CART peptides: novel addiction- and feeding-related neuropeptides

• Published in: Trends in Neurosciences Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 316 - 320
• Main Authors: Kuhar, Michael J., Dall Vechia, Stephanie E.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-07-1999; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Amphetamine; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Brain - physiology; Brain Chemistry; Brain Mapping; CART peptides; Cocaine; Drug addiction; Eating - physiology; Feeding; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Models. Methods; Haplorhini; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins - biosynthesis; Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology; Neurology; Neuropeptide; Neurotransmitters; Peptides; Proteins; Rats; Satiety; Sensory perception; Sheep; Substance-Related Disorders - physiopathology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Neuroscience; Amphetamine; Satiety; Cocaine; CART peptides; Neuropeptide; Feeding; Feeding behavior; Somesthesia; Central nervous system; Review; Gene expression; Cocain and amphetamine regulated transcript peptide; Stress; Aminoacid sequence; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0166-2236; 1878-108X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0166-2236(98)01377-0

CART peptides are novel, putative brain–gut neurotransmitters and co-transmitters that probably have a role in drug abuse, the control of feeding behavior, sensory processing, stress and development. They are abundant, processed and apparently released. Exogenously applied peptides cause inhibition of feeding and have neurotrophic properties. Although the precise sequences, relative abundance and efficacy of all CART peptides are currently being determined, small molecules that are active at putative CART receptors could have substantial therapeutic promise.