CART

Neuromodulation / Appetite

Also known as: Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript, CART Peptide, CARTPT

NeuropeptidesResearch phase: PreclinicalRegulatory: Not approved as drug. Endogenous neuropeptide. Receptor not yet identified.

Mechanism

CART is a brain peptide that suppresses appetite and is upregulated by cocaine and amphetamines. It plays a key role in the brain's reward and feeding circuits.

Technical detail

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptide is a 48- or 89-amino acid neuropeptide produced in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus POMC/CART neurons. It is a potent anorexigenic signal acting downstream of leptin. CART also modulates reward circuitry (nucleus accumbens), stress responses (CRH neurons), and sensory processing. Its receptor remains unidentified despite extensive research.

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