Studies on the Physiological Functions of the Melanocortin System
- 31 October 2006
- journal article
- review article
- Published by The Endocrine Society in Endocrine Reviews
- Vol. 27 (7), 736-749
- https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2006-0034
Abstract
The melanocortin system refers to a set of hormonal, neuropeptidergic, and paracrine signaling pathways that are defined by components that include the five G protein-coupled melanocortin receptors; peptide agonists derived from the proopiomelanocortin preprohormone precursor; and the endogenous antagonists, agouti and agouti-related protein. This signaling system regulates a remarkably diverse array of physiological functions including pigmentation, adrenocortical steroidogenesis, energy homeostasis, natriuresis, erectile responses, energy homeostasis, and exocrine gland secretion. There are many complex and unique aspects of melanocortin signaling, such as the existence of endogenous antagonists, the agouti proteins, that act at three of the five melanocortin receptors. However, there is an aspect of melanocortin signaling that has facilitated highly reductionist approaches aimed at understanding the physiological functions of each receptor and peptide: in contrast to many peptides, the melanocortin agonists and antagonists are expressed in a limited number of very discrete locations. Similarly, the melanocortin receptors are also expressed in a limited number of discrete locations where they tend to be involved in rather circumscribed physiological functions. This review examines my laboratory's participation in the cloning of the melanocortin receptors and characterization of their physiological roles.Keywords
This publication has 129 references indexed in Scilit:
- Melanocortin-5 Receptor Deficiency in Mice Blocks a Novel Pathway Influencing Pheromone-Induced AggressionBehavior Genetics, 2006
- Cholecystokinin-mediated suppression of feeding involves the brainstem melanocortin systemNature Neuroscience, 2004
- ART (Protein Product of Agouti-Related Transcript) as an Antagonist of MC-3 and MC-4 ReceptorsBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1997
- Cloning, expression, and tissue distribution of a fifth melanocortin receptor subtypeNeurochemical Research, 1995
- Molecular Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of a Fifth Melanocortin ReceptorBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1994
- Molecular Cloning and Characterisation of the Rat Fifth Melanocortin ReceptorBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1994
- α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) antagonizes the anorexia by corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)Life Sciences, 1993
- Effects of MSH on food intake, body weight and coat color of the yellow obese mouseLife Sciences, 1989
- Action of the e Locus of Mice in the Response of Phaeomelanic Hair Follicles to α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone in VitroScience, 1984
- Immunocytochemical localization of ACTH perikarya in nucleus tractus solitarius: evidence for a second opiocortin neuronal systemNeuroscience Letters, 1983