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. 1996 Aug 6;93(16):8374–8378. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.16.8374

The full-length leptin receptor has signaling capabilities of interleukin 6-type cytokine receptors.

H Baumann 1, K K Morella 1, D W White 1, M Dembski 1, P S Bailon 1, H Kim 1, C F Lai 1, L A Tartaglia 1
PMCID: PMC38678  PMID: 8710878

Abstract

The leptin receptor (OB-R) is a single membrane-spanning protein that mediates the weight regulatory effects of leptin (OB protein). The mutant allele (db) of the OB-R gene encodes a protein with a truncated cytoplasmic domain that is predicted to be functionally inactive. Several mRNA splice variants encoding OB-Rs with different length cytoplasmic domains have been detected in various tissues. Here we demonstrate that the full-length OB-R (predominantly expressed in the hypothalamus), but not a major naturally occurring truncated form or a mutant from found in db/db mice, can mediate activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins and stimulate transcription through interleukin 6 responsive gene elements. Reconstitution experiments suggest that, although OB-R mediates intracellular signals with a specificity similar to interleukin 6-type cytokine receptors, signaling appears to be independent of the gp130 signal transducing component of the interleukin 6-type cytokine receptors.

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