Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Sebag JA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4255277 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Sebag Julien A JA Zhang Chao C Hinkle Patricia M PM Bradshaw Amanda M AM Cone Roger D RD
Science (New York, N.Y.) 20130701 6143
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is essential for control of energy homeostasis in vertebrates. MC4R interacts with melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) in vitro, but its functions in vivo are unknown. We found that MRAP2a, a larval form, stimulates growth of zebrafish by specifically blocking the action of MC4R. In cell culture, this protein binds MC4R and reduces the ability of the receptor to bind its ligand, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). A paralog, MRAP2b, expresse ...[more]