The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic peptide highly conserved in
vertebrates that was originally characterized as a neurohypophysial skin paling factor in
teleosts. In fish, MCH may also participate in the control of the stress response. Mammalian
MCH is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that displays multiple functions, mostly controlling
feeding behavior and energy homeostasis and regulating the stress axis and emotion. The
MCH precursor may generate additional putative peptides in the brain and peripheral …