title: Metabolic and Cardiovascular Actions of Nesfatin-1: Implications in Health and Disease.
abstract: Metabolic homeostasis is achieved by proper functioning of a complex endocrine milieu, comprising of signals arising from the brain and peripheral tissues. Our knowledge of the factors regulating such balance is rapidly evolving, as new signaling molecules are being characterized. Of central interest is nesfatin-1, owing to its multifunctional tissue specific actions regulating food intake, body weight, blood glucose and cardiac functions.
  
  
  
  This review discusses the tissue/system wide distribution and actions of nesfatin-1 in regulating metabolic and cardiovascular functions in healthy conditions and diseases.
  
  
  
  Nesfatin-1 is an 82 amino acid peptide encoded in the secreted precursor, nucleobinin-2 (NUCB2). It was first reported as a novel anorexigen and a fat reducing orphan ligand. Research to date has established nesfatin-1 in the regulation of food intake via modulation of neuropeptides in the feeding centers of brain. Nesfatin-1 expression was also reported to have a spectrum of peripheral tissue specific actions, which includes insulin secretion (pancreas), fat and glucose modulation (adipocyte), gastric motility and gastric acid secretion (stomach), hormone secretion and transit time (intestine) and mean arterial pressure and cardiac injury (heart). Abnormal levels of nesfatin-1 in circulation and/or variations in tissue specific expression have been observed in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
  
  
  
  The multifunctional biological actions of nesfatin-1 propelled this peptide as a therapeutic target, and as a potential biomarker of diseases. However, a better and comprehensive understanding of tissue specific effects of nesfatin-1 is critical prior to exploring its possible use in the detection and treatment of diseases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Kavishankar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gawli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Venkata Kiran
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Pasupulleti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Integrative Neuroendocrinology, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Suraj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Unniappan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000080866:Nucleobindins; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C000630650:NUCB2 protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000080866:Nucleobindins
keywords: Nucleobindins; adipocyte; cardiovascular functions; liver; metabolism; muscle; nesfatin-1; pancreas