Characterization of immunoreactive corticotropin and corticotropin-releasing factor in human adrenal and ovarian tumours

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Abstract
The distribution of immunoreactive ACTH (I-ACTH) and corticotropin-releasing factor (I-CRF) in the human adrenal was determined and these peptides were indentified in adrenocortical adenomas from patients with primary aldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, and ovarian tumours and compared with the results in phaeochromocytomas. I-ACTH and I-CRF, mainly localized in the adrenal medulla from patients without endocrine disorders, showed a good correlation with the epinephrine concentrations. I-ACTH and I-CRF were present in all the above-mentioned tumours. Gel filtration of I-ACTH and I-CRF from these tumours showed the presence of large molecular weight forms of these peptides as well as authentic peptides. The trypsinization study of I-CRF from phaeochromocytoma suggested that such large molecular weight forms were the precursors of authentic CRF. High performance liquid chromatography showed I-CRF in these tumours to be similar to hypothalamic CRF. Phaeochromocytoma tissue slices incorporated [3H]leucine into ACTH and CRF. These findings raised the possibility that I-ACTH and I-CRF are synthesized and processed in phaeochromocytoma.