Anti-Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH, Corticotropin)

ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic hormone) is produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, and is a key component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. ACTH is synthesized from the precursor molecule pre-opiomelanocorin (POMC). POMC undergoes proteolytic cleavages and processing to generate not only ACTH but also a number of other small biologically active peptides including alpha-MSH and beta-endorphin, all in cell type specific manners. The production of ACTH is triggered by biological stress. ACTH, in turn, then stimulates the secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex. The half-life of ACTH in human blood is only about ten minutes. An excess of ACTH can cause Cushing's syndrome whereas ACTH deficiency can result in secondary adrenal insufficiency. ACTH consists of 39aa, and can be proteolytically cleaved into different active fragments including CLIP (corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide), consisting of aa17-39, which stimulates insulin production. Synacthen is an active synthetic form of ACTH, corresponding to the first 24aa, which is used to conduct ACTH stimulation tests. The antibody is superb for staining routine formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. The antibody labels corticotrophs in the adenohypophysis. The antibody is useful in the classification of pituitary adenomas. Likewise, the antibody can be used in the differential identification of primary and metastatic tumors of the pituitary. Applications: Suitable for use in Immunofluorescence, Flow Cytometry, ELISA, Western Blot, Immunoprecipitation and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilution: Western Blot: 0.5-1ug/ml, Immunohistochemistry (Frozen & Formalin fixed paraffin embedded): 0.5-1ug/ml/30min @ RT, Immunoprecipitation: 1-2ug/500ug protein lysate, Flow Cytometry: 0.5-1ug/10e6 cells, Immunofluorescence: 1-2ug/ml, Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Positive Control: Normal pituitary gland or pituitary tumor, Storage and Stability: May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for 12 months. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.