ACTH
Stress response initiator
ACTH is adrenocorticotropic hormone, a chemical messenger produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol and other stress hormones.
Doctors measure ACTH levels to diagnose disorders of the pituitary or adrenal glands: Her ACTH was elevated, suggesting the problem was in her pituitary.
Brain-base hormone gland
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
- CRHStress-axis initiating peptide
- feedbackReturned response data
secretion · glucocorticoids · stress response · proopiomelanocortin · receptor · neuroendocrine · stimulation · regulation
Organic compounds forming proteins
- precursorSomething that comes first
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
- prohormoneInactive hormonal precursor
- POMCPolypeptide yielding multiple hormones
signal peptide · enzymatic · N-terminal · synthesis · degradation · half-life
pituitary
Brain-base hormone gland
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
- CRHStress-axis initiating peptide
feedback · secretion · glucocorticoids · stress response · proopiomelanocortin · receptor · neuroendocrine · stimulation · regulation · biosynthesis
amino acids
Organic compounds forming proteins
- precursorSomething that comes first
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
- prohormoneInactive hormonal precursor
POMC · signal peptide · enzymatic · N-terminal · synthesis · degradation · half-life
Cushing's disease
Excess cortisol from pituitary
- adrenalectomyExcision of suprarenal glands
ACTHcortisol
Adrenal steroid regulating stress
dexamethasone · glucocorticoids · cortisone · hydrocortisone · corticosteroids