gamma 1-Melanotropin-like immunoreactivity in bovine and human adrenocorticotropin-producing tissues

gamma 1 MSH-like immunoreactivity in bovine pituitary glands, hypothalami, human pituitary glands, ectopic ACTH-producing tumors, and human gastric antral mucosa was investigated using a newly developed RIA for gamma 1 MSH. The minimum detectable quantity of gamma 1 MSH was 3 pg/tube, and the antibody did not cross-react with gamma 2 MSH, gamma 3 MSH, alpha MSH, beta MSH, ACTH, beta-lipotropin, or beta-endorphin. Bovine anterior pituitary, intermediate-posterior pituitary, and hypothalamus contained more than two molecular weight forms of gamma 1 MSH-like immunoreactivities. On the other hand, gamma 1 MSH-like immunoreactivity was not detected in human pituitary glands or human gastric antral mucosa, but was detected in one of seven ectopic ACTH-producing tumors. These results suggest a limited processing of the ACTH-beta-lipotropin precursor to gamma 1 MSH in human tissues, although a rapid degradation of gamma 1 MSH could not be ruled out completely.