Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) is a polypeptide hormone synthesised and secreted from corticotropes in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to the hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) released by the hypothalamus.

Related Topics:
Polypeptide - Hormone - Corticotrope - Anterior lobe - Pituitary gland - Corticotropin-releasing factor - Hypothalamus

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ACTH stimulates the cortex of the adrenal gland and boosts the synthesis of corticosteroids, mainly glucocorticoids but also mineralcorticoids and sex steroids (androgens). Together with ACTH the hormones lipotropin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), β-endorphin and met-enkephalin are also released. ACTH is also related to the circadian rhythm in many organisms.

Related Topics:
Adrenal gland - Corticosteroid - Glucocorticoid - Mineralcorticoid - Androgens - Lipotropin - Melanocyte-stimulating hormone - Endorphin - Enkephalin - Circadian rhythm

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The half-life of ACTH in human blood is about 10 minutes.

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