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

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.