Editing Corticotropic cell (section)

== Function ==
[[File:POMC.png|thumb|261x261px|POMC is broken down into several peptide hormones via proteolytic cleavage in the corticotropic cells.]]
The primary function of the corticotropic cells is to produce the [[Hormone|prohormone]] POMC in response to the release of CRH from the hypothalamus.  POMC  is cleaved into several [[peptide hormone]]s via enzyme activity. In addition to synthesis in the corticotropes, POMC is also synthesized in [[Melanotroph|melanotroph cells]], the [[arcuate nucleus]] of the hypothalamus, and [[melanocyte]]s.<ref name="Rousseau_2007">{{cite journal | vauthors = Rousseau K, Kauser S, Pritchard LE, Warhurst A, Oliver RL, Slominski A, Wei ET, Thody AJ, Tobin DJ, White A | title = Proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the ACTH/melanocortin precursor, is secreted by human epidermal keratinocytes and melanocytes and stimulates melanogenesis | journal = FASEB Journal | volume = 21 | issue = 8 | pages = 1844–56 | date = June 2007 | pmid = 17317724 | pmc = 2253185 | doi = 10.1096/fj.06-7398com | doi-access = free }}</ref> POMC undergoes differential cleavage into various peptide hormones depending on the cell it is synthesized in; it also varies based on species. POMC in the corticotropes of humans is proteolytically cleaved by [[proprotein convertase]]s into ACTH and [[Beta-lipotropin|β-lipotropin]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Neuroscience|last1=Day|first1=Richard|last2=Squire|first2=Larry | name-list-style = vanc |publisher=Elsevier|year=2009|isbn=978-0080450469|location=Amsterdam|pages=1139–1141|oclc=237029015}}</ref> In rats, however, the ACTH is further cleaved into [[α-MSH]] and [[Corticotropin-like intermediate peptide|CLIP]] in the corticotrope.<ref name="Rousseau_2007" /> These peptide hormones are stored within vesicles in the corticotropic cells and are released in response to CRH stimulation from the hypothalamus. These vesicles then leave the anterior pituitary and travel throughout the body via the bloodstream to reach their target tissues.<ref name="Nussey_2001" />  
{| class="wikitable"
|+
Hormones Derived from POMC
!Hormone(s)
!Main Targets
!Effects
|-
|[[Adrenocorticotropic hormone|ACTH]]
|[[Adrenal cortex]]
|Glucocorticoid synthesis
|-
|[[α-MSH]], [[Beta-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone|β-MSH]], [[Gamma-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone|γ-MSH]]
|Skin Cells ([[Melanocyte]]s), [[Brain]], [[Exocrine gland|Exocrine Glands]]
|[[Pigment]]ation of hair and skin, [[Hunger|satiety]], weight [[homeostasis]]<ref name="Nussey_2001">{{Cite book|doi=10.1201/b15306|title=Endocrinology| vauthors = Nussey SS, Whitehead SA |date=2001-06-15|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9780429205958}}</ref>
|-
|[[Corticotropin-like intermediate peptide|CLIP]]
|[[Pancreas]]
|[[Secretagogue|Insulin secretagogue]], stimulates insulin release<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Marshall JB, Kapcala LP, Manning LD, McCullough AJ | title = Effect of corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide on pancreatic exocrine function in isolated rat pancreatic lobules | journal = The Journal of Clinical Investigation | volume = 74 | issue = 5 | pages = 1886–9 | date = November 1984 | pmid = 6209301 | pmc = 425369 | doi = 10.1172/JCI111608 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Beta-lipotropin|β-lipotropin]], [[Gamma-lipotropin|γ-lipotropin]]
|[[Adipose tissue|Adipose Tissue]]
|[[Lipolysis]], fatty acid mobilization<ref>{{Cite book | first1 = Gustavo | last1 = Blanco | first2 = Antonio | last2 = Blanco | name-list-style = vanc |title=Medical biochemistry |year=2017|isbn=9780128035870|location=London, United Kingdom|pages=573–644|oclc=985609626}}</ref>
|-
|[[Beta-Endorphin|β-endorphin]]
|[[Peripheral nervous system|Peripheral Nervous System]]
|Pain management<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sprouse-Blum AS, Smith G, Sugai D, Parsa FD | title = Understanding endorphins and their importance in pain management | journal = Hawaii Medical Journal | volume = 69 | issue = 3 | pages = 70–1 | date = March 2010 | pmid = 20397507 | pmc = 3104618 }}</ref>
|}