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.
Della-Fera
Mary Anne
MA
Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, 444 Animal Science Complex, Athens, GA 30602-2771, USA.
Baile
Clifton A
CA
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