ACTH receptor, CYP11A1, CYP17 and CYP21A2 genes are expressed in skin

Evidence is provided that mRNA for ACTH (MC-2) receptor and mRNAs for three obligatory enzymes of steroid synthesis including cytochromes P450scc, P450c17 and P450c21 are expressed in normal and pathologic human skin. Thus, molecular elements of the distal loop of the "pituitary-adrenal axis" such as the MC-2, CYP11A1, CYP17 and CYP21A2 genes are expressed in the skin.