Logo image
Chapter 27 - Leptin Signaling and Energy Homeostasis
Book chapter

Chapter 27 - Leptin Signaling and Energy Homeostasis

Kamal Rahmouni
Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System, pp.131-134
Elsevier Inc, Third Edition
2012
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-386525-0.00027-5

View Online

Abstract

This chapter focuses on leptin signaling and energy homeostasis and intracellular mechanisms associated with the leptin receptor. The leptin receptor is a single transmembrane protein belonging to the cytokine-receptor super-family. ObRb activation also promotes the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, although this appears to be cell-type specific and the mechanisms underlying this regulation remain unclear. The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus is considered a major site for the regulation of physiological processes by leptin. After activation of leptin receptors in the central nervous system, the signal is transduced by a series of integrated neuronal pathways that regulate endocrine and autonomic function. There is strong evidence that many of leptin's actions are mediated by stimulation of the melanocortin system. NPY, a 36-amino acid peptide, is the most potent orexigenic peptide activated by decreases in leptin. In the hypothalamus, NPY is synthesized by neurons of the arcuate nucleus and secreted from their terminals in the paraventricular nucleus and lateral hypothalamus.

Details

Metrics

22 Record Views
Logo image