MCL0020 is a melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) antagonist.1 It selectively inhibits [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH binding to recombinant human MC4R over MC1R and MC3R (IC50s = 11.63, >10,000, and 1,115 nM, respectively). MCL0020 (0.1-100 ?M) inhibits α-MSH-induced cAMP production in COS-1 cells expressing human MC4R. In vivo, MCL0020 (10 ?g/animal; i.c.v.) reduces stress-induced decreases in the time spent in the light area of the light/dark exploration test, indicating anxiolytic-like activity, in mice. It also reverses restraint stress-induced decreases in food intake in rats.
References:
[1]. Chaki, S., Ogawa, S.-i., Toda, Y., et al.Involvement of the melanocortin MC4 receptor in stress-related behavior in rodentsEur. J. Pharmacol.474(1)95-101(2003).