| proopiomelanocortin derivatives | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POMC | |||||||||
| γ-MSH | ACTH | β-lipotropin | |||||||
| α-MSH | CLIP | γ-lipotropin | β-endorphin | ||||||
| β-MSH | |||||||||
The melanocortins are a group of peptide hormones which include adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and the different forms of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), and are derived from proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary gland. The melanocortins exert their effects by binding to and activating the melanocortin receptors.