Mutations in the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) have been associated with human obesity. Roubert and colleagues have identified two novel melanocortin agonists which activated mutated hMC4Rs in 11 obese adults and children in vitro. Different classes of MC4R mutation were important; those with decreased endogenous alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone response showed increased binding to the novel agonists. As such, the novel melanocortin agonists have potential for development as drugs for obesity associated with those hMC4R mutations. Roubert et al. (2010) Journal of Endocrinology 207 177–183.

Read full article at: DOI:10.1677/JOE-09-0336.