Anorexigenic Neuropeptide CART in Food Intake Regulation

Abstract

The cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a brain-born and brain-acting neuropeptide with anorexigenic properties. Production of the CART peptide in the brain is regulated by the anorexigenic hormone leptin. The CART peptide acts synergistically with the anorexigenic gut hormone cholecystokinin in attenu­ating food intake and neuron activation. A compact structure of the CART peptide with three disulfide bridges does not permit to make the biologically active molecule shorter; only one disulfide bridge can be omitted without losing biological activity. So far the CART peptide receptor has not been identified.