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Demonstration of a leptin binding factor in human serum
F B Diamond1, D C Eichler, G Duckett
1Department of Pediatric, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa 33612, USA. fdiamond@allkids.edu
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|April 28, 1997
Summary
Obesity is linked to leptin resistance, but the cause is unknown. Researchers found a specific leptin-binding factor in human serum that may explain this resistance and affect leptin
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Research
- Obesity Studies
Background:
- Elevated serum leptin levels in obesity suggest leptin resistance.
- The underlying mechanism of leptin resistance in humans remains unclear.
- No genetic abnormalities in leptin or its receptor have been identified in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if leptin resistance in obesity is related to leptin binding by a serum component.
- To characterize the nature of leptin binding in human serum.
Main Methods:
- Demonstrated saturable and specific binding of [125I]-leptin to a serum component, displaceable only by unlabeled leptin.
- Fractionated the leptin-bound serum complex and binding component using molecular sieving chromatography.
- Analyzed the correlation between serum leptin concentration and the quantity of the leptin-binding component.
Main Results:
- Established the presence of a specific leptin-binding factor in human serum.
- Characterized the leptin-bound complex and binding component with an approximate mass of 450 kDa.
- Identified an inverse correlation between serum leptin levels and the concentration of the leptin-binding factor.
Conclusions:
- A specific leptin-binding component in human serum has been identified.
- This binding factor may contribute to the development of leptin resistance in obesity.
- The interaction between leptin and this serum component could influence leptin's physiological effects.