POMC is the acronym for Pro-Opiomelanocortin, a large precursor polypeptide hormone synthesized primarily in the anterior pituitary gland and specific neurons of the hypothalamus. This precursor is not biologically active itself but serves as the source material for a cascade of smaller, biologically potent peptide hormones. The POMC gene product is essential for regulating diverse physiological functions, including stress response, pigmentation, and energy balance.
Origin
The term is a descriptive acronym for the molecule’s function as a pro-hormone that yields opioid peptides and melanocyte-stimulating hormones. Its discovery in the 1970s revealed a powerful principle of molecular biology: a single gene could encode multiple, functionally distinct hormones through post-translational processing.
Mechanism
The core mechanism relies on tissue-specific enzymatic cleavage of the POMC precursor by prohormone convertases. In the pituitary, it is cleaved into ACTH, β-lipotropin, and β-endorphin. In the hypothalamus, it yields α-MSH, a key regulator of appetite and energy homeostasis. This differential processing allows the body to generate a suite of regulatory peptides from one source, coordinating complex endocrine and neuroendocrine responses.
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