Obesity Peptide: Prokineticin

Abstract

Obesity confers an increased risk for cardiovascular renal diseases, diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, musculoskeletal disorders, and cancers. Prokineticin-2 is a peptide hormone, which exists as both a circulating hormone system and a local paracrine-signaling mechanism within various tissues including the brain, kidney, and adipose. It acts on the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) PKR1 and PKR2. The role of prokineticin-2 in the central nervous system is the control of food intake. Its anorexigenic effect is at least partly through the hypothalamic melanocortin system. Prokineticin-2 also prevents adipose tissue expansion by limiting preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation capacity. Prokineticin-2 signaling is important for insulin capillary passages. It also regulates heart and kidney development and function. Here, we discuss a new obesity peptide prokineticin signaling in central regulation of food intake, adipocyte tissue development, and cardiovascular function. Prokineticin may play a key role in the association between obesity and cardiovascular diseases. We also outline the potential of prokineticin receptor-1 as target for the treatment of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.