Stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone alpha: Anorexigenic peptide. Increases the pigmentation of skin by increasing melanin production in melanocytes. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone beta: Increases the pigmentation of skin by increasing melanin production in melanocytes. Beta-endorphin: Endogenous orexigenic opiate. Endogenous opiate. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone alpha and beta-endorphin are stored in separate granules in hypothalamic POMC neurons, suggesting that secretion may be under the control of different regulatory mechanisms. C-terminal peptide 1 and C-terminal peptide 2 are detected in the anterior part of the nucleus lateralis tuberis of hypothalamus, in dorsal hypothalamus, thalamus, telencephalon, optic tectum and medulla oblongata (at protein level). Expressed in pituitary and hypothalamus of adult diploid animals, and hypothalamus of triploid and ovulated female trout. Expressed in sexually active or inactive fish. Specific enzymatic cleavages at paired basic residues yield the different active peptides. Acetylation of beta-endorphin occurs in a tissue-specific manner. Belongs to the POMC family.