On ligand binding, mediates LEP central and peripheral effects through the activation of different signaling pathways such as JAK2/STAT3 and MAPK cascade/FOS. In the hypothalamus, LEP acts as an appetite-regulating factor that induces a decrease in food intake and an increase in energy consumption by inducing anorexinogenic factors and suppressing orexigenic neuropeptides, also regulates bone mass and secretion of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal hormones (By similarity).
