A biochemical function for attractin in agouti-induced pigmentation and obesity
- 1 January 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Nature in Nature Genetics
- Vol. 27 (1), 40-47
- https://doi.org/10.1038/83741
Abstract
Agouti protein, a paracrine signaling molecule normally limited to skin, is ectopically expressed in lethal yellow (Ay) mice, and causes obesity by mimicking agouti-related protein (Agrp), found primarily in the hypothalamus. Mouse attractin (Atrn) is a widely expressed transmembrane protein whose loss of function in mahogany (Atrnmg-3J/ Atrnmg-3J) mutant mice blocks the pleiotropic effects of Ay. Here we demonstrate in transgenic, biochemical and genetic-interaction experiments that attractin is a low-affinity receptor for agouti protein, but not Agrp, in vitro and in vivo. Additional histopathologic abnormalities in Atrnmg-3J/Atrn mg-3J mice and cross-species genomic comparisons indicate that Atrn has multiple functions distinct from both a physiologic and an evolutionary perspective.Keywords
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