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We report the isolation of a novel human circulating proopiomelanocortin-derived peptide, VA-beta-MSH, from hemofiltrate and its pharmacological characterization. Screening for lipolytic activity in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes led to the isolation from a hemofiltrate peptide library by alternating reverse phase and cation exchange chromatography. In the course of this isolation, we also identified human beta-MSH-(1-22). We synthesized VA-beta-MSH by the N-(9-fluorenyl)-methoxycarbonyl (F-moc) solid phase method and used synthetic beta-MSH-(1-22) to confirm that both isolated peptides are lipolytically active in a dose-dependent manner in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes in the nanomolar range. Using cAMP ELISA, we demonstrate that stimulation with both peptides caused a strong cAMP elevation in this cell system. Furthermore, we show that the selective inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Rp-isomer (Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS); N-[2-(p-Bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H89), significantly reduce VA-beta-MSH- and beta-MSH-(1-22)-mediated lipolysis. Although isolated after its lipolytic activity on 3T3-L1 cells, this newly identified circulating human melanocortin may serve other functions in human physiology. Moreover, the fact that these peptides have been identified after a functional assay, but have been overseen in large proteomic approaches, underscores the importance of such approaches in identifying previously undescribed circulating bioactive molecules.

It has been demonstrated that the ovine placenta secretes estrogen, progesterone and cortisol, and that plasma concentrations of estrogen and cortisol increase before birth. Among the elements important for steroid production is steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) which acutely delivers cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane for rapid steroidogenesis. This study was designed to determine if StAR is present in ovine placenta, and if its expression changes during fetal development. In addition, because cortisol is secreted by the placenta, we also examined the expression of adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor (ACTH-R) to determine if it was present and if the pattern of expression changed as gestation proceeded. The mRNA levels for StAR and ACTH-R were assessed by RNase protection assay (RPA) and protein levels were measured by Western blot in placentas from pregnant ewes (100-105 days of gestation, n = 8; 120 days of gestation, n = 5; 135-142 days of gestation, n = 8). The data show that the ovine placenta expresses StAR and ACTH-R. There was a significant increase in the StAR mRNA and protein between 100 and 142 days of gestation, but there were no significant age-related changes in ACTH-R mRNA and protein levels. The data suggest that the increased steroid production by the placenta in late gestation may be related to the increased expression of StAR.

Both central alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) have been implicated in feeding and neuroendocrine mechanisms. The anatomical overlap and functional similarities between these two neurotransmitter systems led to the hypothesis that CRH might act as one of the mediators of the central actions of the melanocortin system. By double-labeling in situ hybridization, a subpopulation of CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) were shown to contain the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), concentrated in the ventromedial part of the parvicellular PVN (up to 33%). Intracerebroventricular injection of melanocortin agonist MTII to conscious and freely moving rats induced a rapid induction of CRH gene transcription in the PVN. This effect was accompanied by a rise in plasma corticosterone levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with the maximum response observed 30 min after MTII injection. MTII (0.5 nmol)-induced increase in plasma corticosterone was attenuated by the selective MC4R antagonist HS014 (0.25-1.0 nmol) and nonselective CRH receptor antagonist alpha-helical-CRH9-41 (0.125-0.5 nmol) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the anorectic effect of MTII was evaluated at 1, 2, and 24 hr after intracerebroventricular injection. Approximately half of the inhibitory effect of MTII (0.5 nmol) on food intake was reversed by pretreatment with alpha-helical-CRH9-41 at 0.25 and 0.5 nmol doses. Collectively, these results provide evidence that CRH acts as a downstream mediator of melanocortin signaling and contributes to the mechanisms by which the central melanocortin system controls feeding and neuroendocrine responses.

Adult Leydig cell steroidogenesis is dependent on LH but fetal Leydig cells can function independently of gonadotropin stimulation. To identify factors that may be involved in regulation of fetal Leydig cells expressed sequence tag libraries from fetal and adult testes were compared, and fetal-specific genes identified. The ACTH receptor [melanocortin type 2 receptor (Mc2r)] was identified within this fetal-specific group. Subsequent real-time PCR studies confirmed that Mc2r was expressed in the fetal testis at 100-fold higher levels than in the adult testis. Incubation of fetal or neonatal testes with ACTH in vitro stimulated testosterone production more than 10-fold, although ACTH had no effect on testes from animals aged 20 d or older. The steroidogenic response of fetal and neonatal testes to a maximally stimulating dose of human chorionic gonadotropin was similar to the response shown to ACTH. The ED(50) for ACTH, measured in isolated fetal and neonatal testicular cells, was 5 x 10(-10) M and the lowest dose of ACTH eliciting a response was 2 x 10(-11) M. Circulating ACTH levels in fetal mice were around 8 x 10(-11) M. Neither alpha-MSH nor gamma-MSH had any effect on androgen production in vitro at any age. Fetal testosterone levels were normal in mice that lack circulating ACTH (proopiomelanocortin-null) indicating that ACTH is not essential for fetal Leydig cell function. Results show that both LH and ACTH can regulate testicular steroidogenesis during fetal development in the mouse and suggest that fetal Leydig cells, but not adult Leydig cells, are sensitive to ACTH stimulation.

The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4-R) plays a pivotal role in maintaining energy homeostasis in rodents and humans. For example, MC4-R deletion or mutation results in obesity, hyperphagia, and insulin resistance. Additionally, subsets of leptin-induced autonomic responses can be blocked by melanocortin receptor antagonism, suggesting that MC4-R-expressing neurons are downstream targets of leptin. However, the critical autonomic control sites expressing MC4-Rs are still unclear. In the present study, we systematically examined the distribution of MC4-R mRNA in the adult rat central nervous system, including the spinal cord, by using in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) with a novel cRNA probe. Autonomic control sites expressing MC4-R mRNA in the hypothalamus included the anteroventral periventricular, ventromedial preoptic, median preoptic, paraventricular, dorsomedial, and arcuate nuclei. The subfornical organ, dorsal hypothalamic, perifornical, and posterior hypothalamic areas were also observed to express MC4-R mRNA. Within extrahypothalamic autonomic control sites, MC4-R-specific hybridization was evident in the infralimbic and insular cortices, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, central nucleus of the amygdala, periaqueductal gray, lateral parabrachial nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV), and intermediolateral nucleus of the spinal cord (IML). By using dual-label ISHH, we confirmed that the cells expressing MC4-R mRNA in the IML and DMV were autonomic preganglionic neurons as cells in both sites coexpressed choline acetyltransferase mRNA. The distribution of MC4-R mRNA is consistent with the proposed roles of central melanocortin systems in feeding and autonomic regulation., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) has pigmentary, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and general immunomodulatory roles. It can oppose several cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha in a number of tissues, including skin. We have previously shown that alpha-MSH can inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulated intercellular adhesion molecule 1 upregulation and nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) transcription factor activation in melanocyte and melanoma cells. It is thought, however, that this MSH biology may also extend to other cells of the skin and in this study we extend our work to keratinocytes. We have investigated in detail the ability of three alpha-MSH peptides to inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha stimulated NFkappaB activation in nonpigmentary HaCaT keratinocytes (alpha-MSH, L-Lys-L-Pro-L-Val, and L-Lys-L-Pro-D-Val) and two adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) peptides (1-17 and 1-39), reported to be present in skin tissue. NFkappaB/p65 activation was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunofluorescent microscopy. alpha-MSH, L-Lys-L-Pro-L-Val, and L-Lys-L-Pro-D-Val all significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha stimulated NFkappaB activation, whereas ACTH 1-17 and 1-39 did not, in the HaCaT keratinocytes. MSH peptides and ACTH 1-39 were effective, however, at inhibiting NFkappaB activation in normal human keratinocytes. Immunolabeling of inhibitor kappaBalpha of NFkappaB (IkappaBalpha) revealed an abnormal localization to the nucleus of HaCaT cells, which was unaffected by MSH/ACTH peptides. In contrast, normal human keratinocytes showed a normal IkappaBalpha distribution that responded to MSH/ACTH with nuclear translocation. Our data support previous work on the role of MSH/ACTH peptides as immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory regulators, and extend this work to keratinocytes identifying a novel IkappaBalpha mechanism and extends findings to ACTH peptides, identifying an abnormal IkappaBalpha mechanism in the immortal HaCaT versus normal keratinocyte.

Unlabelled: Scintigraphic imaging of metastatic melanoma lesions requires highly tumor-specific radiolabeled compounds. Because both melanotic and amelanotic melanomas overexpress receptors for alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH; receptor name: melanocortin type 1 receptor, or MC1R), radiolabeled alpha-MSH analogs are potential candidates for melanoma diagnosis. The aim of this study was to develop a melanoma-selective radiolabeled alpha-MSH analog suitable for melanoma diagnosis., Methods: The very potent alpha-MSH analog [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]-alpha-MSH (NDP-MSH) and a newly designed alpha-MSH octapeptide analog, [betaAla(3), Nle(4), Asp(5), D-Phe(7), Lys(10)]-alpha-MSH(3-10) (MSH(oct)), were conjugated to the metal chelator 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) to enable radiometal incorporation. The resulting DOTA conjugates were evaluated in vitro for their MC1R-binding affinity and melanogenic activity in isolated mouse B16F1 cells and in vivo for their biodistribution in mouse models of primary and metastatic melanoma after labeling with (111)In., Results: DOTA-MSH(oct) was shown to bind with high affinity (inhibitory concentration of 50% [IC(50)] = 9.21 nmol/L) to the MC1R, although with lower potency than does DOTA-NDP-MSH (IC(50) = 0.25 nmol/L). In B16F1 melanoma-bearing mice, both (111)In-DOTA-NDP-MSH and (111)In-DOTA-MSH(oct) exhibited high MC1R-mediated uptake by melanoma, which differed by a factor of only 1.5 at 4 h after injection. The main route of excretion for both radioconjugates was the kidneys, whereby (111)In-DOTA-MSH(oct) led to somewhat higher kidney values than did (111)In-DOTA-NDP-MSH. In contrast, the latter was much more poorly cleared from other nonmalignant tissues, including bone, the most radiosensitive organ. Therefore, (111)In-DOTA-MSH(oct) displayed higher uptake ratios of tumor to nontarget tissue (e.g., tumor-to-bone ratio 4 h after injection was 4.9 for (111)In-DOTA-NDP-MSH and 53.9 for (111)In-DOTA-MSH(oct)). Lung and liver melanoma metastases could easily be visualized on tissue section autoradiographs after injection of (111)In-DOTA-MSH(oct). Radio-reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of urine samples revealed that most (111)In-DOTA-MSH(oct) is excreted intact 4 h after injection, indicating good in vivo stability., Conclusion: (111)In-DOTA-MSH(oct) exhibits more favorable overall performance than does (111)In-DOTA-NDP-MSH in murine models of primary and metastatic melanoma, making it a promising melanoma imaging agent.

The ACTH receptor (MC2R) is expressed predominantly in the adrenal cortex, but is one of five G protein-coupled, seven-transmembrane melanocortin receptors (MCRs), all of which bind ACTH to some degree. Testing of MC2R activity is difficult because most cells express endogenous MCRs; hence, ACTH will elicit background activation of assayable reporter systems. Inactivating mutations of MC2R lead to hereditary unresponsiveness to ACTH, also known as familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD). These patients are usually seen in early childhood with very low cortisol concentrations, normal mineralocorticoids, hyperpigmentation, and increased bodily growth. Several MC2R mutations have been reported in FGD, but assays of the activities of these mutants are cumbersome. We saw two patients with typical clinical findings of FGD. Genetic analysis showed that patient 1 was homozygous for the mutation R137W, and patient 2 was a compound heterozygote for S74I and Y254C. We tested the activity of these mutations in OS-3 cells, which are unresponsive to ACTH but have intact downstream cAMP signal transduction. OS-3 cells transfected with a cAMP-responsive luciferase reporter plasmid (pCREluc) were unresponsive to ACTH, but cotransfection with a vector expressing human MC2R increased luciferase activity more than 40-fold. Addition of ACTH to cells cotransfected with the pCREluc reporter and wild-type MC2R activated luciferase expression with a 50% effective concentration of 5.5 x 10(-9) M ACTH, which is similar to previously reported values. By contrast, the MC2R mutant R137W had low activity, and the S74I or Y254C mutants elicited no measurable response. This assay provides excellent sensitivity in an easily assayed transient transfection system, providing a more rapid and efficient measurement of ACTH receptor activity.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4R) is a 7-transmembrane protein, which is involved in the central regulation of appetite and obesity. Despite the great interest in this protein, tools for detecting this molecule (as expressed on the cell surface in its native state) have been unavailable. Radioactive- or otherwise labeled ligands showed low receptor specificity to this particular melanocortin receptor isotype. Also, the antibodies were only available for epitopes that were displayed in the cytoplasm. To produce antibodies that enable the detection of this receptor (as expressed on the cell surface without disruption of the target cells), a candidate epitope was selected from the extracellular domains by a computer-aided analysis of the IC-4R secondary structure. This particular region was then recombinantly expressed in E. coli. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the recombinant proteins induced a specific immune reaction, which resulted in the production of MC-4R-specific antibodies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays confirmed the specificity of these antibodies. To examine whether this tool also reacts with native cell surface-displayed MC-4R, HEK-293 cells were transfected with the human MC-4R cDNA. They were analyzed with these antibodies using Western blot and flow cytometry. Specificity and exclusion of cross-reactivity of these antibodies to other MC receptors were further confirmed by an immunofluorescence analysis of the HEK-293 cells that were transfected with other MC receptor isotypes. It is evident that with the availability of this tool, studies on the cell- and tissue-specificity, as well as the regulation mechanism of the MC-4 receptor, will be largely facilitated.

The purpose of this study was to examine some of the factors that may be relevant to regulating pigmentation in the human eye, specifically whether choroidal and iridial melanocytes are sensitive to regulation by epithelial and stromal cells and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Human choroidal and iridial melanocytes were established in culture and co-cultured with epithelial cells and stromal cells derived both from skin and from eye in order to determine their influence on choroidal and iridial melanocyte dopa oxidase activity. In all cases, co-culture of melanocytes with either epithelial cells or fibroblasts led to an increase in dopa oxidase activity during 5 days of co-culture. The extent of the increase ranged from 60% (non-significant) to as much as 185% when both fibroblasts and keratinocytes were present. The optimal ratio of fibroblasts to melanocytes was 1:10 (for dermal fibroblasts) or 1:2 (for iridial fibroblasts) and 1:1 for all epithelial cells to melanocytes. Both choroidal (three out of three cultures) and iridial (two out of three cultures) melanocytes showed increases in dopa oxidase activity to alpha-MSH when cultured in Green's media but the same cells cultured in MCDB153 were unresponsive to alpha-MSH. These in vitro studies suggest that ocular melanocytes have the capacity to be influenced by adjacent epithelial and stromal cells with respect to pigmentation.

We have generated a polyclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino acids 2-18 of the extracellular, N-terminal domain of the human melanocortin-1 receptor (MC-1R). Specificity of the affinity-purified anti-MC-1R antibody was confirmed by dot blot analysis with the antigenic peptide. The antibody detected MC-1R antigenicity on the surface of normal human melanocytes and WM35 melanoma cells, as shown by FACS and immunofluorescence analysis. The antibody was suitable for immunoperoxidase staining of deparaffinized skin sections, revealing prominent MC-1R staining of a cutaneous melanoma as opposed to undiseased skin in which normal melanocytes were only occasionally immunoreactive. Distinct adnexal structures in normal skin also displayed MC-1R immunostaining. Specificity of the MC-1R immunoreactivity in each technique was confirmed by preabsorption with the immunogenic peptide, omission, or substitution of the primary antibody with preimmune serum. Our results provide a baseline for future studies on MC-1R expression in diseased human skin.

Background: No reports have yet precisely determined corticotropin (ACTH) responsiveness in virilizing adrenocortical adenoma., Methods: Five women with an androgen-secreting adrenal adenoma were reviewed. Three of them were examined by in vitro steroidogenesis. Two of these 3 patients were studied by immunohistochemistry of steroidogenic enzymes and for the gene expression of ACTH receptor by Northern blot analysis., Results: In preoperative hormonal determinations plasma and urine androgens had increased. Dexamethasone did not suppress plasma and urinary androgens, nor did ACTH increase them. In vitro steroidogenesis revealed that the adenoma cells produced mainly dehydroepiandrosterone and a small amount of testosterone. ACTH did not increase the in vitro production of androgens. In immunohistochemical staining 5 enzymes involved in adrenal steroidogenesis were all expressed, especially 17 alpha-hydroxylase, which was strongly expressed in tumor cells. ACTH receptor messenger RNA was not detected in virilizing tumor tissues, whereas it was expressed in attached adrenal tissues., Conclusions: The lack of response to ACTH is the result of a deficiency of ACTH receptor expression in the virilizing tumor cells. Androgens were autonomously produced in adrenal adenoma cells without ACTH regulation.

Chronic food restriction (FR) of rats and mice results in moderate hyperadrenocorticism, which may play a role in activating cellular mechanisms that retard aging. Previously, we reported that the FR-induced hyperadrenocorticism is not due to an activated hypothalamo-pituitary unit. Therefore, we investigated in a series of experiments whether adrenal responsiveness to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), in vitro and in vivo, is enhanced by FR. Three mo-old male Fischer 344 rats were either given free access to food (AL rats) or restricted to 60% of food consumed by AL rats (FR rats) from 6 wk of age. They were killed by decapitation in the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) when endogenously circulating corticosterone levels are at their nadir and peak, respectively. In vitro, adrenal glands from FR rats (1.5 mo FR) produced more corticosterone per mg at all doses of ACTH than those from AL rats in both the AM and PM (diet main effect, P < 0.001). FR (1.5 to 2.5 mo) also enhanced adrenal responsiveness to physiologic (diet main effect, P < 0.05) and superphysiologic (diet main effect, P < 0.001) levels of ACTH administered in vivo to dexamethasone-treated rats. ACTH-receptor (ACTH-R) mRNA, normalized to adrenal mass or to total RNA, was not influenced by FR (1.5 mo). However, adrenal ACTH-R mRNA, as well as adrenal mass, per unit body weight was greater in FR than in AL rats (diet main effect, P < 0.001). These results indicate that enhanced adrenocortical responsiveness to ACTH plays a major role in the hyperadrenocortical state of chronically FR rats.

Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptide, which is produced in the pituitary and at other sites including the skin. It has numerous effects and in the skin has a pigmentary action through the activation of the melanocortin-1 (MC-1) receptor, which is expressed by melanocytes. Recent evidence suggests that the related POMC peptides such as adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH), which is the precursor of alpha-MSH, is also an agonist at the MC-1 receptor. By using immunocytochemistry, we confirmed the presence of alpha-MSH in human skin where staining was evident in keratinocytes and especially strong in melanocytes and possibly Langerhans cells. ACTH was also present and tended to show the strongest reaction in differentiated keratinocytes. Immunostaining was also observed for the prohormone convertases, PC1 and PC2, which are involved in the formation of ACTH and its cleavage to alpha-MSH, respectively. The amounts of immunoreactive ACTH exceeded those of alpha-MSH. Using HPLC we identified for the first time the presence of ACTH1-39, ACTH1-17, ACTH1-10, acetylated ACTH1-10, alpha-MSH, and desacetyl alpha-MSH in epidermis and in cultured keratinocytes. The ability of these peptides to activate the human MC-1 receptor was examined in HEK 293 cells that had been transfected with the receptor. All peptides increased adenylate cyclase in these cells with the following order of potency: ACTH1-17 > alpha-MSH > ACTH1-39 > desacetyl alpha-MSH > acetylated ACTH1-10 > ACTH1-10. ACTH1-17 also increased the dendricity and melanin content of cultured human melanocytes indicating that the peptide was able to activate MC-1 receptors when present in their normal location. However, as found with alpha-MSH, not all cultures were responsive and, as we have previously suggested, we suspect that this was the result of changes at the MC-1 receptor. Nevertheless, it would appear that ACTH peptides can serve as natural ligands of the MC-1 receptor on human melanocytes and their presence in the skin suggests that, together with alpha-MSH, they may have a role in the regulation of human melanocytes.

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is released by immunocompetent cells as well as the pituitary gland and functions as a potent inhibitor of immune and inflammatory reactions. Therefore, it was investigated whether normal human monocytes express melanocortin (MC) receptors specific for alpha-MSH. Upon FACS analysis using biotin-labeled alpha-MSH, a low number of alpha-MSH binding sites was detectable on unstimulated monocytes. alpha-MSH receptor expression was up-regulated when monocytes were treated with endotoxin (LPS) or mitogen (PHA) for 3 to 5 days and was further augmented by the addition of cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10. Adrenocorticotropin, a precursor of alpha-MSH, but not the structurally unrelated beta-MSH, competitively inhibited alpha-MSH binding, suggesting that the receptor expressed on monocytes is specific for alpha-MSH. This was further confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR, which demonstrated that monocytes express mRNA specific for the MC receptor MC-1, which binds alpha-MSH and adrenocorticotropin, whereas mRNA specific for other known melanocortin receptors was not detectable. To investigate whether the immunosuppressing capacity of alpha-MSH is associated with the up-regulation of MC-1, its effect on the expression of costimulatory molecules (CD86 and CD80) on human monocytes was investigated. alpha-MSH significantly inhibited the expression of CD86 on LPS-treated monocytes, which exhibited a high density of MC-1, whereas CD80 expression was not altered. These findings indicate that human monocytes, depending on their activation and maturation state, are able to express MC-1, and up-regulation of MC-1 seems to be required to enable alpha-MSH to modulate immune responses in which costimulatory molecules play a decisive role.

We describe the immunohistochemical detection of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) protein in human gonadal tissues using a specific monoclonal antibody. The MC1R was found to be present in Leydig's cells in testis, in lutein cells in the corpus luteum and in the nucleus of the trophoblastic cells of the placenta. Though it has been speculated earlier that MC1R is present in gonadal tissues, this is the first report demonstrating the presence of MC1R protein in these cells.

The objectives of this research were to determine whether melanocortin receptors are characteristic (constant) membrane markers of human epidermal melanocytes. Methodologies were developed to visualize melanotropin receptors by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Multiple copies (up to a hundred) of [Nle4,D-Phe7]alpha-MSH, a superpotent analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), were conjugated to a macromolecular carrier (latex beads: microspheres). Incubation in the presence of the melanotropin-conjugated microspheres resulted in binding of human normal epidermal melanocytes to the beads. Almost every (possibly all) melanocyte possesses melanocortin receptors as visualized by SEM. Specificity of binding of the macromolecular conjugate was demonstrated by several studies: 1) Binding of melanocytes to the microspheres was specific since it could be blocked by prior incubation of the cells in the presence of the unconjugated hormone analog; 2) microspheres lacking bound ligand did not bind to the melanocytes; 3) microspheres that were first treated with reducing agents (e.g., dithiothreitol) did not subsequently bind to melanocytes; 4) another peptide hormone ligand (e.g., a substance-P analog) attached to the latex beads failed to bind to the cells; 5) B16/F10 mouse melanoma cells known to express melanocortin receptors bound to the microspheres; and 6) cells of nonmelanocyte origin (e.g., mammary cancer cells, small-cell lung cancer cells, fibroblasts) did not bind to the macromolecular conjugate. One exception was that human epidermal keratinocytes also expressed melanocortin receptors as determined by all the criteria established above for epidermal melanocytes. Thus, cell specific melanocortin receptors appear to be characteristic cell surface markers of epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes.

Developmental changes in the responsiveness of the fetal adrenals to corticotropin (ACTH) play an important role in the regulation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Responsiveness of adrenal cortical cells to ACTH is dependent on the extent of ACTH receptor expression. Therefore, we examined the localization and regulation of ACTH receptor expression in the midgestation (16-24 weeks) human fetal adrenal cortex. In situ hybridization analysis was used to localize messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the ACTH receptor in sections of human fetal adrenal glands. Messenger RNA encoding the ACTH receptor was localized in cells from all cortical zones; abundance was higher in definitive zone than in fetal zone cells and was least abundant in the more central portions of the cortex. Regulation of ACTH receptor expression was studied using Northern blot analysis of total RNA extracted from primary cultures of fetal and definitive zone cells. Two major (1.5 and 3.5 kilobases) and, upon stimulation with ACTH, 3 minor (4.0, 6.0 and 10.0 kb) ACTH receptor mRNA transcripts were detected in RNA from fetal and definitive zone cells. In both cell types, ACTH-(1-24) increased the abundance of mRNA encoding the ACTH receptor 10- to 20-fold compared with untreated cells. The effects of ACTH-(1-24) on ACTH receptor expression in fetal zone cells were time- and dose-dependent. The ED50 for the stimulation of ACTH receptor expression by ACTH-(1-24) was 1-10 pM, and maximal response to 0.1 nm ACTH-(1-24) was detected after 12-16 h. Eight-bromoadenosine cAMP and forskolin also stimulated ACTH receptor expression in fetal zone cells and closely mimicked the effects of ACTH-(1-24). In contrast, stimulation of protein kinase C with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate had no effect on ACTH receptor expression. Changes in ACTH receptor expression in response to ACTH-(1-24), cAMP and forskolin were paralleled by changes in expression of the P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme. These data demonstrate that expression of the ACTH receptor by the human fetal adrenal cortex is up-regulated by its own ligand and that this effect is mediated by a cAMP-dependent mechanism. In addition, the coordinate stimulation of ACTH receptor and P450scc expression by ACTH indicates that the gene for the ACTH receptor is one of a specific cohort of genes regulated by ACTH that are required to facilitate fetal adrenal cortical response to ACTH. ACTH regulation of its own receptor may represent a mechanism by which fetal adrenal responsiveness to ACTH is maintained and possibly enhanced during fetal development.

The localization of the melanocortin 1 (MC1) receptor in brain was investigated by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. In rat periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), a small number of cells which displayed a punctate distribution showed a specific hybridization signal for MC1 receptor mRNA, whereas other regions studied were negative. In human PAG, the immunoreactivity for MC1 receptor was detected in scattered cells. These results indicate that a restricted distribution of MC1 receptor is present in the central nervous system.

In addition to pituitary gland, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was also found to exist in the neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). ACTH-containing neurons project their fibers to the broad areas of CNS. ACTH-related peptides play many roles in CNS. In recent years, the study about the central ACTH receptors has been made a great progress. It has been realized that the binding sites of ACTH exist in extensive regions of CNS. In the four types of currently cloned ACTH receptors (melanocortin receptors), two of them (MC3R and MC4R) are prevalent in the CNS.

Human (HAC) and bovine (BAC) adrenal fasciculata cells express ACTH and angiotensin-II (A-II) receptors. In the present work, we have studied the effects of both hormones on ACTH receptor (ACTH-R) mRNA and binding sites. Both HAC and BAC expressed several ACTH-R transcripts. Although in both cell types, ACTH and A-II increased ACTH-R transcripts in a time- and dose-dependent manner, the maximal effects were different. Thus, ACTH at 10(-9) M enhanced 21- and 5-fold the level of ACTH-R mRNA and binding sites in HAC, whereas in BAC both parameters were enhanced only 3-fold. A-II at 10(-7) M increased 17- and 3.5-fold ACTH-R mRNA and binding sites in HAC, whereas in BAC, it caused only a 2-fold increase in ACTH-R mRNA and a small decrease in receptor number. In HAC, the stimulatory effects of both hormones on ACTH-R mRNA are mainly transcriptional, whereas in BAC they are mainly post-transcriptional, by decreasing the rate of degradation of ACTH-R mRNA. The stimulatory effects of ACTH on ACTH-R in both HAC and BAC were associated with an enhanced steroidogenic response to further hormonal stimulation. In contrast, specific species differences were observed with A-II. Thus, in HAC A-II increased ACTH-R mRNA and binding sites and the ACTH-induced cortisol production, whereas in BAC, A-II caused a slight decrease of ACTH binding sites and steroidogenic desensitization.

POMC, the precursor of ACTH, MSH, and beta-endorphin peptides, is expressed in the pituitary and in two sites in the brain, in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and the commissural nucleus of the solitary tract of the brain stem. Little is known regarding the functions of melanocortin (ACTH and MSH) peptides in the brain. We report here the detailed neuroanatomical distribution of the MC4-R mRNA in the adult rat brain. The melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3-R), characterized previously, was found to be expressed in arcuate nucleus neurons and in a subset of their presumptive terminal fields but in few regions of the brainstem. The highly conserved MC4-R is much more widely expressed than MC3-R and is pharmacologically distinct. MC4-R mRNA was found in multiple sites in virtually every brain region, including the cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord. Unlike the MC3-R, MC4-R mRNA is found in both parvicellular and magnocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, suggesting a role in the central control of pituitary function. MC4-R is also unique in its expression in numerous cortical and brainstem nuclei. Together, MC3-R and/or MC-4R mRNA are found in every nucleus reported to bind MSH in the adult rat brain and define neuronal circuitry known to be involved in the control of diverse neuroendocrine and autonomic functions. The high degree of conservation, distinct pharmacology, and unique neuronal distribution of the MC4 receptor suggest specific and complex roles for the melanocortin peptides in neuroendocrine and autonomic control.

The regulation of ACTH receptor binding sites and mRNA by ACTH and angiotensin II (A-II) was studied using cultured human adrenal fasciculata reticularis cells (HAC). These cells expressed two major ACTH receptor transcripts of 1.8 and 3.4 kb and three minor ones of 4, 7, and 11 kb. ACTH increased the levels of all these transcripts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. At a maximal concentration of 10(-8) M, ACTH enhanced 21- and 4-fold the level of ACTH receptor mRNA and the number of receptors per cell, respectively. Pretreatment of HAC with A-II produced a dose-dependent enhancement of ACTH receptor mRNA that was associated with an increase of both ACTH receptor number and responsiveness to this hormone. The effects of A-II were completely blocked by an AT1 receptor subtype antagonist but not by an AT2 antagonist. The effects of ACTH together with A-II on ACTH receptor mRNA were greater than those induced by each hormone alone. These results show that ACTH receptor number and mRNA are positively regulated by the two main hormones (ACTH and A-II) which, in vivo, regulate adrenocortical functions. In addition, they also show that HAC are a target for A-II. Thus, regulation of ACTH receptors may be one mechanism by which ACTH and A-II regulate adrenocortical functions under both normal and pathological conditions.