Figure 8.

Schematic Representation of Leptin-Induced STAT3 and Nhlh2-Dependent Transactivation of the PC1/3 Gene Promoter in Arcuate Neurons

Leptin (L) binds to the leptin receptor (ObRb) on the membrane of ARC neurons triggering an intracellular signaling cascade, which radiates from activation of Jak2 and STAT3. Phosphorylated (p) STAT3 translocates to the nucleus where it binds with Nhlh2 at two putative E-box/STAT3 motifs. STAT3 and Nhlh2 coordinately regulate transcription of PC1/3 through both binding sites.