Melanocortins: Multiple Actions And Therapeuticpotential (advances In Experimental Medicine And Biology)

This book represents the joint effort of an international group of scientists who are at the forefront of research in the field. The volume spans information on chemistry, pharmacology, distribution, and therapeutic potential of melanocortins. A recurrent theme of this volume is the role played by distinct melanocortin receptors in mediating melanocortin effects. Although these receptors have been identified and well-characterized, information in the book indicates that definite categorization of their expression and function in different conditions still needs major work It is clear that the melanocortins are of immense academic interest. Further, these molecules have remarkable potential as pharmaceutical agents for treatment of multiple human and veterinary disorders and diseases. The evidence to support academic interest and clinical applications lies in significant part within the chapters of this book, chapters written by noted experts in the field who have worked diligently to understand the molecules and to move them toward clinical applications. I personally believe that the - MSH molecule and its derivatives will be used as routine therapeutics in the very near future. My belief is so strong that I left academia to form a company based on -MSH analogs and have caused millions of dollars to be spent on melanocortin research. Now why would a sane professor pick up such a challenge and enter business, an essential step toward any clinical application? It is the - MSH story that drove me. Consider that - MSH occurs in exactly the same amino acid sequence in humans and in the sea lamprey, an organism unchanged since its appearance during the Pennsylvanian period of the Paleozoic era (about 300 million years ago—way before dinosaurs were to be considered). There is unpublished evidence that the stability of the molecule can be traced back a half billion years. Frankly, I believe that the molecule existed even when single cells began to live together. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) of melanocortin and agouti-related (AGRP) peptides / Anamika Singh, Erica M. Haslach and Carrie Haskell-Luevano Melanocortin signalling mechanisms / Paula C. Eves and John W. Haycock Distribution and function of melanocortin receptors within the brain / Kathleen G. Mountjoy Drugs, exercise, and the melanocortin-4 receptor : different means, same ends : treating obesity / Jay W. Schaub, Erin B. Bruce, and Carrie Haskell-Luevano Melanocortins in brain inflammation : the role of melanocortin receptor subtypes / Ruta Muceniece and Maija Dambrova Melanocortins and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway / Daniela Giuliani ... [et al.] Melanocortin control of cell trafficking in vascular inflammation / Hetal B. Patel ... [et al.] Terminal signal : anti-inflammatory effects of melanocyte-stimulating hormone related peptides beyond the pharmacophore / Thomas Brzoska ... [et al.] Protective effects of melanocortins in systemic host reactions / Stefano Gatti ... [et al.] Development of melanocortin analogs for melanoma prevention and targeting / Zalfa A. Abdel-Malek MSH radiopeptides for targeting melanoma metastases / Alex N. Eberle ... [et al.] Applications of the role of MSH in ocular immune privilege / Andrew W. Taylor and Darren Lee. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) of melanocortin and agouti-related (AGRP) peptides / Anamika Singh, Erica M. Haslach, and Carrie Haskell-Luevano Melanocortin signalling mechanisms / Paula C. Eves and John W. Haycock Distribution and function of melanocortin receptors within the brain / Kathleen G. Mountjoy Drugs, exercise, and the melanocortin-receptor : different means, same ends : treating obesity / Jay W. Schaub, Erin B. Bruce, and Carrie Haskell-Luevano Melanocortins in brain inflammation : the role of melanocortin receptor subtypes / Ruta Muceniece and Maija Dambrova Melanocortins and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway / Daniela Giuliani ... [et al.] Melanocortin control of cell trafficking in vascular inflammation / Hetal B. Patel ... [et al.] Terminal signal : anti-inflammatory effects of melanocyte stimulating hormone related peptides beyond the pharmacophore / Thomas Brzoska ... [et al.] Protective effects of melanocortins in systemic host reactions / Stefano Gatti ... [et al.] Development of melanocortin analogs for melanoma prevention and targeting / Zalfa A. Abdel-Malek MSH radiopeptides for targeting melanoma metastases / Alex N. Eberle ... [et al.] Applications of the role of MSH in ocular immune privilege / Andrew W. Taylor and Darren Lee.