Spexin is a peptide signaling hormone involved in energy metabolism, appetite regulation, lipid signaling, gastrointestinal communication, autonomic regulation, and endocrine metabolic adaptation. The hormone participates in communication pathways linking nutritional status with autonomic and metabolic responses throughout the body.
Spexin influences satiety signaling, adipose tissue metabolism, smooth muscle activity, bile acid physiology, and neuroendocrine communication pathways. It also contributes to regulation of glucose-related signaling, gastrointestinal motility, and energy utilization. Through these actions, spexin functions as a metabolic communication peptide coordinating nutrient-related signaling with autonomic and endocrine adaptation.
Spexin is produced in hypothalamic tissue, gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, and additional endocrine-responsive organs. Expression occurs within both central nervous system structures and peripheral metabolic tissues, allowing integrated neuroendocrine communication.
The hormone is synthesized as a peptide precursor encoded by the NPQ gene and processed into active signaling fragments. Local tissue production allows paracrine signaling while circulating hormone contributes to broader endocrine metabolic coordination.
Spexin production is regulated by nutritional state, glucose metabolism, autonomic signaling, circadian physiology, adipose tissue communication, and hypothalamic endocrine pathways. Feeding status, metabolic demand, and energy availability strongly influence secretion patterns.
Spexin acts through galanin receptor-associated signaling systems that influence calcium pathways, autonomic regulation, smooth muscle activity, and neuroendocrine signaling cascades. Interactions with hypothalamic appetite-regulating pathways and metabolic communication systems contribute to its physiological effects. Through these integrated endocrine and autonomic pathways, spexin coordinates appetite-related signaling, metabolic adaptation, gastrointestinal communication, and energy homeostasis.
Spexin (NPQ) is a neuropeptide that signals through GALR2/3 to support satiety circuits and energy-metabolic coordination within normal physiology.
