Microglial cells are responsible for immune surveillance within the CNS. They respond to
noxious stimuli by releasing inflammatory mediators and mounting an effective inflammatory …

Abstract The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) was cloned in 1993 by degenerate PCR;
however, its function was unknown. Subsequent studies suggest that the MC4R might be …

Obesity is a global epidemic that causes morbidity and impaired quality of life. The
melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) is at the crux of appetite, energy homeostasis, and body …

The melanocortins (α, β and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormones: MSHs;
adrenocorticotrophic hormone: ACTH), a family of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived …

Opiates lack potent analgesic efficacy in neuropathic pain although it is now generally
accepted that the poor effect of these drugs reflects a reduction in their potency. Reduction of …

The melanocortin system has a well-established role in the regulation of energy
homeostasis, but there is growing evidence of its involvement in memory, nociception, mood …

The Agouti-Related Protein (AgRP) is a powerful orexigenic peptide that increases food
intake when ubiquitously overexpressed or when administered centrally. AgRP-deficiency …

The melanocortins, which are derived from proopiomelanocortin, have a variety of
physiological functions mediated membrane surface receptors. To date, five subtypes have …

Chronic inflammatory pain represents one of the largest subsets of chronic pain diagnoses,
which affect nearly a quarter of individuals in the United States and cost nearly $600 billion …

The melanocortin system plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis.
The Agouti-related protein (AGRP) is a natural antagonist of the action of alpha-melanocyte …