Glossary

Corticotropin

Glossary / Corticotropin
Compound

Corticotropin — Another name for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a 39-amino acid peptide that stimulates cortisol production from the adrenal glands.

Category
Compound
Glossary Section
C

What Is Corticotropin?

Corticotropin is another name for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a 39-amino acid peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and other corticosteroids. Synthetic ACTH(1-24) (cosyntropin/tetracosactide) is used clinically as a diagnostic tool for adrenal insufficiency (ACTH stimulation test).

Clinical Use

  • ACTH stim test: 250 µg IV cosyntropin. Measure cortisol at 0 and 60 min. Normal response > 18 µg/dL
  • Acthar Gel: Repository corticotropin injection for infantile spasms and nephrotic syndrome
  • Sequence: Active fragment ACTH(1-24) retains full biological activity of ACTH(1-39)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Corticotropin?

Another name for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a 39-amino acid peptide that stimulates cortisol production from the adrenal glands.

Why is Corticotropin important in peptide research?

Corticotropin is a fundamental concept in compound as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.

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