title: Functions of melanin-concentrating hormone in fish.
abstract: Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) was originally discovered in fish, in which it causes aggregation or concentration of melanin granules in melanophores, thus regulating body color. MCH is a cyclic neuropeptide synthesized as a preprohormone in the hypothalamus of all vertebrates. Mammalian MCH plays an important role as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. MCH signaling system may involve in regulating food intake also in fish. This neuropeptide binds to G-protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptor[s] to mediate its functions. This article reviews MCH and MCH receptor signaling systems in body color change and food intake in fish.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, School of Fisheries Sciences, Kitasato University, Sanriku, Ofunato, Iwate 022-0101, Japan. hiroshi@kitasato-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawauchi
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008543:Melanins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020460:Melanosomes / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D008543:Melanins; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; C092274:melanin-concentrating hormone receptor; C019463:melanin-concentrating hormone