Synthesis and biological actions of melanin concentrating hormone

Brian C. Wilkes, Victor J. Hruby, Wade C. Sherbrooke, Ana M.de L. Castrucci, M. E. Hadley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

A melanin (melanosome) concentrating hormone, MCH, was synthesized and the methodology for its synthesis is detailed. This heptadecapeptide, H-Asp-Thr-Met-Arg-Cys-Met-Val-Gly-Arg-Val-Tyr-Arg-Pro-Cys-Trp-Glu-Val-OH, stimulated melanosome concentration (centripetal aggregation) within melanophores of all species of teleost fishes studied. Melanosome aggregation in response to MCH was not blocked by Dibenamine as was the response to norepinephrine (NE), demonstrating that melanosome aggregating responses to MCH and NE are mediated through separate receptors. Melanosome aggregation in response to MCH was reversed by an equimolar concentration of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). In contrast, MCH stimulated melanosome dispersion (centrifugal movement) within melanophores of a frog (Rana pipiens) and a lizard (Anolis carolinensis). Therefore, MCH exhibits both melanosome concentrating and dispersing actions depending upon the species studied.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)613-619
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume122
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 31 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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