黑素皮质素受体1的结构和功能

黑色素生成反应是受黑素皮质素受体l（MClR）调节的。MClR是G蛋白偶联受体（GPCR）超家族的成员之一，它在表皮和毛囊的黑色素细胞中表达。被促肾上腺皮质激素和α-促黑素激活的MClR，积极地与cAMP信号通路偶联，刺激黑色素合成，它也是褐黑素形成的一个通道。MClR的功能行为与GPCR信号出现的概念一致，包括聚合体偶联到更多的信号通路。另外，MClR也显示了独特的性质，如不寻常的高数量的自然变异通常与表型有关。因此，MClR是研究GPCR功能的一个理想模型。对MClR的结构和功能进行了简要综述。

Structure and Function of Melanocortin-1 Receptor

The melanogenic actions are mediated by the melanocortin-1 receptor（MC1R）. MC1R is a member of the G- protein-coupled receptor（GPCR） superfamily expressed in cutaneous and hair follicle melanocytes. Activation of MC1R by adrenocorticotrophin or ct-melanocyte stimulating hormone is positively coupled to the cAMP signaling pathway and leads to a stimulation of melanogenesis and a switch from the synthesis of pheomelanins to the production of eumelanic pigments. The functional behavior of the MC1R agrees with emerging concepts in GPCR signaling including dimerization, coupling to more than one signaling pathway. In addition, MC1R displays unique properties such as an unusually high number of natural variants often associated with clearly visible phenotypes. Therefore MC1R is an ideal model to study GPCR function. Here the structure and function of MCIR were reviewed.