Activin actions in adipocytes

Abstract Obesity is a growing global health problem characterized by excess fat accumulation. Though causes of obesity are multifactorial, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists have emerged as effective weight loss drugs. Nevertheless, these agents are expensive, not uniformly available, and must be used continuously. Moreover, side effects and low efficacy limit the use of these and related molecules in some individuals. Therefore, there is continued interest in characterizing mechanisms regulating adiposity to aid in the development of novel treatments. In recent years, there has been a growing appreciation for ligands of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family, the activins, in adipocyte proliferation, differentiation, and function. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the role of these molecules, with a particular focus on the hepatokine activin E, in lipolysis and diet-induced obesity.