How a brain protein helps you feel full after eating protein
Cav3.1 is a neuronal leucine sensor that mediates satiety and weight loss in response to dietary protein
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A protein in your brain called Cav3.1 acts like a leucine detector — when you eat protein, leucine binds to it and tells your brain to stop eating.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 56 / 58
Evidence Score
Researchers compare people who have a condition (cases) with similar people who do not (controls), looking back in time for differences in exposure. Useful but more prone to bias.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A protein in your brain called Cav3.1 acts like a leucine detector — when you eat protein, leucine binds to it and tells your brain to stop eating.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 56 / 58
Evidence Score
Researchers compare people who have a condition (cases) with similar people who do not (controls), looking back in time for differences in exposure. Useful but more prone to bias.
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Authors
Tsang AH, Heeley N, Alcaino C, Hwang E, Lam BY, Rahman T, Darwish T, Nuzzaci D, Kay RG, Sarkar A, Wang R, Basha N, Punnoose A, Kirwan P, Ma M, Yeo GS, Merkle FT, Gribble FM, Reinmann F, Williams KW, Blouet C
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Leucine binds to a specific calcium channel on POMC neurons in the brain, causing these neurons to activate and send signals that reduce food intake.
Cav3.1 channels control the entry of calcium ions into specific brain cells called POMC neurons, which are involved in signaling fullness after eating.
Blocking Cav3.1 ion channels reduces the activity of POMC neurons when leucine is present and prevents leucine from reducing appetite in mice.
In mice, removing the Cacna1g gene specifically from POMC neurons prevents high-protein diets from reducing food intake and body weight.
Leucine, a dietary amino acid, binds to a specific site on the Cav3.1 ion channel and reduces the voltage needed for the channel to open, which leads to activation of neurons.