Deletion

of POMC cells in the ARC leads to starvation and death due to the loss of

energy-balancing signals.

AgRP is an endogenous antagonist of the MC4R, effectively blocking the anorexigenic effect of α-MSH to induce appetite. 

AgRP

acts as a potent agonist for the MC4R, mimicking the satiety effects of α-MSH.

POMC neurons provide rapid, millisecond-scale control of meal termination via glutamate release.