Neuronal Cilia: Another Player in the Melanocortin System

Trends Mol Med. 2018 Apr;24(4):333-334. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.02.004. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

Abstract

Melanocortin receptors play crucial roles in multiple physiological processes. Melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) is expressed in key brain regions, and MC4R gene mutations can cause severe obesity. However, the cellular biology of MC4R is less well understood owing to the lack of reliable methods to visualize its location. Recently, Siljee and colleagues localized MC4R to the cilia of the neurons within the hypothalamus and showed that cilial expression of MC4R is crucial for the control of metabolic phenotype.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Cilia
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Melanocortins
  • Neurons
  • Obesity
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4*

Substances

  • MC4R protein, human
  • Melanocortins
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4