Melanocortin
Also: melanocortin receptor, MC receptor, melanocortins
A family of peptide hormones (including alpha-MSH and ACTH) derived from the POMC precursor protein, and the five G protein-coupled receptors they activate (MC1R–MC5R). Different receptor subtypes are linked to different physiology — pigmentation (MC1R), energy homeostasis (MC3R/MC4R), and exocrine function (MC5R) — which is why melanocortin-targeting research peptides can produce effects across multiple, seemingly unrelated systems.