Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
Central hormone of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis.
Also known as: Adrenocorticotropic hormone · Corticotropin
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is a 39-amino-acid pituitary hormone that drives adrenal cortisol release. As a key node of the HPA stress axis, it is a foundational peptide in endocrinology.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Anterior pituitary; derived from proopiomelanocortin (POMC)
Primary research or clinical context: Endocrine diagnostics and research (approved forms exist)
HPA-axis role
ACTH is released in response to hypothalamic CRH and stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. Its first 24 residues carry the biological activity, a fact reflected in synthetic fragments used in endocrine testing.
Shared POMC origin
ACTH is cleaved from proopiomelanocortin, the same precursor that yields alpha-MSH and beta-endorphin. This shared origin explains overlapping sequence motifs across these peptides.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for ACTH (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
SYSMEHFRWGKPVGKKRRPVKVYPNGAEDESAEAFPLEF
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- ACTH (source record; form not independently established)
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- IUPHAR/BPS source snapshot · 2026-10-01
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C207H308N56O58S
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 4,541
- PubChem CID: 16132265
- IUPHAR ligand: 1331
- CAS RN: 77465-10-2
- UNII: K0U68Q2TXA
Chemistry values: PubChem, IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology · fetched 2026-10-01.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 346 registered studies with “ACTH” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT06399874 | Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing vs. NightWare Wristband | Phase 2 | active not recruiting | 2026-10-01 |
| NCT00005927 | Study of Adrenal Gland Tumors | — | completed | 2026-09-28 |
| NCT07833163 | Corticotropin for Behçet's Disease: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled TrialAcronym. | Phase 2 | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-22 |
| NCT05907291 | Evaluate the Safety, Efficacy, and Pharmacokinetics of CRN04894 in Participants With Congenital Adrenal Hyperp | Phase 2 | completed | 2026-09-10 |
| NCT01367964 | Prevention of West Syndrome With Low-dose Adrenocorticotropin Hormone (ACTH) | Not applicable | terminated | 2026-09-09 |
| NCT07811089 | Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of OMS1620 | Phase 1 | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-09 |
ACTH — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: ACTH (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 4,541 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- Trials2 registered studies added on ClinicalTrials.gov (now 346).
FAQ about ACTH
What is ACTH?+
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is a 39-amino-acid pituitary hormone that drives adrenal cortisol release. As a key node of the HPA stress axis, it is a foundational peptide in endocrinology.
What Canadian product status is recorded for ACTH?+
Canadian product status for ACTH has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of ACTH?+
ACTH is commonly described as approximately 39 amino acids (Hormone).
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Suda (1989). Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Jpn J Med
- 2.Nasushita (2005). [Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)]. Nihon Rinsho
- 3.Yalow (1976). Multiple forms of corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH) and their significance. Ciba Found Symp
- 4.Gonzalez-Heydrich et al. (2001). Corticotropin releasing hormone increases apparent potency of adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation of cortisol secretion. Med Hypotheses
- 5.Crane et al. (2020). Use of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone in Ophthalmology. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther
- 6.Makara (1992). The relative importance of hypothalamic neurons containing corticotropin-releasing factor or vasopressin in the regulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion. Ciba Found Symp
- 7.Guia Lopes et al. (2023). A Rare Cause of Cushing's Syndrome: an Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)-Secreting Pheochromocytoma. Cureus
- 8.Chen et al. (2021). Vagus nerve stimulation suppresses corticotropin-releasing factor-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone release in rats. Neuroreport
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Corticotropin / ACTH (CID 16132265)
- 10.Wikipedia — Adrenocorticotropic hormone