The POMC neurons, receiving nutrient or hormonal signals, release α-MSH, a product of POMC cleavage that activates melanocortin 3 and 4 receptors (MC3/4R), which are expressed throughout the brain, but mostly in the PVN[16], and the activation of the neurons results in the inhibition of food intake and increased energy expenditure (similarly to VMN, destruction of PVN leads to obesity). Here, POMC is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.