Lipostatic hypothesis

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In 1953, Kennedy proposed what became known as the lipostatic hyothesis. Specifically, he postulated the existence, in the hypothalamus, of a centre that was sensitive to the concentration of metabolites in the circulation, which prevented "an overall surplus of energy intake over expenditure."

Hypothalamic leptin signaling

Leptin receptor mediated hypothalamic signaling involves multiple pathways. The JAK2/cytosolic signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 (STAT3) pathway plays an important role, although the JAK2-Phosphotidylinosital 3 kinase (PI3K) pathway has also shown to be important. With respect to the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, leptin binding to the long form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) initiates tyrosine phosphorylation of Ob-Rb by JAK2. Phosphorylated leptin receptor then recruits STAT3 that is activated through phosphorylation by JAK2. The activated STAT3 proteins dimerize and translocate to the nucleus where they bind DNA and initiate gene transcription. Suppresser of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3) and phosphotyrosine phosphotase 1B (PTP1B) are two known negative regulators of leptin signaling following Ob-Rb activation. The JAK2/STAT3 pathway is believed to be essential for mediating leptin's effects on homeostatic energy regulation.

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References

Zhang Y & Scarpace PJ (2006) The role of leptin in leptin resistance and obesity. Physiol Behav. 88, 249-256.