title: Molecular mechanisms of appetite and obesity: a role for brain AMPK.
abstract: Feeding behaviour and energy storage are both crucial aspects of survival. Thus, it is of fundamental importance to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating these basic processes. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been revealed as one of the key molecules modulating energy homoeostasis. Indeed, AMPK appears to be essential for translating nutritional and energy requirements into generation of an adequate neuronal response, particularly in two areas of the brain, the hypothalamus and the hindbrain. Failure of this physiological response can lead to energy imbalance, ultimately with extreme consequences, such as leanness or obesity. Here, we will review the data that put brain AMPK in the spotlight as a regulator of appetite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Martínez de Morentin
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, CIBERER, Travesia Choupana, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
authors.forename: Adela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urisarri
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, CIBERER, Travesia Choupana, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Couce
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain m.lopez@usc.es.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López
mesh_terms: D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011494:Protein Kinases; D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
keywords: AMPK; energy balance; food intake; hypothalamus; obesity