β-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH), human is a melanocortin (MC) receptor agonist.
β-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent which effect is brought by activation of the central MC3/MC4 receptors and thereby inhibits NO production by inhibiting the translocation of transcription factor NF-κB to the nuclei of the brain cells and decreasing iNOS expression[1]. β-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone has significantly higher at human MC4-R transfected into CHO cells (Ki=11.4±0.4 nM) and MC4-R in rat hypothalamic homogenates (Ki=22.5±2.3 nM)[2].
β-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone suppresses LPS-induced nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NF-κB, and inhibits the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the following nitric oxide overproduction in the brain[1].β-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is a key ligand at the MC4-R populations that regulate feeding, and that inhibition of tonic release of β-MSH is one mechanism contributing to hunger in under-feeding[2].
[1]. Muceniece R, et al. Beta-MSH inhibits brain inflammation via MC(3)/(4) receptors and impaired NF-kappaB signaling. J Neuroimmunol. 2005 Dec;169(1-2):13-9. [2]. Harrold JA, et al. beta-MSH: a functional ligand that regulated energy homeostasis via hypothalamic MC4-R? Peptides. 2003 Mar;24(3):397-405.