The cloning of a family of genes that encode the melanocortin receptors.
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Mountjoy KG, Robbins LS, Mortrud MT, Cone RD
The cloning of a family of genes that encode the melanocortin receptors.
Science. 1992 Aug 28;257(5074):1248-51.
- PubMed ID
- 1325670 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) regulate pigmentation and adrenal cortical function, respectively. These peptides also have a variety of biological activities in other areas, including the brain, the pituitary, and the immune system. A complete understanding of the biological activities of these hormones requires the isolation and characterization of their corresponding receptors. The murine and human MSH receptors (MSH-Rs) and a human ACTH receptor (ACTH-R) were cloned. These receptors define a subfamily of receptors coupled to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that may include the cannabinoid receptor.