The Molecular Pharmacology of Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

Structure—Activity Relationships for Melanotropins at Melanocortin Receptors
  • Victor J. Hruby
  • Guoxia Han
Chapter
Part of the The Receptors book series (REC)

Abstract

α-Melanotropin (α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, α-MSH), Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2, is one of the first peptide hormones isolated from the pituitary gland. The biologic functions of α-MSH and structure-activity relationships of α-MSH analogues before 1993 have been extensively researched and reviewed (1–12). This hormone plays a well-known and principal role in pigmentation. Other effects ascribed to this hormone include:
  1. 1.

    Regulation of the release of pituitary and peripheral hormones, such as somatostatin and corticotropin

     
  2. 2.

    Sebotrophic effects, adrenal steroidogenesis, immune response, and cardiovascular and metabolic effects

     
  1. 3.

    Important roles in the nervous system, particularly in the central nervous system (CNS)

     

Keywords

Stimulate Hormone Antagonist Activity Frog Skin Melanocortin Receptor Potent Antagonist 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2000

Authors and Affiliations

  • Victor J. Hruby
  • Guoxia Han

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