The role of melanocortins and their receptors in inflammatory processes, nerve regeneration and nociception
- 作者：Starowicz ; Katarzyna ; Przewlocka ; Barbara
- 关键词：Adrenocorticotropic hormone ; α ; -melanocyte stimulating hormone ; Central nervous system ; Melanocortin receptor ; Proopiomelanocortin
- 刊名：Life Sciences
- 出版年：2003
- 期刊代码：62_00243205
- 类别：imm
- 出版时间：July 4, 2003
- 卷：73
- 期：7
- 页码：823-847
- 文件大小：252 K
摘要
The melanocortins are a family of bioactive peptides derived from proopiomelanocortin. Those peptides, included among hormones and comprising ACTH, α-MSH, β-MSH and γ-MSH, are best known mainly for their physiological effects, such as the control of skin pigmentation by α-MSH, and ACTH effects on pigmentation and steroidogenesis. Melanocortins are released in various sites in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues, and participate in the regulation of multiple physiological functions. They are involved in grooming behavior, food intake and thermoregulation processes, and can also modulate the response of the immune system in inflammatory states. Research of the past decade provided evidence that melanocortins could elicit their diverse biological effects by binding to a distinct family of G protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane domains. To date, five melanocortin receptor genes have been cloned and characterized. Those receptors differ in their tissue distribution and in their ability to recognize various melanocortins. These advances have opened up new horizons for exploring the significance of melanocortins, their ligands and their receptors for a variety of important physiological functions. We reviewed the origin of MSH peptides, the function and distribution of melanocortin receptors and their endogenous and exogenous ligands and the role of melanocortins and their receptors in inflammatory processes, nerve regeneration and nociception. Moreover, we analyzed their interaction with opioid peptides and finally, we discussed the postulated role of the melanocortin system in pain transmission at the spinal cord level.