Orexins and orexin receptors: A family of hypothalamic neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors that regulate feeding behavior

Takeshi Sakurai, Akira Amemiya, Makoto Ishii, Ichiyo Matsuzaki, Richard M. Chemelli, Hirokazu Tanaka, S. Clay Williams, James A Richardson, Gerald P. Kozlowski, Shelagh Wilson, Jonathan R S Arch, Robin E. Buckingham, Andrea C. Haynes, Steven A. Carr, Roland S. Annan, Dean E. McNulty, Wu Schyong Liu, Jonathan A. Terrett, Nabil A. Elshourbagy, Derk J. BergsmaMasashi Yanagisawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3317 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hypothalamus plays a central role in the integrated control of feeding and energy homeostasis. We have identified two novel neuropeptides, both derived from the same precursor by proteolytic processing, that bind and activate two closely related (previously) orphan G protein-coupled receptors. These peptides, termed orexin-A and -B, have no significant structural similarities to known families of regulatory peptides. prepro-orexin mRNA and immunoreactive orexin-A are localized in neurons within and around the lateral and posterior hypothalamus in the adult rat brain. When administered centrally to rats, these peptides stimulate food consumption. prepro-orexin mRNA level is up-regulated upon fasting, suggesting a physiological role for the peptides as mediators in the central feedback mechanism that regulates feeding behavior.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)573-585
Number of pages13
JournalCell
Volume92
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 20 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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