Chemicals and Drugs

Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones

Peptides with the ability to stimulate pigmented cells MELANOCYTES in mammals and MELANOPHORES in lower vertebrates. By stimulating the synthesis and distribution of MELANIN in these pigmented cells, they increase coloration of skin and other tissue. MSHs, derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), are produced by MELANOTROPHS in the INTERMEDIATE LOBE OF PITUITARY; CORTICOTROPHS in the ANTERIOR LOBE OF PITUITARY, and the hypothalamic neurons in the ARCUATE NUCLEUS OF HYPOTHALAMUS.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Peptides with the ability to stimulate pigmented cells MELANOCYTES in mammals and MELANOPHORES in lower vertebrates. By stimulating the synthesis and distribution of MELANIN in these pigmented cells, they increase coloration of skin and other tissue. MSHs, derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), are produced by MELANOTROPHS in the INTERMEDIATE LOBE OF PITUITARY; CORTICOTROPHS in the ANTERIOR LOBE OF PITUITARY, and the hypothalamic neurons in the ARCUATE NUCLEUS OF HYPOTHALAMUS.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • MSH
  • MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones)
  • Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone
  • Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
  • Melanophore Stimulating Hormone
  • Melanophore-Stimulating Hormone
  • Melanotropin
  • Hormone, Melanocyte Stimulating
  • Hormone, Melanocyte-Stimulating
  • Hormone, Melanophore Stimulating
  • Melanocyte Stimulating Hormones
  • Stimulating Hormone, Melanocyte
  • Stimulating Hormone, Melanophore

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

2006(1963)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D06.472w.699w.327.935.531w.750w
  2. D06.472w.699w.631.525.600.531w.750w
  3. D12.644w.400w.400.935.531w.750w
  4. D12.644w.400w.460w
  5. D12.644w.548w.365.935.531w.750w
  6. D12.644w.548w.691.525.690.531w.750w
  7. D12.776w.631w.650w.405.935.531w.750w
  8. D12.776w.631w.650w.460w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WK 515

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009074. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009074
  2. Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanocyte-stimulating_hormone
  3. Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q423981