title: Cell and molecular cell biology of melanin-concentrating hormone.
abstract: Recent advances in the study of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) have depended largely on molecular biological techniques. In mammals, which have attracted the most attention, novel findings concern (i) the MCH gene, which can yield several peptides by either posttranslational cleavage or alternative splicing, as well as bidirectional transcription; (ii) the identification of two G protein-coupled MCH receptors in the brain and peripheral tissues; and (iii) the evidence for subpopulations of MCH neurons in the central nervous system, characterized by their chemical phenotypes, connections, and individual physiological responses to different physiological paradigms. The involvement of central MCH in various functions, including feeding, reproduction, stress, and behavior patterns, is reviewed. The stage during evolution at which MCH may have acquired hypophysiotrophic and hormonal functions in lower vertebrates is considered in light of morphological data. Evidence that MCH also has peripheral paracrine/autocrine effects in mammals is provided.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Histologie, Faculté de Médecine, Place St-Jacques, Besançon, France.
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffond
authors.forename: Bridget I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008543:Melanins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014781:Viscera / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D008543:Melanins; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; C092274:melanin-concentrating hormone receptor; C019463:melanin-concentrating hormone