Abstract
Leptin-receptor gene expression in hypothalamic tissue from lean and obese humans was examined. The full-length leptin receptor, that is believed to transmit the leptin signal, is expressed in human hypothalamus. There was no difference in the amount of leptin-receptor mRNA in seven lean (BMI 23.3 ± 0.9 kg/m2) and eight obese (BMI 36.9 ± 1.5) subjects as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A sequence polymorphism (A→G) was detected at position 668 of the leptin receptor cDNA. This second base substitution changed a glutamine to an arginine at position 223 of the leptin receptor protein. Of 15 subjects analyzed, 11 were heterozygous for this base change and 3 were homozygous. The occurance of the polymorphic allele(s) did not correlate with BMI in the population studied. The mutation responsible for the defect in the leptin receptor in db/db mice was not detected in any obese human, nor was the fa/fa rat mutation. These results provide evidence that the leptin resistance observed in obese humans is not due to a defect in the leptin receptor.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 992-994 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Diabetes |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 3 SUPPL. |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism