Melanocortin Receptor

2022-03-02: reference:

Melanocortin Receptor #

• (They bind to these receptors) Melanocortins are a class of Peptide Hormones, includes:

  • Adrenocortocotropic Hormone
  • MSH and its related forms: γ- and β-MSH. Leptin an Ghrelin regulate the melanocortin system upstream.

• MC1R: AKA MSHR, though ACTH binds to it as well. Gs-coupled. Weird pigmentation stuff. It produces brown/black eumelanin from the default yellow/red, like in hair.

• MC2: Activates Adenylyl Cyclase

• MC3

• MC4: Agonists are used for sexual dysfunction and promotes pair bond formation <3 awww (I’m talking animals here not chemical bonds). Activation induces BDNF expression in Alzheimer’s. Antagonists produced antidepressant/anxiolytic effects. Gene mutations are associated with food-seeking behavior and obesity.

  • Melanocortin 4 receptor stimulation prevents antidepressant-associated weight gain in mice caused by long-term fluoxetine exposure

• MC5: Necessary for Sebum production. Stimulation promotes Fatty Acid Oxidation in skeletal muscle and Lipolysis in Adipocytes. Helps maintain thermal homeostasis. Deficiency in mice decreases aggressive behavior - increasing defensive - and, lol, encourages other male mice to attack MC5R-deficient males through pheremonal signals