Abstract
Originally identified in the hypothalamus as a satiety factor, recent studies provide evidence that nefatin-1/NUCB2 is a gutbrain peptide with a broader array of actions. Detection of abundant nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in gastric X/A like endocrine cells, which also produce the orexigenic hormone ghrelin, indicates that gastric mucosa may be one of the predominant sources of nesfatin-1/NUCB2. Functional studies have revealed significant effects of nefatin-1 on inhibition of feeding behavior and on glucose homeostasis. These metabolic functions make nesfatin-1/NUCB2 a novel candidate for treatment of obesity and diabetes. However, deficiencies in our understanding of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 receptor pose a significant hurdle for therapies that target its action. Defining novel pathways to alter the production of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 would shift therapeutic focus to gastric targets. A necessary precondition is improved understanding of the mechanisms by which nesfatin-1/NUCB2 is synthesized and secreted by gastric X/A like cells. Recent studies provide evidence that mTOR is a critical regulatory molecule in these endocrine cells and that its activity is linked to the production of ghrelin and nesfatin- 1/NUCB2. These findings suggest that gastric mTOR is involved in the regulation of food intake and overall energy metabolism through modulation of ghrelin and nesfatin-1/NUCB2. In this review, we first summarize current advances in the relationship between organism energy status and nesfatin-1/NUCB2 levels, and then discuss the novel finding on mTOR as the gastric fuel sensor and its role in the regulation of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression.
Keywords: Gut, X/A like endocrine cells, nesfatin-1/NUCB2, ghrelin, energy status, fuel sensing, mTOR, obesity.
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
Related Journals
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Current Bioactive Compounds
Current Cancer Drug Targets
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews
Current Diabetes Reviews
Current Drug Safety
Current Drug Targets
Current Drug Therapy
Related Books
Drug Addiction Mechanisms in the Brain
The NLRP3 Inflammasome: An Attentive Arbiter of Inflammatory Response
Software and Programming Tools in Pharmaceutical Research
Objective Pharmaceutics: A Comprehensive Compilation of Questions and Answers for Pharmaceutics Exam Prep
Medicinal Chemistry of Drugs Affecting Cardiovascular and Endocrine Systems
Advanced Pharmacy
Plant-derived Hepatoprotective Drugs
The Role of Chromenes in Drug Discovery and Development
New Avenues in Drug Discovery and Bioactive Natural Products
Practice and Re-Emergence of Herbal Medicine
27
