Welcome to Path4HCPs
Your go-to portal for science-based information about the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway
Science-based information about
the melanocortin-4 receptor
(MC4R) pathway
Discover the MC4R pathway and its pivotal role in regulating appetite, satiety, and energy balance, and gain insights into the key clinical features, diagnosis and management of rare hypothalamic MC4R pathway diseases.
Understanding the MC4R pathway
The MC4R pathway in the hypothalamus is a key signalling pathway responsible for regulating hunger, satiety, and energy expenditure.
Disruption of the MC4R pathway
When disruption of the MC4R pathway occurs, the signals that regulate hunger, satiety, and energy expenditure are impacted, which can result in hyperphagia (pathological, insatiable hunger), decreased energy expenditure, and accelerated and sustained weight gain.
Acquired and genetic causes of rare hypothalamic MC4R pathway diseases
Rare hypothalamic MC4R pathway diseases can arise following physical injury or structural abnormality of the hypothalamus with MC4R pathway disruption and other functional impairment, or from rare genetic variants directly disrupting the MC4R pathway.
Explore the genetic and acquired causes
of MC4R pathway disruption
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resources
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References:
- 1.
Yazdi F, et al, PeerJ, 2023;3;e856
- 2. Heymsfield SB, et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2014;22:S1‒S17.
- 3. Hampl SE, et al. Pediatrics. 2023;151:e2022060640.
- 4. Fonseca ACP, et al. J Diabetes Complications. 2017;31:1549–1561.
- 5. Haqq AM, et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2022;10(12):859–868.