Huang L, Li C
Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75390-8854, USA.
Cell Res. 2000 Jun;10(2):81-92. doi: 10.1038/sj.cr.7290038.
Leptin is the protein product encoded by the obese (ob) gene. It is a circulating hormone produced primarily by the adipose tissue. ob/ob mice with mutations of the gene encoding leptin become morbidly obese, infertile, hyperphagic, hypothermic, and diabetic. Since the cloning of leptin in 1994, our knowledge in body weight regulation and the role played by leptin has increased substantially. We now know that leptin signals through its receptor, OB-R, which is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Leptin serves as an adiposity signal to inform the brain the adipose tissue mass in a negative feedback loop regulating food intake and energy expenditure. Leptin also plays important roles in angiogenesis, immune function, fertility, and bone formation. Humans with mutations in the gene encoding leptin are also morbidly obese and respond to leptin treatment, demonstrating that enhancing or inhibiting leptin's activities in vivo may have potential therapeutic benefits.
瘦素是由肥胖（ob）基因编码的蛋白质产物。它是一种主要由脂肪组织产生的循环激素。携带瘦素编码基因突变的ob/ob小鼠会变得病态肥胖、不育、食欲亢进、体温过低并患糖尿病。自1994年瘦素被克隆以来，我们对体重调节以及瘦素所起作用的认识有了大幅提高。我们现在知道，瘦素通过其受体OB-R发出信号，OB-R是细胞因子受体超家族的成员。瘦素作为一种肥胖信号，通过负反馈回路告知大脑脂肪组织的质量，从而调节食物摄入和能量消耗。瘦素在血管生成、免疫功能、生育能力和骨骼形成中也发挥着重要作用。携带瘦素编码基因突变的人类同样病态肥胖，且对瘦素治疗有反应，这表明增强或抑制瘦素在体内的活性可能具有潜在的治疗益处。
