Pro-opiomelanocortin preproprotein （POMC） is a polypeptide hormone precursor which experiences extensive， tissue-specific， post-translational processing via cleavage by subtilisin-like enzymes known as prohormone convertases. POMC regulates the corticosteroid production in the adrenal cortex. Furthermore， POMC is cleaved into ten hormone chains named NPP， g-MSH， ACTH， a-MSH， CLIP， Lipotropin b， Lipotropin g， b-MSH，b endorphin and Met-enkephalin. POMC gene defects are the cause of POMC deficiency， which is characterized by red hair and adrenal insufficiency.
