The elusive “hunger protein”: an appetite-stimulatory factor that is overabundant in human obesity

José Manuel Bravo-San Pedro, Valentina Sica, Guido Kroemer

    Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debate

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Paradoxically, most if not all previously known appetite-stimulatory hormones are downregulated in human obesity, reflecting failing homeostatic circuitries. Recently, we discovered that acyl-coenzyme-A binding protein/diazepam-binding inhibitor (ACBP/DBI) acts as a lipogenic and appetite stimulator, when systemically injected into mice. ACBP/DBI plasma levels are also elevated in obese subjects, supporting the notion that it may represent the elusive “hunger protein” that explains overeating in human obesity.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere1667193
    JournalMolecular and Cellular Oncology
    Volume6
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2 Nov 2019

    Keywords

    • Aging
    • anorexia
    • metabolism
    • obesity

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