ACTH receptors in the adrenal: specific binding of ACTH-125I and its relation to adenyl cyclase.

Pure monoiodo ACTH-(125)I was prepared that was biologically active and free of unlabeled ACTH. Extracts of adrenal cortex that contained ACTH-sensitive adenyl cyclase, bound ACTH-(125)I; extracts that lacked the ACTH-sensitive cyclase did not bind ACTH-(125)I. Unlabeled ACTH inhibited the binding of ACTH-(125)I. Five ACTH derivatives which varied widely in biological activity were tested. All inhibited the binding of ACTH-(125)I in direct proportion to their biological activity. Albumin, insulin, and four unrelated iodinated hormones were inert. The addition of excess hormone or acetic acid produced rapid dissociation of bound ACTH-(125)I. This study demonstrates directly the binding of ACTH to its biologically significant site.