Fifth International Melanocortin Meeting

第五届国际黑素皮质素会议将于2002年8月25 - 28日在俄勒冈州Sunriver举行。这次会议是研究黑素皮质素肽的研究人员最重要的一次国际会议，黑素皮质素肽是脑、血液和外周中参与体重调节、皮质醇产生、外分泌腺分泌和色素沉着等关键功能的分泌肽。自1993年在法国举行的第四次会议以来，该领域取得了指数级的进展。当时，只知道黑素皮质素受体Mc1r和Mc2r；从那时起，又发现了3个受体（Mc3r、Mc4r和Mc5r），并建立了所有5个受体的生理模型。此外，研究已经阐明了黑素皮质素受体激动剂的作用以及该系统各组分之间的相互作用。黑素皮质素系统中几个不同部分的突变与很大比例的人类肥胖病例有关，更多的关联研究正在进行中。考虑到这些里程碑，研究人员迫切需要在2002年聚集在一起，我们预计会有300 - 400名参与者。55位演讲者（30位来自美国，25位来自其他12个国家，其中包括9位女性）将讨论肽和小分子化学、受体结构和功能、能量稳态、色素沉着、肾上腺皮质功能和行为等主题。两场海报会议、一场招待会、一场宴会和非正式的社交活动将为初级科学家、博士后研究员和研究生提供与黑素皮质素领域的领导者互动的重要机会。为了方便聚集大批国际听众，特别要求提供经费支付17名发言者的旅费。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Fifth International Melanocortin Meeting will be held in Sunriver, Oregon, 25 - 28 August 2002. This meeting is the single most important international gathering for researchers studying melanocortin peptides, secreted peptides in the brain, blood, and periphery involved in the critical functions of weight regulation, cortisol production, secretion from exocrine glands, and pigmentation. Since the Fourth Meeting in 1993 in France, the field has experienced exponential progress. At that time, only melanocortin receptors Mc1r and Mc2r were known; since then, 3 more receptors (Mc3r, Mc4r, and Mc5r) have been identified and physiologic models have been developed for all 5 receptors. In addition, studies have elucidated the role of melanocortin receptor agonists and interactions among components of this system. Mutations in several different parts of the melanocortin system have been linked to a significant percentage of cases of human obesity and additional linkage studies are ongoing. Given these milestones, there is a compelling need for researchers to gather in 2002, and we anticipate 300 - 400 participants. Fifty-five speakers (30 from the United States and 25 from 12 other countries, including 9 women) will address the topics of peptide and small molecule chemistry, receptor structure and function, energy homeostasis, pigmentation, adrenocortical function, and behavior. Two poster sessions, a reception, a banquet, and informal social activities will provide critical opportunities for junior scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students to interact with leaders in the melanocortin field. To facilitate the gathering of a large international audience, funds are specifically requested to cover travel expenses for 17 speakers.