title: Leptin and insulin pathways in POMC and AgRP neurons that modulate energy balance and glucose homeostasis.
abstract: With the steady rise in the prevalence of obesity and its associated diseases, research aimed at understanding the mechanisms that regulate and control whole body energy homeostasis has gained new interest. Leptin and insulin, two anorectic hormones, have key roles in the regulation of body weight and energy homeostasis, as highlighted by the fact that several obese patients develop resistance to these hormones. Within the brain, the hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin and agouti-related protein neurons have been identified as major targets of leptin and insulin action. Many studies have attempted to discern the individual contributions of various components of the principal pathways that mediate the central effects of leptin and insulin. The aim of this review is to discuss the latest findings that might shed light on, and lead to a better understanding of, energy balance and glucose homeostasis. In addition, recently discovered targets and mechanisms that mediate hormonal action in the brain are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Program in Integrative Cell Signalling & Neurobiology of Metabolism, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.forename: Tamas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Horvath
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D054369:Agouti-Related Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D043484:Proprotein Convertases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D054369:Agouti-Related Protein; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D005947:Glucose