Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Tutor	Lenka Maletínská, Ph.D.
Team	Lenka Maletínská
Topic	Impact of peptides regulating food intake and their analogs on metabolic syndrome
Faculty	1LF UK
Abstract	Recently discovered anorexigenic (food intake lowering) peptides, such as prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) and orexigenic (food intake increasing) peptides such as ghrelin are able to regulate centrally food intake and energy expenditure. Analogs of these natural peptides with selective anorexigenic effect are potential therapeutics of obesity and could ameliorate consequences of metabolic syndrome. Effects of above mentioned peptidic analogs will be studied first in vitro by binding and functional tests using cell lines with respective receptors. Then, in vivo studies with the most potent peptides after peripheral administration will be performed in mouse and rat models of diet-induced obesity and metabolic parameters as well as expression of genes involved in food intake regulation will be followed.