Newly Identified Protein Interferes with Appetite-Suppressing Hormone.

Compared with normal mice, mice genetically engineered to be unable to produce a protein called Epac1 had lower body weights, lower body fat percentages, lower plasma levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin, and better glucose tolerance when fed a high-fat diet. Normal mice treated with an inhibitor of Epac1 had significantly lower levels of leptin in their blood plasma and enhanced leptin signaling in the brain. The Molecular and Cellular Biology findings demonstrate that Epac1 plays an important role in regulating adiposity and energy balance.