Studies of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) knockout mice.

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptides are neuropeptides expressed throughout the central nervous system and have been implicated in a variety of physiological processes. Research on the many physiological processes involving CART peptide have been somewhat limited by the lack of an identified CART antagonist. Development of CART peptide deficient mice has allowed scientists to further explore the many functions of CART peptide. This review briefly summarizes recent findings in the literature characterizing CART peptide deficient mice.