Identification and Characterization of Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms in MCH‐R1 and MCH‐R2*

Objective: To identify and functionally characterize single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH)-R1 and -R2. Research Methods and Procedures: The entire coding regions and intron/exon splice junction regions of MCH-R1 and MCH-R2 were sequenced from anonymous white (n = 45) and African-American (n = 46) individuals. DNA was analyzed, and SNPs were identified using Phred, Phrap, and Consed software. DNA constructs containing MCH-R1 and MCH-R2 SNPs were generated and expressed in CHO cells. The effect of the SNPs in MCH-R1 and MCH-R2 were assessed in receptor binding assays and functional assays measuring changes in intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ levels. Results: We identified 12 SNPs in the MCH-R1 gene. Two of these SNPs are in coding regions, and one produces an arginine-for-glycine substitution at residue 34 in the MCH-R1 sequence. This SNP is present at a minor allele frequency of 15% in the African-American population tested in this study. We identified eight SNPs in the MCH-R2 gene. Four of these SNPs are in coding regions, and two produce amino acid substitutions. Lysine substitutes for arginine at residue 63 of the African-American population, and glutamine substitutes for arginine at residue 152 in whites (minor allele frequency of 2% for both SNPs). No changes in receptor binding or functional signaling were observed with the SNP mutations in MCH-R1 or MCH-R2. Discussion: These data indicate that potential therapeutics designed to act at the MCH receptor are unlikely to have altered effects in subpopulations that express variant forms of MCH-R1 or MCH-R2.