CART in the brain of vertebrates: circuits, functions and evolution.
Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) with its wide distribution in the brain of mammals has been the focus of considerable research in recent years. Last two decades have witnessed a steady rise in the information on the genes that encode this neuropeptide and regulation of its transcription and translation. CART is highly enriched in the hypothalamic nuclei and its relevance to energy homeostasis and neuroendocrine control has been understood in great details. However, the occurrence of this peptide in a range of diverse circuitries for sensory, motor, vegetative, limbic and higher cortical areas has been confounding. Evidence that CART peptide may have role in addiction, pain, reward, learning and memory, cognition, sleep, reproduction and development, modulation of behavior and regulation of autonomic nervous system are accumulating, but an integration has been missing. A steady stream of papers has been pointing at the therapeutic potentials of CART. The current review is an attempt at piecing together the fragments of available information, and seeks meaning out of the CART elements in their anatomical niche. We try to put together the CART containing neuronal circuitries that have been conclusively demonstrated as well as those which have been proposed, but need confirmation. With a view to finding out the evolutionary antecedents, we visit the CART systems in sub-mammalian vertebrates and seek the answer why the system is shaped the way it is. We enquire into the conservation of the CART system and appreciate its functional diversity across the phyla.
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Sai Trinity Building, Sutarwadi, Pashan, Pune 411 021, Maharashtra, India. Electronic address: subhedar@iiserpune.ac.in.
Nishikant K
NK
Subhedar
Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Rungta Educational Campus, Kohka-Kurud Road, Bhilai 490 024, Chhattisgarh, India.
Kartik T
KT
Nakhate
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, Maharashtra, India.
Manoj A
MA
Upadhya
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, Maharashtra, India.
Dadasaheb M
DM
Kokare
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D004435:Eating; D006706:Homeostasis; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
CART system evolution; Homeostatic mechanism; Neuroendocrine regulation; Neuropeptide CART; Reward mechanism; Sensory system