Endocrine & hormone · target hub

MC4R

Melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R)

MC4R is a Membrane hormone receptor (RTK/GPCR) on the endocrine & hormone axis. MC4R participates in PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling—see UniProt and primary literature for isoforms and tissue context. It is indexed under "Glycoprotein-hormone receptors & related GPCRs" on our pathway page for antibodies, inhibitors, and assay guidance.

Back to pathway overviewSearch: MC4RUniProt (A0N0W8)

Research notes

  • Combine with other genes in the same hub block via genetics or pharmacology to test non-redundant roles of MC4R.
  • 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 MC4R

  • Receptor activation: MC4R 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.

MC4R 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 MC4R studies (examples)

  • Tool lines: HEK293T, CHO, MIN6, MCF-7, Ba/F3—screen by MC4R 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 MC4R 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 MC4R 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 MC4R immunoprecipitation

  • Tagged overexpression: HEK293T FLAG/HA-MC4R 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 MC4R can differ in dosage, splicing, and compartmentation—in organoids/PDX, record passage, matrix, and drug history.

Quick search presets

MC4RMC4R antibodyMC4R ligand/agonisthormone/receptor antibody

MC4R-related antibodies (keyword-biased)

Adds MC4R keyword bias atop the 内分泌和激素 antibody pool—if sparse, use presets above or global search.

Neighboring targets (same hub)

TSHRFSHRLHCGRGNRHRTRHRCRHR1CRHR2GHRHR

External databases & resources

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.

Endocrine & hormone·PI3K/Akt/mTOR·MAPK/ERK·Receptor tyrosine kinase·Metabolism