NCBI Summary:
The protein encoded by this gene is a hormone involved in modulation of cardiovascular and renal function. It has also been shown in rats to cause weight loss. Several transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]
General function
Ligand, Hormone
Comment
Cellular localization
Secreted
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Decreased levels of spexin are associated with hormonal and metabolic disturbance in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome. Guler A et al. (2020) Spexin, a newly identified peptide hormone, is involved in energy metabolism and the hypothalamic gonadal axis. We aimed to compare the altered levels of spexin in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to find out if there was any association between spexin levels and hormonal-metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. Eighty subjects with PCOS and 80 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects with a normal menstrual cycle were enrolled into the current case control study. Spexin levels were measured by ELISA. Spexin levels were significantly lower in PCOS subjects. Spexin showed a negative correlation with insulin resistance, BMI and androgens in PCOS women. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of having PCOS was associated with low levels of spexin. Decreased spexin levels were inversely associated with androgens and unfavourable metabolic profiles in PCOS subjects, suggesting that the inter-related roles of spexin are in the different metabolic and hormonal pathways of PCOS.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subjects? Spexin is a newly identified peptide hormone which plays various roles in regulating energy metabolism and the hypothalamic gonadal axis. PCOS is a reproductive and metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis disruptions.What do the results of this study add? Decreased levels of spexin were inversely association with androgens and unfavourable metabolic profiles in PCOS women. The risk of having PCOS was increased in parallel with decreased spexin levels.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Spexin may play numerous roles in the pathophysiological processes of PCOS. To find the exact role of spexin over PCOS development, detailed investigations are required.//////////////////
Ovarian function
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
Theca, Luteal cells
Comment
Spexin Expression in Normal Rat Tissues. Porzionato A et al. Spexin is a highly conserved peptide which was recently identified through bioinformatics approach. Immunohistochemical analysis of its expression has not yet been performed. Thus, in the present work, we examined spexin location in a wide range of rat organs both by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR identified spexin mRNA in all tissues examined. Spexin immunoreaction was mainly cytoplasmic. Spexin was immunohistochemically detected, although with different staining intensities, in epithelia and glands of skin, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Smooth muscle cells showed weak immunostaining and connective tissue was negative. In the central nervous system, neuronal groups showed different intensities of reaction product. Immunoreaction was also found in ganglionic cells of both trigeminal and superior cervical ganglia and in photoreceptor, inner nuclear and ganglionic layers of the retina. In the endocrine system, spexin immunoreaction was detected in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, adenohypophysis, thyroid and parathyroid glands, adrenal cortex and medulla (mainly ganglionic cells), Leydig cells as well as in thecal, luteal and interstitial cells of the ovary. On the basis of its widespread expression, spexin is probably involved in many different physiological functions, in particular its location in neurons and endocrine cells suggests roles as neurotransmitter/neuromodulator and endocrine factor.