Abstract
Gene-knockout studies of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and its effect on feeding and energy balance have firmly established MCH as an orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) peptide hormone. Here we identify MCH as the ligand for the orphan receptor SLC-1. The rat SLC-1 is activated by nanomolar concentrations of MCH and is coupled to the G protein G alpha i/o. The pattern of SLC-1 messenger RNA expression coincides with the distribution of MCH-containing nerve terminals and is consistent with the known central effects of MCH. Our identification of an MCH receptor could have implications for the development of new anti-obesity therapies.
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Brain / metabolism*
-
Calcium / metabolism
-
Cell Line
-
Cloning, Molecular
-
Cyclic AMP / metabolism
-
Gene Expression Regulation*
-
Green Fluorescent Proteins
-
Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / metabolism
-
Humans
-
Hypothalamic Hormones / pharmacology*
-
Luminescent Proteins / analysis
-
Luminescent Proteins / genetics
-
Melanins / pharmacology*
-
Organ Specificity
-
Pituitary Hormones / pharmacology*
-
RNA, Messenger / genetics
-
Rats
-
Receptors, Somatostatin / drug effects
-
Receptors, Somatostatin / genetics*
-
Receptors, Somatostatin / metabolism*
-
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
-
Transcription, Genetic*
-
Transfection
-
Virulence Factors, Bordetella / pharmacology
Substances
-
Hypothalamic Hormones
-
Luminescent Proteins
-
MCHR1 protein, human
-
MCHR1 protein, rat
-
Melanins
-
Pituitary Hormones
-
RNA, Messenger
-
Receptors, Somatostatin
-
Recombinant Fusion Proteins
-
Virulence Factors, Bordetella
-
Green Fluorescent Proteins
-
Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)
-
melanin-concentrating hormone
-
Cyclic AMP
-
Calcium