Lipotropin

pro-opiomelanocortin
Identifiers
Symbol	POMC
Entrez	5443
HUGO	9201
OMIM	176830
RefSeq	NM_000939
UniProt	P01189
Other data
Locus	Chr. 2 p23

Lipotropin is a hormone produced by the cleavage of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). The anterior pituitary gland produces the pro-hormone POMC, which is then cleaved again to form adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and β-lipotropin (β-LPH).

β-Lipotropin

β-Lipotropin is a 90-amino acid polypeptide that is the carboxy-terminal fragment of POMC.

It stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin, and can also be cleaved into smaller peptides. In humans, γ-lipotropin, β-MSH, and β-endorphin, are all possible fragments of β-lipotropin.

β-Lipotropin also performs lipid-mobilizing functions such as lipolysis and steroidogenesis. β-Lipotropin is the predominant opioid of the anterior human and rat pituitary gland. It is found in essentially equimolar concentrations to that of corticotropin. Evidence shows that β-Lipotropin is metabolized into endorphins that can greatly affect mood and behavior and is thus regarded as a prohormone.

γ-Lipotropin

γ-lipotropin is the amino-terminal peptide fragment of β-lipotropin. In humans, it has 56 amino acids. Gamma lipotropin is identical to the first 56 amino acid sequences of β-lipotropin. It can be cleaved to β-melanocyte stimulating hormone.

Use in sport

Lipotropin has also, under its alternate name AOD-9604 (Anti-Obesity Drug-9604), been connected with controversies in Australian Rules Football. Allegations have arisen around the use of the drug and its administration to players of the Essendon Football Club as a supplement, including weekly administration to players in the 2012 season. The matters are currently under investigation due to the relationship between Lipotropin and growth hormones, as noted by club medical staff.

External links

• beta-Lipotropin at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• gamma-Lipotropin at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)