Charge Characteristics of Agouti-Related Protein Implicate Potent Involvement of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Metabolic Function

Abstract

SummaryThe endogenous melanocortin peptide agouti-related protein (AgRP) plays a well-known role in foraging, but its contribution to metabolic regulation is less understood. Mature AgRP(83-132) has distinct residues for melanocortin receptor binding and heparan sulfate interactions. Here, we show that AgRP increases ad libitum feeding and operant responding for food in mice, decreases oxygen consumption, and lowers body temperature and activity, indicating lower energy expenditure. AgRP increased the respiratory exchange ratio, indicating a reduction of fat oxidation and a shift toward carbohydrates as the primary fuel source. The duration and intensity of AgRP's effects depended on the density of its positively charged amino acids, suggesting that its orexigenic and metabolic effects depend on its affinity for heparan sulfate. These findings may have major clinical implications by unveiling the critical involvement of interactions between AgRP and heparan sulfate to the central regulation of energy expenditure, fat utilization, and possibly their contribution to metabolic disease.

Mineral and Insilico Study of Sapat Siam Fish (Trichopodus pectoralis, Regan 1910) on Appetite Regulation

“…It has been previously observed that AgrP interacts with heparan sulfate, a linear polysaccharide found on cell surfaces and extracellular matrices. 30 The binding of AgrP with heparan sulfate is of significant interest due to its potential implications in various physiological processes. Additionally, minerals such as Ca, Fe, and Zn known to modulate protein interactions and play essential roles in cellular functions.…”