| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Center for the Study of Weight Regulation and Associated Disorders, and Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
Correspondence: Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Roger D. Cone, Ph.D., Director, Center for the Study of Weight Regulation and Associated Disorders, Senior Scientist, Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, L481, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098. E-mail: cone{at}ohsu.edu
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.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  J. M. Stafford, F. Yu, R. Printz, A. H. Hasty, L. L. Swift, and K. D. Niswender Central Nervous System Neuropeptide Y Signaling Modulates VLDL Triglyceride Secretion Diabetes, June 1, 2008; 57(6): 1482 - 1490. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Alsop and M. M. Vijayan Development of the corticosteroid stress axis and receptor expression in zebrafish Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, March 1, 2008; 294(3): R711 - R719. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. L. Trevaskis, E. A. Meyer, J. E. Galgani, and A. A. Butler Counterintuitive Effects of Double-Heterozygous Null Melanocortin-4 Receptor and Leptin Genes on Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in C57BL/6J Mice Endocrinology, January 1, 2008; 149(1): 174 - 184. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Roberge, A. C. Carpentier, M.-F. Langlois, J.-P. Baillargeon, J.-L. Ardilouze, P. Maheux, and N. Gallo-Payet Adrenocortical dysregulation as a major player in insulin resistance and onset of obesity Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, December 1, 2007; 293(6): E1465 - E1478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. A. Kerns, E. J. Cargill, L. A. Clark, S. I. Candille, T. G. Berryere, M. Olivier, G. Lust, R. J. Todhunter, S. M. Schmutz, K. E. Murphy, et al. Linkage and Segregation Analysis of Black and Brindle Coat Color in Domestic Dogs Genetics, July 1, 2007; 176(3): 1679 - 1689. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. E. Foster-Schubert and D. E. Cummings Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for Obesity Endocr. Rev., December 1, 2006; 27(7): 779 - 793. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Endocrinology | Endocrine Reviews | J. Clin. End. & Metab. |
| Molecular Endocrinology | Recent Prog. Horm. Res. | All Endocrine Journals |
