A 13-amino acid peptide derived from proteolytic cleavage of ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE, the N-terminal segment of ACTH. ACTH (1-13) is amidated at the C-terminal to form ACTH (1-13)NH2 which in turn is acetylated to form alpha-MSH in the secretory granules. Alpha-MSH stimulates the synthesis and distribution of MELANIN in MELANOCYTES in mammals and MELANOPHORES in lower vertebrates.
Also Known As:
(Des-Acetyl)-alpha-MSH; (Desacetyl)alpha-MSH; ACTH (1-13); ACTH (1-13)NH2; ACTH(1-13); Acetylated ACTH (1-13)NH2; Adrenocorticotropin (1-13)NH2; DE-alpha-MSH; Des-Acetyl MSH; Desacetyl alpha-MSH; Desacetyl alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone; MSH, (Desacetyl)alpha-; alpha-Melanotropin; Desacetyl alpha MSH; Desacetyl alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone; Hormone, Desacetyl alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating; Hormone, alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating; Intermedin, alpha; MSH, Des-Acetyl; alpha MSH; alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone; alpha Melanotropin; alpha-MSH, Desacetyl; alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone, Desacetyl; MSH, alpha; alpha Intermedin; alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone