Response of human aldosteronoma cells in culture to the N-terminal glycopeptide of pro-opiomelanocortin and gamma 3-MSH.

Cells were isolated from one of two adenomas from the adrenal cortex of a hypertensive patient with primary hyperaldosteronism. A primary culture of these cells responded with increased aldosterone secretion to gamma 3-MSH and human (residues 1-76) and porcine (residues 1-80) N-terminal peptides of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). EC50 was lowest for gamma 3-MSH, while maximal response was greater for both N-terminal peptides of POMC. We conclude that gamma 3-MSH derived from the N-terminal segment of POMC contains the active core of the aldosterone-stimulating activity of the N-terminal on these adrenal cells.