ACTH receptor
Encyclopedia
The ACTH receptor is a type of melanocortin receptor
Melanocortin receptor
Melanocortin receptors are members of the rhodopsin family of 7-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptors.There are five known members of the melanocortin receptor system each with differing specificities for melanocortins:...

 (type 2), properly known as MC2, which is specific for ACTH.

It is found in the zona fasciculata
Zona fasciculata
The zona fasciculata constitutes the middle zone of the adrenal cortex, sitting directly beneath the zona glomerulosa. Constituent cells are organized into bundles or "fascicles"....

 of the human adrenal cortex
Adrenal cortex
Situated along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, including aldosterone and cortisol respectively. It is also a secondary site of androgen synthesis.-Layers:Notably, the reticularis in...

. Binding of the receptor by ACTH stimulates the production of cortisol
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat,...

. (By contrast, aldosterone
Aldosterone
Aldosterone is a hormone that increases the reabsorption of sodium ions and water and the release of potassium in the collecting ducts and distal convoluted tubule of the kidneys' functional unit, the nephron. This increases blood volume and, therefore, increases blood pressure. Drugs that...

 production from the zona glomerulosa
Zona glomerulosa
The zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland is the most superficial layer of the adrenal cortex, lying directly beneath the adrenal gland's capsule...

 is stimulated primarily by angiotensin II.)

The ACTH receptor uses cAMP
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a second messenger important in many biological processes...

 as a secondary messenger.

Mutations in this receptor cause familial glucocorticoid deficiency type 1, in which patients have high levels of serum ACTH and low levels of cortisol.

See also

  • melanocortin
    Melanocortin
    The melanocortins are a group of peptide hormones which include adrenocorticotropic hormone and the different forms of melanocyte-stimulating hormone . They can be synthetic . In humans they can be endogenously produced from proopiomelanocortin in the pituitary gland...


Roy et al. 2007 Differential regulation of the human ACTH receptor (MC2R) by human MRAP isoforms alpha and beta in isogenic HEK 293 cells. Mol Endocrinol 21:1656-1669

External links

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