Roles for melanocortins and leptin in adipose tissue apoptosis and fat deposition.
Leptin has a wide range of effects on physiological functions related to the regulation of body energy balance. Many of leptin's effects are mediated through neuropeptide-containing neurons and neuropeptide receptors in the hypothalamus. The melanocortin system includes both agonist (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, alphaMSH) and antagonist peptides (agouti related peptide, AGRP). Increased melanocortin receptor stimulation following leptin administration plays an important role in leptin-induced hypophagia and increased sympathetic nervous system activity and is partly responsible for leptin-induced weight loss. However, melanocortins do not appear to mediate some of the more striking centrally-mediated effects of leptin on adipose tissue, including adipose tissue apoptosis, that lead to the extensive depletion of fat.
Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, 444 Animal Science Complex, Athens, GA 30602-2771, USA.
Mary Anne
MA
Della-Fera
Clifton A
CA
Baile
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology*; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000502:physiology*
D020738:Leptin; D000521:alpha-MSH