Proopiomelanocortin and energy balance: insights from human and murine genetics.
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) undergoes extensive and tissue-specific posttranslational processing to yield a range of biologically active peptides. Historically, the most clearly defined roles of these peptides are in the control of adrenal steroidogenesis by corticotroph-derived ACTH and skin pigmentation by alphaMSH. However, a rapidly expanding body of work has established that POMC-derived peptides synthesized in neurons of the hypothalamus play a central role in the control of energy homeostasis. We review how inherited abnormalities in POMC synthesis and processing and defects in the action of POMC-derived peptides in both humans and mice have helped shape our current understanding of the importance of the melanocortin system in human energy balance.
Coll
Anthony P
AP
University Departments of Medicine and Clinical Biochemistry,Cambridge Institute of Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom CB2 2QQ.
Farooqi
I Sadaf
IS
Challis
Benjamin G
BG
Yeo
Giles S H
GS
O'Rahilly
Stephen
S
D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin