Multiple cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) genes in medaka, Oryzias latipes: Cloning, tissue distribution and effect of starvation

► This study cloned six distinct CART cDNAs in medaka (cart ch3, ch4, ch6, ch9, ch11 and ch22). ► As in other species, medaka cart ch3, 4, 6, 9 and 22 consisted of three exons, while 11 contained four. ► Different tissue distribution patterns among the genes suggest different functions. ► Seventeen days starvation affects medaka cart ch3 but not other five homolog. ► This suggests that CART ch3 have a major role in the regulation of feeding in medaka.