title: The Leptin Receptor Complex: Heavier Than Expected?
abstract: Under normal physiological conditions, leptin and the leptin receptor (ObR) regulate the body weight by balancing food intake and energy expenditure. However, this adipocyte-derived hormone also directs peripheral processes, including immunity, reproduction, and bone metabolism. Leptin, therefore, can act as a metabolic switch connecting the body's nutritional status to high energy consuming processes. We provide an extensive overview of current structural insights on the leptin-ObR interface and ObR activation, coupling to signaling pathways and their negative regulation, and leptin functioning under normal and pathophysiological conditions (obesity, autoimmunity, cancer, … ). We also discuss possible cross-talk with other receptor systems on the receptor (extracellular) and signaling cascade (intracellular) levels.
authors.affiliation: Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wauman
authors.affiliation: Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lennart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zabeau
authors.affiliation: Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tavernier
keywords: activation; cross-talk; leptin; leptin receptor; leptin resistance; signaling