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Neuroendocrinology

New hormone treatment for obesity caused by POMC-deficiency

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 12, pages 627–628 (2016)Cite this article

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In 1998, two children with congenital adrenal insufficiency and early-onset morbid obesity were found to have causative null mutations in POMC. In a new study, therapy with the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist setmelanotide has for the first time brought hope of a normal life to patients with POMC-deficiency.

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Figure 1: POMC-derived peptides control body weight and adrenal function.

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Acknowledgements

M.J.L. is funded by NIH grants R01 DK066604, R01 DK068400 and U2C DK110768.

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  1. Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, 6116 Brehm Tower, 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, 48105, Michigan, USA

    Malcolm J. Low

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  1. Malcolm J. Low
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Correspondence to Malcolm J. Low.

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The author declares no competing financial interests.

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Low, M. New hormone treatment for obesity caused by POMC-deficiency. Nat Rev Endocrinol 12, 627–628 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2016.156

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