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MEASUREMENT OF IMMUNOREACTIVE γ‐MSH IN HUMAN PLASMA
Author(s) -
HALE ANN C.,
RATTER SALLY J.,
TOMLIN SUSAN J.,
LYTRAS N.,
BESSER G. M.,
REES LESLEY H.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1984.tb03453.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , radioimmunoassay , basal (medicine) , human plasma , stimulation , chemistry , peptide hormone , dexamethasone , hormone , biology , insulin , chromatography
SUMMARY A radioimmunoassay for immunoreactive γ‐MSH (IR‐γ‐MSH) in human plasma has been developed. The assay is capable of detecting normal basal circulating levels which range from < 20‐100 ng/1 at 0900 h. Plasma levels are raised concomitantly with ACTH during insulin induced hypoglycaemia and CRF stimulation and suppressed with dexamethasone. Chromatographic characterisation of IR‐γ‐MSH in plasma demonstrates a major peak of IR‐γ‐MSH, corresponding to purified glycosylated N‐terminal pro‐opiome‐lanocortin 1‐76, when IR‐γ‐MSH is secreted from the pituitary. In contrast IR‐γ‐MSH produced ectopically appears to be heterogeneous.