Abstract
The central melanocortin system plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis both in rodents and humans, and melanocortin receptors appear to be the core of this system. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) inhibits feeding through melanocrtin 3 and 4 receptors (MC3-R and MC4-R) as an endogenous agonist. Although mutations in the agouti gene cause an over-expression of agouti peptide which antagonizes effects of α-MSH at MC4-R in the brain and causes obese phenotypes, there was no evidence for the presence of an endogenous antagonist for MC3-R and MC4-R until agouti related protein (AGRP) was identified. AGRP is expressed primarily in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and central administration of AGRP stimulates feeding and weight gain, and decreases metabolic rate. Although a complete deletion of the AGRP gene does not produce any significant metabolic phenotypes, reduction in AGRP expression by RNA interference is associated with increased metabolic rate along with reduced weight gain. The currently available data suggest that elevated AGRP mRNA along with reduced proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA is associated with many types of obesity and agents antagonizing the effect of AGRP may be a potential therapeutic target in treating obesity and obesity-associated disorders in which endogenous hypothalamic AGRP is elevated.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
