Title: Characterization of Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Cells Coexpressing Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript
Abstract: Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a neuropeptide that regulates many behaviours. There are subpopulations of MCH cells that are neurochemically distinct. Notably, about half of MCH cells coexpress cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART). The unique roles of MCH/CART+ and MCH/CART– cells are not known, but these neurochemically distinct subpopulations could contribute to distinct behaviours. To help define their roles in MCH-related neuronal networks, we defined the neuroanatomical, electrical, and morphological properties of MCH/CART+ and MCH/CART– cells in male and female mice. We made maps of the distribution of CART in MCH cells and found that MCH/CART+ and MCH/CART– cells were anatomically divided. We analyzed the electrical activity and structure of each cell type and found differences in their electrical activity. Finally, we traced their dendritic structure and found that male MCH/CART+ were highly branched. This work will help resolve the complexity of the MCH system by characterizing MCH/CART+ and MCH/CART– cells.