Adrenocorticotropic hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and the melanocortin receptors: revisiting the work of Robert Schwyzer: a thirty-year retrospective

Abstract

In 1977 Dr. Robert Schwyzer wrote the review ACTH: A Short Introductory Review, which provided a reference point for current structure/function studies on the interactions between adrenocorticotropic hormone and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and the melanocortin receptors. This mini review will evaluate how the predictions made in the 1977 review have held up and also propose a mechanism to explain the ligand selectivity properties of the melanocortin receptors.