| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
ARTICLES |
Vollum Institute (C.H.-L., R.D.C.), Oregon Regional Primate Research Center (P.C., C.L., M.S.S., J.C.) Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97201; and Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (K.C.), Mountain View, California 94043
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Roger D. Cone, Vollum Institute L-474, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97201. E-mail: cone{at}ohsu.edu
Agouti-related protein (AGRP) is a recently described homolog of the skin agouti protein. AGRP is transcribed primarily in the adrenal and hypothalamus and is a high affinity antagonist of the neural melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors. The perikarya expressing AGRP messenger RNA are found in the arcuate nucleus of the rat and rhesus monkey. Using a polyclonal antibody against the pharmacologically active domain of AGRP (amino acids 83–132), we have also characterized the distribution of AGRP-immunoreactive neurons in both species. The major fiber tracts are conserved in both species, with dense projections originating in the arcuate nucleus and proceeding along the third ventricle. Dense fiber bundles are also visible in the paraventricular, dorsomedial, and posterior nuclei in the hypothalamus, in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and in the lateral septal nucleus of the septal region. AGRP-containing neurons are not visualized in a number of areas, including portions of the amygdala, thalamus, and brain stem, that express MC3-R and MC4-R messenger RNA and receive innervation from POMC neurons that serve as the source of melanocortin agonists. Thus, AGRP is most likely to be involved in modulating a conserved subset of the physiological functions of central melanocortin peptides. Based on the particular distribution of AGRP neurons, those functions are likely to include the central control of energy homeostasis.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  K. P. Skibicka and H. J. Grill Energetic Responses Are Triggered by Caudal Brainstem Melanocortin Receptor Stimulation and Mediated by Local Sympathetic Effector Circuits Endocrinology, July 1, 2008; 149(7): 3605 - 3616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L.-Y. Fu and A. N. van den Pol Agouti-Related Peptide and MC3/4 Receptor Agonists Both Inhibit Excitatory Hypothalamic Ventromedial Nucleus Neurons J. Neurosci., May 21, 2008; 28(21): 5433 - 5449. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. R Vulliemoz, E. Xiao, L. Xia-Zhang, J. Rivier, and M. Ferin Astressin B, a Nonselective Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Antagonist, Prevents the Inhibitory Effect of Ghrelin on Luteinizing Hormone Pulse Frequency in the Ovariectomized Rhesus Monkey Endocrinology, March 1, 2008; 149(3): 869 - 874. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Q. Wu, M. P. Howell, M. A. Cowley, and R. D. Palmiter Starvation after AgRP neuron ablation is independent of melanocortin signaling PNAS, February 19, 2008; 105(7): 2687 - 2692. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 V. Tolle and M. J. Low In Vivo Evidence for Inverse Agonism of Agouti-Related Peptide in the Central Nervous System of Proopiomelanocortin-Deficient Mice Diabetes, January 1, 2008; 57(1): 86 - 94. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M. Scarlett, E. E. Jobst, P. J. Enriori, D. D. Bowe, A. K. Batra, W. F. Grant, M. A. Cowley, and D. L. Marks Regulation of Central Melanocortin Signaling by Interleukin-1{beta} Endocrinology, September 1, 2007; 148(9): 4217 - 4225. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Wang, E. Bomberg, A. Levine, C. Billington, and C. M. Kotz Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus reduces energy intake Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, September 1, 2007; 293(3): R1037 - R1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. J. Loos, T. Rankinen, T. Rice, D. Rao, A. S Leon, J. S Skinner, C. Bouchard, and G. Argyropoulos Two ethnic-specific polymorphisms in the human Agouti-related protein gene are associated with macronutrient intake Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2005; 82(5): 1097 - 1101. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J H Kas, A. W Bruijnzeel, J. R Haanstra, V. M Wiegant, and R. A H Adan Differential regulation of agouti-related protein and neuropeptide Y in hypothalamic neurons following a stressful event J. Mol. Endocrinol., August 1, 2005; 35(1): 159 - 164. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. R. Vulliemoz, E. Xiao, L. Xia-Zhang, S. L. Wardlaw, and M. Ferin Central Infusion of Agouti-Related Peptide Suppresses Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Release in the Ovariectomized Rhesus Monkey Endocrinology, February 1, 2005; 146(2): 784 - 789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Gavrila, J. L. Chan, L. C. Miller, K. Heist, N. Yiannakouris, and C. S. Mantzoros Circulating Melanin-Concentrating Hormone, Agouti-Related Protein, and {alpha}-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Levels in Relation to Body Composition: Alterations in Response to Food Deprivation and Recombinant Human Leptin Administration J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2005; 90(2): 1047 - 1054. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Chen, S. M. Williams, K. L. Grove, and M. S. Smith Melanocortin 4 Receptor-Mediated Hyperphagia and Activation of Neuropeptide Y Expression in the Dorsomedial Hypothalamus during Lactation J. Neurosci., June 2, 2004; 24(22): 5091 - 5100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Yasuda, T. Masaki, T. Kakuma, and H. Yoshimatsu Hypothalamic Melanocortin System Regulates Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Brown Adipose Tissue Experimental Biology and Medicine, March 1, 2004; 229(3): 235 - 239. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 V. Y. Polotsky, M. C. Smaldone, M. T. Scharf, J. Li, C. G. Tankersley, P. L. Smith, A. R. Schwartz, and C. P. O'Donnell Impact of interrupted leptin pathways on ventilatory control J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2004; 96(3): 991 - 998. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. A. Takahashi, J. L. Smart, H. Liu, and R. D. Cone The Anorexigenic Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitor, C75, Is a Nonspecific Neuronal Activator Endocrinology, January 1, 2004; 145(1): 184 - 193. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Xiao, L. Xia-Zhang, N. R. Vulliemoz, M. Ferin, and S. L. Wardlaw Agouti-Related Protein Stimulates the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Enhances the HPA Response to Interleukin-1 in the Primate Endocrinology, May 1, 2003; 144(5): 1736 - 1741. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. J. Clegg, E. L. Air, S. C. Benoit, R. S. Sakai, R. J. Seeley, and S. C. Woods Intraventricular melanin-concentrating hormone stimulates water intake independent of food intake Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, February 1, 2003; 284(2): R494 - R499. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. J. Clarke, A. Rao, Y. Chilliard, C. Delavaud, and G. A. Lincoln Photoperiod effects on gene expression for hypothalamic appetite-regulating peptides and food intake in the ram Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2003; 284(1): R101 - R115. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Schuhler, T. L. Horan, M. H. Hastings, J. G. Mercer, P. J. Morgan, and F. J. P. Ebling Decrease of food intake by MC4-R agonist MTII in Siberian hamsters in long and short photoperiods Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2003; 284(1): R227 - R232. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Brugman, D. J. Clegg, S. C. Woods, and R. J. Seeley Combined Blockade of Both {micro}- and {kappa}-Opioid Receptors Prevents the Acute Orexigenic Action of Agouti-Related Protein Endocrinology, November 1, 2002; 143(11): 4265 - 4270. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y.-K. Yang, C. Dickinson, Y.-M. Lai, J.-Y. Li, and I. Gantz Functional properties of an agouti signaling protein variant and characteristics of its cognate radioligand Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, December 1, 2001; 281(6): R1877 - R1886. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. J. Hwa, L. Ghibaudi, J. Gao, and E. M. Parker Central melanocortin system modulates energy intake and expenditure of obese and lean Zucker rats Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2001; 281(2): R444 - R451. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. K. Olszewski, M. M. Wirth, T. J. Shaw, M. K. Grace, C. J. Billington, S. Q. Giraudo, and A. S. Levine Role of {alpha}-MSH in the regulation of consummatory behavior: immunohistochemical evidence Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2001; 281(2): R673 - R680. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. H. Koegler, K. L. Grove, A. Schiffmacher, M. S. Smith, and J. L. Cameron Central Melanocortin Receptors Mediate Changes in Food Intake in the Rhesus Macaque Endocrinology, June 1, 2001; 142(6): 2586 - 2592. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. L. Wardlaw Obesity as a Neuroendocrine Disease: Lessons to Be Learned from Proopiomelanocortin and Melanocortin Receptor Mutations in Mice and Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2001; 86(4): 1442 - 1446. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Takatsu, H. Matsumoto, T. Ohtaki, S. Kumano, C. Kitada, H. Onda, O. Nishimura, and M. Fujino Distribution of Galanin-Like Peptide in the Rat Brain Endocrinology, April 1, 2001; 142(4): 1626 - 1634. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. M. Hagan, S. C. Benoit, P. A. Rushing, L. M. Pritchard, S. C. Woods, and R. J. Seeley Immediate and Prolonged Patterns of Agouti-Related Peptide-(83-132)-Induced c-Fos Activation in Hypothalamic and Extrahypothalamic Sites Endocrinology, March 1, 2001; 142(3): 1050 - 1056. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. M. Hagan, P. A. Rushing, S. C. Benoit, S. C. Woods, and R. J. Seeley Opioid receptor involvement in the effect of AgRP- (83-132) on food intake and food selection Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, March 1, 2001; 280(3): R814 - R821. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Korner, S. L. Wardlaw, S.-M. Liu, I. M. Conwell, R. L. Leibel, and S. C. Chua Jr. Effects of Leptin Receptor Mutation on Agrp Gene Expression in Fed and Fasted Lean and Obese (LA/N-faf) Rats Endocrinology, July 1, 2000; 141(7): 2465 - 2471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. M. Hagan, P. A. Rushing, L. M. Pritchard, M. W. Schwartz, A. M. Strack, L. H. T. Van der Ploeg, S. C. Woods, and R. J. Seeley Long-term orexigenic effects of AgRP-(83---132) involve mechanisms other than melanocortin receptor blockade Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, July 1, 2000; 279(1): R47 - R52. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Inui Transgenic Approach to the Study of Body Weight Regulation Pharmacol. Rev., March 1, 2000; 52(1): 35 - 62. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. D. Cone Editorial: The Ups and Downs of Leptin Action Endocrinology, November 1, 1999; 140(11): 4921 - 4922. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Légrádi and R. M. Lechan Agouti-Related Protein Containing Nerve Terminals Innervate Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Endocrinology, August 1, 1999; 140(8): 3643 - 3652. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Chen, C. Li, C. Haskell-Luevano, R. D. Cone, and M. S. Smith Altered Expression of Agouti-Related Protein and Its Colocalization with Neuropeptide Y in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Hypothalamus during Lactation Endocrinology, June 1, 1999; 140(6): 2645 - 2650. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Oosterom, K. M. Garner, W. K. den Dekker, W. A. J. Nijenhuis, W. H. Gispen, J. P. H. Burbach, G. S. Barsh, and R. A. H. Adan Common Requirements for Melanocortin-4 Receptor Selectivity of Structurally Unrelated Melanocortin Agonist and Endogenous Antagonist, Agouti Protein J. Biol. Chem., January 5, 2001; 276(2): 931 - 936. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Bagnol, X.-Y. Lu, C. B. Kaelin, H. E. W. Day, M. Ollmann, I. Gantz, H. Akil, G. S. Barsh, and S. J. Watson Anatomy of an Endogenous Antagonist: Relationship between Agouti-Related Protein and Proopiomelanocortin in Brain J. Neurosci., September 15, 1999; 19(18): RC26 - RC26. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Endocrinology | Endocrine Reviews | J. Clin. End. & Metab. |
| Molecular Endocrinology | Recent Prog. Horm. Res. | All Endocrine Journals |
