| First Author | Asai M | Year | 2013 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 341 |
| Issue | 6143 | Pages | 275-8 |
| PubMed ID | 23869016 | Mgi Jnum | J:199365 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5502469 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1233000 |
| Citation | Asai M, et al. (2013) Loss of function of the melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein 2 is associated with mammalian obesity. Science 341(6143):275-8 |
| abstractText | Melanocortin receptor accessory proteins (MRAPs) modulate signaling of melanocortin receptors in vitro. To investigate the physiological role of brain-expressed melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2), we characterized mice with whole-body and brain-specific targeted deletion of Mrap2, both of which develop severe obesity at a young age. Mrap2 interacts directly with melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r), a protein previously implicated in mammalian obesity, and it enhances Mc4r-mediated generation of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate, suggesting that alterations in Mc4r signaling may be one mechanism underlying the association between Mrap2 disruption and obesity. In a study of humans with severe, early-onset obesity, we found four rare, potentially pathogenic genetic variants in MRAP2, suggesting that the gene may also contribute to body weight regulation in humans. |
