Specifically, setmelanotide was found to be effective by inducing biased signalling of the MC4R and thereby reducing feelings of hunger and leading to substantial weight loss in patients with POMC or leptin receptor deficiency.
MC4R polymorphism rs17782313 may contribute to childhood obesity, affecting enjoyment of food, satiety responsiveness, and possibly eating in the absence of hunger.
We suggest that beta-MSH rather than alpha-MSH is the key ligand at the MC4-R populations that regulate feeding, and that inhibition of tonic release of beta-MSH is one mechanism contributing to hunger in under-feeding.