Overcoming Stress, Hunger, and Pain: Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Peptide's Promise

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Molecular Pharmacology
• Physiology

Background:

• The cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide (CARTp) has demonstrated broad pharmacologic actions.
• The physiological relevance of CARTp's actions remained largely unestablished until recent discoveries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse actions of CARTp.
• To highlight the physiological importance and therapeutic potential of the CARTp-GPR160 system.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of CARTp's pharmacologic actions.
• Discussion of recent findings on CARTp receptor identification and function.
• Exploration of molecular and genetic approaches to investigate CARTp's roles.

Main Results:

• The identification of GPR160 as a CARTp receptor.
• The CARTp-GPR160 interaction is essential for circadian regulation of appetite and thirst.
• This interaction is also implicated in the transmission of nerve injury-induced pain.

Conclusions:

• The CARTp-GPR160 system plays a vital role in fundamental physiological processes.
• Further research using molecular approaches may uncover additional functions.
• This ligand/receptor pair holds significant therapeutic potential for various conditions.