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Devarakonda K, Mobbs CV. Mechanisms and significance of brain glucose signaling in energy balance, glucose homeostasis, and food-induced reward. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 438:61-69. [PMID: 27637346 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The concept that hypothalamic glucose signaling plays an important role in regulating energy balance, e.g., as instantiated in the so-called "glucostat" hypothesis, is one of the oldest in the field of metabolism. However the mechanisms by which neurons in the hypothalamus sense glucose, and the function of glucose signaling in the brain, has been difficult to establish. Nevertheless recent studies probing mechanisms of glucose signaling have also strongly supported a role for glucose signaling in regulating energy balance, glucose homeostasis, and food-induced reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavya Devarakonda
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave., 9-119, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave., 9-119, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Charles V Mobbs
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave., 9-119, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave., 9-119, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Geriatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave., 9-119, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Haslach EM, Huang H, Dirain M, Debevec G, Geer P, Santos RG, Giulianotti MA, Pinilla C, Appel JR, Doering SR, Walters MA, Houghten RA, Haskell-Luevano C. Identification of tetrapeptides from a mixture based positional scanning library that can restore nM full agonist function of the L106P, I69T, I102S, A219V, C271Y, and C271R human melanocortin-4 polymorphic receptors (hMC4Rs). J Med Chem 2014; 57:4615-28. [PMID: 24517312 PMCID: PMC4324447 DOI: 10.1021/jm500064t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Human obesity has been linked to genetic factors and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) SNPs have been associated with up to 6% frequency in morbidly obese children and adults. A potential therapy for individuals possessing such genetic modifications is the identification of molecules that can restore proper receptor signaling and function. These compounds could serve as personalized medications improving quality of life issues as well as alleviating diseases symptoms associated with obesity including type 2 diabetes. Several hMC4 SNP receptors have been pharmacologically characterized in vitro to have a decreased, or a lack of response, to endogenous agonists such as α-, β-, and γ2-melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH) and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). Herein we report the use of a mixture based positional scanning combinatorial tetrapeptide library to discover molecules with nM full agonist potency and efficacy to the L106P, I69T, I102S, A219V, C271Y, and C271R hMC4Rs. The most potent compounds at all these hMC4R SNPs include Ac-His-(pI)DPhe-Tic-(pNO2)DPhe-NH2, Ac-His-(pCl)DPhe-Tic-(pNO2)DPhe-NH2, Ac-His-(pCl)DPhe-Arg-(pI)Phe-NH2, and Ac-Arg-(pCl)DPhe-Tic-(pNO2)DPhe-NH2, revealing new ligand pharmacophore models for melanocortin receptor drug design strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M Haslach
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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Grill HJ, Hayes MR. Hindbrain neurons as an essential hub in the neuroanatomically distributed control of energy balance. Cell Metab 2012; 16:296-309. [PMID: 22902836 PMCID: PMC4862653 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2012.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 317] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 06/08/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This Review highlights the processing and integration performed by hindbrain nuclei, focusing on the inputs received by nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurons. These inputs include vagally mediated gastrointestinal satiation signals, blood-borne energy-related hormonal and nutrient signals, and descending neural signals from the forebrain. We propose that NTS (and hindbrain neurons, more broadly) integrate these multiple energy status signals and issue-output commands controlling the behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine responses that collectively govern energy balance. These hindbrain-mediated controls are neuroanatomically distributed; they involve endemic hindbrain neurons and circuits, hindbrain projections to peripheral circuits, and projections to and from midbrain and forebrain nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harvey J Grill
- Graduate Group of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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De Jonghe BC, Hayes MR, Bence KK. Melanocortin control of energy balance: evidence from rodent models. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:2569-88. [PMID: 21553232 PMCID: PMC3135719 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0707-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of energy balance is extremely complex, and involves multiple systems of hormones, neurotransmitters, receptors, and intracellular signals. As data have accumulated over the last two decades, the CNS melanocortin system is now identified as a prominent integrative network of energy balance controls in the mammalian brain. Here, we will review findings from rat and mouse models, which have provided an important framework in which to study melanocortin function. Perhaps most importantly, this review attempts for the first time to summarize recent advances in our understanding of the intracellular signaling pathways thought to mediate the action of melanocortin neurons and peptides in control of longterm energy balance. Special attention will be paid to the roles of MC4R/MC3R, as well as downstream neurotransmitters within forebrain and hindbrain structures that illustrate the distributed control of melanocortin signaling in energy balance. In addition, distinctions and controversy between rodent species will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart C. De Jonghe
- Dept. of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Matthew R. Hayes
- Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Kendra K. Bence
- Dept. of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
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Atalayer D, Robertson KL, Haskell-Luevano C, Andreasen A, Rowland NE. Food demand and meal size in mice with single or combined disruption of melanocortin type 3 and 4 receptors. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2010; 298:R1667-74. [PMID: 20375267 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00562.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mice with homozygous genetic disruption of the melanocortin-4 receptor gene (MC4R-/-) are known to be hyperphagic and become obese, while those with disruption of the melanocortin-3 receptor gene (MC3R-/-) do not become markedly obese. The contribution of MC3R signaling in energy homeostasis remains little studied. In the present work, we compare MC3R-/- mice with wild-type (WT), MC4R-/-, and mice bearing disruption of both genes (double knockout, DKO) on select feeding and neuroanatomical dimensions. DKO mice were significantly more obese than MC4R-/-, whereas MC3R-/- weighed the same as WT. In a food demand protocol, DKO and MC4R-/- were hyperphagic at low unit costs for food, due primarily to increased meal size. However, at higher costs, their intake dropped below that of WT and MC3R-/-, indicating increased elasticity of food demand. To determine whether this higher elasticity was due to either the genotype or to the obese phenotype, the same food demand protocol was conducted in dietary obese C57BL6 mice. They showed similar elasticity to lean mice, suggesting that the effect is of genotypic origin. To assess whether the increased meal size in MC4R-/- and DKO might be due to reduced CCK signaling, we examined the acute anorectic effect of peripherally administered CCK and subsequently the induction of c-Fos immunoreactivity in select brain regions. The anorectic effect of CCK was comparable in MC4R-/-, DKO, and WT, but it was unexpectedly absent in MC3R-/-. CCK-induced c-Fos was lower in the paraventricular nucleus in MC3R-/- than the other genotypes. These data are discussed in terms of demand functions for food intake, MC receptors involved in feeding, and their relation to actions of gut hormones, such as CCK, and to obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Atalayer
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-2250, USA
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Rowland NE, Fakhar KJ, Robertson KL, Haskell-Luevano C. Effect of serotonergic anorectics on food intake and induction of Fos in brain of mice with disruption of melanocortin 3 and/or 4 receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2010; 97:107-11. [PMID: 20347864 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2010.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2010] [Revised: 03/05/2010] [Accepted: 03/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that type 3 or 4 melanocortin receptors (MCR) are downstream of the critical anorectic action of drugs that stimulate 5-HT(2C) receptors. To characterize further the receptor types involved, we have studied the effect of serotonergic anorectics in mice with genomic disruption of either MC3R or MC4R, or their combined knockout. In a first experiment, we showed that wild type (WT) and MC4R-/- mice showed comparable inhibition of food intake following acute treatment with dexnorfenfluramine. In a second experiment using WAY-161503, a 5-HT receptor full agonist with selectivity for 2B and 2C subtypes, we found that MC4R-/- responded comparably to WT, while MC3R-/- had reduced sensitivity. Double receptor knockout (DKO) mice responded comparably to WT and MC4R-/-. Surprisingly, brain Fos-ir was not strongly induced in any brain region by WAY-16103 with the exception of the paraventricular nucleus of DKO. These data suggest that MC3Rs may be involved in the response to serotonergic anorectic agents, and more generally in control of food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil E Rowland
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Daniels D. Alan [corrected] N. Epstein award: Intracellular signaling and ingestive behaviors. Physiol Behav 2010; 100:496-502. [PMID: 20346964 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Revised: 03/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the role of intracellular signaling pathways in ingestive behavior is a challenging problem in behavioral neuroscience. This review summarizes work conducted on two systems with the aim of identifying intracellular events that relate to food and fluid intake. The first set of experiments focused on melanocortin receptors and their ability to signal through members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. The second set of experiments focused on the role of intracellular signaling pathways in water and saline intakes that are stimulated by angiotensin II (AngII). The initial findings in each line of research have been extended by subsequent research that is discussed in turn. The paper represents an invited review by a symposium, award winner or keynote speaker at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior [SSIB] Annual Meeting in Portland, July 2009.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Daniels
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA.
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Gautron L, Lee C, Funahashi H, Friedman J, Lee S, Elmquist J. Melanocortin-4 receptor expression in a vago-vagal circuitry involved in postprandial functions. J Comp Neurol 2010; 518:6-24. [PMID: 19882715 DOI: 10.1002/cne.22221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Vagal afferents regulate energy balance by providing a link between the brain and postprandial signals originating from the gut. In the current study, we investigated melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) expression in the nodose ganglion, where the cell bodies of vagal sensory afferents reside. By using a line of mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the MC4R promoter, we found GFP expression in approximately one-third of nodose ganglion neurons. By using immunohistochemistry combined with in situ hybridization, we also demonstrated that approximately 20% of GFP-positive neurons coexpressed cholecystokinin receptor A. In addition, we found that the GFP is transported to peripheral tissues by both vagal sensory afferents and motor efferents, which allowed us to assess the sites innervated by MC4R-GFP neurons. GFP-positive efferents that co-expressed choline acetyltransferase specifically terminated in the hepatic artery and the myenteric plexus of the stomach and duodenum. In contrast, GFP-positive afferents that did not express cholinergic or sympathetic markers terminated in the submucosal plexus and mucosa of the duodenum. Retrograde tracing experiments confirmed the innervation of the duodenum by GFP-positive neurons located in the nodose ganglion. Our findings support the hypothesis that MC4R signaling in vagal afferents may modulate the activity of fibers sensitive to satiety signals such as cholecystokinin, and that MC4R signaling in vagal efferents may contribute to the control of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Gautron
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hypothalamic Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9077, USA
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Xu L, Vagner J, Josan J, Lynch RM, Morse DL, Baggett B, Han H, Mash EA, Hruby VJ, Gillies RJ. Enhanced targeting with heterobivalent ligands. Mol Cancer Ther 2009; 8:2356-65. [PMID: 19671749 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-1183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A novel approach to specifically target tumor cells for detection and treatment is the proposed use of heteromultivalent ligands, which are designed to interact with, and noncovalently crosslink, multiple different cell surface receptors. Although enhanced binding has been shown for synthetic homomultivalent ligands, proof of cross-linking requires the use of ligands with two or more different binding moieties. As proof-of-concept, we have examined the binding of synthetic heterobivalent ligands to cell lines that were engineered to coexpress two different G-protein-coupled human receptors, i.e., the human melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) expressed in combination with either the human delta-opioid receptor (deltaOR) or the human cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R). Expression levels of these receptors were characterized by time-resolved fluorescence saturation binding assays using Europium-labeled ligands; Eu-DPLCE, Eu-NDP-alpha-MSH, and Eu-CCK8 for the deltaOR, MC4R, and CCK2R, respectively. Heterobivalent ligands were synthesized to contain a MC4R agonist connected via chemical linkers to either a deltaOR or a CCK2R agonist. In both cell systems, the heterobivalent constructs bound with much higher affinity to cells expressing both receptors, compared with cells with single receptors or to cells where one of the receptors was competitively blocked. These results indicate that synthetic heterobivalent ligands can noncovalently crosslink two unrelated cell surface receptors, making feasible the targeting of receptor combinations. The in vitro cell models described herein will lead to the development of multivalent ligands for target combinations identified in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Blevins JE, Morton GJ, Williams DL, Caldwell DW, Bastian LS, Wisse BE, Schwartz MW, Baskin DG. Forebrain melanocortin signaling enhances the hindbrain satiety response to CCK-8. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2008; 296:R476-84. [PMID: 19109369 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.90544.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) are hypothesized to mediate the central nervous system actions of leptin to enhance the satiety effects of cholecystokinin (CCK). To further elucidate this mechanism, we confirmed that peripheral administration of CCK-8 is less effective in producing this effect in MC4R-deficient mice (MC4R(-/-)). Whereas intraperitoneal (ip) CCK-8 at 0.75 nmol/kg lean body mass (lbm) suppressed food intake in wild-type mice, CCK-8 doses of 7.5 nmol/kg lbm were required to attenuate food intake in MC4R(-/-) mice. To determine whether melanocortin signaling in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) participates in regulating this CCK satiety response, we administered the MC3/MC4R antagonist, SHU9119, into the PVN of rats before ip CCK-8 administration. PVN administration of SHU9119 attenuated the ability of CCK-8 to reduce 30-min food intake by 20%. To determine whether MC4R are expressed by PVN neurons that project directly to hindbrain nuclei involved in the satiety response to ip CCK-8, the retrograde tracer fluorescent cholera toxin subunit B was injected into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the hindbrain. After 4 days, labeled PVN neurons were collected by laser capture microdissection and found to express MC4R mRNA by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. These data provide evidence for a neuroanatomical link between hypothalamic melanocortin signaling in the PVN and NTS neurons that regulate food intake. These findings highlight the contribution of melanocortin signaling in the PVN toward regulating the satiety effects of CCK-8 while acknowledging that melanocortin-dependent pathways in other brain regions and/or melanocortin-independent mechanisms are also important in this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Blevins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Mail stop S-151, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.
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Kawashima S, Sakihara S, Kageyama K, Nigawara T, Suda T. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is involved in the acute anorexic effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone: a study using CRF-deficient mice. Peptides 2008; 29:2169-74. [PMID: 18930089 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2008.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2008] [Revised: 09/16/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and its receptors are critical and indispensable for maintaining appropriate feeding behavior and energy homeostasis in both mice and humans. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a candidate for mediating the anorexic effect of alpha-MSH. In the present study, we examined whether CRF and its receptors are involved in the anorexic effect of alpha-MSH, using CRF-deficient (CRFKO) mice and a CRF receptor antagonist. Intracerebroventricular administration of NDP-MSH, a synthetic alpha-MSH analogue, suppressed food intake in wild-type (WT) mice. This effect was abolished by pretreatment with a non-selective CRF receptor antagonist, astressin, suggesting that the effect of alpha-MSH-induced anorexia was mediated by a CRF receptor. In CRFKO mice, administration with NDP-MSH did not affect food intake at an early phase (0-4h). In addition, CRF mRNA levels in the hypothalamus were significantly increased in NDP-MSH-treated mice. Therefore, our findings, using CRFKO, strongly support evidence that CRF is involved in the acute anorexic effect of alpha-MSH. On the other hand, NDP-MSH administered to CRFKO mice led to suppressed food intake at the late phase (4-12h), similar to the effect in WT mice. Further, NDP-MSH similarly reduced food intake during the late phase in all types of mice, including WT, CRFKO, and CRFKO with corticosterone replacement. The results would suggest that alpha-MSH-induced suppression of food intake at late phase was independent of glucocorticoids and CRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoko Kawashima
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan
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Bibliography. Current world literature. Growth and development. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2008; 15:79-101. [PMID: 18185067 DOI: 10.1097/med.0b013e3282f4f084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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