MCH may act as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in a broad array of neuronal functions directed toward the regulation of goal-directed behavior, such as food intake, and general arousal. May also have a role in spermatocyte differentiation.
Subcellular locations: Secreted
Predominantly expressed in lateral hypothalamus, also detected in pallidum, neocortex and cerebellum. Also found in thymus, brown adipose tissue, duodenum and testis (spermatogonia, early spermatocytes and Sertoli cells). No expression in peripheral blood. In brain exclusively mature MCH and NEI peptides are present. In peripheral tissues a large product, encompassing the NEI and MCH domains of the precursor, is found predominantly.