Science: Demystifying the secret of the hunger switch in the brain

Are you the same? No matter how much you eat, you keep feeling hungry repeatedly.

MC4 is the main target of anti-obesity drugs such as setmelanotide, precisely because it is the main switch: turning it on can control hunger while bypassing all other energy-related signals.

The new study started with the dilemma of a family in which at least eight members are severely obese due to persistent hunger-most of them have a body mass index of more than 70, which is about three times the normal level.

Shalev-Benami decided to study the structure of MC4 and invited Israel to join her laboratory as a guest scientist.

The 3D structure shows that semelaide activates the MC4 receptor by entering its binding pocket-that is, by directly tapping the molecular switch that sends out satiety, it is even more effective than the natural satiety hormone.

The structure of MC4 also shows that the entry of drugs will cause structural changes in the receptor.

In addition, scientists have identified hot spots that distinguish MC4 from similar receptors in the same family.

The findings of this study can help develop better and safer anti-obesity drugs that will target MC4R more precisely.

Original source:

Structure reveals the activation mechanism of the MC4 receptor to initiate satiation signaling.