Saito Yumiko, Nagasaki Hiroshi
Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Results Probl Cell Differ. 2008;46:159-79. doi: 10.1007/400_2007_052.
Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a neuropeptide that was originally isolated from salmon pituitary where it causes pigment aggregation. MCH is also abundantly present in mammalian neurons and expressed in the lateral hypothalamus and zona incerta, brain regions that are known to be at the center of feeding behavior. MCH binds to and activates two G protein-coupled receptors, MCH1R and MCH2R. Although MCH2R is non-functional in rodents, genetic and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that rodent MCH1R is involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance. Unexpectedly, some antagonists have provided evidence that MCH signaling participates in the regulation of other processes, such as emotion and stress. The discovery of MCH receptors has extensively promoted the progress of MCH studies and may represent an ideal example of how deorphanized receptors can open new directions toward more detailed physiological studies.
黑色素浓缩激素（MCH）是一种神经肽，最初从鲑鱼垂体中分离出来，它在那里会导致色素聚集。MCH在哺乳动物神经元中也大量存在，并在下丘脑外侧和未定带表达，这些脑区是已知的进食行为中心。MCH与两种G蛋白偶联受体MCH1R和MCH2R结合并激活它们。尽管MCH2R在啮齿动物中无功能，但遗传和药理学研究表明，啮齿动物的MCH1R参与进食行为和能量平衡的调节。出乎意料的是，一些拮抗剂提供了证据表明MCH信号传导参与其他过程的调节，如情绪和应激。MCH受体的发现极大地推动了MCH研究的进展，可能代表了孤儿受体如何为更详细的生理学研究开辟新方向的一个理想例子。
