Corticotropes

Corticotropes (or corticotrophs) are basophilic cells in the anterior pituitary that produce melanocyte-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and lipotropin. The cells produce pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) which undergoes cleavage to ACTH and β-lipotropin (β-LPH). These cells respond to corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and make up about 20% of the cells in the anterior pituitary.