Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript

CART was originally discovered as a transcript upregulated in the rat nucleus accumbens in response to cocaine and amphetamine, and the mRNA is detected in the central, peripheral, and enteric nervous systems, and in endocrine tissues such as pancreatic islet cells. Variable processing by prohormone convertase enzymes gives rise to multiple CART fragments. Among them, CART55–102 and CART62–102 are thought to be the putative active peptides. The CART system has been suggested to play a role in a number of physiological and pathophysiological functions, including regulation of feeding, stress, and pancreatic islet function. Identification of a CART receptor(s) has had an impact on our understanding of brain function and thus on new avenues in treating disorders.