Endocrinology
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Leptin acts on the brain to regulate body weight and neuroendocrine function. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus are important targets of leptin. These cells express the leptin receptor ObRb, and leptin can regulate POMC mRNA levels, but the cellular mechanisms by which this occurs is unknown. ⋯ Furthermore, leptin-responsive POMC neurons are concentrated in the rostral region of the hypothalamus. Combined, our data show that a subpopulation of POMC neurons is leptin-responsive and suggest that stimulation of hypothalamic pomc gene expression in these cells requires STAT3 activation. We speculate that STAT3 is critical for leptin-dependent effects on energy homeostasis that are mediated by the central melanocortin system.