PENK monoclonal antibody

The corticotropin-lipotropin protein, also designated pro-opiomelanocortin, belongs to the POMC family of proteins. Specific cleavages by enzymes at certain basic paired residues yield various processed active peptides. The corticotropin-lipotropin protein contains synenkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, NPP, a-, b- and g-melanotropin (MSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), lipotropin b and g, b-endorphin and Met-enkephalin processed active peptides.b-endorphin and Met-enkephalin are endogenous opiates while ACTH is crucial for adrenal gland stimulation to release cortisol. Met/Leu-enkephalins also function in pain perception and response to stress. MSH increased melanin production in melanocytes which leads to an increase in skin pigmentation. Leumorphin may be important in apoptosis prevention by being involved in the MAP-K and PI3-K pathways.