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  • Title: Size heterogeneity of beta-MSH in ectopic ACTH-producing tumors: presence of beta-LPH-like peptide.
    Author: Hirata Y, Matsukura S, Imura H, Nakamura M, Tanaka A.
    Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab; 1976 Jan; 42(1):33-40. PubMed ID: 175084.
    Abstract:
    Gel chromatographic, immunologic and biologic properties of beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (beta-MSH) in tumor tissues obtained from eight patients with the ectopic ACTH syndrome were studied and compared to those of pituitary beta-MSH. Size heterogeneity of immunoreactive beta-MSH was found in all the tumors studied as well as in normal human pituitaries. Both the tumors and pituitaries contained immunoreactive beta-MSH of a larger molecular size than the well-characterized beta-MSH of small molecular size. The large molecular weight beta-MSH also predominated in the plasma. It was found to be bioactive by an in vitro MSH assay, immunologically indistinguishable from human beta-MSH, and chromatographically very similar to beta-lipotropic hormone (beta-LPH). Tryptic digestion of the large molecular weight beta-MSH under controlled conditions promptly produced bioactive beta-MSH of small molecular size, followed by the appearance of immunologically active but biologically inert fragments. These results suggest that the ectopic ACTH-producing tumor as well as the pituitary elaborate beta-LPH-like peptide which might be the predominant component of immunoreactive beta-MSH in man.
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