Invitrogen™ Leptin Receptor Polyclonal Antibody

The leptin (OB-R) receptor is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily which plays an important role in mammalian body weight homeostasis and energy balance. Ligand-induced activation of the OB-R by the adipose tissue-secreted hormone, leptin, appears to activate downstream signaling events through the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. Leptin can homo-dimerize OB-R extracellular domains while downstream signaling events are initiated upon homo-dimerization of OB-R intracellular domains. Several isoforms of the OB-R which differ in length and signaling capabilities have been reported. RNA transcripts encoding the OB-R long form have been found in the choroid plexus and in the hypothalamus which has been proposed as a control center for satiety and energy expenditure. Mutations in either the mouse OB-R (db) or leptin (ob) genes have been shown to result in early-onset obesity. Metabolic abnormalities attributable to these genotypes include hypercorticoidemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, altered CNS activity, reduced metabolic rate of brown adipose tissue, and a large increase in white adipose tissue.