Hormonal
Abnormalities in the enzymatic processing of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) precursor in hypothalamic neurons critically disrupt the regulation of appetite, energy homeostasis, and body composition.
Understanding weight regulation requires looking beyond simple gene presence. If you have a genetic predisposition to obesity, it may not be just about 'having the gene' but about how your body processes hormones like POMC into active forms like alpha-MSH. This suggests that treatments targeting the processing enzymes (like PC2) or the hormone receptors themselves may be necessary for those with specific processing defects, rather than just focusing on caloric intake.
In hypothalamic neurons expressing POMC, abnormalities in processing critically impact on the regulation of appetite, energy homeostasis, and body composition.
Why this rating
Based on a comprehensive review of molecular biology, enzyme kinetics, and mouse models (PC2/7B2 knockouts).
Source
POMC: The Physiological Power of Hormone Processing
Erika Harno et al. · Physiological Reviews · 2018
DOI 10.1152/physrev.00024.2017
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