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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2014 Mar;21(2):134–151. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2013.09.004

Table 2.

The kidney is an important effector organ of the melanocortin hormone system with evident expression of various MCRs in parenchymal kidney cells.

MCRs
MC1R MC2R MC3R MC4R MC5R
Agonist preference and affinity ACTH=α-MSH > β-MSH >γ-MSH ACTH only ACTH=α-MSH = β-MSH=γ-MSH ACTH=α-MSH > β-MSH>γ-MSH ACTH=α-MSH> β-MSH>γ-MSH
Signaling pathways

  • cAMP pathway;

  • MAPK/ERK pathway

  • cAMP pathway;

  • cAMP pathway;

  • IP3-Ca2+ pathway

  • cAMP pathway;

  • cAMP pathway;

  • IP3-Ca2+ pathway;

  • MAPK/ERK pathway
Biological functions

  • Melanogenesis;

  • Antipyresis;

  • Anti-inflammation/

  • Immunomodulation;

  • Anti-apoptosis/Pro-survival effects

  • Steroidogenesis

  • Energy homeostasis;

  • Hemodynamic regulation

  • Energy homeostasis;

  • Appetite regulation;

  • Aphrodisia

  • Anti-inflammation/

  • Immunomodulation;

  • Regulation of exocrine functions;

  • Anti-apoptosis/Pro-survival effects
Documented renal expression Human kidney;
Mouse kidney;
Rat kidney		 Human kidney (weak) Human kidney;
Mouse kidney;
Rat kidney		 Rat kidney Human kidney;
Mouse kidney;
Rat kidney
Distribution in the kidney Glomeruli;
Tubular epithelia		 Unknown Inner medullary collecting duct Renal cortex and medulla Glomeruli;
Interstitium
Expression in kidney cells in vitro Podocytes;
Mesangial cells, Glomerular endothelial cells;
Tubular epithelial cells		 Unknown Inner medullary collecting duct cell Glomerular endothelial cells;
Tubular epithelial cells;
Inner medullary collecting duct cells		 Podocytes;
Inner medullary collecting duct cells
Renal effects

  • Protection of podocytes and other glomerular cells from injury;

  • Protection of tubular cells from injury;

  • Anti-inflammation

 Unknown Enhanced sodium excretion in collecting ducts Unknown

  • Podocyte protection;

  • Anti-inflammation
Clinical effects on kidney disease

  • Proteinuria reducing effects;

  • Renoprotection in AKI

 Unknown

  • Natriuresis/Diuresis

 Unknown

  • Proteinuria reducing effects

Abbreviations: ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; AKI, acute kidney injury; cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate; IP3, Inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate; MAPK/ERK, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal- regulated kinase; MCR, melanocortin receptors; MSH, melanocyte stimulating hormone.