1
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Dahir NS, Gui Y, Wu Y, Sweeney PR, Rouault AA, Williams SY, Gimenez LE, Sawyer TK, Joy ST, Mapp AK, Cone RD. Subthreshold activation of the melanocortin system causes generalized sensitization to anorectic agents in mice. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e178250. [PMID: 39007271 PMCID: PMC11245150 DOI: 10.1172/jci178250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) regulates GABA release from agouti-related protein (AgRP) nerve terminals and thus tonically suppresses multiple circuits involved in feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. Here, we examined the role of the MC3R and the melanocortin system in regulating the response to various anorexigenic agents. The genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of the MC3R, or subthreshold doses of an MC4R agonist, improved the dose responsiveness to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) agonists, as assayed by inhibition of food intake and weight loss. An enhanced anorectic response to the acute satiety factors peptide YY (PYY3-36) and cholecystokinin (CCK) and the long-term adipostatic factor leptin demonstrated that increased sensitivity to anorectic agents was a generalized result of MC3R antagonism. We observed enhanced neuronal activation in multiple hypothalamic nuclei using Fos IHC following low-dose liraglutide in MC3R-KO mice (Mc3r-/-), supporting the hypothesis that the MC3R is a negative regulator of circuits that control multiple aspects of feeding behavior. The enhanced anorectic response in Mc3r-/- mice after administration of GLP1 analogs was also independent of the incretin effects and malaise induced by GLP1 receptor (GLP1R) analogs, suggesting that MC3R antagonists or MC4R agonists may have value in enhancing the dose-response range of obesity therapeutics.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/metabolism
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/agonists
- Liraglutide/pharmacology
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/metabolism
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/agonists
- Male
- Appetite Depressants/pharmacology
- Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism
- Cholecystokinin/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Eating/drug effects
- Leptin/metabolism
- Peptide YY/metabolism
- Peptide YY/genetics
- Hypothalamus/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Naima S. Dahir
- Life Sciences Institute
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and
| | - Yijun Gui
- Life Sciences Institute
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yanan Wu
- Life Sciences Institute
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Patrick R. Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Alix A.J. Rouault
- Life Sciences Institute
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and
| | | | | | | | | | - Anna K. Mapp
- Life Sciences Institute
- Department of Chemistry, School of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Roger D. Cone
- Life Sciences Institute
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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2
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Ye H, Yang X, Feng B, Luo P, Torres Irizarry VC, Carrillo-Sáenz L, Yu M, Yang Y, Eappen BP, Munoz MD, Patel N, Schaul S, Ibrahimi L, Lai P, Qi X, Zhou Y, Kota M, Dixit D, Mun M, Liew CW, Jiang Y, Wang C, He Y, Xu P. 27-Hydroxycholesterol acts on estrogen receptor α expressed by POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus to modulate feeding behavior. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi4746. [PMID: 38996023 PMCID: PMC11244552 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi4746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Oxysterols are metabolites of cholesterol that regulate cholesterol homeostasis. Among these, the most abundant oxysterol is 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), which can cross the blood-brain barrier. Because 27HC functions as an endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator, we hypothesize that 27HC binds to the estrogen receptor α (ERα) in the brain to regulate energy balance. Supporting this view, we found that delivering 27HC to the brain reduced food intake and activated proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (POMCARH) in an ERα-dependent manner. In addition, we observed that inhibiting brain ERα, deleting ERα in POMC neurons, or chemogenetic inhibition of POMCARH neurons blocked the anorexigenic effects of 27HC. Mechanistically, we further revealed that 27HC stimulates POMCARH neurons by inhibiting the small conductance of the calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel. Together, our findings suggest that 27HC, through its interaction with ERα and modulation of the SK channel, inhibits food intake as a negative feedback mechanism against a surge in circulating cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Xiaohua Yang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Bing Feng
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Pei Luo
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Valeria C. Torres Irizarry
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Leslie Carrillo-Sáenz
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Meng Yu
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongjie Yang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin P. Eappen
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marcos David Munoz
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Nirali Patel
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sarah Schaul
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Lucas Ibrahimi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Penghua Lai
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Xinyue Qi
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Yuliang Zhou
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Maya Kota
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Devin Dixit
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Madeline Mun
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Chong Wee Liew
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Yuwei Jiang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanlin He
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Pingwen Xu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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3
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Possa-Paranhos IC, Butts J, Pyszka E, Nelson C, Cho D, Sweeney P. Neuroanatomical dissection of the MC3R circuitry regulating energy rheostasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590573. [PMID: 38712101 PMCID: PMC11071362 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Although mammals resist both acute weight loss and weight gain, the neural circuitry mediating bi-directional defense against weight change is incompletely understood. Global constitutive deletion of the melanocortin-3-receptor (MC3R) impairs the behavioral response to both anorexic and orexigenic stimuli, with MC3R knockout mice demonstrating increased weight gain following anabolic challenges and increased weight loss following anorexic challenges (i.e. impaired energy rheostasis). However, the brain regions mediating this phenotype remain incompletely understood. Here, we utilized MC3R floxed mice and viral injections of Cre-recombinase to selectively delete MC3R from medial hypothalamus (MH) in adult mice. Behavioral assays were performed on these animals to test the role of MC3R in MH in the acute response to orexigenic and anorexic challenges. Complementary chemogenetic approaches were used in MC3R-Cre mice to localize and characterize the specific medial hypothalamic brain regions mediating the role of MC3R in energy homeostasis. Finally, we performed RNAscope in situ hybridization to map changes in the mRNA expression of MC3R, POMC, and AgRP following energy rheostatic challenges. Our results demonstrate that MC3R deletion in MH increased feeding and weight gain following acute high fat diet feeding in males, and enhanced the anorexic effects of semaglutide, in a sexually dimorphic manner. Additionally, activation of DMH MC3R neurons increased energy expenditure and locomotion. Together, these results demonstrate that MC3R mediated effects on energy rheostasis result from the loss of MC3R signaling in the medial hypothalamus of adult animals and suggest an important role for DMH MC3R signaling in energy rheostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jared Butts
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Neuroscience Program
| | - Emma Pyszka
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
| | - Christina Nelson
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
| | - Dajin Cho
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Neuroscience Program
| | - Patrick Sweeney
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Neuroscience Program
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4
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Wilbrecht L, Lin WC, Callahan K, Bateson M, Myers K, Ross R. Experimental biology can inform our understanding of food insecurity. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246215. [PMID: 38449329 PMCID: PMC10949070 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Food insecurity is a major public health issue. Millions of households worldwide have intermittent and unpredictable access to food and this experience is associated with greater risk for a host of negative health outcomes. While food insecurity is a contemporary concern, we can understand its effects better if we acknowledge that there are ancient biological programs that evolved to respond to the experience of food scarcity and uncertainty, and they may be particularly sensitive to food insecurity during development. Support for this conjecture comes from common findings in several recent animal studies that have modeled insecurity by manipulating predictability of food access in various ways. Using different experimental paradigms in different species, these studies have shown that experience of insecure access to food can lead to changes in weight, motivation and cognition. Some of these studies account for changes in weight through changes in metabolism, while others observe increases in feeding and motivation to work for food. It has been proposed that weight gain is an adaptive response to the experience of food insecurity as 'insurance' in an uncertain future, while changes in motivation and cognition may reflect strategic adjustments in foraging behavior. Animal studies also offer the opportunity to make in-depth controlled studies of mechanisms and behavior. So far, there is evidence that the experience of food insecurity can impact metabolic efficiency, reproductive capacity and dopamine neuron synapses. Further work on behavior, the central and peripheral nervous system, the gut and liver, along with variation in age of exposure, will be needed to better understand the full body impacts of food insecurity at different stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Wilbrecht
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1650, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Wan Chen Lin
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kathryn Callahan
- Psychiatric Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Melissa Bateson
- Bioscience Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kevin Myers
- Department of Psychology and Programs in Animal Behavior and Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Rachel Ross
- Psychiatric Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, NY 10467, USA
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5
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Gozen O, Aypar B, Ozturk Bintepe M, Tuzcu F, Balkan B, Koylu EO, Kanit L, Keser A. Chronic Nicotine Consumption and Withdrawal Regulate Melanocortin Receptor, CRF, and CRF Receptor mRNA Levels in the Rat Brain. Brain Sci 2024; 14:63. [PMID: 38248278 PMCID: PMC10813117 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the various neuropeptide systems in the mesocorticolimbic circuitry have been implicated in negative effects associated with drug withdrawal. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone are two peptides that may be involved. This study investigated the regulatory effects of chronic nicotine exposure and withdrawal on the mRNA levels of melanocortin receptors (MC3R, MC4R), CRF, and CRF receptors (CRFR1 and CRFR2) expressed in the mesocorticolimbic system. Rats were given drinking water with nicotine or without nicotine (control group) for 12 weeks, after which they continued receiving nicotine (chronic exposure) or were withdrawn from nicotine for 24 or 48 h. The animals were decapitated following behavioral testing for withdrawal signs. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that nicotine exposure (with or without withdrawal) increased levels of CRF and CRFR1 mRNA in the amygdala, CRF mRNA in the medial prefrontal cortex, and CRFR1 mRNA in the septum. Nicotine withdrawal also enhanced MC3R and MC4R mRNA levels in different brain regions, while chronic nicotine exposure was associated with increased MC4R mRNA levels in the nucleus accumbens. These results suggest that chronic nicotine exposure and withdrawal regulate CRF and melanocortin signaling in the mesocorticolimbic system, possibly contributing to negative affective state and nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oguz Gozen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Buket Aypar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
| | - Meliha Ozturk Bintepe
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
| | - Fulya Tuzcu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
| | - Burcu Balkan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ersin O. Koylu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Lutfiye Kanit
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Keser
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
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6
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Dahir NS, Gui Y, Wu Y, Sweeney PR, Williams SY, Gimenez LE, Sawyer TK, Joy ST, Mapp AK, Cone RD. Inhibition of the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) causes generalized sensitization to anorectic agents. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.05.570114. [PMID: 38106197 PMCID: PMC10723368 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) acts presynaptically to regulate GABA release from agouti-related protein (AgRP) nerve terminals and thus may be a negative regulator of multiple circuits involved in feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. Here, we examined the role of MC3R in regulating the response to various anorexigenic agents. Our findings reveal that genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of MC3R improves the dose responsiveness to Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) agonists, as assayed by inhibition of food intake and weight loss. An enhanced anorectic response to other agents, including the acute satiety factors peptide YY (PYY3-36) and cholecystokinin (CCK) and the long-term adipostatic factor, leptin, demonstrated that increased sensitivity to anorectic agents is a generalized result of MC3R antagonism. Enhanced neuronal activation in multiple nuclei, including ARH, VMH, and DMH, was observed using Fos immunohistochemistry following low-dose liraglutide in MC3R knockout mice (Mc3r-/-), supporting the hypothesis that the MC3R is a negative regulator of circuits regulating multiple aspects of feeding behavior. The enhanced anorectic response in Mc3r -/- mice after administration of GLP1 analogs was also independent of the incretin effects and malaise induced by GLP1R analogs, suggesting that MC3R antagonists may have value in enhancing the dose-response range of obesity therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naima S. Dahir
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yijun Gui
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yanan Wu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Patrick R. Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
| | | | - Luis E. Gimenez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Tomi K. Sawyer
- Courage Therapeutics, 64 Homer Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02459, United States
| | - Stephen T. Joy
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anna K. Mapp
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Chemistry, School of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Roger D. Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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7
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Willmore L, Minerva AR, Engelhard B, Murugan M, McMannon B, Oak N, Thiberge SY, Peña CJ, Witten IB. Overlapping representations of food and social stimuli in mouse VTA dopamine neurons. Neuron 2023; 111:3541-3553.e8. [PMID: 37657441 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTADA) respond to food and social stimuli and contribute to both forms of motivation. However, it is unclear whether the same or different VTADA neurons encode these different stimuli. To address this question, we performed two-photon calcium imaging in mice presented with food and conspecifics and found statistically significant overlap in the populations responsive to both stimuli. Both hunger and opposite-sex social experience further increased the proportion of neurons that respond to both stimuli, implying that increasing motivation for one stimulus increases overlap. In addition, single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed significant co-expression of feeding- and social-hormone-related genes in individual VTADA neurons. Taken together, our functional and transcriptional data suggest overlapping VTADA populations underlie food and social motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Willmore
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Adelaide R Minerva
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Ben Engelhard
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3525433, Israel.
| | - Malavika Murugan
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Brenna McMannon
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Nirja Oak
- Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Stephan Y Thiberge
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Catherine J Peña
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Ilana B Witten
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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8
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Sweeney P, Gimenez LE, Hernandez CC, Cone RD. Targeting the central melanocortin system for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:507-519. [PMID: 37365323 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00855-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
A large body of preclinical and clinical data shows that the central melanocortin system is a promising therapeutic target for treating various metabolic disorders such as obesity and cachexia, as well as anorexia nervosa. Setmelanotide, which functions by engaging the central melanocortin circuitry, was approved by the FDA in 2020 for use in certain forms of syndromic obesity. Furthermore, the FDA approvals in 2019 of two peptide drugs targeting melanocortin receptors for the treatment of generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (bremelanotide) and erythropoietic protoporphyria-associated phototoxicity (afamelanotide) demonstrate the safety of this class of peptides. These approvals have also renewed excitement in the development of therapeutics targeting the melanocortin system. Here, we review the anatomy and function of the melanocortin system, discuss progress and challenges in developing melanocortin receptor-based therapeutics, and outline potential metabolic and behavioural disorders that could be addressed using pharmacological agents targeting these receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Sweeney
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Luis E Gimenez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Roger D Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, College of Literature Science and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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9
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Jin R, Sun S, Hu Y, Zhang H, Sun X. Neuropeptides Modulate Feeding via the Dopamine Reward Pathway. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4. [PMID: 37233918 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter widely distributed in the central nervous system. It participates in various physiological functions, such as feeding, anxiety, fear, sleeping and arousal. The regulation of feeding is exceptionally complex, involving energy homeostasis and reward motivation. The reward system comprises the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), hypothalamus, and limbic system. This paper illustrates the detailed mechanisms of eight typical orexigenic and anorexic neuropeptides that regulate food intake through the reward system. According to recent literature, neuropeptides released from the hypothalamus and other brain regions regulate reward feeding predominantly through dopaminergic neurons projecting from the VTA to the NAc. In addition, their effect on the dopaminergic system is mediated by the prefrontal cortex, paraventricular thalamus, laterodorsal tegmental area, amygdala, and complex neural circuits. Research on neuropeptides involved in reward feeding can help identify more targets to treat diseases with metabolic disorders, such as obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijie Jin
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanbin Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongfei Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiangrong Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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10
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Willmore L, Minerva AR, Engelhard B, Murugan M, McMannon B, Oak N, Thiberge SY, Peña CJ, Witten IB. Overlapping representations of food and social stimuli in VTA dopamine neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.17.541104. [PMID: 37293057 PMCID: PMC10245666 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.17.541104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA DA ) respond to food and social stimuli and contribute to both forms of motivation. However, it is unclear if the same or different VTA DA neurons encode these different stimuli. To address this question, we performed 2-photon calcium imaging in mice presented with food and conspecifics, and found statistically significant overlap in the populations responsive to both stimuli. Both hunger and opposite-sex social experience further increased the proportion of neurons that respond to both stimuli, implying that modifying motivation for one stimulus affects responses to both stimuli. In addition, single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed significant co-expression of feeding- and social-hormone related genes in individual VTA DA neurons. Taken together, our functional and transcriptional data suggest overlapping VTA DA populations underlie food and social motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Willmore
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Adelaide R. Minerva
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Ben Engelhard
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
- Department of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, 3525433, Israel
| | - Malavika Murugan
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Brenna McMannon
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Nirja Oak
- Department of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, 3525433, Israel
| | - Stephan Y. Thiberge
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Catherine J. Peña
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Ilana B. Witten
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
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11
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Markov DD, Dolotov OV, Grivennikov IA. The Melanocortin System: A Promising Target for the Development of New Antidepressant Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076664. [PMID: 37047638 PMCID: PMC10094937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, causing significant human suffering and socioeconomic loss. Since conventional antidepressants are not sufficiently effective, there is an urgent need to develop new antidepressant medications. Despite marked advances in the neurobiology of depression, the etiology and pathophysiology of this disease remain poorly understood. Classical and newer hypotheses of depression suggest that an imbalance of brain monoamines, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and immune system, or impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors pathways are cause of depression. It is assumed that conventional antidepressants improve these closely related disturbances. The purpose of this review was to discuss the possibility of affecting these disturbances by targeting the melanocortin system, which includes adrenocorticotropic hormone-activated receptors and their peptide ligands (melanocortins). The melanocortin system is involved in the regulation of various processes in the brain and periphery. Melanocortins, including peripherally administered non-corticotropic agonists, regulate HPAA activity, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate the levels of neurotrophic factors, and enhance hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotransmission. Therefore, endogenous melanocortins and their analogs are able to complexly affect the functioning of those body’s systems that are closely related to depression and the effects of antidepressants, thereby demonstrating a promising antidepressant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii D. Markov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg V. Dolotov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor A. Grivennikov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
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12
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Hall MAL, Kohut-Jackson AL, Peyla AC, Friedman GD, Simco NJ, Borland JM, Meisel RL. Melanocortin receptor 3 and 4 mRNA expression in the adult female Syrian hamster brain. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1038341. [PMID: 36910260 PMCID: PMC9995703 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1038341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanocortin 3 receptors (MC3R) and melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) are vital in regulating a variety of functions across many species. For example, the dysregulation of these receptors results in obesity and dysfunction in sexual behaviors. Only a handful of studies have mapped the expression of MC3R and MC4R mRNA across the central nervous system, with the primary focus on mice and rats. Because Syrian hamsters are valuable models for functions regulated by melanocortin receptors, our current study maps the distribution of MC3R and MC4R mRNA in the Syrian hamster telencephalon, diencephalon, and midbrain using RNAscope. We found that the expression of MC3R mRNA was lowest in the telencephalon and greatest in the diencephalon, whereas the expression of MC4R mRNA was greatest in the midbrain. A comparison of these findings to previous studies found that MC3R and MC4R expression is similar in some brain regions across species and divergent in others. In addition, our study identifies novel brain regions for the expression of MC3Rs and MC4Rs, and identifies cells that co-express bothMC3 and MC4 receptors within certain brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A. L. Hall
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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13
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Roland M, Berglas E, Pines R, Carata I, Castillo A, Nashed M, Sclafani A, Bodnar RJ. Differential patterns of opioid and dopamine D1 receptor antagonism on nutritive and non-nutritive sweetener intakes in C57BL/6:129 hybrid mice relative to inbred C57BL/6 and 129 mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 223:173514. [PMID: 36642390 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Opioid and dopamine (DA) D1 receptor antagonists differentially reduce nutritive and non-nutritive sweetener intakes in inbred mouse strains. Sucrose intake was more effectively reduced by naltrexone in C57BL/6 (B6) mice relative to 129P3 (129) mice, but more effectively reduced by SCH23390 in 129 mice relative to B6 mice. Opioid and DA D1 antagonists differentially reduced saccharin intakes in B6 mice relative to other strains. Given these differential patterns in sweetener intake in B6 and 129 mice, the present study examined whether systemic naltrexone (0.01-5 mg/kg) and SCH23390 (50-1600 nmol/kg) reduced intakes of 10 % sucrose or 0.2 % saccharin solutions over a 120 min time course in first-generation hybrid mice (B6:129) of B6 and 129 parents and reduced low-nutritive sweetener intakes in 129 mice. Naltrexone (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced 10 % sucrose intake in B6:129 hybrid mice more like that of 129 than B6 mice. In contrast, SCH23390 (400-1600 nmol/kg) reduced 10 % sucrose intake in B6:129 hybrid mice more effectively than that observed in B6 or 129 parental strains. Because 129 mice consumed relatively low amounts of 0.2 % saccharin, they were tested with a more attractive low-nutritive solution containing 0.2 % saccharin and 2 % sucrose. Naltrexone failed to reduce saccharin intake in B6:129 hybrid mice but suppressed saccharin+sucrose intake in 129 mice more like that observed in B6 mice. SCH23390 similarly inhibited saccharin or saccharin+sucrose intakes in hybrid B6:129, 129, and B6 mice with B6 mice more resistant to the lowest SCH23390 dose. Thus, whereas sucrose intake in B6:129 hybrid mice exhibited similar sensitivity to opioid and to a lesser degree DA D1 antagonism to their 129, but not B6 parents, opioid and DA D1 mediation of low- and non-nutritive sweet intake produced unique profiles among B6:129 hybrid and B6 and 129 strains which does not support a simple heritability explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Roland
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, United States of America
| | - Eli Berglas
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, United States of America
| | - Rachel Pines
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, United States of America
| | - Ion Carata
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, United States of America
| | - Alexander Castillo
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, United States of America
| | - Mirna Nashed
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, United States of America
| | - Anthony Sclafani
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, United States of America; Psychology Doctoral Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, United States of America
| | - Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, United States of America; Psychology Doctoral Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, United States of America.
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14
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Mo H, Yu H, Li Y, Ezeorba TPC, Zhang Z, Yao M, Yu J, Xiong D, Liu H, Wang L. Molecular cloning and functional characterization of melanocortin-3 receptor in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2023; 49:155-167. [PMID: 36547499 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-022-01164-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-3-receptor (MC3R) plays an important role in mammals' food intake and energy homeostasis. However, its physiological role in bony fishes, such as grass carp, has not been well understood. This study reports the molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacological characterization of grass carp melanocortin-3-receptor (ciMC3R). Phylogenetic and chromosomal synteny analyses indicated that ciMC3R was closest to cyprinid fishes in evolution. Quantitative PCR experiments revealed that the mRNA of ciMC3R was highly expressed in the brain of grass carp. The cytological function of ciMC3R was investigated by the co-transfection of pcDNA3.1-ciMC3R and the signal-pathway-specific luciferase into the HEK293T cells. Results revealed that the four agonists, α-MSH, β-MSH, ACTH, and NDP-MSH, potentiate the activation of ciMC3R and further increase the production of cAMP and upregulate the MAPK/ERK signaling, respectively. Our study will provide basic data for exploring the physiological functions of grass carp MC3R, especially in energy homeostasis and food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolin Mo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huixia Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Timothy P C Ezeorba
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Ihe Nsukka, Nsukka, 41001, Nigeria
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mingxin Yao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiajia Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongmei Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lixin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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15
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Bedenbaugh MN, Brener SC, Maldonado J, Lippert RN, Sweeney P, Cone RD, Simerly RB. Organization of neural systems expressing melanocortin-3 receptors in the mouse brain: Evidence for sexual dimorphism. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2835-2851. [PMID: 35770983 PMCID: PMC9724692 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The central melanocortin system is fundamentally important for controlling food intake and energy homeostasis. Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is one of two major receptors of the melanocortin system found in the brain. In contrast to the well-characterized melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), little is known regarding the organization of MC3R-expressing neural circuits. To increase our understanding of the intrinsic organization of MC3R neural circuits, identify specific differences between males and females, and gain a neural systems level perspective of this circuitry, we conducted a brain-wide mapping of neurons labeled for MC3R and characterized the distribution of their projections. Analysis revealed MC3R neuronal and terminal labeling in multiple brain regions that control a diverse range of physiological functions and behavioral processes. Notably, dense labeling was observed in the hypothalamus, as well as areas that share considerable connections with the hypothalamus, including the cortex, amygdala, thalamus, and brainstem. Additionally, MC3R neuronal labeling was sexually dimorphic in several areas, including the anteroventral periventricular area, arcuate nucleus, principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and ventral premammillary region. Altogether, anatomical evidence reported here suggests that MC3R has the potential to influence several different classes of motivated behavior that are essential for survival, including ingestive, reproductive, defensive, and arousal behaviors, and is likely to modulate these behaviors differently in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle N. Bedenbaugh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Samantha C. Brener
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jose Maldonado
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rachel N. Lippert
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Patrick Sweeney
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Roger D. Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Richard B. Simerly
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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16
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Dunigan AI, Roseberry AG. Actions of feeding-related peptides on the mesolimbic dopamine system in regulation of natural and drug rewards. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:100011. [PMID: 37220637 PMCID: PMC10201992 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine system is the primary neural circuit mediating motivation, reinforcement, and reward-related behavior. The activity of this system and multiple behaviors controlled by it are affected by changes in feeding and body weight, such as fasting, food restriction, or the development of obesity. Multiple different peptides and hormones that have been implicated in the control of feeding and body weight interact with the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate many different dopamine-dependent, reward-related behaviors. In this review, we summarize the effects of a selected set of feeding-related peptides and hormones acting within the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens to alter feeding, as well as food, drug, and social reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna I. Dunigan
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Aaron G. Roseberry
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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17
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Tu L, Fukuda M, Tong Q, Xu Y. The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus: watchdog of whole-body glucose homeostasis. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:71. [PMID: 35619170 PMCID: PMC9134642 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00799-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain, particularly the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), has been long known for its involvement in glucose sensing and whole-body glucose homeostasis. However, it is still not fully understood how the brain detects and responds to the changes in the circulating glucose levels, as well as brain-body coordinated control of glucose homeostasis. In this review, we address the growing evidence implicating the brain in glucose homeostasis, especially in the contexts of hypoglycemia and diabetes. In addition to neurons, we emphasize the potential roles played by non-neuronal cells, as well as extracellular matrix in the hypothalamus in whole-body glucose homeostasis. Further, we review the ionic mechanisms by which glucose-sensing neurons sense fluctuations of ambient glucose levels. We also introduce the significant implications of heterogeneous neurons in the VMH upon glucose sensing and whole-body glucose homeostasis, in which sex difference is also addressed. Meanwhile, research gaps have also been identified, which necessities further mechanistic studies in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longlong Tu
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street #8066, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Makoto Fukuda
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street #8066, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yong Xu
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street #8066, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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18
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Copperi F, Kim JD, Diano S. Melanocortin Signaling Connecting Systemic Metabolism With Mood Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:879-887. [PMID: 34344535 PMCID: PMC8643363 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and mood disorders are often overlapping pathologies that are prevalent public health concerns. Many studies have indicated a positive correlation between depression and obesity, although weight loss and decreased appetite are also recognized as features of depression. Accordingly, DSM-5 defines two subtypes of depression associated with changes in feeding: melancholic depression, characterized by anhedonia and associated with decreased feeding and appetite; and atypical depression, characterized by fatigue, sleepiness, hyperphagia, and weight gain. The central nervous system plays a key role in the regulation of feeding and mood, thus suggesting that overlapping neuronal circuits may be involved in their modulation. However, these circuits have yet to be completely characterized. The central melanocortin system, a circuitry characterized by the expression of specific peptides (pro-opiomelanocortins, agouti-related protein, and neuropeptide Y) and their melanocortin receptors, has been shown to be a key player in the regulation of feeding. In addition, the melanocortin system has also been shown to affect anxiety and depressive-like behavior, thus suggesting a possible role of the melanocortin system as a biological substrate linking feeding and depression. However, more studies are needed to fully understand this complex system and its role in regulating metabolic and mood disorders. In this review, we will discuss the current literature on the role of the melanocortin system in human and animal models in feeding and mood regulation, providing evidence of the biological interplay between anxiety, major depressive disorders, appetite, and body weight regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Copperi
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Jung Dae Kim
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Sabrina Diano
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.
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19
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Wang X, Xue S, Lei X, Song W, Li L, Li X, Fu Y, Zhang C, Zhang H, Luo Y, Wang M, Lin G, Zhang C, Guo J. Pharmacological Evaluation of Melanocortin 2 Receptor Accessory Protein 2 on Axolotl Neural Melanocortin Signaling. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:820896. [PMID: 35250878 PMCID: PMC8891371 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.820896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), two members of the key hypothalamic neuropeptide signaling, function as complex mediators to control the central appetitive and energy homeostasis. The melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) is well-known for its modulation on the trafficking and signaling of MC3R and MC4R in mammals. In this study, we cloned and elucidated the pharmacological profiles of MRAP2 on the regulation of central melanocortin signaling in a relatively primitive poikilotherm amphibian species, the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Our results showed the higher conservation of axolotl mc3r and mc4r across species than mrap2, especially the transmembrane regions in these proteins. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the axolotl MC3R/MC4R clustered closer to their counterparts in the clawed frog, whereas MRAP2 fell in between the reptile and amphibian clade. We also identified a clear co-expression of mc3r, mc4r, and mrap2 along with pomc and agrp in the axolotl brain tissue. In the presence of MRAP2, the pharmacological stimulation of MC3R by α-MSH or ACTH significantly decreased. MRAP2 significantly decreased the cell surface expression of MC4R in a dose dependent manner. The co-localization and formation of the functional complex of axolotl MC3R/MC4R and MRAP2 on the plasma membrane were further confirmed in vitro. Dramatic changes of the expression levels of mc3r, mrap2, pomc, and agrp in the fasting axolotl hypothalamus indicated their critical roles in the metabolic regulation of feeding behavior and energy homeostasis in the poikilotherm aquatic amphibian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhu Wang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Song Xue
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowei Lei
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqi Song
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanbin Fu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Luo
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gufa Lin
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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20
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Rønnekleiv OK, Qiu J, Kelly MJ. Hypothalamic Kisspeptin Neurons and the Control of Homeostasis. Endocrinology 2022; 163:bqab253. [PMID: 34953135 PMCID: PMC8758343 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons provide indispensable excitatory transmission to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons for the coordinated release of gonadotropins, estrous cyclicity, and ovulation. But maintaining reproductive functions is metabolically demanding so there must be a coordination with multiple homeostatic functions, and it is apparent that Kiss1 neurons play that role. There are 2 distinct populations of hypothalamic Kiss1 neurons, namely arcuate nucleus (Kiss1ARH) neurons and anteroventral periventricular and periventricular nucleus (Kiss1AVPV/PeN) neurons in rodents, both of which excite GnRH neurons via kisspeptin release but are differentially regulated by ovarian steroids. Estradiol (E2) increases the expression of kisspeptin in Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons but decreases its expression in Kiss1ARH neurons. Also, Kiss1ARH neurons coexpress glutamate and Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons coexpress gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), both of which are upregulated by E2 in females. Also, Kiss1ARH neurons express critical metabolic hormone receptors, and these neurons are excited by insulin and leptin during the fed state. Moreover, Kiss1ARH neurons project to and excite the anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin neurons but inhibit the orexigenic neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related peptide neurons, highlighting their role in regulating feeding behavior. Kiss1ARH and Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons also project to the preautonomic paraventricular nucleus (satiety) neurons and the dorsomedial nucleus (energy expenditure) neurons to differentially regulate their function via glutamate and GABA release, respectively. Therefore, this review will address not only how Kiss1 neurons govern GnRH release, but how they control other homeostatic functions through their peptidergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic connections, providing further evidence that Kiss1 neurons are the key neurons coordinating energy states with reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oline K Rønnekleiv
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Jian Qiu
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Martin J Kelly
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
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21
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Blum K, Thanos PK, Wang GJ, Bowirrat A, Gomez LL, Baron D, Jalali R, Gondré-Lewis MC, Gold MS. Dopaminergic and other genes related to reward induced overeating, Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, and Binge eating. EXPERT REVIEW OF PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/23808993.2021.1994186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of the Provost), Western University Health Sciences Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
- Department of Precision Behavioral Management, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute (Division of Ivitalize Inc.), Austin, TX, USA
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VM, USA
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, India
| | - Panayotis K. Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Gene -Jack Wang
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Luis Llanos Gomez
- Department of Precision Behavioral Management, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute (Division of Ivitalize Inc.), Austin, TX, USA
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of the Provost), Western University Health Sciences Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Rehan Jalali
- Department of Precision Behavioral Management, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute (Division of Ivitalize Inc.), Austin, TX, USA
| | - Marjorie C Gondré-Lewis
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mark S Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
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22
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Tenriola A, Hidayah N, Subair S, Massi MN, Handayani I, Natzir R, Djaharuddin I, Halik H. The Significance of Differences in Melanocortin 3 Levels and their Relationship with Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Body Mass Index. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2021.6517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Melanocortin 3 Receptors (MC3R) levels plays a role in many biological systems, including energy homeostasis and regulation of fat metabolism. However, very few have researched the relationship between MC3R and tuberculosis (TB) and body mass index.
AIM: This study explores the differences in serum MC3R levels in active TB, household contacts, and control groups, as well as at different body mass index status. This study tries to find out the relationship between MC3R and other variables.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: Blood samples were taken from 53 active TB patients, 49 household contacts, and 30 healthy people as controls. The 132 samples were subjected to IGRA and ELISA examinations to determine differences in MC3R levels in all groups.
RESULTS: The highest mean of MC3R levels were found in the active TB group at 1.259.55 (p = 0.028) and had a positive correlation with a value of p = 0.008. In the sex group, men had the highest levels (p = 0.551). In the 30–49 year age group, the median value increased significantly in the three groups (p = 0.028), and there was a correlation between MC3R and the 17–29 year age group, although the correlation was negative (p = 0.021), in the 30–49 year age group with a positive correlation (p = 0.050). The mean MC3R value increased significantly in the overweight group in the three groups (p = 0.006) but did not significantly correlate.
CONCLUSION: The high level of MC3R in TB patients is related to its role as a defence against microbes that enter the body through the immune process to prevent further infection and inflammation. Meanwhile, high levels of MC3R in excess Body mass index were associated with the function of MC3R as an inhibitor of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to release α-MSH.
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23
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VTA MC3R neurons control feeding in an activity- and sex-dependent manner in mice. Neuropharmacology 2021; 197:108746. [PMID: 34371079 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that the melanocortin and mesolimbic dopamine (DA) systems interact to regulate feeding and body weight. Because melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3R) are highly expressed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), we tested whether VTA neurons expressing these receptors (VTA MC3R neurons) control feeding and body weight in vivo. We also tested whether there were sex differences in the ability of VTA MC3R neurons to control feeding, as MC3R -/- mice show sex-dependent alterations in reward feeding and DA levels, and there are clear sex differences in multiple DA-dependent behaviors and disorders. Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) were used to acutely activate and inhibit VTA MC3R neurons and changes in food intake and body weight were measured. Acutely altering the activity of VTA MC3R neurons decreased feeding in an activity- and sex-dependent manner, with acute activation decreasing feeding, but only in females, and acute inhibition decreasing feeding, but only in males. These differences did not appear to be due to sex differences in the number of VTA MC3R neurons, the ability of hM3Dq to activate VTA MC3R neurons, or the proportion of VTA MC3R neurons expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). These studies demonstrate an important role for VTA MC3R neurons in the control of feeding and reveal important sex differences in behavior, whereby opposing changes in neuronal activity in male and female mice cause similar changes in behavior.
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24
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Sweeney P, Bedenbaugh MN, Maldonado J, Pan P, Fowler K, Williams SY, Gimenez LE, Ghamari-Langroudi M, Downing G, Gui Y, Hadley CK, Joy ST, Mapp AK, Simerly RB, Cone RD. The melanocortin-3 receptor is a pharmacological target for the regulation of anorexia. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/590/eabd6434. [PMID: 33883274 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd6434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ablation of hypothalamic AgRP (Agouti-related protein) neurons is known to lead to fatal anorexia, whereas their activation stimulates voracious feeding and suppresses other motivational states including fear and anxiety. Despite the critical role of AgRP neurons in bidirectionally controlling feeding, there are currently no therapeutics available specifically targeting this circuitry. The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is expressed in multiple brain regions and exhibits sexual dimorphism of expression in some of those regions in both mice and humans. MC3R deletion produced multiple forms of sexually dimorphic anorexia that resembled aspects of human anorexia nervosa. However, there was no sexual dimorphism in the expression of MC3R in AgRP neurons, 97% of which expressed MC3R. Chemogenetic manipulation of arcuate MC3R neurons and pharmacologic manipulation of MC3R each exerted potent bidirectional regulation over feeding behavior in male and female mice, whereas global ablation of MC3R-expressing cells produced fatal anorexia. Pharmacological effects of MC3R compounds on feeding were dependent on intact AgRP circuitry in the mice. Thus, the dominant effect of MC3R appears to be the regulation of the AgRP circuitry in both male and female mice, with sexually dimorphic sites playing specialized and subordinate roles in feeding behavior. Therefore, MC3R is a potential therapeutic target for disorders characterized by anorexia, as well as a potential target for weight loss therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Sweeney
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michelle N Bedenbaugh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Jose Maldonado
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Pauline Pan
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Katelyn Fowler
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | - Luis E Gimenez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Masoud Ghamari-Langroudi
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Griffin Downing
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, School of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yijun Gui
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, School of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Colleen K Hadley
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Stephen T Joy
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Anna K Mapp
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Chemistry, School of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Richard B Simerly
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
| | - Roger D Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. .,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, School of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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25
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Enriquez RF, Lee NJ, Herzog H. AgRP signalling negatively regulates bone mass. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12978. [PMID: 33913541 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The central nervous system is an active and major regulator of bone structure and remodelling. Specifically, signalling within the hypothalamus has been shown to be critical to ensuring that skeletal functions align with whole body metabolic supply and demand. Here, we identify agouti-related peptide (AgRP), an orexigenic peptide exclusively co-expressed with neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, as another critical player in the central control of bone homeostasis. Using novel mouse models, we show that AgRP deletion leads to an increase in cortical and trabecular bone mass as a result of an increase in bone thickness despite a lean phenotype, particularly in male mice. Interestingly, male AgRP deficient mice display a significant decrease in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) expression in the ARC, but no change in NPY or CART expression, suggesting that the increase in bone mass in AgRP-deficient mice is unlikely to be a result of altered NPY signalling. This is consistent with the observation that bone mass is unchanged in response to the specific deletion of NPY from AgRP expressing neurones. By contrast, POMC expression in the ARC is significantly increased in female AgRP deficient mice, although AgRP deletion results in altered respiratory exchange ratio regulation in response to re-feeding after a fast in both sexes. Taken together, the present study identifies AgRP as being directly involved in the regulation of bone mass and highlights the complexity intrinsic to the neuropeptide regulation of the skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronaldo F Enriquez
- Eating Disorders Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola J Lee
- Eating Disorders Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Eating Disorders Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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26
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Lippert RN, Hess S, Klemm P, Burgeno LM, Jahans-Price T, Walton ME, Kloppenburg P, Brüning JC. Maternal high-fat diet during lactation reprograms the dopaminergic circuitry in mice. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:3761-3776. [PMID: 32510473 DOI: 10.1172/jci134412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal perinatal environment modulates brain formation, and altered maternal nutrition has been linked to the development of metabolic and psychiatric disorders in the offspring. Here, we showed that maternal high-fat diet (HFD) feeding during lactation in mice elicits long-lasting changes in gene expression in the offspring's dopaminergic circuitry. This translated into silencing of dopaminergic midbrain neurons, reduced connectivity to their downstream targets, and reduced stimulus-evoked dopamine (DA) release in the striatum. Despite the attenuated activity of DA midbrain neurons, offspring from mothers exposed to HFD feeding exhibited a sexually dimorphic expression of DA-related phenotypes, i.e., hyperlocomotion in males and increased intake of palatable food and sucrose in females. These phenotypes arose from concomitantly increased spontaneous activity of D1 medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and profoundly decreased D2 MSN projections. Overall, we have unraveled a fundamental restructuring of dopaminergic circuitries upon time-restricted altered maternal nutrition to induce persistent behavioral changes in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- R N Lippert
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,National Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - S Hess
- Biocenter, Institute for Zoology, and.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - P Klemm
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - L M Burgeno
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - T Jahans-Price
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - M E Walton
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - P Kloppenburg
- Biocenter, Institute for Zoology, and.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J C Brüning
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,National Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEPD), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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27
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Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Botticelli L, Tomassoni D, Tayebati SK, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Cifani C. The Melanocortin System behind the Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors. Nutrients 2020; 12:E3502. [PMID: 33202557 PMCID: PMC7696960 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction of melanocortin signaling has been associated with obesity, given the important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, food intake, satiety and body weight. In the hypothalamus, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) contribute to the stability of these processes, but MC3R and MC4R are also localized in the mesolimbic dopamine system, the region that responds to the reinforcing properties of highly palatable food (HPF) and where these two receptors seem to affect food reward and motivation. Loss of function of the MC4R, resulting from genetic mutations, leads to overeating in humans, but to date, a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms and behaviors that promote overconsumption of caloric foods remains unknown. Moreover, the MC4R demonstrated to be a crucial modulator of the stress response, factor that is known to be strictly related to binge eating behavior. In this review, we will explore the preclinical and clinical studies, and the controversies regarding the involvement of melanocortin system in altered eating patterns, especially binge eating behavior, food reward and motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
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28
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Dunigan AI, Swanson AM, Olson DP, Roseberry AG. Whole-brain efferent and afferent connectivity of mouse ventral tegmental area melanocortin-3 receptor neurons. J Comp Neurol 2020; 529:1157-1183. [PMID: 32856297 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system is involved in the regulation of multiple behaviors, including feeding, and evidence demonstrates that the melanocortin system can act on the mesolimbic DA system to control feeding and other behaviors. The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is an important component of the melanocortin system, but its overall role is poorly understood. Because MC3Rs are highly expressed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and are likely to be the key interaction point between the melanocortin and mesolimbic DA systems, we set out to identify both the efferent projection patterns of VTA MC3R neurons and the location of the neurons providing afferent input to them. VTA MC3R neurons were broadly connected to neurons across the brain but were strongly connected to a discrete set of brain regions involved in the regulation of feeding, reward, and aversion. Surprisingly, experiments using monosynaptic rabies virus showed that proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons in the arcuate nucleus made few direct synapses onto VTA MC3R neurons or any of the other major neuronal subtypes in the VTA, despite being extensively labeled by general retrograde tracers injected into the VTA. These results greatly contribute to our understanding of the anatomical interactions between the melanocortin and mesolimbic systems and provide a foundation for future studies of VTA MC3R neurons and the circuits containing them in the control of feeding and other behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna I Dunigan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrew M Swanson
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David P Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Aaron G Roseberry
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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29
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Qu N, He Y, Wang C, Xu P, Yang Y, Cai X, Liu H, Yu K, Pei Z, Hyseni I, Sun Z, Fukuda M, Li Y, Tian Q, Xu Y. A POMC-originated circuit regulates stress-induced hypophagia, depression, and anhedonia. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:1006-1021. [PMID: 31485012 PMCID: PMC7056580 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0506-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress causes dysregulations of mood and energy homeostasis, but the neurocircuitry underlying these alterations remain to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that chronic restraint stress in mice results in hyperactivity of pro-opiomelanocortin neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (POMCARH neurons) associated with decreased neural activities of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (DAVTA neurons). We further revealed that POMCARH neurons project to the VTA and provide an inhibitory tone to DAVTA neurons via both direct and indirect neurotransmissions. Finally, we show that photoinhibition of the POMCARH→VTA circuit in mice increases body weight and food intake, and reduces depression-like behaviors and anhedonia in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress. Thus, our results identified a novel neurocircuitry regulating feeding and mood in response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Qu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430012, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanlin He
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pingwen Xu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yongjie Yang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xing Cai
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hesong Liu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kaifan Yu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhou Pei
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ilirjana Hyseni
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zheng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Makoto Fukuda
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yi Li
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430012, Wuhan, China
- Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences, 430074, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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30
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Rønnekleiv OK, Qiu J, Kelly MJ. Arcuate Kisspeptin Neurons Coordinate Reproductive Activities with Metabolism. Semin Reprod Med 2019; 37:131-140. [PMID: 31869841 DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Hypothalamic control of fertility is the quintessential homeostatic function. However, fertility is metabolically demanding; so, there must be coordination between energy states and reproductive functions. Because gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are devoid of many of the critical metabolic hormone receptors for sensing nutrient levels, it has long been recognized that the sensing of energy stores had to be done by neurons presynaptic to GnRH neurons. Some of the obvious players have been the anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, both of which are in close apposition to the median eminence, a circumventricular organ. Indeed, POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons are inversely regulated by glucose and metabolic hormones including insulin and leptin. However, their synaptic connections with GnRH neurons are sparse and/or GnRH neurons are lacking the postsynaptic receptors to mediate the appropriate physiological response. Kisspeptin neurons were discovered in the early part of this century and subsequently shown to project to and control GnRH neuronal excitability. In fact, more recently the arcuate kisspeptin neurons have been identified as the command neurons driving pulsatile release of GnRH. Subsequently, it was shown that arcuate kisspeptin neurons express not only steroid hormone receptors but also metabolic hormone receptors such that similar to POMC neurons, they are excited by insulin and leptin. Therefore, based on the premise that arcuate kisspeptin neurons are the key neurons coordinating energy states with reproduction, we will review not only how these vital neurons control pulsatile GnRH release but how they control energy homeostasis through their synaptic connections with POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons and ultimately how E2 can regulate their excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oline K Rønnekleiv
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Division of Neuroscience, National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - Jian Qiu
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Martin J Kelly
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Division of Neuroscience, National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon
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31
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Alger SJ, Kelm-Nelson CA, Stevenson SA, Juang C, Gammie SC, Riters LV. Complex patterns of dopamine-related gene expression in the ventral tegmental area of male zebra finches relate to dyadic interactions with long-term female partners. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 19:e12619. [PMID: 31634415 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to multiple efferent targets are implicated in pair bonding, yet the role of the VTA in the maintenance of long-term pair bonds is not well characterized. Complex interactions between numerous neuromodulators modify activity in the VTA, suggesting that individual differences in patterns of gene expression in this region may explain individual differences in long-term social interactions in bonded pairs. To test this hypothesis we used RNA-seq to measure expression of over 8000 annotated genes in male zebra finches in established male-female pairs. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified a gene module that contained numerous dopamine-related genes with TH found to be the most connected gene of the module. Genes in this module related to male agonistic behaviors as well as bonding-related behaviors produced by female partners. Unsupervised learning approaches identified two groups of males that differed with respect to expression of numerous genes. Enrichment analyses showed that many dopamine-related genes and modulators differed between these groups, including dopamine receptors, synthetic and degradative enzymes, the avian dopamine transporter and several GABA- and glutamate-related genes. Many of the bonding-related behaviors closely associated with VTA gene expression in the two male groups were produced by the male's partner, rather than the male himself. Collectively, results highlight numerous candidate genes in the VTA that can be explored in future studies and raise the possibility that the molecular/genetic organization of the VTA may be strongly shaped by a social partner and/or the strength of the pair bond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Alger
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
| | - Cynthia A Kelm-Nelson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Sharon A Stevenson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Charity Juang
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Stephen C Gammie
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Lauren V Riters
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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Immunochemical Identification of Melanocortin and Leptin Receptors on Serotoninergic Neurons in the Rat Midbrain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11055-019-00809-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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West KS, Lu C, Olson DP, Roseberry AG. Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone increases the activity of melanocortin-3 receptor-expressing neurons in the ventral tegmental area. J Physiol 2019; 597:3217-3232. [PMID: 31054267 DOI: 10.1113/jp277193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an anorexigenic peptide. Injection of the α-MSH analog MTII into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) decreases food and sucrose intake and food reward. Melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3R) are highly expressed in the VTA, suggesting that the effects of intra-VTA α-MSH may be mediated by α-MSH changing the activity of MC3R-expressing VTA neurons. α-MSH increased the firing rate of MC3R VTA neurons in acute brain slices from mice, although it did not affect the firing rate of non-MC3R VTA neurons. The α-MSH induced increase in MC3R neuron firing rate is probably activity-dependent, and was independent of fast synaptic transmission and intracellular Ca2+ levels. These results help us to better understand how α-MSH acts in the VTA to affect feeding and other dopamine-dependent behaviours. ABSTRACT The mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, the brain's reward system, regulates multiple behaviours, including food intake and food reward. There is substantial evidence that the melanocortin system of the hypothalamus, an important neural circuit controlling feeding and body weight, interacts with the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system to affect feeding, food reward and body weight. For example, melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3Rs) are expressed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and our laboratory previously showed that intra-VTA injection of the MC3R agonist, MTII, decreases home-cage food intake and operant responding for sucrose pellets. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of intra-VTA alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on feeding and food reward are unknown. To determine how α-MSH acts in the VTA to affect feeding, we performed electrophysiological recordings in acute brain slices from mice expressing enhanced yellow fluorescent protein in MC3R neurons to test how α-MSH affects the activity of VTA MC3R neurons. α-MSH significantly increased the firing rate of VTA MC3R neurons without altering the activity of non-MC3R expressing VTA neurons. In addition, the α-MSH-induced increase in MC3R neuron activity was independent of fast synaptic transmission and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Finally, we show that the effect of α-MSH on MC3R neuron firing rate is probably activity-dependent. Overall, these studies provide an important advancement in the understanding of how α-MSH acts in the VTA to affect feeding and food reward.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chunxia Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David P Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aaron G Roseberry
- Department of Biology.,Neuroscience Institute, , Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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34
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Baldini G, Phelan KD. The melanocortin pathway and control of appetite-progress and therapeutic implications. J Endocrinol 2019; 241:R1-R33. [PMID: 30812013 PMCID: PMC6500576 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The initial discovery that ob/ob mice become obese because of a recessive mutation of the leptin gene has been crucial to discover the melanocortin pathway to control appetite. In the melanocortin pathway, the fed state is signaled by abundance of circulating hormones such as leptin and insulin, which bind to receptors expressed at the surface of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to promote processing of POMC to the mature hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). The α-MSH released by POMC neurons then signals to decrease energy intake by binding to melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) expressed by MC4R neurons to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Conversely, in the 'starved state' activity of agouti-related neuropeptide (AgRP) and of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-expressing neurons is increased by decreased levels of circulating leptin and insulin and by the orexigenic hormone ghrelin to promote food intake. This initial understanding of the melanocortin pathway has recently been implemented by the description of the complex neuronal circuit that controls the activity of POMC, AgRP/NPY and MC4R neurons and downstream signaling by these neurons. This review summarizes the progress done on the melanocortin pathway and describes how obesity alters this pathway to disrupt energy homeostasis. We also describe progress on how leptin and insulin receptors signal in POMC neurons, how MC4R signals and how altered expression and traffic of MC4R change the acute signaling and desensitization properties of the receptor. We also describe how the discovery of the melanocortin pathway has led to the use of melanocortin agonists to treat obesity derived from genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Baldini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Kevin D. Phelan
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Fleming KA, Freeman KT, Powers MD, Santos RG, Debevec G, Giulianotti MA, Houghten RA, Doering SR, Pinilla C, Haskell-Luevano C. Discovery of Polypharmacological Melanocortin-3 and -4 Receptor Probes and Identification of a 100-Fold Selective nM MC3R Agonist versus a μM MC4R Partial Agonist. J Med Chem 2019; 62:2738-2749. [PMID: 30741545 PMCID: PMC6463894 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The centrally expressed melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors (MC3R and MC4R, respectively) are established targets to treat diseases of positive- and negative-energy homeostasis. We previously reported [ Doering , S. R. ; J. Med. Chem. 2017 , 60 , 4342 - 4357 ] mixture-based positional scanning approaches to identify dual MC3R agonist and MC4R antagonist tetrapeptides. Herein, 46 tetrapeptides were chosen for MC3R agonist screening selectivity profiles, synthesized, and pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin-1, -3, -4, and -5 receptors. Substitutions to the tetrapeptide template were selected solely based on MC3R agonist potency from the mixture-based screen. This study resulted in the discovery of compound 42 (Ac-Val-Gln-(pI)DPhe-DTic-NH2), a full MC3R agonist that is 100-fold selective for the MC3R over the μM MC4R partial agonist pharmacology. This compound represents a first-in-class MC3R selective agonist. This ligand will serve as a useful in vivo molecular probe for the investigation of the roles of the MC3R and MC4R in diseases of dysregulated energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katlyn A. Fleming
- University of Minnesota, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katie T. Freeman
- University of Minnesota, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mike D. Powers
- University of Minnesota, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Radleigh G. Santos
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Ginamarie Debevec
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Marc A. Giulianotti
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Richard A. Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987, United States
| | - Skye R. Doering
- University of Minnesota, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Clemencia Pinilla
- To whom correspondence about the use of positional scanning libraries should be addressed at at Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- University of Minnesota, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Qiu J, Rivera HM, Bosch MA, Padilla SL, Stincic TL, Palmiter RD, Kelly MJ, Rønnekleiv OK. Estrogenic-dependent glutamatergic neurotransmission from kisspeptin neurons governs feeding circuits in females. eLife 2018; 7:e35656. [PMID: 30079889 PMCID: PMC6103748 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptides tachykinin2 (Tac2) and kisspeptin (Kiss1) in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus Kiss1 (Kiss1ARH) neurons are essential for pulsatile release of GnRH and reproduction. Since 17β-estradiol (E2) decreases Kiss1 and Tac2 mRNA expression in Kiss1ARH neurons, the role of Kiss1ARH neurons during E2-driven anorexigenic states and their coordination of POMC and NPY/AgRP feeding circuits have been largely ignored. Presently, we show that E2 augmented the excitability of Kiss1ARH neurons by amplifying Cacna1g, Hcn1 and Hcn2 mRNA expression and T-type calcium and h-currents. E2 increased Slc17a6 mRNA expression and glutamatergic synaptic input to arcuate neurons, which excited POMC and inhibited NPY/AgRP neurons via metabotropic receptors. Deleting Slc17a6 in Kiss1 neurons eliminated glutamate release and led to conditioned place preference for sucrose in E2-treated KO female mice. Therefore, the E2-driven increase in Kiss1 neuronal excitability and glutamate neurotransmission may play a key role in governing the motivational drive for palatable food in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Qiu
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Heidi M Rivera
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Martha A Bosch
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Stephanie L Padilla
- Department of BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Todd L Stincic
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Department of BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Martin J Kelly
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
- Division of NeuroscienceOregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science UniversityBeavertonUnited States
| | - Oline K Rønnekleiv
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
- Division of NeuroscienceOregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science UniversityBeavertonUnited States
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37
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Correa M, SanMiguel N, López-Cruz L, Carratalá-Ros C, Olivares-García R, Salamone JD. Caffeine Modulates Food Intake Depending on the Context That Gives Access to Food: Comparison With Dopamine Depletion. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:411. [PMID: 30237771 PMCID: PMC6135917 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Caffeine is a methylxanthine consumed in different contexts to potentiate alertness and reduce fatigue. However, caffeine can induce anxiety at high doses. Caffeine is also a minor psychostimulant that seems to act as an appetite suppressant, but there are also reports indicating that it could stimulate appetite. Dopamine also is involved in food motivation and in behavioral activation. In the present series of experiments, we evaluated the effects of acute administration of caffeine on food consumption under different access conditions. CD1 male adult mice had access to highly palatable food (50% sucrose) in a restricted but habitual context, under continuous or intermittent access as well as under anxiogenic, or effortful conditions. Caffeine (2.5-20.0 mg/kg) increased intake at the highest dose under familiar continuous and intermittent access. However, this high dose reduced food intake in the dark-light paradigm. In contrast, a dopamine-depleting agent, tetrabenazine (TBZ; 1.0-8.0 mg/kg) did not affect food intake in any of those experimental conditions. In the T-maze-barrier task that evaluates seeking and taking of food under effortful conditions, caffeine (10.0 mg/kg) decreased latency to reach the food, but did not affect selection of the high-food density arm that required more effort, or the total amount of food consumed. In contrast, TBZ (4.0 mg/kg) reduced selection of the high food density arm with the barrier, thus affecting amount of food consumed. Interestingly, a small dose of caffeine (5.0 mg/kg) was able to reverse the anergia-inducing effects produced by TBZ in the T-maze. These results suggest that caffeine can potentiate or suppress food consumption depending on the context. Moreover, caffeine did not change appetite, and did not impair orientation toward food under effortful conditions, but it rather helped to achieve the goal by improving speed and by reversing performance to normal levels when fatigue was induced by dopamine depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercè Correa
- Àrea de Psicobiologia, Campus de Riu Sec, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain.,Behavioral Neuroscience Division, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Noemí SanMiguel
- Àrea de Psicobiologia, Campus de Riu Sec, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - Laura López-Cruz
- Àrea de Psicobiologia, Campus de Riu Sec, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - Carla Carratalá-Ros
- Àrea de Psicobiologia, Campus de Riu Sec, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | | | - John D Salamone
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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38
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Mountjoy KG, Caron A, Hubbard K, Shome A, Grey AC, Sun B, Bould S, Middleditch M, Pontré B, McGregor A, Harris PWR, Kowalczyk R, Brimble MA, Botha R, Tan KML, Piper SJ, Buchanan C, Lee S, Coll AP, Elmquist JK. Desacetyl-α-melanocyte stimulating hormone and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone are required to regulate energy balance. Mol Metab 2017; 9:207-216. [PMID: 29226825 PMCID: PMC5869732 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Regulation of energy balance depends on pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is the predicted natural POMC-derived peptide that regulates energy balance. Desacetyl-α-MSH, the precursor for α-MSH, is present in brain and blood. Desacetyl-α-MSH is considered to be unimportant for regulating energy balance despite being more potent (compared with α-MSH) at activating the appetite-regulating MC4R in vitro. Thus, the physiological role for desacetyl-α-MSH is still unclear. Methods We created a novel mouse model to determine whether desacetyl-α-MSH plays a role in regulating energy balance. We engineered a knock in targeted QKQR mutation in the POMC protein cleavage site that blocks the production of both desacetyl-α-MSH and α-MSH from adrenocorticotropin (ACTH1-39). Results The mutant ACTH1-39 (ACTHQKQR) functions similar to native ACTH1-39 (ACTHKKRR) at the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) in vivo and MC4R in vitro. Male and female homozygous mutant ACTH1-39 (Pomctm1/tm1) mice develop the characteristic melanocortin obesity phenotype. Replacement of either desacetyl-α-MSH or α-MSH over 14 days into Pomctm1/tm1 mouse brain significantly reverses excess body weight and fat mass gained compared to wild type (WT) (Pomcwt/wt) mice. Here, we identify both desacetyl-α-MSH and α-MSH peptides as regulators of energy balance and highlight a previously unappreciated physiological role for desacetyl-α-MSH. Conclusions Based on these data we propose that there is potential to exploit the naturally occurring POMC-derived peptides to treat obesity but this relies on first understanding the specific function(s) for desacetyl-α-MSH and α-MSH. KKRR → QKQR mutation in the cleavage site of POMC prevents the production of desacetyl-α-MSH and α-MSH in mice. Male and female mutant mice develop characteristic melanocortin obesity. Central administration of α-MSH is more potent at reducing body weight in female mutant mice. Central administration of desacetyl-α-MSH and α-MSH are similarly potent at reducing body weight in male mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen G Mountjoy
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Alexandre Caron
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hypothalamic Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kristina Hubbard
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Avik Shome
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Angus C Grey
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Bould
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Martin Middleditch
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Beau Pontré
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Ailsa McGregor
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Paul W R Harris
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Renata Kowalczyk
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Rikus Botha
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Karen M L Tan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QR, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J Piper
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QR, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Buchanan
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Syann Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hypothalamic Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Anthony P Coll
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QR, United Kingdom; University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Joel K Elmquist
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hypothalamic Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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39
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Altered sucrose self-administration following injection of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists into the ventral tegmental area. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:1683-1692. [PMID: 28243712 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) are antagonistic neuropeptides that play an important role in the control of feeding and body weight through their central actions on the melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors. Increasing evidence indicates that αMSH and AgRP can interact with the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate feeding as well as other behaviors. For example, we have shown previously that injection of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) alters both normal home-cage feeding and the intake of sucrose solutions, but it remains unknown whether αMSH and AgRP can also act in the VTA to affect reward-related feeding. METHODS We tested whether injection of the melanocortin receptor agonist, MTII, or the melanocortin receptor antagonist, SHU9119, directly into the VTA affected operant responding maintained by sucrose pellets in self-administration assays. RESULTS Injection of MTII into the VTA decreased operant responding maintained by sucrose pellets on both fixed ratio and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement, whereas SHU9119 increased operant responding under fixed ratio, but not progressive ratio schedules. MTII also increased and SHU9119 decreased 24-h home-cage food intake. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that αMSH and AgRP act in the VTA to affect sucrose self-administration. Thus, it adds critical information to the growing literature showing that in addition to their well-characterized role in controlling "need-based" feeding, αMSH and AgRP can also act on the mesolimbic dopamine system to control reward-related behavior.
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40
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Butler AA, Girardet C, Mavrikaki M, Trevaskis JL, Macarthur H, Marks DL, Farr SA. A Life without Hunger: The Ups (and Downs) to Modulating Melanocortin-3 Receptor Signaling. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:128. [PMID: 28360832 PMCID: PMC5352694 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanocortin neurons conserve body mass in hyper- or hypo-caloric conditions by conveying signals from nutrient sensors into areas of the brain governing appetite and metabolism. In mice, melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) deletion alters nutrient partitioning independently of hyperphagia, promoting accumulation of fat over muscle mass. Enhanced rhythms in insulin and insulin-responsive metabolic genes during hypocaloric feeding suggest partial insulin resistance and enhanced lipogenesis. However, exactly where and how MC3Rs affect metabolic control to alter nutrient partitioning is not known. The behavioral phenotypes exhibited by MC3R-deficient mice suggest a contextual role in appetite control. The impact of MC3R-deficiency on feeding behavior when food is freely available is minor. However, homeostatic responses to hypocaloric conditioning involving increased expression of appetite-stimulating (orexigenic) neuropeptides, binge-feeding, food anticipatory activity (FAA), entrainment to nutrient availability and enhanced feeding-related motivational responses are compromised with MC3R-deficiency. Rescuing Mc3r transcription in hypothalamic and limbic neurons improves appetitive responses during hypocaloric conditioning while having minor effects on nutrient partitioning, suggesting orexigenic functions. Rescuing hypothalamic MC3Rs also restores responses of fasting-responsive hypothalamic orexigenic neurons in hypocaloric conditions, suggesting actions that sensitize fasting-responsive neurons to signals from nutrient sensors. MC3R signaling in ventromedial hypothalamic SF1(+ve) neurons improves metabolic control, but does not restore appetitive responses or nutrient partitioning. In summary, desensitization of fasting-responsive orexigenic neurons may underlie attenuated appetitive responses of MC3R-deficient mice in hypocaloric situations. Further studies are needed to identify the specific location(s) of MC3Rs controlling appetitive responses and partitioning of nutrients between fat and lean tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Butler
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Clemence Girardet
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maria Mavrikaki
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - James L Trevaskis
- In vivo Pharmacology, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Medimmune Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Heather Macarthur
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel L Marks
- Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR, USA
| | - Susan A Farr
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Saint Louis University School of MedicineSt. Louis, MO, USA; VA Medical CenterSt. Louis, MO, USA
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Melanocortin-3 receptors expressed in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons are sufficient for controlling appetitive responses to hypocaloric conditioning. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44444. [PMID: 28294152 PMCID: PMC5353610 DOI: 10.1038/srep44444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3R) have a contextual role in appetite control that is amplified with hypocaloric conditioning. C57BL/6J (B6) mice subjected to hypocaloric feeding schedules (HFS) exhibit compulsive behavioral responses involving food anticipatory activity (FAA) and caloric loading following food access. These homeostatic responses to calorie-poor environs are attenuated in B6 mice in which Mc3r transcription is suppressed by a lox-stop-lox sequence in the 5'UTR (Mc3rTB/TB). Here, we report that optimization of caloric loading in B6 mice subject to HFS, characterized by increased meal size and duration, is not observed in Mc3rTB/TB mice. Analysis of hypothalamic and neuroendocrine responses to HFS throughout the light-dark cycle suggests uncoupling of hypothalamic responses involving appetite-stimulating fasting-responsive hypothalamic neurons expressing agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (Npy). Rescuing Mc3rs expression in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons is sufficient to restore normal hypothalamic responses to negative energy balance. In addition, Mc3rs expressed in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons are also sufficient to restore FAA and caloric loading of B6 mice subjected to HFS. In summary, MC3Rs expressed in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons are sufficient to coordinate hypothalamic response and expression of compulsive behavioral responses involving meal anticipation and consumption of large meals during situations of prolonged negative energy balance.
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Hill JW, Faulkner LD. The Role of the Melanocortin System in Metabolic Disease: New Developments and Advances. Neuroendocrinology 2017; 104:330-346. [PMID: 27728914 PMCID: PMC5724371 DOI: 10.1159/000450649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is increasing in prevalence across all sectors of society, and with it a constellation of associated ailments including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and eating disorders. The melanocortin system is a critical neural system underlying the control of body weight and other functions. Deficits in the melanocortin system may promote or exacerbate the comorbidities of obesity. This system has therefore generated great interest as a potential target for treatment of obesity. However, drugs targeting melanocortin receptors are plagued by problematic side effects, including undesirable increases in sympathetic nervous system activity, heart rate, and blood pressure. Circumnavigating this roadblock will require a clearer picture of the precise neural circuits that mediate the functions of melanocortins. Recent, novel experimental approaches have significantly advanced our understanding of these pathways. We here review the latest advances in our understanding of the role of melanocortins in food intake, reward pathways, blood pressure, glucose control, and energy expenditure. The evidence suggests that downstream melanocortin-responsive circuits responsible for different physiological actions do diverge. Ultimately, a more complete understanding of melanocortin pathways and their myriad roles should allow treatments tailored to the mix of metabolic disorders in the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer W Hill
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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Tapinc DE, Ilgin R, Kaya E, Gozen O, Ugur M, Koylu EO, Kanit L, Keser A, Balkan B. Gene expression of pro-opiomelanocortin and melanocortin receptors is regulated in the hypothalamus and mesocorticolimbic system following nicotine administration. Neurosci Lett 2017; 637:75-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Navarro M. The Role of the Melanocortin System in Drug and Alcohol Abuse. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 136:121-150. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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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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46
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Future Targets for Female Sexual Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2016; 13:1147-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Melanocortin 3 Receptor Signaling in Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Increases the Motivation for Food Reward. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:2241-51. [PMID: 26852738 PMCID: PMC4946052 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The central melanocortin (MC) system mediates its effects on food intake via MC3 (MC3R) and MC4 receptors (MC4R). Although the role of MC4R in meal size determination, satiation, food preference, and motivation is well established, the involvement of MC3R in the modulation of food intake has been less explored. Here, we investigated the role of MC3R on the incentive motivation for food, which is a crucial component of feeding behavior. Dopaminergic neurons within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have a crucial role in the motivation for food. We here report that MC3Rs are expressed on VTA dopaminergic neurons and that pro-opiomelanocortinergic (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (Arc) innervate these VTA dopaminergic neurons. Our findings show that intracerebroventricular or intra-VTA infusion of the selective MC3R agonist γMSH increases responding for sucrose under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement, but not free sucrose consumption in rats. Furthermore, ex vivo electrophysiological recordings show increased VTA dopaminergic neuronal activity upon γMSH application. Consistent with a dopamine-mediated effect of γMSH, the increased motivation for sucrose after intra-VTA infusion of γMSH was blocked by pretreatment with the dopamine receptor antagonist α-flupenthixol. Taken together, we demonstrate an Arc POMC projection onto VTA dopaminergic neurons that modulates motivation for palatable food via activation of MC3R signaling.
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Guillot R, Cortés R, Navarro S, Mischitelli M, García-Herranz V, Sánchez E, Cal L, Navarro JC, Míguez JM, Afanasyev S, Krasnov A, Cone RD, Rotllant J, Cerdá-Reverter JM. Behind melanocortin antagonist overexpression in the zebrafish brain: A behavioral and transcriptomic approach. Horm Behav 2016; 82:87-100. [PMID: 27156808 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin signaling is regulated by the binding of naturally occurring antagonists, agouti-signaling protein (ASIP) and agouti-related protein (AGRP) that compete with melanocortin peptides by binding to melanocortin receptors to regulate energy balance and growth. Using a transgenic model overexpressing ASIP, we studied the involvement of melanocortin system in the feeding behaviour, growth and stress response of zebrafish. Our data demonstrate that ASIP overexpression results in enhanced growth but not obesity. The differential growth is explained by increased food intake and feeding efficiency mediated by a differential sensitivity of the satiety system that seems to involve the cocaine- and amphetamine- related transcript (CART). Stress response was similar in both genotypes. Brain transcriptome of transgenic (ASIP) vs wild type (WT) fish was compared using microarrays. WT females and males exhibited 255 genes differentially expressed (DEG) but this difference was reduced to 31 after ASIP overexpression. Statistical analysis revealed 1122 DEG when considering only fish genotype but 1066 and 981 DEG when comparing ASIP males or females with their WT counterparts, respectively. Interaction between genotype and sex significantly affected the expression of 97 genes. Several neuronal systems involved in the control of food intake were identified which displayed a differential expression according to the genotype of the fish that unravelling the flow of melanocortinergic information through the central pathways that controls the energy balance. The information provided herein will help to elucidate new central systems involved in control of obesity and should be of invaluable use for sustaining fish production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Guillot
- Control of Food Intake Group, Department of Fish Physiolgy and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595
| | - Raúl Cortés
- Control of Food Intake Group, Department of Fish Physiolgy and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595
| | - Sandra Navarro
- Control of Food Intake Group, Department of Fish Physiolgy and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595
| | - Morena Mischitelli
- Control of Food Intake Group, Department of Fish Physiolgy and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595
| | - Víctor García-Herranz
- Control of Food Intake Group, Department of Fish Physiolgy and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595
| | - Elisa Sánchez
- Control of Food Intake Group, Department of Fish Physiolgy and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595
| | - Laura Cal
- Aquatic Molecular Pathobiology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Navarro
- Lipid Group, Department of Biology, Culture and Pathology of Marine Species, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595
| | - Jesús M Míguez
- Laboratorio de Fisioloxía Animal, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain, 36310
| | - Sergey Afanasyev
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, M. Toreza Av. 44, Saint Petersburg 194223, Russia
| | - Aleksei Krasnov
- Nofima Marine, Norwegian Institutes of Food, Fisheries & Aquaculture Research, 5010 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Roger D Cone
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 702 Light Hall (0165),, Nashville, TN 37232-0165, United States
| | - Josep Rotllant
- Aquatic Molecular Pathobiology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain.
| | - Jose Miguel Cerdá-Reverter
- Control of Food Intake Group, Department of Fish Physiolgy and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain, 12595.
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Mavrikaki M, Girardet C, Kern A, Faruzzi Brantley A, Miller CA, Macarthur H, Marks DL, Butler AA. Melanocortin-3 receptors in the limbic system mediate feeding-related motivational responses during weight loss. Mol Metab 2016; 5:566-579. [PMID: 27408780 PMCID: PMC4921936 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Appetitive responses to weight loss are mediated by a nutrient-sensing neural network comprised of melanocortin neurons. The role of neural melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3R) in mediating these responses is enigmatic. Mc3r knockout mice exhibit a paradoxical phenotype of obesity and reduced feeding-related behaviors in situations of nutrient scarcity. Here we examined whether MC3Rs expressed in mesolimbic neurons regulate feeding-related motivational responses. Methods Interactions between Mc3r genotype, cognitive function and energy balance on food self-administration were assessed using operant conditioning with fixed- and progressive ratio (FR1/PR1) settings. Inhibition of Mc3r transcription by a loxP-flanked transcriptional blocker (TB) in C57BL/6JN mice (Mc3rTB/TB) was reversed in mesolimbic neurons using DAT-Cre (DAT-MC3R). Results Caloric restriction (CR) caused 10–15% weight loss and increased motivation to acquire food rewards during training sessions. c-Fos-expression in the nucleus accumbens was increased 1 h following food presentation. While exhibiting weight loss, total food self-administration, enhanced motivation to self-administer food rewards in training sessions held during CR and c-Fos-activation in the nucleus accumbens following re-feeding were all markedly attenuated in Mc3rTB/TB mice. In contrast, cognitive abilities were normal in Mc3rTB/TB mice. Total food self-administration during FR1 sessions was not rescued in DAT-MC3R mice, however enhanced motivational responses to self-administer food rewards in PR1 conditions were restored. The nutrient-partitioning phenotype observed with Mc3r-deficiency was not rescued in DAT-MC3R mice. Conclusions Mesolimbic MC3Rs mediate enhanced motivational responses during CR. However, they are insufficient to restore normal caloric loading when food is presented during CR and do not affect metabolic conditions altering nutrient partitioning. Food-related motivational responses in mice increase with caloric restriction (CR). Melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3R) are required for food-related motivational responses. MC3Rs role in food-related motivational responses depends on metabolic condition. Mesolimbic MC3Rs increase food-related motivational responses during CR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mavrikaki
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Clemence Girardet
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Andras Kern
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Alicia Faruzzi Brantley
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Behavioral Core, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Courtney A Miller
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Heather Macarthur
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Daniel L Marks
- Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Andrew A Butler
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
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50
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Anderson EJP, Çakir I, Carrington SJ, Cone RD, Ghamari-Langroudi M, Gillyard T, Gimenez LE, Litt MJ. 60 YEARS OF POMC: Regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis by α-MSH. J Mol Endocrinol 2016; 56:T157-74. [PMID: 26939593 PMCID: PMC5027135 DOI: 10.1530/jme-16-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin peptides derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) were originally understood in terms of the biological actions of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on pigmentation and adrenocorticotrophic hormone on adrenocortical glucocorticoid production. However, the discovery of POMC mRNA and melanocortin peptides in the CNS generated activities directed at understanding the direct biological actions of melanocortins in the brain. Ultimately, discovery of unique melanocortin receptors expressed in the CNS, the melanocortin-3 (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 (MC4R) receptors, led to the development of pharmacological tools and genetic models leading to the demonstration that the central melanocortin system plays a critical role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Indeed, mutations in MC4R are now known to be the most common cause of early onset syndromic obesity, accounting for 2-5% of all cases. This review discusses the history of these discoveries, as well as the latest work attempting to understand the molecular and cellular basis of regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis by the predominant melanocortin peptide in the CNS, α-MSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica J P Anderson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Isin Çakir
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sheridan J Carrington
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Roger D Cone
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Masoud Ghamari-Langroudi
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Taneisha Gillyard
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA Meharry Medical CollegeDepartment of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Luis E Gimenez
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michael J Litt
- Department of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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