EN
Leptin and its receptors are newly dicovered factors involved in regulation of energy homeostasis and body weight. Leptin is specifically produced and secreted by adipocytes, but its receptor isoforms have a wide tissue distribution and in many experiments it has been demonstrated that leptin also plays a regulatory role in hematopoiesis, development, reproduction and perhaps glucose metabolism. In this short review we summarise the recent discoveries surrounding leptin, its receptors and their genes, and discuss the possible web of interactions.