Leptin and its receptor – A review

Abstract

Leptin is a polypeptide hormone, mainly secreted by the adipocytes that regulates the energy expenditure of the body. Since its discovery, various researches have been conducted to find out about its role in human body. Leptin receptor (Ob-R) is a membrane spanning receptor with six different isoforms. The long isoform of leptin receptor is the major form found in various tissues of the human body such as brain, lymphocytes, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver and placenta. This article discusses about the structure of leptin receptor, its various locations in the human body, effects due to the deficiency of leptin receptors and its evolving therapeutic applications.