adrenocorticotropic hormone; corticotropin; adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)

Function

• derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)
• induces secretion of corticoteroids (cortisol, DHEA) from adrenal cortex
• cleaved into alpha-MSH & CLIP

Expression

• secreted from the anterior pituitary in response to corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) & antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
• secreted by cells of the immune system (T-cells, B-cells, macrophages)
• 3 major factors regulating ACTH secretion:
• diurnal rhythm
  • early morning cortisol & ACTH levels are highest
  • cortisol & ACTH levels are lower in the evening
• cortisol feed back inhibition
• stress (including fever, hypotension, hypoxia will stimulate ACTH secretion
• 1/2 life in human blood is 10 minutes

Pharmacology

see Acthar

Laboratory

• corticotropin Ag in tissue
• corticotropin in amniotic fluid
• corticotropin in serum
• ACTH in plasma

More general terms

• anterior pituitary hormone
• peptide precursor

More specific terms

• Acthar (ACTH)

Additional terms

• ACTH (corticotropin) in plasma
• adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor; ACTH receptor; ACTH-R; adrenocorticotropin receptor; melanocortin receptor 2; MC2-R (MC2R ACTHR)
• corticotropin-releasing factor; corticoliberin; CRF; corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
• cosyntropin (Cortrosyn)
• ectopic ACTH syndrome
• pituitary adenoma/ACTH secreting