Pro-melanin-concentrating hormone gene (PMCH) is localized on human chromosome 12q and rat chromosome 7

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic neuropeptide that may be involved in regulation of the stress response and food intake behavior in mammals. MCH and two other putative neuropeptides, NEI and NGE, are encoded by the same precursor, designated pro-melanin-concentrating hormone (PMCH). A panel of somatic cell hybrids segregating either human or rat chromosomes was used to determine the chromosomal localization of the PMCH locus. It was assigned to human chromosome 12q and to rat chromosome 7. This is the first neuropeptide-encoding gene found in this new synteny group conserved in rat and human.