Agouti-related peptide: Difference between revisions

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{{protein
{{Infobox_gene}}
|Name=agouti related protein homolog (mouse)
{{Pfam_box
|caption=
| Symbol = Agouti
|image=
| Name = Agouti protein
|width=
| image =1mr0.png
|HGNCid=330
| width =180
|Symbol=AGRP
| caption =
|AltSymbols=
| Pfam= PF05039
|EntrezGene=181
| Pfam_clan = CL0083
|OMIM=602311
| InterPro= IPR007733
|RefSeq=NM_007316
| SMART=
|UniProt=O00253
| PROSITE= PDOC60024
|PDB=
| SCOP = 1hyk
|ECnumber=
| TCDB =
|Chromosome=16
| OPM family=
|Arm=q
| OPM protein= 1mr0
|Band=22
| PDB=
|LocusSupplementaryData=
{{PDB3|1hyk}}A:87-122    {{PDB3|1mr0}}A:87-120    {{PDB3|1y7j}}A:80-128
{{PDB3|1y7k}}A:80-128
}}
}}
{{SI}}


'''Agouti-related protein''' ('''AgRP'''), also called '''agouti-related peptide''', is a [[neuropeptide]] produced in the [[brain]] by the AgRP/NPY neuron. It is synthesised only in [[neuropeptide Y]] (NPY)-containing cell bodies located in the ventromedial part of the [[arcuate nucleus]] in the hypothalamus.<ref name="pmid15193430">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bäckberg M, Madjid N, Ogren SO, Meister B | title = Down-regulated expression of agouti-related protein (AGRP) mRNA in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of hyperphagic and obese tub/tub mice | journal = Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research | volume = 125 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 129–39 | date = Jun 2004 | pmid = 15193430 | doi = 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.03.012 }}</ref> AgRP is co-expressed with NPY and acts to increase [[appetite]] and decrease [[metabolism]] and energy expenditure. It is one of the most potent and long-lasting of appetite stimulators.  In humans, the agouti-related peptide is encoded by the ''AGRP'' [[gene]].<ref name="pmid9119224">{{cite journal | vauthors = Shutter JR, Graham M, Kinsey AC, Scully S, Lüthy R, Stark KL | title = Hypothalamic expression of ART, a novel gene related to agouti, is up-regulated in obese and diabetic mutant mice | journal = Genes & Development | volume = 11 | issue = 5 | pages = 593–602 | date = Mar 1997 | pmid = 9119224 | doi = 10.1101/gad.11.5.593 }}</ref><ref name="pmid9311920">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ollmann MM, Wilson BD, Yang YK, Kerns JA, Chen Y, Gantz I, Barsh GS | title = Antagonism of central melanocortin receptors in vitro and in vivo by agouti-related protein | journal = Science | volume = 278 | issue = 5335 | pages = 135–8 | date = Oct 1997 | pmid = 9311920 | doi = 10.1126/science.278.5335.135 }}</ref>


'''Agouti-related protein''' also called '''Agouti-related peptide''' ('''AgRP''') is a [[neuropeptide]] produced in the [[brain]] (in the [[arcuate nucleus]] of the hypothalamus) by the AgRP/NPY neuron that increases [[appetite]] and decreases [[metabolism]] and energy expenditure. It is one of the most potent and long-lasting of appetite stimulators. Understanding the role AgRP plays in weight gain may assist in developing [[pharmaceutical]] models for treating [[obesity]]. It was identified independently by two teams based on sequence similarity with agouti, a protein synthetized in the skin that control coat color.<ref>Shutter, J. R.; Graham, M.; Kinsey, A. C.; Scully, S.; Luthy, R. and Stark K. L. Hypothalamic expression of ART, a novel gene related to agouti, is up- regulated in obese and diabetic mutant mice. Genes Dev 11 (5):593-602, 1997. {{Entrez Pubmed|9119224}}.</ref><ref>Ollmann, M. M.; Wilson, B. D.; Yang, Y.-K.; Kerns, J. A.; Chen, Y.; Gantz, I.; Barsh, G. S. : Antagonism of central melanocortin receptors in vitro and in vivo by agouti-related protein. [[Science (journal)|Science]] 278: 135-138, 1997. {{Entrez Pubmed|9311920}}</ref>
==Structure==
AgRP is a paracrine signalling molecule made up of 112 amino acids (the gene product of 132 amino acids is processed by removal of the N-terminal 20-residue signal peptide domain). It was independently identified by two teams in 1997 based on its sequence similarity with [[agouti signalling peptide]] (ASIP), a protein synthesised in the skin that controls coat colour.<ref name="pmid9119224"/><ref name="pmid9311920"/> AgRP is approximately 25% identical to ASIP. The [[murine]] homologue of AgRP consists of 111 amino acids (precursor is 131 amino acids) and shares 81% amino acid identity with the human protein. Biochemical studies indicate AgRP to be very stable to thermal denaturation and acid degradation. Its secondary structure consists mainly of random coils and β-sheets<ref name="pmid9819197">{{cite journal | vauthors = Rosenfeld RD, Zeni L, Welcher AA, Narhi LO, Hale C, Marasco J, Delaney J, Gleason T, Philo JS, Katta V, Hui J, Baumgartner J, Graham M, Stark KL, Karbon W | title = Biochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological characterization of bacterially expressed human agouti-related protein | journal = Biochemistry | volume = 37 | issue = 46 | pages = 16041–52 | date = Nov 1998 | pmid = 9819197 | doi = 10.1021/bi981027m }}</ref> that fold into an [[inhibitor cystine knot]] motif.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jackson PJ, McNulty JC, Yang YK, Thompson DA, Chai B, Gantz I, Barsh GS, Millhauser GL | title = Design, pharmacology, and NMR structure of a minimized cystine knot with agouti-related protein activity | journal = Biochemistry | volume = 41 | issue = 24 | pages = 7565–72 | date = Jun 2002 | pmid = 12056887 | doi = 10.1021/bi012000x }}</ref> ''AGRP'' maps to human chromosome 16q22 and ''Agrp'' to mouse chromosome 8D1-D2.


The appetite stimulating effects of AgRP are inhibitied by the hormone [[leptin]]. [[Adipocytes]] secrete [[leptin]] in response to food intake. This hormone acts in the arcuate nucleus and inhibits the AgRP/NPY neuron from releasing [[orexigenic]] peptides.<ref>Enriori PJ, Evans AE, Sinnayah P, Jobst EE, Tonelli-Lemos L, Billes SK, Glavas MM, Grayson BE, Perello M, Nillni EA, Grove KL, Cowley MA. Cell Metab. 2007 Mar 7;5(3):181-194.</ref>
== Function ==
Agouti-related protein is expressed primarily in the adrenal gland, subthalamic nucleus, and hypothalamus, with lower levels of expression in the testis, kidneys, and lungs. The appetite-stimulating effects of AgRP are inhibited by the hormone [[leptin]] and activated by the hormone [[ghrelin]]. [[Adipocytes]] secrete leptin in response to food intake. This hormone acts in the arcuate nucleus and inhibits the AgRP/NPY neuron from releasing [[orexigenic]] peptides.<ref name="pmid17339026">{{cite journal | vauthors = Enriori PJ, Evans AE, Sinnayah P, Jobst EE, Tonelli-Lemos L, Billes SK, Glavas MM, Grayson BE, Perello M, Nillni EA, Grove KL, Cowley MA | title = Diet-induced obesity causes severe but reversible leptin resistance in arcuate melanocortin neurons | journal = Cell Metabolism | volume = 5 | issue = 3 | pages = 181–94 | date = Mar 2007 | pmid = 17339026 | doi = 10.1016/j.cmet.2007.02.004 }}</ref> Ghrelin has receptors on NPY/AgRP neurons that stimulate the secretion of NPY and AgRP to increase appetite.  AgRP is stored in intracellular secretory granules and is secreted via a regulated pathway.<ref name="pmid16384863">{{cite journal | vauthors = Creemers JW, Pritchard LE, Gyte A, Le Rouzic P, Meulemans S, Wardlaw SL, Zhu X, Steiner DF, Davies N, Armstrong D, Lawrence CB, Luckman SM, Schmitz CA, Davies RA, Brennand JC, White A | title = Agouti-related protein is posttranslationally cleaved by proprotein convertase 1 to generate agouti-related protein (AGRP)83-132: interaction between AGRP83-132 and melanocortin receptors cannot be influenced by syndecan-3 | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 147 | issue = 4 | pages = 1621–31 | date = Apr 2006 | pmid = 16384863 | doi = 10.1210/en.2005-1373 }}</ref>  The transcriptional and secretory action of AgRP is regulated by inflammatory signals.<ref name="pmid18583425">{{cite journal | vauthors = Scarlett JM, Zhu X, Enriori PJ, Bowe DD, Batra AK, Levasseur PR, Grant WF, Meguid MM, Cowley MA, Marks DL | title = Regulation of agouti-related protein messenger ribonucleic acid transcription and peptide secretion by acute and chronic inflammation | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 149 | issue = 10 | pages = 4837–45 | date = Oct 2008 | pmid = 18583425 | pmc = 2582916 | doi = 10.1210/en.2007-1680 }}</ref>  Levels of AgRP are increased during periods of fasting. It has been found that AgRP stimulates the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis]] to release [[ACTH]], [[cortisol]] and [[prolactin]]. It also enhances the ACTH response to IL-1-beta, suggesting it may play a role in the modulation of neuroendocrine response to inflammation.<ref name="pmid12697678">{{cite journal | vauthors = Xiao E, Xia-Zhang L, Vulliémoz NR, Ferin M, Wardlaw SL | title = Agouti-related protein stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and enhances the HPA response to interleukin-1 in the primate | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 144 | issue = 5 | pages = 1736–41 | date = May 2003 | pmid = 12697678 | doi = 10.1210/en.2002-220013 }}</ref> Conversely, AgRP-secreting neurons inhibit the release of [[Thyrotropin-releasing hormone|TRH]] from the PVN, which may contribute to conservation of energy in starvation.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Nillni EA | title = Regulation of the hypothalamic thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) neuron by neuronal and peripheral inputs | journal = Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology | volume = 31 | issue = 2 | pages = 134–56 | date = April 2010 | pmid = 20074584 | doi = 10.1016/j.yfrne.2010.01.001 | pmc=2849853}}</ref> This pathway is part of a [[feedback loop]], since TRH-secreting neurons from PVN stimulate AgRP neurons.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Krashes MJ, Shah BP, Madara JC, Olson DP, Strochlic DE, Garfield AS, Vong L, Pei H, Watabe-Uchida M, Uchida N, Liberles SD, Lowell BB | title = An excitatory paraventricular nucleus to AgRP neuron circuit that drives hunger | journal = Nature | volume = 507 | issue = 7491 | pages = 238–42 | date = March 2014 | pmid = 24487620 | doi = 10.1038/nature12956 | pmc=3955843}}</ref>


AGRP has been demonstrated to be an [[inverse agonist]] of [[melanocortin receptor]]s, specifically, [[MC3-R]] and [[MC4-R]]. This inverse agonism not only [[antagonist|antagonizes]] the action of [[melanocortin]] agonists, such as alpha-MSH but also further decreases the [[cAMP]] produced by the affected [[cell (biology)|cell]]s. AgRP levels have been found to be elevated in obese males.<ref>Katsuki, A.; Sumida, Y.; Gabazza, E. C.; Murashima, S.; Tanaka, T.; Furuta, M.; Araki-Sasaki, R.; Hori, Y.; Nakatani, K.; Yano, Y.; Adachi, Y. : Plasma levels of agouti-related protein are increased in obese men. J. Clin. Endocr. Metab. 86: 1921-1924, 2001.</ref>
==Mechanism==


==See also==
AGRP has been demonstrated to be an inverse agonist of [[melanocortin receptor]]s, to be specific [[Melanocortin 3 receptor|MC3-R]] and [[Melanocortin 4 receptor|MC4-R]]. The melanocortin receptors, MC3-R and MC4-R, are directly linked to [[metabolism]] and body weight control. These receptors are activated by the peptide hormone [[Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone|α-MSH]] (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) and antagonized by the agouti-related protein.<ref name="pmid17185225">{{cite journal | vauthors = Jackson PJ, Douglas NR, Chai B, Binkley J, Sidow A, Barsh GS, Millhauser GL | title = Structural and molecular evolutionary analysis of Agouti and Agouti-related proteins | journal = Chemistry & Biology | volume = 13 | issue = 12 | pages = 1297–305 | date = Dec 2006 | pmid = 17185225 | pmc = 2907901 | doi = 10.1016/j.chembiol.2006.10.006 }}</ref> Whereas α-MSH acts broadly on most members of the MCR family (with the exception of [[Melanocortin 2 receptor|MC2-R]]), AGRP is highly specific for only MC3-R and MC4-R. This inverse agonism not only [[Receptor antagonist|antagonizes]] the action of melanocortin agonists such as α-MSH but also further decreases the [[Cyclic adenosine monophosphate|cAMP]] produced by the affected [[cell (biology)|cell]]s. The exact mechanism by which AgRP inhibits melanocortin-receptor signalling is not completely clear. It has been suggested that Agouti-related protein binds MSH receptors and acts as a competitive antagonist of [[ligand binding]].<ref name="pmid9450927">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ollmann MM, Lamoreux ML, Wilson BD, Barsh GS | title = Interaction of Agouti protein with the melanocortin 1 receptor in vitro and in vivo | journal = Genes & Development | volume = 12 | issue = 3 | pages = 316–30 | date = Feb 1998 | pmid = 9450927 | pmc = 316484 | doi = 10.1101/gad.12.3.316 }}</ref> Studies of Agouti protein in B16 melanoma cells supported this logic. The expression of AgRP in the adrenal gland is regulated by [[glucocorticoid]]s.  The protein blocks α-MSH-induced secretion of [[corticosterone]].<ref name="pmid12535647">{{cite journal | vauthors = Dhillo WS, Small CJ, Gardiner JV, Bewick GA, Whitworth EJ, Jethwa PH, Seal LJ, Ghatei MA, Hinson JP, Bloom SR | title = Agouti-related protein has an inhibitory paracrine role in the rat adrenal gland | journal = Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications | volume = 301 | issue = 1 | pages = 102–7 | date = Jan 2003 | pmid = 12535647 | doi = 10.1016/S0006-291X(02)02991-1 }}</ref>
* [[Agouti signalling peptide]]
 
* [[Agouti]]
==History==
 
[[Ortholog]]s of AgRP, ASIP, MCIR, and MC4R have been found in mammalian, teleost fish, and avian genomes.  This suggests that the agouti-melanocortin system evolved by [[gene duplication]] from individual ligand and receptor genes in the last 500 million years.<ref name="pmid17185225"/>
 
==Role in Obesity==
 
AgRP induces obesity by chronic antagonism of the MC4-R.<ref name="pmid9019399">{{cite journal | vauthors = Huszar D, Lynch CA, Fairchild-Huntress V, Dunmore JH, Fang Q, Berkemeier LR, Gu W, Kesterson RA, Boston BA, Cone RD, Smith FJ, Campfield LA, Burn P, Lee F | title = Targeted disruption of the melanocortin-4 receptor results in obesity in mice | journal = Cell | volume = 88 | issue = 1 | pages = 131–41 | date = Jan 1997 | pmid = 9019399 | doi = 10.1016/S0092-8674(00)81865-6 }}</ref> Overexpression of AgRP in [[transgenic mice]] (or intracerebroventricular injection) causes [[hyperphagia]] and [[obesity]],<ref name="pmid9354787">{{cite journal | vauthors = Graham M, Shutter JR, Sarmiento U, Sarosi I, Stark KL | title = Overexpression of Agrt leads to obesity in transgenic mice | journal = Nature Genetics | volume = 17 | issue = 3 | pages = 273–4 | date = Nov 1997 | pmid = 9354787 | doi = 10.1038/ng1197-273 }}</ref> whilst AgRP plasma levels have been found to be elevated in obese human males.<ref name="pmid11344185">{{cite journal | vauthors = Katsuki A, Sumida Y, Gabazza EC, Murashima S, Tanaka T, Furuta M, Araki-Sasaki R, Hori Y, Nakatani K, Yano Y, Adachi Y | title = Plasma levels of agouti-related protein are increased in obese men | journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 86 | issue = 5 | pages = 1921–4 | date = May 2001 | pmid = 11344185 | doi = 10.1210/jc.86.5.1921 }}</ref> Understanding the role AgRP plays in weight gain may assist in developing [[pharmaceutical]] models for treating obesity.
AgRP mRNA levels have been found to be down regulated following an acute stressful event. Studies suggest that systems involved in the regulation of stress response and of energy balance are highly integrated. Loss or gain of AgRP function may result in inadequate adaptive behavioural responses to environmental events, such as stress, and have potential to contribute to the development of [[eating disorder]]s. It has been shown that polymorphisms in the AgRP gene have been linked with [[anorexia nervosa]]<ref name="pmid11326303">{{cite journal | vauthors = Vink T, Hinney A, van Elburg AA, van Goozen SH, Sandkuijl LA, Sinke RJ, Herpertz-Dahlmann BM, Hebebrand J, Remschmidt H, van Engeland H, Adan RA | title = Association between an agouti-related protein gene polymorphism and anorexia nervosa | journal = Molecular Psychiatry | volume = 6 | issue = 3 | pages = 325–8 | date = May 2001 | pmid = 11326303 | doi = 10.1038/sj.mp.4000854 }}</ref>  as well as obesity. Some studies suggest that inadequate signalling of AgRP during stress may result in [[binge eating]].
Starvation-induced hypothalamic [[autophagy]] generates free fatty acids, which in turn regulate neuronal AgRP levels.<ref name="pmid21803288">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kaushik S, Rodriguez-Navarro JA, Arias E, Kiffin R, Sahu S, Schwartz GJ, Cuervo AM, Singh R | title = Autophagy in hypothalamic AgRP neurons regulates food intake and energy balance | journal = Cell Metabolism | volume = 14 | issue = 2 | pages = 173–83 | year = 2011 | pmid = 21803288 | pmc = 3148494 | doi = 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.06.008  }}</ref>
 
==Human proteins containing this domain==
AGRP; [[Agouti signalling peptide|ASIP]]
 
== See also ==
* [[Proopiomelanocortin]]


== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
{{Reflist|33em}}
 
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin|33em}}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Dhillo WS, Gardiner JV, Castle L, Bewick GA, Smith KL, Meeran K, Todd JF, Ghatei MA, Bloom SR | title = Agouti related protein (AgRP) is upregulated in Cushing's syndrome | journal = Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes | volume = 113 | issue = 10 | pages = 602–6 | date = Dec 2005 | pmid = 16320160 | doi = 10.1055/s-2005-872895 | url = http://eprints.imperial.ac.uk/bitstream/10044/1/270/1/Agouti%20related%20protein%20%28AgRP%29%20is%20upregulated%20in%20Cushing%E2%80%99s%20syndrome.pdf }}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Dinulescu DM, Cone RD | title = Agouti and agouti-related protein: analogies and contrasts | journal = The Journal of Biological Chemistry | volume = 275 | issue = 10 | pages = 6695–8 | date = Mar 2000 | pmid = 10702221 | doi = 10.1074/jbc.275.10.6695 | url = http://www.jbc.org/content/275/10/6695.full }}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Scarlett JM, Zhu X, Enriori PJ, Bowe DD, Batra AK, Levasseur PR, Grant WF, Meguid MM, Cowley MA, Marks DL | title = Regulation of agouti-related protein messenger ribonucleic acid transcription and peptide secretion by acute and chronic inflammation | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 149 | issue = 10 | pages = 4837–45 | date = Oct 2008 | pmid = 18583425 | pmc = 2582916 | doi = 10.1210/en.2007-1680 }}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Creemers JW, Pritchard LE, Gyte A, Le Rouzic P, Meulemans S, Wardlaw SL, Zhu X, Steiner DF, Davies N, Armstrong D, Lawrence CB, Luckman SM, Schmitz CA, Davies RA, Brennand JC, White A | title = Agouti-related protein is posttranslationally cleaved by proprotein convertase 1 to generate agouti-related protein (AGRP)83-132: interaction between AGRP83-132 and melanocortin receptors cannot be influenced by syndecan-3 | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 147 | issue = 4 | pages = 1621–31 | date = Apr 2006 | pmid = 16384863 | doi = 10.1210/en.2005-1373 }}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Katsuki A, Sumida Y, Gabazza EC, Murashima S, Tanaka T, Furuta M, Araki-Sasaki R, Hori Y, Nakatani K, Yano Y, Adachi Y | title = Plasma levels of agouti-related protein are increased in obese men | journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 86 | issue = 5 | pages = 1921–4 | date = May 2001 | pmid = 11344185 | doi = 10.1210/jc.86.5.1921 }}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Kas MJ, Bruijnzeel AW, Haanstra JR, Wiegant VM, Adan RA | title = Differential regulation of agouti-related protein and neuropeptide Y in hypothalamic neurons following a stressful event | journal = Journal of Molecular Endocrinology | volume = 35 | issue = 1 | pages = 159–64 | date = Aug 2005 | pmid = 16087729 | doi = 10.1677/jme.1.01819 }}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Jackson PJ, Yu B, Hunrichs B, Thompson DA, Chai B, Gantz I, Millhauser GL | title = Chimeras of the agouti-related protein: insights into agonist and antagonist selectivity of melanocortin receptors | journal = Peptides | volume = 26 | issue = 10 | pages = 1978–87 | date = Oct 2005 | pmid = 16009463 | doi = 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.12.036 }}
* {{cite journal | vauthors = Bäckberg M, Madjid N, Ogren SO, Meister B | title = Down-regulated expression of agouti-related protein (AGRP) mRNA in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of hyperphagic and obese tub/tub mice | journal = Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research | volume = 125 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 129–39 | date = Jun 2004 | pmid = 15193430 | doi = 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.03.012 }}
{{refend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* http://www.phoenixpeptide.com/allobesity/Catalog%20Files/AGRP%20Section/AGRPNEW.htm
* {{MeshName|agouti-related+protein}}
* {{MeshName|agouti-related+protein}}
* [http://www.expasy.org/cgi-bin/nicedoc.pl?PDOC60024 Agouti domain] in [[PROSITE]]
* {{UCSC gene info|AGRP}}


{{PDB Gallery|geneid=181}}
{{Intercellular signaling peptides and proteins}}
{{Melanocortin receptor modulators}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Agouti-Related Peptide}}
[[Category:Peripheral membrane proteins]]
[[Category:Peripheral membrane proteins]]
[[Category:Neuropeptides]]
[[Category:Neuropeptides]]
[[Category:Obesity]]
[[Category:Obesity]]
[[Category:Peptides]]
[[Category:Peptides]]
 
[[Category:Melanocortin receptor antagonists]]
 
 
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Revision as of 10:48, 31 October 2017

VALUE_ERROR (nil)
Identifiers
Aliases
External IDsGeneCards: [1]
Orthologs
SpeciesHumanMouse
Entrez
Ensembl
UniProt
RefSeq (mRNA)

n/a

n/a

RefSeq (protein)

n/a

n/a

Location (UCSC)n/an/a
PubMed searchn/an/a
Wikidata
View/Edit Human
Agouti protein
File:1mr0.png
Identifiers
SymbolAgouti
PfamPF05039
Pfam clanCL0083
InterProIPR007733
PROSITEPDOC60024
SCOP1hyk
SUPERFAMILY1hyk
OPM protein1mr0

Agouti-related protein (AgRP), also called agouti-related peptide, is a neuropeptide produced in the brain by the AgRP/NPY neuron. It is synthesised only in neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing cell bodies located in the ventromedial part of the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus.[1] AgRP is co-expressed with NPY and acts to increase appetite and decrease metabolism and energy expenditure. It is one of the most potent and long-lasting of appetite stimulators. In humans, the agouti-related peptide is encoded by the AGRP gene.[2][3]

Structure

AgRP is a paracrine signalling molecule made up of 112 amino acids (the gene product of 132 amino acids is processed by removal of the N-terminal 20-residue signal peptide domain). It was independently identified by two teams in 1997 based on its sequence similarity with agouti signalling peptide (ASIP), a protein synthesised in the skin that controls coat colour.[2][3] AgRP is approximately 25% identical to ASIP. The murine homologue of AgRP consists of 111 amino acids (precursor is 131 amino acids) and shares 81% amino acid identity with the human protein. Biochemical studies indicate AgRP to be very stable to thermal denaturation and acid degradation. Its secondary structure consists mainly of random coils and β-sheets[4] that fold into an inhibitor cystine knot motif.[5] AGRP maps to human chromosome 16q22 and Agrp to mouse chromosome 8D1-D2.

Function

Agouti-related protein is expressed primarily in the adrenal gland, subthalamic nucleus, and hypothalamus, with lower levels of expression in the testis, kidneys, and lungs. The appetite-stimulating effects of AgRP are inhibited by the hormone leptin and activated by the hormone ghrelin. Adipocytes secrete leptin in response to food intake. This hormone acts in the arcuate nucleus and inhibits the AgRP/NPY neuron from releasing orexigenic peptides.[6] Ghrelin has receptors on NPY/AgRP neurons that stimulate the secretion of NPY and AgRP to increase appetite. AgRP is stored in intracellular secretory granules and is secreted via a regulated pathway.[7] The transcriptional and secretory action of AgRP is regulated by inflammatory signals.[8] Levels of AgRP are increased during periods of fasting. It has been found that AgRP stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis to release ACTH, cortisol and prolactin. It also enhances the ACTH response to IL-1-beta, suggesting it may play a role in the modulation of neuroendocrine response to inflammation.[9] Conversely, AgRP-secreting neurons inhibit the release of TRH from the PVN, which may contribute to conservation of energy in starvation.[10] This pathway is part of a feedback loop, since TRH-secreting neurons from PVN stimulate AgRP neurons.[11]

Mechanism

AGRP has been demonstrated to be an inverse agonist of melanocortin receptors, to be specific MC3-R and MC4-R. The melanocortin receptors, MC3-R and MC4-R, are directly linked to metabolism and body weight control. These receptors are activated by the peptide hormone α-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) and antagonized by the agouti-related protein.[12] Whereas α-MSH acts broadly on most members of the MCR family (with the exception of MC2-R), AGRP is highly specific for only MC3-R and MC4-R. This inverse agonism not only antagonizes the action of melanocortin agonists such as α-MSH but also further decreases the cAMP produced by the affected cells. The exact mechanism by which AgRP inhibits melanocortin-receptor signalling is not completely clear. It has been suggested that Agouti-related protein binds MSH receptors and acts as a competitive antagonist of ligand binding.[13] Studies of Agouti protein in B16 melanoma cells supported this logic. The expression of AgRP in the adrenal gland is regulated by glucocorticoids. The protein blocks α-MSH-induced secretion of corticosterone.[14]

History

Orthologs of AgRP, ASIP, MCIR, and MC4R have been found in mammalian, teleost fish, and avian genomes. This suggests that the agouti-melanocortin system evolved by gene duplication from individual ligand and receptor genes in the last 500 million years.[12]

Role in Obesity

AgRP induces obesity by chronic antagonism of the MC4-R.[15] Overexpression of AgRP in transgenic mice (or intracerebroventricular injection) causes hyperphagia and obesity,[16] whilst AgRP plasma levels have been found to be elevated in obese human males.[17] Understanding the role AgRP plays in weight gain may assist in developing pharmaceutical models for treating obesity. AgRP mRNA levels have been found to be down regulated following an acute stressful event. Studies suggest that systems involved in the regulation of stress response and of energy balance are highly integrated. Loss or gain of AgRP function may result in inadequate adaptive behavioural responses to environmental events, such as stress, and have potential to contribute to the development of eating disorders. It has been shown that polymorphisms in the AgRP gene have been linked with anorexia nervosa[18] as well as obesity. Some studies suggest that inadequate signalling of AgRP during stress may result in binge eating. Starvation-induced hypothalamic autophagy generates free fatty acids, which in turn regulate neuronal AgRP levels.[19]

Human proteins containing this domain

AGRP; ASIP

See also

References

  1. Bäckberg M, Madjid N, Ogren SO, Meister B (Jun 2004). "Down-regulated expression of agouti-related protein (AGRP) mRNA in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of hyperphagic and obese tub/tub mice". Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research. 125 (1–2): 129–39. doi:10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.03.012. PMID 15193430.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Shutter JR, Graham M, Kinsey AC, Scully S, Lüthy R, Stark KL (Mar 1997). "Hypothalamic expression of ART, a novel gene related to agouti, is up-regulated in obese and diabetic mutant mice". Genes & Development. 11 (5): 593–602. doi:10.1101/gad.11.5.593. PMID 9119224.
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Further reading

External links