Anti-ACTH (Clone: AH26)

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. Protein function: Corticotropin: Stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol. [The UniProt Consortium]