Endocrine & hormone · target hub

MC3R

Melanocortin receptor 3 (MC3R)

MC3R is a Membrane hormone receptor (RTK/GPCR) on the endocrine & hormone axis. G protein-coupled receptor for melanocyte-stimulating hormones (alpha, beta, and gamma-MSH) and corticotropin/ACTH, which are peptide products of the POMC precursor (PubMed:37524700, PubMed:8463333). Upon activation, couples to G(s) protein, stimulating adenylate cyclase and the … It is indexed under "Glycoprotein-hormone receptors & related GPCRs" on our pathway page for antibodies, inhibitors, and assay guidance.

Research notes

  • Combine with other genes in the same hub block via genetics or pharmacology to test non-redundant roles of MC3R.
  • For nuclear receptors pair ligands, co-regulators, and reporter assays; for membrane receptors note GPCR/RTK downstream and desensitization.
  • Verify antibody clone, phospho-site, and stimulation; include KD/KO or inhibitor controls.

On the pathway hub (sections)

Genetic lesions & expression context (quick reference)

Type / exampleDomain / context (brief)
Ligand stimulationLigand-dependent phosphorylation
GPCR desensitizationβ-arrestin / internalization control
CN / expressionCopy number & tissue expression

Naming and prevalence vary by cohort and assay—annotate clinically with COSMIC, ClinVar, OncoKB, and datasheets; research context only.

Assay readouts for MC3R

  • Receptor activation: MC3R ligand-induced p-Tyr / p-AKT / cAMP.
  • GPCR: β-arrestin recruitment and internalization; second-messenger reporters.
  • RTK: insulin/IGF IRS–PI3K axis where applicable.
  • Pharmacology: peptide hormones or small-molecule agonist/antagonist matrices.

MC3R experimental notes

Examples below reflect common literature and public resources (e.g., CCLE, DepMap)—validate genotypes, expression, and passage in your own stocks before committing assays.

[1] Cell lines commonly used for MC3R studies (examples)

  • Tool lines: HEK293T, CHO, MIN6, MCF-7, Ba/F3—screen by MC3R expression and pathway context (CCLE/DepMap).
  • Combine with neighbors (TSHR, FSHR, LHCGR, GNRHR) via KD/pharmacology to test non-redundancy.
  • Overexpression/rescue in HEK293T supports mechanism and IP workflows.
  • Isogenic/CRISPR models separate pathway dependency from bypass survival.

[2] Cell samples for MC3R Western blot

  • Whole-cell lysates—optimize RIPA/NP-40 per antibody; phosphatase inhibitors for phospho blots.
  • Stimulation: serum starvation ± insulin/EGF or amino-acid withdrawal/refeed as relevant.
  • Controls: siRNA/shRNA, CRISPR KO, or inhibitors to validate band specificity.
  • Loading: BCA normalization; subcellular fractionation when needed.

[3] Tissue samples for MC3R Western blot

  • Matched tumor/adjacent frozen tissues after pathology review.
  • Mouse GEMM or xenografts—mind species antibody cross-reactivity.
  • Primary cells/PDCs when ethically approved.
  • FFPE needs specialized extraction; frozen tissue preferred for phospho work.

[4] Cell samples for MC3R immunoprecipitation

  • Tagged overexpression: HEK293T FLAG/HA-MC3R for complex capture.
  • Endogenous IP: high-expression lines; often ≥1–5×10⁶ cells per IP.
  • Stimulation: ligand or nutrient treatments enrich interactions—pilot time courses.
  • Controls: isotype IgG, empty vector, KD/KO negatives.

Human tissues and primary cells require ethics/IRB approval; tumors are heterogeneous—record histotype, site, and preservation conditions.

Bypass & related pathways

Models & genetics note

Overexpression vs endogenous MC3R can differ in dosage, splicing, and compartmentation—in organoids/PDX, record passage, matrix, and drug history.

Quick search presets

MC3R-related antibodies (keyword-biased)

Adds MC3R keyword bias atop the 内分泌和激素 antibody pool—if sparse, use presets above or global search.

FAQ

This content supports research reagents and pathway education—not medical advice. Annotate mutations, drug indications, and protocols with authoritative databases, datasheets, and institutional oversight.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-18

Related on this site

See the endocrine & hormone hub for neighboring targets—cross-check PI3K, MAPK, RTK, and metabolism pages as needed.