Research
Hormonal
POMC neurons expressing the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (Glp1r) are a distinct subpopulation from those expressing the leptin receptor (Lepr), and Glp1r-expressing POMC neurons may regulate energy balance.
This heterogeneity explains why broad activation of POMC neurons might have mixed results. Targeted therapies might need to distinguish between Lepr-expressing (glucose) and Glp1r-expressing (energy balance) subsets.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
They found that POMC Lepr and POMC Glp1r were two mostly non- overlapping subpopulations in the ARC with distinct anatomical distribution and unique electrophysiological properties.
Why this rating
Based on modern intersectional genetic models and single-cell sequencing cited in the review.
Source
A critical update on the l<scp>eptin‐melanocortin</scp> system
Olivier Lavoie et al. · Journal of Neurochemistry · 2023
DOI 10.1111/jnc.15765
narrative_reviewCited 37×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Leptin regulates glucose homeostasis through direct actions on POMC neurons, but does not regulate food intake or energy balance through direct actions on these same neurons.Strong
- Non-POMC neurons, specifically GABAergic neurons, mediate leptin's direct effects on energy balance and food intake, influencing POMC neurons indirectly.Good
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