The brain-pituitary-adipocyte axis: role of leptin in modulating neuroendocrine function.
The recently discovered protein leptin has a molecular mass of 16 kDa, consists of 146 amino acids, and is synthesized and secreted by adipose tissue. Leptin affects feed intake, the neuroendocrine-axis, and immunological processes. The protein was first identified as the gene product that is deficient in the obese ob/ob mouse. Leptin serves as a circulating signal of nutritional status and plays a pivotal role in regulation of body weight, energy expenditure, growth, and reproduction.
Barb
C R
CR
USDA, ARS, Richard B. Russell Agriculture Research Center, Athens, GA 30604-5677, USA. rbarb@ars.usda.gov
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
D020738:Leptin; D011506:Proteins