The role of obestatin in glucose and lipid metabolism.
Obestatin is a 23 amino acid peptide encoded by the ghrelin gene, which, like ghrelin, is mainly produced by the stomach, as well as by a wide range of other tissues. Obestatin remains a controversial peptide, as the initial finding of its binding to the orphan receptor GPR39 and the inhibitory effect on food intake has been questioned. In fact, to date, its biological effects are still largely unknown, although it is becoming clear that obestatin is a pleiotropic hormone, exerting a variety of effects in different cell types and tissues. Indeed, besides regulating cell proliferation and survival, obestatin has been shown to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, both in vitro, in pancreatic β-cells and adipocytes, and in vivo in rodents. Furthermore, its positive effects on glucose homeostasis, combined with the anti-inflammatory actions, make this peptide appealing as a candidate for treating metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and diabetes.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Gargantini
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Grande
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Trovato
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Ghigo
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Granata
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005947:Glucose / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C495797:GPR39 protein, human; D054439:Ghrelin; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C505799:obestatin, human; D005947:Glucose