Nesfatin-1--role as possible new potent regulator of food intake.
Nesfatin-1 is an 82 amino acid peptide recently discovered in the brain which is derived from nucleobindin2 (NUCB2), a protein that is highly conserved across mammalian species. Nesfatin-1 has received much attention over the past two years due to its reproducible food intake-reducing effect that is linked with recruitment of other hypothalamic peptides regulating feeding behavior. A growing amount of evidence also supports that various stressors activate fore- and hindbrain NUCB2/nesfatin-1 circuitries. In this review, we outline the central nervous system distribution of NUCB2/nesfatin-1, and recent developments on the peripheral expression of NUCB2/nesfatin-1, in particular its co-localization with ghrelin in gastric X/A-like cells and insulin in ss-cells of the endocrine pancreas. Functional studies related to the characteristics of nesfatin-1's inhibitory effects on dark phase food intake are detailed as well as the central activation of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 immunopositive neurons in the response to psychological, immune and visceral stressors. Lastly, potential clinical implications of targeting NUCB2/nesfatin-1 signaling and existing gaps in knowledge to ascertain the role and mechanisms of action of nesfatin-1 are presented.
Stengel
Andreas
A
Department of Medicine, CURE Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Division UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.
Taché
Yvette
Y
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D004435:Eating; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D036361:Peptide Hormones