Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript prepropeptide (CART)

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript prepropeptide (CART) is a neuropeptide encoded by the CARTPT gene, expressed widely in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It functions as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator involved in the regulation of reward, feeding, stress, and mood. CART has been found to block the effects of psychostimulants like cocaine and amphetamine when co-administered, and plays a role in energy balance via hypothalamic circuits. Additional functions include neuroprotection—especially against oxidative stress, regulation of cardiovascular function, antinociception (pain modulation), bone remodeling, and CNS development. Preclinical research implicates CART in the pathophysiology or modulation of conditions such as obesity, addiction, neurodegenerative diseases, and mood disorders. While no CART-targeting drugs are clinically available, its role as a functional neuropeptide and its distribution make it a potential target for future therapies and a possible biomarker for certain diseases.

Other names

CART prepropeptideCARTCocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript proteinCARTPTCART peptide

Modulation of neurotransmitter pathways (dopamine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate), endogenous inhibition/augmentation of psychostimulant effects, energy homeostasis regulation (via hypothalamic circuits), antioxidant/mitochondrial protection