Melanocortin-4 Receptor’s Link to Obesity
Document Type
Event
Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
In the hypothalamic region of the brain, melanocortin-4 receptor [MC4R] balances energy and maintains homeostasis. Digestive organ tissues send signals about nutritional status to the brain with hormones such as leptin, triggering hunger or satiation. Mutations in MC4R cause the body to not feel satisfied after eating which leaves the body continuously hungry. This commonly leads to severe obesity and difficulty burning calories. This poster will review literature on how changes in the MC4R receptor affect laboratory rats, resulting in obesity, insatiable hunger, changes in energy, and calorie loss. Understanding the role of MC4R could potentially help to diagnose children and offer lifestyle advice to control these health risks.
Melanocortin-4 Receptor’s Link to Obesity
In the hypothalamic region of the brain, melanocortin-4 receptor [MC4R] balances energy and maintains homeostasis. Digestive organ tissues send signals about nutritional status to the brain with hormones such as leptin, triggering hunger or satiation. Mutations in MC4R cause the body to not feel satisfied after eating which leaves the body continuously hungry. This commonly leads to severe obesity and difficulty burning calories. This poster will review literature on how changes in the MC4R receptor affect laboratory rats, resulting in obesity, insatiable hunger, changes in energy, and calorie loss. Understanding the role of MC4R could potentially help to diagnose children and offer lifestyle advice to control these health risks.
