title: Beta-endorphin: the forgotten hair follicle melanotropin.
abstract: The proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene and protein are expressed principally in the pituitary and brain (e.g., hypothalamus). The POMC gene, protein, and derived peptides, however, can also be detected in the skin. It appears that POMC can also be processed in the skin, a tissue that also expresses the prohormone convertases PC1 and PC2 and 7B2 protein. All POMC peptides may be produced in the skin epidermis, dermis, and adnexa by epithelial cells, melanocytes, and mesenchymal cells (e.g., immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells), and can also be released from cutaneous sensory nerve endings (cf. Slominski et al, 2004).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. dtobin@bradford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Desmond J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Söbia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kauser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006200:Hair Color / Q000502:physiology; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000378:metabolism; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin