Chemistry and biology of orexin signaling

Mol Biosyst. 2010 Aug;6(8):1366-75. doi: 10.1039/c003468a. Epub 2010 Jun 7.

Abstract

The orexins are neurohormones that, in concert with their cognate receptors, regulate a number of important physiological processes, including feeding, sleep, reward seeking and energy homeostasis. The orexin receptors have recently emerged as important drug targets. This review provides an overview of recent development in deciphering the biology of orexin signaling as well as efforts to manipulate orexin signaling pharmacologically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Addictive / metabolism
  • Behavior, Addictive / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Eating / physiology
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry*
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Neuropeptides / physiology*
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Orexins
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Sleep / physiology

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Orexins