beta-Endorphin and adrenocorticotropin are selected concomitantly by the pituitary gland

Roger Guillemin; Therese Vargo; Jean Rossier; Scott Minick; Nicholas Ling; Catherine Rivier; Wylie Vale; Floyd Bloom

doi:10.1126/science.197601

beta-Endorphin and adrenocorticotropin are selected concomitantly by the pituitary gland

Guillemin R, Vargo T, Rossier J, Minick S, Ling N, Rivier C, Vale W, Bloom F

Published September 30, 1977 Science (New York, N.Y.), 197(4311), 1367-1369

DOI 10.1126/science.197601 PMID 197601

Abstract

The opiate-like peptide beta-endorphin and adrenocorticotropin are concomitantly secreted in increased amounts by the adenohypophysis in response to acute stress or long-term adrenalectomy as well as in vitro in response to purified corticotropin releasing factor and other secretagogues. Conversely, administration of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibits the secretion of both adrenocorticotropin and beta-endorphin. Thus, both hormones possess common and identical regulatory mechanisms and there may be a functional role for circulating beta-endorphin.

Roger Guillemin, Therese Vargo, Jean Rossier, Scott Minick, Nicholas Ling, Catherine Rivier, Wylie Vale, Floyd Bloom

R Guillemin, T Vargo, J Rossier, S Minick, Nick Ling, N Ling, Cathy Rivier, Kate Rivier, C Rivier, W Vale, F Bloom

PMID 197601 197601 DOI 10.1126/science.197601 10.1126/science.197601 Guillemin et al. 1977, Guillemin 1977

Keywords

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood/metabolism, Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/pharmacology, Endorphins/blood/metabolism, Hypophysectomy, Male, Peptides/metabolism, Pituitary Gland/metabolism, Protein Precursors/metabolism, Rats, Stress, Physiological/blood, Time Factors, Endorphins, Peptides, Protein Precursors, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone

beta-Endorphin and adrenocorticotropin are selected concomitantly by the pituitary gland

Abstract

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