title: Living without insulin: the role of leptin signaling in the hypothalamus.
abstract: Since its discovery in 1922, insulin has been thought to be required for normal metabolic homeostasis and survival. However, this view would need to be revised as recent results from different laboratories have convincingly indicated that life without insulin is possible in rodent models. These data indicate that particular neuronal circuitries, which include hypothalamic leptin-responsive neurons, are empowered with the capability of permitting life in complete absence of insulin. Here, we review the neuronal and peripheral mechanisms by which leptin signaling in the central nervous system (CNS) regulates glucose metabolism in an insulin-independent manner.
authors: Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX, USA.
authors: Teppei
authors: T
authors: Fujikawa
authors: Department of Cellular Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Coppari
keywords: central nervous system; diabetes mellitus; diabetes mellitus type 1; diabetes mellitus type 2; insulin; leptin; leptin receptors