Concomitant production of beta-endorphin in ectopic ACTH/beta-LPH-producing tumors.

Abstract

It is generally accepted that ectopic ACTH-producing tumors produce not only ACTH but beta-MSH or beta-LPH as well. Using a sensitive radioimmunoassay for beta h-endorphin, we have demonstrated the presence of beta-endorphin immunoreactivity with size heterogeneity according to Sephadex gel chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 6 ectopic ACTH/beta-LPH-producing tumors, providing further evidence for the role of a common precursor to ACTH and beta-LPH/beta-endorphin in the peptide biosynthesis in these tumors, in a manner similar to the biosynthetic events in the pituitary gland of several species.

• Authors: H Yoshimi, S Matsukura, S Sueoka, M Yokota, Y Hirata, T Fujita
• Journal: Endocrinologia japonica (Endocrinol Jpn) Vol. 27 Issue 2 Pg. 129-35 (Apr 1980) ISSN: 0013-7219 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 7408781 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Endorphins
• beta-Lipotropin

Topics

• ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic (metabolism)
• Chromatography, Gel
• Endorphins (biosynthesis, immunology)
• Humans
• Paraneoplastic Endocrine Syndromes (metabolism)
• Radioimmunoassay
• beta-Lipotropin (biosynthesis)