title: Functions of the orexinergic/hypocretinergic system.
abstract: Orexin A and orexin B are hypothalamic peptides that act on their targets via two G protein-coupled receptors (OX1 and OX2 receptors). In the central nervous system, the cell bodies producing orexins are localized in a narrow region within the lateral hypothalamus and project mainly to regions involved in feeding, sleep, and autonomic functions. Via putative pre- and postsynaptic effects, orexins increase synaptic activity in these regions. In isolated neurons and cells expressing recombinant receptors orexins cause Ca2+ elevation, which is mainly dependent on influx. The activity of orexinergic cells appears to be controlled by feeding- and sleep-related signals via a variety of neurotransmitters/hormones from the brain and other tissues. Orexins and orexin receptors are also found outside the central nervous system, particularly in organs involved in feeding and energy metabolism, e.g., gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and adrenal gland. In the present review we focus on the physiological properties of the cells that secrete or respond to orexins.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Physiology, Department of Neuroscience, Division of Physiology, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden. jkukkone@fysiologi.uu.se
authors.forename: Jyrki P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kukkonen
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holmqvist
authors.forename: Sylwia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ammoun
authors.forename: Karl E O
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Akerman
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; C000596229:HCRT protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide