Obestatin receptor in energy homeostasis and obesity pathogenesis.

Based on the bioinformatic prediction, Zhang and colleagues discovered obestatin, a new 23-amino acid hormone from rat stomach extract encoded by the ghrelin gene. Obestatin is present not only in the gastrointestinal tract, but also in the spleen, mammary gland, breast milk, and plasma. Obestatin appears to function as part of a complex gut-brain network whereby hormones and substances from the stomach, intestine and the brain about satiety or hunger. Given the current research regarding the effects of obestatin and its possible cognate receptor(s), this chapter provides the latest review of the physiological and pathological characteristics of this hormone and its possible receptor(s) in energy homeostasis and obesity.