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The Fundamental Role of Melanocortins in Brain Processes

  • Conference paper
Chemical Probes in Biology

Part of the book series: NATO Science Series ((NAII,volume 129))

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Abstract

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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Latvia, 1A, Sarlotes St., LV-1001, Riga, Latvia

    V. Klusa, B. Jansone, S. Svirskis & J. Rumaks

  2. Division of Pharmacy Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, 1A, Sarlotes St., LV-1001, Riga, Latvia

    R. Muceniece

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  1. V. Klusa
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  2. B. Jansone
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  3. S. Svirskis
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  4. J. Rumaks
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  5. R. Muceniece
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Organic Chemistry, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany

    Manfred P. Schneider

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Klusa, V., Jansone, B., Svirskis, S., Rumaks, J., Muceniece, R. (2003). The Fundamental Role of Melanocortins in Brain Processes. In: Schneider, M.P. (eds) Chemical Probes in Biology. NATO Science Series, vol 129. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0958-4_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0958-4_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-1770-4

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