Melanotropic peptides in the mammalian brain: the melanin-concentrating hormone.
Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) has been identified in neurons of the mammalian brain. This review summarizes some current information regarding the cell biology of this neuropeptide and the topography of MCH-immunoreactive (-IR) neurons in several species including mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, dog and monkey; and atlas of MCH-IR neurons in the hypothalamus and subthalamus of the brain of guinea pig is presented. Based upon the location of this MCH cell group, it is hypothesized that they may be functionally involved in circuits of extrapyramidal motor systems from striatal centers to the thalamus and cerebral cortex and to the midbrain and spinal cord.
Laboratory for Neuroendocrine Research, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14624, USA.
K M
KM
Knigge
D
D
Baxter-Grillo
J
J
Speciale
J
J
Wagner
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D008543:Melanins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry*; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D013788:Thalamus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D008543:Melanins; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; C019463:melanin-concentrating hormone