The intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland: introduction and background.
Research from a number of laboratories using of systems has shown that cells from the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary gland, from hypothalamic neurons and from the placenta produce a glycoprotein with the full sequences of corticotropin, beta-lipotropin and gamma-melanotropin. These peptides in turn contain the sequences of alpha- and beta-melanotropin, CLIP, gamma-lipotropin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-endorphins and methionine-enkephalin. The precursor molecule, here called protropin, is processed by the four types of cell to give rise to different ratios of corticotropin, CLIP, beta- and gamma-lipotropin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-endorphins and alpha-, beta- and gamma-melanotropins. The physiological roles of these peptides in neurotransmission, pre- and postnatal endocrinology, mental disorders and neoplasia are only now being established.
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000032:analysis; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity
D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin