Melanin-concentrating hormone signaling systems in fish

• Published in: Peptides (New York, N.Y. : 1980) Vol. 25; no. 10; pp. 1577 - 1584
• Main Authors: Kawauchi, Hiroshi, Baker, Bridget I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2004
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Conserved Sequence; Feeding Behavior - physiology; Fishes - genetics; Fishes - physiology; Food intake signaling; Gene expression; Hypothalamic Hormones - genetics; Hypothalamic Hormones - physiology; MCH receptor (MCH-R); Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH); Melanins - genetics; Melanins - physiology; Melanocortin; Melanotropic signaling; Molecular Sequence Data; Orexigenic peptide; Pituitary Hormones - genetics; Pituitary Hormones - physiology; Receptors, Pituitary Hormone - genetics; Receptors, Pituitary Hormone - physiology; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Signal Transduction; Teleostei; α-Melanophore stimulating hormone (α-MSH); MCH receptor (MCH-R); Food intake signaling; Orexigenic peptide; Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH); Melanocortin; α-Melanophore stimulating hormone (α-MSH); Gene expression; Melanotropic signaling
• ISSN: 0196-9781; 1873-5169
• DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.03.025

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic neuropeptide synthesized as a preprohormone in the hypothalamus of all vertebrates. This neuropeptide binds to G-protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptor(s) to mediate its function. MCH was named after its function in teleosts, in which it causes aggregation or concentration of melanin granules in melanophores, thus regulating body color. The function of central MCH that has attracted most attention is its involvement in regulating food intake and energy homeostasis in mammals, a role confirmed through a series of experiments, including central administration of MCH or MCH receptor blockers, and genetic manipulation of MCH and its receptors. The aim of this article is to review the recent data on MCH and MCH receptor signaling systems in fish.