Melanocortin receptor

Melanocortin receptors are a group of G protein-coupled receptors, the effects of the melanocortins - melanotropins (MSH ) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH ) - further convey. There are known so far, five of these receptors MC1R abbreviated to MC5R may be discovered even more:

  • Melanocortin -1 receptor ( MC1R ) is expressed on melanocytes and controls the scald. This receptor is encoded by the Extension locus.
  • Melanocortin 2 receptor ( MC2R ): This receptor is found in the adrenal cortex and mediates the effects of ACTH ( release of glucocorticoids ). It therefore also means ACTH receptor.
  • Melanocortin -3 receptor ( MC3R ): This receptor is in the brain ( there especially in regions of the hypothalamus near the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis), the placenta, intestinal tissue, but not expressed in the adrenal cortex or in melanocytes. It is activated by α -MSH, β -MSH, γ -MSH and ACTH and is involved in autonomic regulation such as the hunger and satiety, and possibly limiting the febrile response.
  • Melanocortin -4 receptor ( MC4R ): This receptor is ( as MC3R ) in the brain ( there especially in regions of the hypothalamus near the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis), in the intestinal tissue, but not in the adrenal cortex, placenta or in melanocytes expressed. It is activated by α -MSH, β -MSH and ACTH and is involved in autonomic regulation such as the suppression of the febrile response, the hunger and satiety, as well as the development of the libido.
  • Melanocortin -5- receptor ( MC5R )

ACTH, in addition to its effect on MC2R a potent agonist for all melanocortin receptors and centrally. α -MSH is an agonist for MC1R, MC3R and MC4R, γ -MSH is an agonist for MC3R.

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