CNS melanocortin system involvement in the regulation of food intake

Accumulating evidence indicates that the central melanocortin (MC) system p lays a key role in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. This e vidence includes findings that either spontaneous genetic mutations or targ eted gene deletions that impair melanocortin signaling cause disrupted food intake and body-weight control. In addition, expression of the mRNA that e ncodes the endogenous agonists and antagonists for CNS melanocortin recepto rs is regulated by changes in energy balance and body-adiposity signals. Fi nally, administration of both natural and synthetic ligands to MC receptors produces changes in food intake. The data collectively suggest a critical role for melanocortin signaling in the control of energy balance. (C) 2000 Academic Press.