Synonyms
Melanocortins; Melanocyte stimulating hormones
Definition
Melanocortin peptides have been proposed as potent modulators of many pathologies including inflammatory (asthma, arthritis) and cardiovascular disease. They have been shown to be directed against resident cells within tissue such as macrophages, endothelial cells and also circulating leukocytes (neutrophils and lymphocytes). Therefore harnessing their therapeutic potential could lead to the development of novel therapeutics.
Basic Characteristics
History
Melanocortins were identified in common ancestors of lampreys and gnathostomes over 700 million years ago and are little changed throughout evolution. They are derived from a larger precursor molecule known as the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) protein which contains three main domains: the N-terminus region which contains γ-MSH, the central highly conserved ACTH1–39sequence, with α-MSH at its N-terminus and the C-terminal β-lipotropin, which can be cleaved to generate...
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References
Getting SJ (2006) Targeting melanocortin receptors as potential novel therapeutics. Pharmacol Ther 111:1–15
Wikberg JE, Muceniece R, Mandrika I, Prusis P, LindblomJ, Post C, Skottner A (2000) New aspects on the melanocortins and their receptors. Pharmacol Res 42:393–420
Gavins FN, Leoni G, Getting SJ (2006) Annexin 1 and melanocortin peptide therapy for protection against ischaemic-reperfusion damage in the heart. ScientificWorldJournal 6:1008–1023
Catania A, Gatti S, Colombo G et al (2004) Targeting melanocortin receptors as a novel strategy to control inflammation. Pharmacol Rev 56:1–29
Cone RD (2006) Studies on the physiological functions of the melanocortin system. Endocr Rev 27:736–749
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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York
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Getting, S.J. (2008). Melanocortins. In: Offermanns, S., Rosenthal, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_252
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_252
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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