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Physiological roles of the melanocortin MC₃ receptor

Benjamin J Renquist1, Rachel N Lippert, Julien A Sebag

  • 1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

European Journal of Pharmacology
|January 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The melanocortin MC3 receptor

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology and Metabolism

Background:

  • The melanocortin MC3 receptor (MC3R) has an unclear physiological role despite expression in the central nervous system and periphery.
  • MC3R is proposed as an inhibitory autoreceptor on proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the physiological functions of the melanocortin MC3 receptor.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the effects of global MC3R deletion in a mouse model.
  • Analyzed changes in body composition, food intake, and energy expenditure.

Main Results:

  • Global deletion of MC3R leads to an obesity syndrome in mice.
  • Increased adipose mass was observed without significant changes in food intake or energy expenditure.

Conclusions:

  • The physiological role of MC3R in humans remains undetermined due to lack of identified null individuals and controversial disease associations.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand MC3R function in human metabolic regulation.

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