Melanotroph

A melanotroph (or melanotrope) is a cell in the pituitary gland that generates melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) from its precursor pro-opiomelanocortin. Chronic stress can induce the secretion of α‐MSH in melanotrophs and lead to their subsequent degeneration.^[1]

^ Ogawa, Tokiko; Shishioh‐Ikejima, Nobue; Konishi, Hiroyuki; Makino, Tetsuya; Sei, Hiroyoshi; Kiryu‐Seo, Sumiko; Tanaka, Masaaki; Watanabe, Yasuyoshi; Kiyama, Hiroshi. "Chronic stress elicits prolonged activation of α‐MSH secretion and subsequent degeneration of melanotroph". Journal of Neurochemistry. 109 (5). doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06057.x.

[1] Ogawa, Tokiko; Shishioh‐Ikejima, Nobue; Konishi, Hiroyuki; Makino, Tetsuya; Sei, Hiroyoshi; Kiryu‐Seo, Sumiko; Tanaka, Masaaki; Watanabe, Yasuyoshi; Kiyama, Hiroshi. "Chronic stress elicits prolonged activation of α‐MSH secretion and subsequent degeneration of melanotroph". Journal of Neurochemistry. 109 (5). doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06057.x.

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