Effects of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) on food intake and body weight: mechanisms and therapeutic potential?

2007 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Coll
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Melanocortin System ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Active Peptides ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Biologically Active Peptides

POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin) is a complex polypeptide precursor which is cleaved into smaller biologically active peptides such as the melanocortins, α-, β- and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Data from human genetic and murine studies convincingly show that an intact central melanocortin signalling pathway is critical for normal energy homoeostasis. Not only does a loss of normal melanocortin signalling lead to obesity, but there are also data implicating increased melanocortin activity in the pathogenesis of cachexia. The study of POMC biology has lead to some fundamental insights into the mechanisms controlling food intake and body weight. This increased understanding of the physiological roles of the melanocortin system has opened up the potential for the design and development of rational therapies to treat perturbations in energy homoeostasis.

ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIN-RELATED PEPTIDES IN ADULT AND FOETAL SHEEP PITUITARY GLANDS

1979 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. SILMAN ◽  
DIANE HOLLAND ◽  
T. CHARD ◽  
P. J. LOWRY ◽  
J. HOPE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biologically Active ◽  
Intermediate Lobe ◽  
Active Peptides ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Large Molecular Weight ◽  
The Family ◽  
Biologically Active Peptides ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Quantitative Changes

Differences in foetal and adult adrenal function may be due to qualitative as well as quantitative changes in the pituitary corticotrophic stimulus. Pituitary glands from adult and foetal sheep were freshly dissected and stored at −70 °C until extracted at pH 1·5. The extracts were subjected to chromatography on Sephadex G-100 superfine and fractions were assayed by multiple radioimmunoassays directed against the NH2- and CO2H-terminal sequences of ACTH and lipotrophin (LPH). Peaks corresponding to β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (β-MSH), β-LPH, γ-LPH, β-endorphin and ACTH were identified, with little or no evidence for the presence of α-MSH and corticotrophin-like intermediate lobe peptide. Three peaks of large molecular weight material, A. B and C, were identified and their relative proportions shown to be considerably greater in the foetus than in the adult. The immunoassay profile of peaks A and B suggested that they were 'stem hormones' which could give rise to a family of biologically active peptides. Since the 'family tree' which they engender varies according to the stage of development, it is proposed that the changes in the 'trophic family' may explain the different adrenal responses of the foetal and adult sheep.

scholarly journals Proopiomelanocortin and Energy Balance: Insights from Human and Murine Genetics

2004 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 2557-2562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Coll ◽  
I. Sadaf Farooqi ◽  
Benjamin G. Challis ◽  
Giles S. H. Yeo ◽  
Stephen O’Rahilly
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Skin Pigmentation ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Melanocortin System ◽  
Active Peptides ◽  
Adrenal Steroidogenesis ◽  
Human Energy ◽  
Biologically Active Peptides ◽  
Synthesis And Processing

Abstract Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) undergoes extensive and tissuespecific posttranslational processing to yield a range of biologically active peptides. Historically, the most clearly defined roles of these peptides are in the control of adrenal steroidogenesis by corticotroph-derived ACTH and skin pigmentation by αMSH. However, a rapidly expanding body of work has established that POMC-derived peptides synthesized in neurons of the hypothalamus play a central role in the control of energy homeostasis. We review how inherited abnormalities in POMC synthesis and processing and defects in the action of POMC-derived peptides in both humans and mice have helped shape our current understanding of the importance of the melanocortin system in human energy balance.

scholarly journals Concepts for Biologically Active Peptides

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (30) ◽  
pp. 3390-3400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abba J. Kastin ◽  
Weihong Pan
Keyword(s):  
Biologically Active ◽  
Active Peptides ◽  
Biologically Active Peptides

Secretin as a satiation whisperer with the potential to turn into an obesity-curbing knight

Endocrinology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Schnabl ◽  
Yongguo Li ◽  
Mueez U-Din ◽  
Martin Klingenspor
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Physiological Mechanism ◽  
Gut Hormones ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Abstract The obesity pandemic requires effective preventative and therapeutic intervention strategies. Successful and sustained obesity treatment is currently limited to bariatric surgery. Modulating the release of gut hormones is considered promising to mimic bariatric surgery with its beneficial effects on food intake, body weight and blood glucose levels. The gut peptide secretin was the first molecule to be termed a hormone; nevertheless, it only recently has been established as a legitimate anorexigenic peptide. In contrast to gut hormones that crosstalk with the brain either directly or by afferent neuronal projections, secretin mediates meal-associated brown fat thermogenesis to induce meal termination, thereby qualifying this physiological mechanism as an attractive, peripheral target for the treatment of obesity. In this perspective, it is of pivotal interest to deepen our yet superficial knowledge on the physiological roles of secretin as well as meal-associated thermogenesis in energy balance and body weight regulation. Of note, the emerging differences between meal-associated thermogenesis and cold-induced thermogenesis must be taken into account. In fact, there is no correlation between these two entities. In addition, the investigation of potential effects of secretin in hedonic-driven food intake, bariatric surgery as well as chronic treatment using suitable application strategies to overcome pharmacokinetic limitations will provide further insight into its potential to influence energy balance. The aim of this article is to review the facts on secretin’s metabolic effects, address prevailing gaps in our knowledge, and provide an overview on the opportunities and challenges of the therapeutic potential of secretin in body weight control.

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