Adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH). ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex and the secretion of glucocorticoids such as cortisol. Another name for ACTH is corticotropin. ACTH(1-39), is the natural cleavage product from POMC (proopimelanocortin) processing; however, the first 24-amino acid sequence from the carboxyl end, ACTH(1-24) has full biological activity of the (1-39) peptide. Both ACTH(1-24) and (1-39) possess neurotropic activity.