Melanin concentrating hormone

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pro-melanin-concentrating hormone
Identifiers
Symbol	PMCH
Entrez	5367
HUGO	9109
OMIM	176795
RefSeq	NM_002674
UniProt	P20382
Other data
Locus	Chr. 12 q23.2

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic orexinogenic hypothalamic peptide originally isolated from the pituitary gland of teleost fish where it controls skin pigmentation.

In mammals it is involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance. MCH expressing neurons are located within the lateral hypothalamus and zona incerta. Despite this restricted distribution MCH neurons project widely throughout the brain. MCH knockout mice are hypophagic (eat less) and are lean. When administered centrally it increases food intake and weight gain.