Characterization of PRCP in Adipose Tissue

Food intake and energy expenditure is regulated, in part, through mechanisms within the brain.Within the Hypothalamus, an important set of neurons, Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, release Alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (-MSH1-13) which acts on Melanocortin Receptor 4 (MC4R)to inhibit food intake3. Prolylcarboxpeptidase (PRCP) has been shown to inactivate -MSH1-1and when PRCP is deleted or inhibited, the concentration of -MSH1-13is higher and is able to decrease food intake which protects against obesityThe goal of the current project proposal is to characterize the role of PRCP on fat cells (adipocytes) outside of the central nervous system