A peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. It stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoid hormones, which help cells synthesize glucose, catabolize proteins, mobilize free fatty acids, and inhibit inflammation in allergic responses. Abbreviated ACTH.
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.