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.
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August 2007
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Review Article|
July 13 2007
Effects of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) on food intake and body weight: mechanisms and therapeutic potential?
Anthony P. Coll
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2XY, U.K.
Correspondence: Dr Anthony P. Coll (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
March 28 2007
Revision Received:
May 08 2007
Accepted:
May 08 2007
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Biochemical Society
2007
Clin Sci (Lond) (2007) 113 (4): 171–182.
Article history
Received:
March 28 2007
Revision Received:
May 08 2007
Accepted:
May 08 2007
Citation
Anthony P. Coll; Effects of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) on food intake and body weight: mechanisms and therapeutic potential?. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 August 2007; 113 (4): 171–182. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20070105
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