Melanin Concentrating Hormone, rat

Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH), a 19 amino acid cyclic peptide, is largely expressed in the hypothalamus. Melanin Concentrating Hormone is implicated in the control of general arousal and goal-orientated behaviours in mammals, and appears to be a key messenger in the regulation of food intake. An understanding of the biological actions of Melanin Concentrating Hormone has been so far hampered by the lack of information about its receptor(s) and their location in the brain. We recently identified the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor SLC-1 as a receptor for the neuropeptide Melanin Concentrating Hormone.