Leptin-Melanocortin Pathway and childhood obesity

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lakshmi, Srinivasan | Ganesan, Nalini

Affiliations: Department of Biochemistry, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India

Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Nalini Ganesan, Department of Biochemistry, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai – 600 116, India. Tel.: +91 44 24768403 220; Fax: +91 44 24768403; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Childhood obesity is a major health epidemic caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Evidence suggests a strong role of genetic factors in the predisposition to obesity. Several monogenic forms of obesity have also been reported. Mutations in the genes involved in the leptin-melanocortin pathway have been found to cause these forms of obesity mainly by increasing the energy intake. Genes involved in the leptin-melanocortin pathway play a crucial role in human energy homeostasis. In this review we discuss the role of the leptin-melanocortin pathway in the regulation of energy balance with special reference to the association between the genetic variants in the genes involved in the pathway and childhood obesity.

Keywords: Leptin, melanocortin, childhood obesity, single nucleotide polymorphisms

DOI: 10.3233/JPB-2011-0039

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 33-42, 2012