Mechanism of Action
Melanocortin Receptor Agonism
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The compound activates one or more of the five melanocortin receptors, MC1R through MC5R, the family that responds to melanocyte-stimulating hormone and to ACTH. Which receptor is hit determines the effect. MC1R sits on pigment cells in the skin, MC3R and MC4R in the brain where they influence appetite and arousal circuits, MC5R on sebaceous glands. Most compounds in this class are not fully selective and touch several receptors at once.
Why it matters here
A record listing only melanocortin agonism with no receptor subtype is underspecified. Pigmentation, appetite and arousal come from different receptors, so a claim graded for one says nothing about the others.
What it is not
MC1R and MC4R are not interchangeable, and a compound described loosely as a melanocortin agonist may act mostly at a receptor unrelated to the effect being marketed. This is also distinct from Melanocortin-Independent Anti-Inflammation, which is defined precisely by not going through these receptors.
Also called
- melanocortin agonist
- mc3r
- mc4r
- mc1r agonism
- melanocortin activation
- melanocortin agonism
- mc4r agonist
- melanocortin pathway
MC1R, MC3R and MC4R name individual receptors within one family, and the numbering is a discovery order rather than a ranking. Melanocortin pathway is broader and covers the natural signalling system as a whole.