Rat Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Receptor (ACTHR) Protein

Background

MC2R, also known as the adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor, is a G protein-coupled receptor specifically activated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). MC2R is primarily expressed in the adrenal cortex, where it regulates the synthesis and release of glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, in response to ACTH binding. Upon activation, MC2R couples to Gs proteins, stimulating adenylyl cyclase and increasing cAMP levels, which activate protein kinase A (PKA). This signaling cascade drives steroidogenesis by upregulating key enzymes involved in cortisol production. MC2R is essential for maintaining the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the body’s response to stress, inflammation, and metabolism. Dysregulation of MC2R signaling is linked to conditions such as Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency), Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol), and ACTH resistance syndromes. Mutations in MC2R can impair cortisol production, leading to glucocorticoid deficiencies. Targeting MC2R and ACTH pathways offers therapeutic opportunities for managing adrenal disorders and inflammatory conditions involving glucocorticoid regulation.