title: Human gamma-melanotropin precursor potentiates corticotropin-induced adrenal steroidogenesis by stimulating mRNA synthesis.
abstract: Circulating human gamma-melanotropin precursor (76 amino acids) [N-POC(1-76) enhances the corticosterone and aldosterone response to corticotropin by isolated perfused rat adrenal cells [Al-Dujaili, Hope, Estivariz, Lowry & Edwards (1981) Nature (London) 291, 156-159]. Actinomycin D (4 x 10(-6) mol/litre) did not significantly affect corticotropin-induced corticosterone or aldosterone outputs, but completely inhibited the potentiating action of gamma-melanotropin precursor on rat adrenal cells. This suggests that the precursor enhances corticotropin-induced steroidogenesis via an increase in available mRNA produced from DNA transcription.
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003609:Dactinomycin; D000450:Aldosterone; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D003345:Corticosterone