6533b836fe1ef96bd12a1c65
RESEARCH PRODUCT
The Fundamental Role of Melanocortins in Brain Processes
Juris RumaksSimons SvirskisBaiba JansoneRuta MucenieceVija Klusasubject
integumentary systemdigestive oral and skin physiologyBiologyVentral tegmental areamedicine.anatomical_structureImmune systemMelanocortin receptormedicineACTH receptorMelanocortinReceptorNeuroscienceOrganismMelanocortinsdescription
The discoveries of the latest ten years have shed new light in understanding the roles of melanocortins and their receptors in brain functions and in the development of different pathologies. Since 1992 when genes encoded melanocortin receptor five subtypes were identified, cloned and characterized, the molecular mechanisms underlying different effects such as skin darkening, behaviour, food intake, anti-inflammatory action, analgesia have been clarified. The contribution of melanocortins and their receptors in the physiological control of organism homeostasis has become as the background for the search of agonists and antagonists of separate receptor subtypes, that can be targeted to the melanocortin receptors and used as therapeutic drugs for the treatment of psychoneuroendocrine and immune system diseases.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-01-01 |