BACKGROUND The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is well known as a mediator of skin pigmentation. More recently, it has been shown that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone also plays pivotal roles in energy homeostasis, sexual function, and inflammation or immunomodulation. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone exerts its antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects by binding...

Melanocyte stimulating hormone coupled to Sepharose effects an increase in tryosinase (EC 1.14.18.1; monophenol monoxygenase) activity of cultivated mouse melanoma cells. Synchronized cells are found to respond to melanocyte stimulating hormone only in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, although their response to cyclic AMP is independent of position in the cell cycle. The binding of (125)I-labele...

The adrenocorticotrophic and melanocyte-stimulating peptides of the human pituitary were investigated by means of radioimmunoassay, bioassay and physicochemical procedures. Substantial amounts of adrenocorticotrophin and a peptide resembling beta-lipotrophin were identified in pituitary extracts, but alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and corticotrophin-li...

Peptides of the pro-opiocortin class produce pronounced cardiovascular and natriuretic actions. We have investigated the acute cardiovascular effects of one of the most potent members of this class, y2-melanocyte stimulating hormone (y2-MSH), in rats. Pressor actions of y2MSH administered systemicaMy were eliminated by ganglionic blockade with chlorisondamine. Peripheral cholinergic blockade fa...

Abbreviations: BC: Before Christ; UV: Ultraviolet; NCBI: National Center For Biotechnology Information; Mirna: Microrna; IL-1: Interleukin 1; MSH: Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone; ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; LH: Luteinizing Hormone; FSH: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; MC1R: Melanocortin Type 1 Receptor; ER: Estrogen Receptor ; PR :Progesterone Receptor; TPO: Thyroid Peroxidase; TSH: Thyroi...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluvastatin on the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-mediated increase in tyrosinase activity in the melanoma B16F10 cell line and to establish whether Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) inhibition is involved in tyrosinase synthesis after fluvastatin administration. Fluvastatin modulates alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormon...