Tecan IBL International offers a comprehensive range of ELISAs, antibodies, immunoassays and recombinant proteins for research use only.
Leptin:
- Discovery: Identified by Freidman’s group at Rockefeller University in 1994, following the discovery of the recessive obesity mutation, ob, in 1950.
- Molecular Weight: Leptin is a 16 kDa secreted protein.
Production and Release:
- Source: Produced by adipose tissue (fat cells).
- Circulation: Released into the bloodstream, with levels increasing as fat deposits grow.
Functional Roles:
- Regulation of Appetite:
- Lipostat Mechanism: Leptin acts as a lipostat, meaning it helps regulate fat storage by signaling the brain about the state of fat reserves. As fat deposits increase, leptin levels rise.
- Appetite Suppression: It instructs the brain to reduce food intake and increase energy expenditure, helping to maintain body weight.
- Metabolism and Activity:
- Energy Expenditure: Leptin not only reduces appetite but also promotes physical activity, contributing to energy balance.
- Puberty Onset:
- Hormonal Influence: Recent studies suggest that leptin plays a role in signaling and potentially controlling the onset of puberty.
- Bone Formation:
- Inhibition of Osteogenesis: Leptin has been shown to act as a potent inhibitor of bone formation through its effects on the central nervous system, highlighting its role beyond metabolic regulation.
Clinical Relevance:
- Obesity and Diabetes: The ob gene mutation and its resultant leptin deficiency are linked to severe obesity and type II diabetes, resembling human morbid obesity. Understanding leptin's role in these conditions is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.
Summary: Leptin is a crucial hormone produced by adipose tissue that regulates body weight by signaling the brain to adjust food intake and energy expenditure. It plays significant roles in metabolism, the onset of puberty, and bone formation. The discovery of leptin and its functions has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of obesity and metabolic disorders, underscoring its importance in both health and disease.
This ELISA Kit from Tecan IBL International is for research use only.
Tecan IBL International offers a comprehensive range of ELISAs, immunoassays, antibodies and recombinant proteins.
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