The Pituitary Produces Diverse Hormones

Anterior Pituitary Hormones

Growth Hormone (Somatotropin), shown
  • 21.5 Kd polypeptide
  • Direct effect on peripheral tissue via cell surface receptor
Prolactin
  • ~23Kd, multiple forms
  • Direct effect via cell surface receptor
Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
LH/FSH
  • 28K dimers
  • Identical alpha subunits
  • Beta subunits confer specificity
  • Share alpha subunit and overall structure with chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), shown at right
  • Control peripheral glands via cell-surface receptors
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
  • 39 Amino acids (4.5 Kd)
  • Cleaved from a larger precursor shared with MSH and beta-endorphin
  • Controls the adrenal cortex via cell surface receptors

Posterior Pituitary

Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH, Arginine Vasopressin)
Oxytocin (shown)
  • Both are 9 amino acids; differ in 2 substitions
  • Both are cleaved from a larger precursor
  • ADH controls the water permeability of the renal tubule via a cell surface receptor
  • Oxytocin stimulated uterine contractility during labor and breast gland contraction during suckling
Pituitary Gland Hyperpituitarism
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Last modified: 1/16/97; Author: J. Harrison