CART peptides: Therapeutic potential in obesity and feeding disorders

CART is a small, brain-enriched transcript that lacks homology with any known gene. Western blot data now suggest the presence of CART peptides in the rat brain. The broad, heterogeneous distribution of CART peptides in the brain and the periphery suggests they may mediate numerous physiologic and behavioral functions. A role for CART peptides in substance abuse and addiction is suggested by psychomotor-stimulant regulation of CART transcription in the striatum, as well as its localization within neural circuits that mediate reward and reinforcing behaviors. A role in feeding and obesity is inferred by its hypothalamic distribution and by behavioral studies. The possible physiological functions of CART peptides are many and as yet little understood; however, data to this point strongly support a role for CART peptides in the complex controls of addiction and nutrient intake. With the use of functional tissue assays, binding assays and autoradiographic techniques, researchers are developing strategies to identify CART peptide receptors. (C) 1999 Prous Science. Ail rights reserved.