Pro-opiomelanocortin neuron (POMC neuron)

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are a specialized population of neuroendocrine cells primarily located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and also in the brainstem's nucleus of the solitary tract. They express the Pomc gene, encoding the precursor peptide pro-opiomelanocortin, which is post-translationally processed into several biologically active peptides, including α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and β-endorphin. These neurons play a critical role in regulating food intake, energy balance, pain sensitivity, and other physiological processes by integrating signals from hormones such as leptin and insulin. Their activation results in increased release of POMC-derived peptides, which act at melanocortin and opioid receptors throughout the CNS to induce satiety, reduce food intake, modulate analgesia, and influence cardiovascular and respiratory parameters. Dysfunction of POMC neurons contributes to obesity, metabolic disease, and other disorders[1][2][3][4][5][6]. "Pro-opiomelanocortin neuron activation" is not a molecule or canonical drug target but instead refers to the functional state or manipulation (e.g., pharmacological or optogenetic activation) of a population of neurons. If seeking a molecular target, consider specifying the receptors or channels expressed in or interacting with POMC neurons (e.g., melanocortin 4 receptor, GLP-1 receptor, serotonin 2C receptor)[2][5].

Other names

POMC neuronproopiomelanocortin-expressing neuronarcuate nucleus POMC neuronhypothalamic POMC neuronNTS POMC neuron

Activation enhances release of POMC-derived peptides (α-MSH, β-endorphin) that act on melanocortin and opioid receptors to modulate food intake, analgesia, cardiorespiratory function