Review
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 7, 307-323 (April 2008) | doi:10.1038/nrd2331
Targeting melanocortin receptors: an approach to treat weight disorders and sexual dysfunction
Jarl E. S. Wikberg1 & Felikss Mutulis1 About the authors
Abstract
The melanocortin system has multifaceted roles in the control of body weight homeostasis, sexual behaviour and autonomic functions, and so targeting this pathway has immense promise for drug discovery across multiple therapeutic areas. In this Review, we first outline the physiological roles of the melanocortin system, then discuss the potential of targeting melanocortin receptors by using MC3 and MC4 agonists for treating weight disorders and sexual dysfunction, and MC4 antagonists to treat anorectic and cachectic conditions. Given the complexity of the melanocortin system, we also highlight the challenges and opportunities for future drug discovery in this area.
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Author affiliations
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Division of Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
Correspondence to: Felikss Mutulis1 Email: Jarl.Wikberg@farmbio.uu.se
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