Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide receptor (putative; see below for caveats)

The Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide receptor is a hypothesized receptor for CART peptides, a family of neuropeptides involved in regulating reward, feeding, and stress responses. While CART peptides function as neurotransmitters and endocrine factors within the nervous system and periphery, their receptor(s) have not been conclusively identified. The peptide itself is encoded by the CARTPT gene and is processed into active forms that influence feeding behavior, stress, and potential addiction pathways. Initial studies suggested that CART peptides exert biological effects typical of neuropeptide-receptor signaling, likely through an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) coupled to Gi/Go signaling. There was a brief proposal that GPR160 might serve as the CART peptide receptor, but subsequent work failed to confirm binding or signaling, leaving the identity of the receptor unresolved. Thus, the "Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide receptor" remains a putative target, with ongoing research needed to define its molecular identity, pharmacology, and therapeutic potential.

Other names

CART receptor (putative)Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript receptorCART-R (non-standard)

not defined (mechanisms would theoretically include GPCR signaling, but this remains unconfirmed)