The role of leptin and its peptide mediators in neurophysiology
Pankov, I.A.
Vestnik Rossiiskoi Akademii Meditsinskikh Nauk 2005(2): 44-48
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0869-6047 PMID: 15776967 Document Number: 588497
The adipocyte hormone leptin binds to its receptors in hypothalamic neurons and decreases appetite and food consumption. Its effect on appetite is mediated by melanocortines (MC) that are derivative of proopiomelanocortin (POMK) and their receptor (MC4-R). The knock-out of POMC gene or MC4-R gene causes obesity in animals. However, the growth of the animals intensifies and their reproductive function does not cease. The paper covers consequences of mutations in genes responsible for leptin regulation of various functions.