Project Title:

Central signaling pathways of the INSL5/RXFP4 axis. 

Project Summary:

The number of people living with obesity has tripled worldwide since 1975 with serious implications for public health. Obesity is a consequence of food intake exceeding energy expenditure. Efforts are therefore being made to better understand the physiological mechanisms governing food intake. Peptide hormones secreted from the gastrointestinal tract modulate food intake via interactions with the peripheral and central nervous systems. My research focuses on the central actions of the gut peptide hormone insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) and its receptor relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 4 (RXFP4), which have previously been implicated in regulating feeding behaviour. Through this research I aim to elucidate the mechanisms of central INSL5/RXFP4 action in the control of food intake and food preference. Expanding understanding of INSL5-RXFP4 action is essential due to the identification of this ligand-receptor pair as a potential therapeutic target for obesity and other food intake-related disorders.