleavage.
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D002787:Sterol Esterase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D004723:Endorphins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; D000450:Aldosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D002787:Sterol Esterase; D003345:Corticosterone