title: Lys-gamma3-MSH: a global regulator of hormone sensitive lipase activity?
abstract: Gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH) is a peptide derived from the ACTH precursor, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and belongs to a family of peptides called the melanocortins that also comprises alpha- and beta-MSH. Although conserved in tetrapods, the biological role of gamma-MSH remains largely undefined. It has been demonstrated previously that gamma-MSH is involved in the regulating the activity of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) activity in the adrenal and more recently, in the adipocyte. It has been shown also to have effects on the cardiovascular and renal systems. This short review will provide a brief overview of the role of gamma-MSH in the adrenal and the more recent report that it can also regulate HSL function in the adipocyte. We also present some preliminary data purporting a direct role for Lys-gamma(3)-MSH in the regulation of HSL phosphorylation in the heart. Taken together these data suggest that gamma-MSH peptides might play a more widespread role in lipid and cholesterol utilization.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 228, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AJ, UK.
authors.forename: Katrina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bicknell
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Harmer
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yiangson
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lockwood
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bicknell
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000070778:Perilipin-1; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D002787:Sterol Esterase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000070778:Perilipin-1; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; C037670:MSH, Lys-gamma(3); D002787:Sterol Esterase