What does the POMC gene do?

What does the POMC gene do?

The POMC gene provides instructions for making a protein called proopiomelanocortin (POMC), which is cut (cleaved) into smaller pieces called peptides that have different functions in the body. The β-MSH peptide plays a role in weight regulation by binding to melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R).

What is POMC mutation?

POMC gene mutations that cause POMC deficiency result in production of an abnormally short version of the POMC protein or no protein at all. As a result, there is a shortage of the peptides made from POMC, including ACTH, α-MSH, and β-MSH.

What does POMC stand for?

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is a precursor polypeptide with 241 amino acid residues.

Where are POMC neurons?

POMC neuronal cells are mostly located in the hypothalamus and release bioactive molecules (melanocortins) as a result of the post-translational cleavage of POMC, which signals via specialized brain metabolic receptors (melanocortin receptor type 4 (MC4R)) to modulate food intake and systemic energy metabolism2.

What hormone is derived from Proopiomelanocortin?

melanocyte stimulating hormone
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is the pituitary precursor of circulating melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and β-endorphin.

What is ACTH deficiency?

ACTH deficiency arises as a result of decreased or absent production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the pituitary gland. A decline in the concentration of ACTH in the blood leads to a reduction in the secretion of adrenal hormones, resulting in adrenal insufficiency (hypoadrenalism).

Are redheads more prone to obesity?

Since then geneticists have uncovered many more weight genes. One, a gene mutation that is also associated with red hair, causes severe obesity. In its normal form, the gene produces a hormone that inhibits eating and also influences hair pigmentation.

Is POMC a prohormone?

POMC is a prohormone that gives rise to several biologically active peptides that are expressed primarily in the pituitary and brain. ACTH, the melanotropins, and endorphins are liberated by specific proteolytic enzymes called PCs.

Is POMC Orexigenic?

This is in large part due to the presence of two distinct neuronal populations, which have opposite effects on the feeding behavior: the anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons and the orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons.

Is POMC orexigenic?

Which hormone can cross plasma membrane?

Lipid hormones include steroid and eicosanoid hormones. They are lipid-soluble and can pass through the plasma membrane. Steroid hormones are derived from the cholesterol and eicosanoid hormones from fatty acids that compose the plasma membrane.