Neuromedin U has a novel anorexigenic effect independent of the leptin signaling pathway.
Nat Med
; 10(10): 1067-73, 2004 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15448684
ABSTRACT
Neuromedin U (NMU) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that regulates body weight and composition. Here we show that mice lacking the gene encoding NMU (Nmu(-/-) mice) develop obesity. Nmu(-/-) mice showed increased body weight and adiposity, hyperphagia, and decreased locomotor activity and energy expenditure. Obese Nmu(-/-) mice developed hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, late-onset hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Notably, however, treatment with exogenous leptin was effective in reducing body weight in obese Nmu(-/-) mice. In addition, central leptin administration did not affect NMU gene expression in the hypothalamus of rats. These results indicate that NMU plays an important role in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy metabolism independent of the leptin signaling pathway. These characteristic functions of NMU may provide new insight for understanding the pathophysiological basis of obesity.
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Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Neuropeptides
/
Signal Transduction
/
Gene Expression Regulation
/
Leptin
/
Energy Metabolism
/
Feeding Behavior
/
Obesity
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Med
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
MEDICINA
Year:
2004
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Japan