title: The hypocretins/orexins: novel hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in different physiological systems.
abstract: The hypothalamus regulates diverse physiological functions, including the control of energy metabolism, circadian rhythms, stress and anxiety, sexual and reproductive behaviors. An overview of the most prevalent hypothalamus-enriched mRNAs revealed that this area of the brain specializes in producing intercellular signaling molecules. Two new secreted peptides derived from a single neuropeptide precursor, named hypocretins and orexins by two different groups, are synthesized in a small set of neurons in the perifornical area of the hypothalamus. Intracerebroventricular injection of the hypocretins/orexins increases food consumption in rats. Here we review recent progress in identifying the role of the hypocretins/orexins in the control of energy balance and in other physiological systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. llecea@scripps.edu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Lecea
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Sutcliffe
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D009928:Organ Specificity; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide