Transcriptional regulation of neuronal genes and its effect on neural functions: transcriptional regulation of neuropeptide Y gene by leptin and its effect on feeding

Drosophila neuronal Glucose-6-Phosphatase is a modulator of neuropeptide release that regulates muscle glycogen stores via FMRFamide signaling

Neuropeptides (NPs) and their cognate receptors are critical effectors of diverse physiological processes and behaviors. We recently reported of a noncanonical function of the Drosophila Glucose-6-Phosphatase (G6P) gene in a subset of neurosecretory cells in the central nervous system that governs systemic glucose homeostasis in food-deprived flies. Here, we show that G6P-expressing neurons define six groups of NP-secreting cells, four in the brain and two in the thoracic ganglion. Using the glucose homeostasis phenotype as a screening tool, we find that neurons located in the thoracic ganglion expressing FMRFamide NPs (FMRFaG6P neurons) are necessary and sufficient to maintain systemic glucose homeostasis in starved flies. We further show that G6P is essential in FMRFaG6P neurons for attaining a prominent Golgi apparatus and secreting NPs efficiently. Finally, we establish that G6P-dependent FMRFa signaling is essential for the build-up of glycogen stores in the jump muscle which expresses the receptor for FMRFamides. We propose a general model in which the main role of G6P is to counteract glycolysis in peptidergic neurons for the purpose of optimizing the intracellular environment best suited for the expansion of the Golgi apparatus, boosting release of NPs and enhancing signaling to respective target tissues expressing cognate receptors.

Npy transcription is regulated by noncanonical STAT3 signaling in hypothalamic neurons: Implication with lipotoxicity and obesity

Neuropeptide Y (Npy) is an abundant neuropeptide expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. NPY-secreting neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus regulate energy homeostasis, and Npy mRNA expression is regulated by peripheral nutrient and hormonal signals like leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and fatty acids. This study demonstrates that IL-6, which phosphorylates tyrosine 705 (Y705) of STAT3, decreased Npy mRNA in arcuate immortalized hypothalamic neurons. In parallel, inhibitors of STAT3-Y705 phosphorylation, stattic and cucurbitacin I, robustly upregulated Npy mRNA. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation showed high baseline total STAT3 binding to multiple regulatory regions of the Npy gene, which are decreased by IL-6 exposure. The STAT3-Npy interaction was further examined in obesity-related pathologies. Notably, in four different hypothalamic neuronal models where palmitate potently stimulated Npy mRNA, Socs3, a specific STAT3 activity marker, was downregulated and was negatively correlated with Npy mRNA levels (R2 = 0.40, p < 0.001), suggesting that disrupted STAT3 signaling is involved in lipotoxicity-mediated dysregulation of Npy. Finally, human NPY SNPs that map to human obesity or body mass index were investigated for potential STAT3 binding sites. Although none of the SNPs were linked to direct STAT3 binding, analysis show that rs17149106 (-602 G > T) is located on an upstream enhancer element of NPY, where the variant is predicted to disrupt validated binding of KLF4, a known inhibitory cofactor of STAT3 and downstream effector of leptin signaling. Collectively, this study demonstrates that STAT3 signaling negatively regulates Npy transcription, and that disruption of this interaction may contribute to metabolic disorders.

Drosophila Neuronal Glucose 6 Phosphatase is a Modulator of Neuropeptide Release that Regulates Muscle Glycogen Stores via FMRFamide Signaling

Neuropeptides (NPs) and their cognate receptors are critical effectors of diverse physiological processes and behaviors. We recently reported of a non-canonical function of the Drosophila Glucose-6-Phosphatase ( G6P ) gene in a subset of neurosecretory cells in the CNS that governs systemic glucose homeostasis in food deprived flies. Here, we show that G6P expressing neurons define 6 groups of neuropeptide secreting cells, 4 in the brain and 2 in the thoracic ganglion. Using the glucose homeostasis phenotype as a screening tool, we find that neurons located in the thoracic ganglion expressing FMRFamide neuropeptides ( FMRFa G6P neurons) are necessary and sufficient to maintain systemic glucose homeostasis in starved flies. We further show that G6P is essential in FMRFa G6P neurons for attaining a prominent Golgi apparatus and secreting neuropeptides efficiently. Finally, we establish that G6P dependent FMRFa signaling is essential for the build-up of glycogen stores in the jump muscle which expresses the receptor for FMRFamides. We propose a general model in which the main role of G6P is to counteract glycolysis in peptidergic neurons for the purpose of optimizing the intracellular environment best suited for the expansion of the Golgi apparatus, boosting release of neuropeptides and enhancing signaling to respective target tissues expressing cognate receptors.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Glucose-6-phosphtase (G6P) is a critical enzyme in sugar synthesis and catalyzes the final step in glucose production. In Drosophila - and insects in general - where trehalose is the circulating sugar and Trehalose phosphate synthase, and not G6P, is used for sugar production, G6P has adopted a novel and unique role in peptidergic neurons in the CNS. Interestingly, flies lacking G6P show diminished Neuropeptide secretions and have a smaller Golgi apparatus in peptidergic neurons. It is hypothesized that the role of G6P is to counteract glycolysis, thereby creating a cellular environment that is more amenable to efficient neuropeptide secretion.

Fast neurotransmitter identity of MCH neurons: Do contents depend on context?

Hypothalamic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons participate in many fundamental neuroendocrine processes. While some of their effects can be attributed to MCH itself, others appear to depend on co-released neurotransmitters. Historically, the subject of fast neurotransmitter co-release from MCH neurons has been contentious, with data to support MCH neurons releasing GABA, glutamate, both, and neither. Rather than assuming a position in that debate, this review considers the evidence for all sides and presents an alternative explanation: neurochemical identity, including classical neurotransmitter content, is subject to change. With an emphasis on the variability of experimental details, we posit that MCH neurons may release GABA and/or glutamate at different points according to environmental and contextual factors. Through the lens of the MCH system, we offer evidence that the field of neuroendocrinology would benefit from a more nuanced and dynamic interpretation of neurotransmitter identity.

Genetic structure of some candidate genes of repeat breeder syndrome in Egyptian buffaloes

Background

This study aimed to explore the association between polymorphisms in three genes: leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), and BMP4, and incidence of repeat breeding in Egyptian buffaloes.

Methods

DNA was extracted from 160 female buffaloes, involving 108 fertile and 52 repeat breeders. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Sequence analysis and alignment were performed by employing NCBI/BLAST/blastn suite, to identify SNPs among different patterns and alleles. We utilized PredictSNP software to predict the non-synonymous SNPs influences on protein function. Moreover, the conservation score of the amino acids within the target proteins was computed by ConSurf server.

Results

The genotyping results showed that LEP and BMP4 genes were monomorphic (CC, GG) in all tested fertile and repeat breeder buffaloes. Leptin gene sequencing showed a non-synonymous C73T SNP, replacing R to C at position 25 within the leptin polypeptide (position 4 in the mature form; R4C) which is a neutral mutation, not affecting function or structure of LEP protein. For LEPR, one synonymous SNP (T102C) and two non-synonymous SNPs (A106G and C146A), triggering V967A and G954C replacements, respectively in LEPR protein. Moreover, they are neutral mutations. Sequencing results of BMP4 showed HinfI restriction site indicate fixed GG genotype (CC genotype in the anti-sense strand) in all sequenced samples. No SNPs were observed within the amplified region.

Conclusion

Genotyping and sequencing results of the surveyed three genes revealed that there is no association between these genes mutations and the incidence of repeat breeding in Egyptian buffaloes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43141-022-00397-2.

Multiple Leptin Signalling Pathways in the Control of Metabolism and Fertility: A Means to Different Ends?

The adipocyte-derived ‘satiety promoting’ hormone, leptin, has been identified as a key central regulator of body weight and fertility, such that its absence leads to obesity and infertility. Plasma leptin levels reflect body adiposity, and therefore act as an ‘adipostat’, whereby low leptin levels reflect a state of low body adiposity (under-nutrition/starvation) and elevated leptin levels reflect a state of high body adiposity (over-nutrition/obesity). While genetic leptin deficiency is rare, obesity-related leptin resistance is becoming increasingly common. In the absence of adequate leptin sensitivity, leptin is unable to exert its ‘anti-obesity’ effects, thereby exacerbating obesity. Furthermore, extreme leptin resistance and consequent low or absent leptin signalling resembles a state of starvation and can thus lead to infertility. However, leptin resistance occurs on a spectrum, and it is possible to be resistant to leptin’s metabolic effects while retaining leptin’s permissive effects on fertility. This may be because leptin exerts its modulatory effects on energy homeostasis and reproductive function through discrete intracellular signalling pathways, and these pathways are differentially affected by the molecules that promote leptin resistance. This review discusses the potential mechanisms that enable leptin to exert differential control over metabolic and reproductive function in the contexts of healthy leptin signalling and of diet-induced leptin resistance.

SOCS2 Inhibits Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation via Suppressing LepR/JAK2/AMPK Signaling Pathway in Mouse Adipocytes

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) plays an important role in fat deposition, skeletal muscle, central nervous system development, and mitochondria biogenesis. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms of SOCS2 on mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) remain unclear. Leptin could inhibit food intake and increase thermogenesis through leptin receptor (LepR), which was present in the hypothalamus and certain peripheral organs, including adipose tissue. With strong interest, we focused on the connection between leptin and SOCS2 and their effect on FAO in adipocytes. In our study, we found that the mRNA level of SOCS2 and the protein levels of PGC-1α, CPT-1b, FAT, and p-ACC were elevated by leptin in the inguinal adipose tissue of mice. On the contrary, the protein levels of FABP4, FATP1, and FAS were declined. The genes related to fatty acid oxidation such as PGC-1α, NRF-1, TFAM, CPT-1b, AOX1, COX2, and UCP2 were attenuated by SOCS2, but elevated by leptin. Moreover, fatty acid oxidation enzyme MCAD, LCAD, and Cyt C levels were reduced in response to SOCS2. These reductions correspond well with the reduced release of free fatty acid and the reduction of mitochondrial complexes I and III by SOCS2. Furthermore, JAK2/AMPK pathway-specific inhibitors could block the mitochondrial FAO; hence, this pathway was implied to have a potential impact on FAO. Together, these studies suggested that SOCS2 had a negative effect on mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and the LepR/JAK2/AMPK pathway played a crucial role in this process.

Leptin Promotes White Adipocyte Browning by Inhibiting the Hh Signaling Pathway

Leptin is an important secretory protein that regulates the body’s intake and energy consumption, and the functions of the Hh signaling pathway related to white adipocyte browning are controversial. It has been reported that leptin plays a critical role in adipogenesis by regulating the Hh signaling pathway, but whether there is a functional relationship between leptin, the Hh signaling pathway, and adipocyte browning is not clear. In this research, mouse white pre-adipocytes were isolated to explore the influence of the Hh signal pathway and leptin during the process described above. This showed that leptin decreased high fat diet-induced obese mice body weight and inhibited the Hh signaling pathway, which suggested that leptin and the Hh signaling pathway have an important role in obesity. After activation of the Hh signaling pathway, significantly decreased browning fat-relative gene expression levels were recorded, whereas inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway significantly up-regulated the expression of these genes. Similarly, leptin also up-regulated the expression of these genes, and increased mitochondrial DNA content, but decreased the expression of Gli, the key transcription factors of the Hh signaling pathway. In short, the results show that leptin promotes white adipocyte browning through inhibiting the Hh signaling pathway. Overall, these results demonstrate that leptin serves as a potential intervention to decrease obesity by inhibiting the Hh signaling pathway.

Sex-dependent regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor gene expression in leptin treated obese (ob/ob) or lean mice

Pharmacological and genetic studies have shown that the Y₁ receptor (Y₁R) for Neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a crucial role in the control of feeding behavior under metabolic conditions of low leptin levels or leptin deficiency. In this study, we investigated the effect of leptin deficiency and leptin replacement on Y₁R gene expression in the hypothalamus of lean and obese Y₁R/LacZ transgenic mice (TgY₁R/LacZ) carrying the murine Y1R promoter linked to the LacZ gene that induces the expression of β-galactosidase. Two daily intraperitoneal injections with leptin (1μg/g of body weight for one week) of male and female lean (TgY₁R/LacZ^+/+) and obese (TgY₁R/LacZ^ob/ob) mice induced a significant decrease of body weight in both sexes and genotypes. In males, leptin administration decreased β-galactosidase activity in the PVN and DMH of lean mice, and increased transgene expression in the same hypothalamic nuclei of obese mice. Sex-related differences were also observed in both genotypes, since leptin treatment failed to affect transgene expression in hypothalamus of lean and obese female mice. These results provide further evidence for a sexual dimorphism of the hypothalamic NPY-Y₁R-mediated pathway in response to changes in leptin circulating levels.

Pharmacological effects of JTT-551, a novel protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor, in diet-induced obesity mice

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a negative regulator of leptin signaling as well as insulin signaling. JTT-551 is a new PTP1B inhibitor, which is reported to improve glucose metabolism by enhancement of insulin signaling. We have evaluated an antiobesity effect of JTT-551 using diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice. A single administration of JTT-551 was provided to DIO mice with or without leptin, and DIO mice were given food containing JTT-551 for six weeks. A single administration of JTT-551 with leptin treatment enhanced the food inhibition and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in hypothalamus. Moreover, chronic administration of JTT-551 showed an antiobesity effect and an improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism in DIO mice. JTT-551 shows an antiobesity effect possibly by enhancement of leptin signaling and could be useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Molecular analysis of central feeding regulation by neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons with NPY receptor small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)

Hypothalamic neuropeptides play important roles in central feeding behavior. Among them, neuropeptide Y (NPY) has the strongest orexigenic action. It is synthesized in NPY-expressing neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), which projects to other nuclei, mainly to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). PVN, which possesses NPY-Y1, -Y2 and -Y4, -Y5 receptors, is considered as feeding center for central feeding behavior. Herein I review recent results on feeding behavior obtained by gene knockdown technologies. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) plasmid-based vectors, which drive transcription of siRNA by U6 RNA polymerase III promoter to produce knockdown of the NPY and its receptor (Y1, Y2, Y4 and Y5) genes, were stereotaxically injected into mouse ARC and PVN. Feeding behaviors were measured for 6days after siRNA vector injection. NPY and its receptor mRNA levels were decreased, which were measured by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization, and simultaneous decrease in their proteins was also detected in separate nuclei by immunohistochemistry. In the NPY system, decrease in NPY, Y1 and Y5 expressions in specialized nuclei diminished central feeding behavior, whereas decrease in Y2 or Y4 expression in both ARC or PVN did not affect feeding behavior. Thus, specialized change in expressions of NPY and its receptors (especially Y1 and Y5) are important for regulation of endogenous feeding behavior in central regulation. Further analysis of NPY receptors may provide better understanding of feeding behavior and of potential therapeutic targets.

The multiple faces of autoimmune-mediated bone loss

Inflammation perturbs normal bone homeostasis and is known to induce bone loss, as it promotes both local cartilage degradation and local and systemic bone destruction by osteoclasts, as well as inhibits bone formation by osteoblasts. Thus, not surprisingly, inflammatory autoimmune diseases often lead to local and/or general bone loss. However, the mechanisms that target the bone in autoimmune disease are complex and diverse, as they range from a direct attack on the bone and cartilage by the immune cells to indirect consequences of disturbances of the systemic control of bone remodeling. This Review discusses current understanding of the mechanisms of autoimmune-mediated bone loss in view of new insight from two new fields of research: osteoimmunology, which analyzes the direct effect of immune cells on bone, and the integrative metabolism approach, which established the existence of neuroendocrine loops that regulate bone remodeling.

Refeeding after prolonged food restriction differentially affects hypothalamic and adipose tissue leptin gene expression

Rat adipose tissue is the principal site of leptin synthesis, however, leptin gene expression has been demonstrated in many rat tissues. Some data indicate that leptin produced by human brain and adipose tissue could cooperate in the regulation of food intake. In this case the regulation of leptin gene expression in hypothalamus and in adipose tissue should be coordinately regulated. Food restriction is often undertaken by many humans trying to lose body weight. Thus, the current study was aimed to analyze whether leptin gene expression in rat hypothalamus and in adipose tissue is regulated synchronously by prolonged food restriction and prolonged food restriction/refeeding. We demonstrate here that although leptin gene is expressed at very low level in rat hypothalamus, its expression in hypothalamus was down-regulated by prolonged food restriction similarly as in the white adipose tissue. Refeeding after prolonged food restriction caused both an increase of leptin gene expression in white adipose tissue and the increase in serum leptin concentration. In contrast, no significant effect of prolonged food restriction/refeeding on hypothalamic leptin gene expression was observed. The reduction of leptin gene expression in both hypothalamus and white adipose tissue by prolonged food restriction was associated with a significant increase of NPY gene (a target of leptin signaling) expression in hypothalamus. Refeeding after prolonged food restriction caused the decrease of NPY gene expression in hypothalamus, however NPY mRNA level remained higher than in controls. The results presented in this paper indicate that prolonged food restriction/refeeding differentially affects leptin gene expression in adipose tissue and in hypothalamus. Moreover, obtained data suggest that in rats leptin synthesized in hypothalamus exerts marginal effect on NPY gene expression and on serum leptin concentration.

Rapamycin protects against high fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice

Rapamycin (RAPA), an immunosuprpressive drug used extensively to prevent graft rejection in transplant patients, has been reported to inhibit adipogenesis in vitro. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of RAPA in C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice treated with RAPA (2 mg/kg per week for 16 weeks) had reduced body weight and epididymal fat pads/body weight, reduced daily food efficiency, and lower serum leptin and insulin levels compared with the HFD control mice. However, RAPA-treated mice were hyperphagic, demonstrating an increase in food intake. Dissection of RAPA-treated mice revealed a marked reduction in fatty liver scores, average fat cell size, and percentage of large adipocytes of retroperitoneal and epididymal white adipose tissue (RWAT and EWAT), compared to the HFD control mice. These results suggest that RAPA prevented the effect of the high-fat diet on the rate of accretion in body weight via reducing lipid accumulation, despite greater food intake. It is likely that RAPA may serve as a potential strategy for body weight control and/or anti-obesity therapy.

Feeding behavior and gene expression of appetite-related neuropeptides in mice lacking for neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor subclass

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a potent neurotransmitter for feeding. Besides NPY, orexigenic neuropeptides such as agouti-related protein (AgRP), and anorexigenic neuropeptides such as α-melatonin stimulating hormone (MSH) and cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) are also involved in central feeding regulation. During fasting, NPY and AgRP gene expressions are up-regulated and POMC and CART gene expressions are down-regulated in hypothalamus. Based on the network of peptidergic neurons, the former are involved in positive feeding regulation, and the latter are involved in negative feeding, which exert these feeding-regulated peptides especially in paraventricular nucleus (PVN). To clarify the compensatory mechanism of knock-out of NPY system on feeding, change in gene expressions of appetite-related neuropeptides and the feeding behavior was studied in NPY Y5-KO mice. Food intake was increased in Y5-KO mice. Fasting increased the amounts of food and water intake in the KO mice more profoundly. These data indicated the compensatory phenomenon of feeding behavior in Y5-KO mice. RT-PCR and ISH suggested that the compensation of feeding is due to change in gene expressions of AgRP, CART and POMC in hypothalamus. Thus, these findings indicated that the compensatory mechanism involves change in POMC/CART gene expression in arcuate nucleus (ARC). The POMC/CART gene expression is important for central compensatory regulation in feeding behavior.

Spatial regulation of Corazonin neuropeptide expression requires multiple cis-acting elements in Drosophila melanogaster

Although most invertebrate neuropeptide-encoding genes display distinct expression patterns in the central nervous system (CNS), the molecular mechanisms underlying spatial regulation of the neuropeptide genes are largely unknown. Expression of the neuropeptide Corazonin (Crz) is limited to only 24 neurons in the larval CNS of Drosophila melanogaster, and these neurons have been categorized into three groups, namely, DL, DM, and vCrz. To identify cis-regulatory elements that control transcription of Crz in each neuronal group, reporter gene expression patterns driven by various 5' flanking sequences of Crz were analyzed to assess their promoter activities in the CNS. We show that the 504-bp 5' upstream sequence is the shortest promoter directing reporter activities in all Crz neurons. Further dissection of this sequence revealed two important regions responsible for group specificity: -504::-419 for DM expression and -380::-241 for DL and vCrz expression. The latter region is further subdivided into three sites (proximal, center, and distal), in which any combinations of the two are sufficient for DL expression, whereas both proximal and distal sites are required for vCrz expression. Interestingly, the TATA box does not play a role in Crz transcription in most neurons. We also show that a 434-bp 5' upstream sequence of the D. virilis Crz gene, when introduced into the D. melanogaster genome, drives reporter expression in the DL and vCrz neurons, suggesting that regulatory mechanisms for Crz expression in at least two such neuronal groups are conserved between the two species.

Interrupting activator protein-1 signaling in conscious rats can modify neuropeptide Y gene expression and feeding behavior of phenylpropanolamine

The mechanism for phenylpropanolamine (PPA)-induced anorexia has been attributed to its inhibitory action on hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY), an orexigenic agent abundant in the brain. However, molecular mechanisms behind this effect are not well known. In this study, we investigated whether activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling was involved. Rats were daily treated with PPA for 4 days. Changes in hypothalamic NPY, c-fos, c-jun, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1, and SOD-2 mRNA contents were measured and compared. Results showed that c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels were increased following PPA treatment, which were relevant to a reduction in NPY mRNA level. To further determine if c-fos/c-jun genes were involved in PPA anorexia, infusions of antisense oligonucleotide into cerebroventricle were performed before daily PPA treatment in freely moving rats. Results showed that either c-fos or c-jun knock down could block PPA anorexia and restore NPY mRNA content to normal level. It is suggested that AP-1 signaling may participate in the central regulation of PPA-mediated appetite suppression via the modulation of NPY gene expression. Moreover, this modulation might be partly because of the neuroprotective effect of AP-1 since SOD gene was activated during PPA treatment.

Molecular characterization of neuropeptide Y gene in Chinese perch, an acanthomorph fish

The full-length neuropeptide Y (NPY) cDNA of Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi was 704 bp in length, and contained a 300 bp open reading frame encoding a prepro-NPY with 99 amino acids. The predicted prepro-NPY peptide contained a putative signal peptide of 28 amino acids and a mature NPY of 36 amino acids, followed by the proteolytic processing site Gly-Lys-Arg and 35 amino acids that comprise the C-terminal peptide of NPY. Amino acid alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicate that the predicted Chinese perch prepro-NPY (composed of 99 amino acids) had high identities to the prepro-NPY of acanthomorph fishes (93-95%), whereas it had much lower identities to the prepro-NPY (composed of 96 or 97 amino acids) of cyprinid fishes (59-60%) or mammals (57-63%). Chinese perch NPY gene consists of four exons and three introns. The ratio of intron 2 to intron 3 was over 14 in Chinese perch NPY gene, whereas this ratio was below 4 in zebrafish and mammalian NPY gene. The total size of the Chinese perch NPY gene was 2223 bp, which was only about 28% of the size of NPY gene in higher vertebrate. Analysis of a 1622 bp promoter region of Chinese perch NPY gene, revealed a typical TATA box, a GC box and an untypical CAAT box, located at 84 bp, 101 bp and 303 bp upstream of the start codon respectively. Three STAT binding site-like elements (TCCAGTA) which were necessary for the leptin-induced transcriptional control of rat NPY gene were identified. In consistence to the effect of cortisol on fish brain NPY mRNA expression, four glucocorticoid-responsive elements were detected. Besides the highest expression in brain, substantial level of Chinese perch NPY mRNA expression was detected in the spleen and liver, and trace level of NPY mRNA expression was also detected in the adipose tissue, intestine and muscle. These results indicated that Chinese perch NPY might be involved in the food intake control by leptin and cortisol system, and diversification of NPY signaling should exist between acanthomorph fishes and cyprinid fishes as well as mammals.

The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in neuroendocrine responses to stress

Animals respond to stress by activating a wide array of behavioral and physiological responses that are collectively referred to as the stress response. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a central role in the stress response by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In response to stress, CRF initiates a cascade of events that culminate in the release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. As a result of the great number of physiological and behavioral effects exerted by glucocorticoids, several mechanisms have evolved to control HPA axis activation and integrate the stress response. Glucocorticoid feedback inhibition plays a prominent role in regulating the magnitude and duration of glucocorticoid release. In addition to glucocorticoid feedback, the HPA axis is regulated at the level of the hypothalamus by a diverse group of afferent projections from limbic, mid-brain, and brain stem nuclei. The stress response is also mediated in part by brain stem noradrenergic neurons, sympathetic andrenornedullary circuits, and parasympathetic systems. In summary, the aim of this review is to discuss the role of the HPA axis in the integration of adaptive responses to stress. We also identify and briefly describe the major neuronal and endocrine systems that contribute to the regulation of the HPA axis and the maintenance of homeostasis in the face of aversive stimuli.

Altered expression of SOCS3 in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus during seasonal body mass changes in the field vole, Microtus agrestis

We have previously shown that cold-acclimated (8 degrees C) male field voles (Microtus agrestis) transferred from short day (SD, 8 h light) to long day (LD, 16 h light) photoperiod exhibit an increase in body mass lasting 4 weeks, after which they stabilise at a new plateau approximately 7.5 g (24.8%) higher than animals maintained in SD. By infusing voles with exogenous leptin, we have also demonstrated that SD voles respond to the hormone by reducing body mass and food intake, whereas LD animals increasing body mass are resistant to leptin treatment. In the present study, we investigated whether seasonal changes in body mass could be linked to modulation of the leptin signal by suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS3). We used in situ hybridisation to examine hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) expression of SOCS3, neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related peptide (AgRP), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) genes in 90 voles exposed to either SD or LD for up to 11 weeks. LD voles increasing body mass had significantly higher levels of SOCS3 mRNA than SD or LD voles with a stable body mass. There were no associated changes in expression of NPY, AgRP, POMC and CART genes. These results suggest that voles that regulate body mass at either the lower (SD) or upper (LD) plateau remain sensitive to leptin action, whereas SOCS3-mediated leptin resistance is a short-term mechanism that enables animals to move between the stable body mass plateaus. Our data provide evidence that expression of SOCS3 in the ARC is involved in the modulation of the strength of the leptin signal to facilitate seasonal cycles in body mass and adiposity.

Time-Course Changes of Hormones and Cytokines by Lipopolysaccharide and Its Relation with Anorexia

We assessed the time course effects of lipopolysaccaride (LPS) on food intake, cytokines, and hormones in rats and evaluated the relation between LPS-induced anorexia and its possible causative factors. Food intake was reduced 2 h after LPS injection (500 microg/kg, intraperitoneally) and remained decreased for 24 h. Plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels increased by LPS administration at 0.5 and 2 h, and at 2 and 4 h, respectively. Plasma leptin and glucose levels were elevated at 8 and 16 h, and insulin levels were elevated at 2, 4, 8, and 16 h in the LPS-injected group, as compared to the counterpart controls. IL-6 levels in the CSF were elevated at 2 and 4 h. Hypothalamic cytokines tended to increase as early as 0.5 h after LPS injection and remained increased until 16 h. LPS-induced anorexia was attenuated in insulin-deficient STZ rats and was abolished by insulin treatment. The hypothalamic expression of NPY, a target of insulin's anorexic effect, was decreased 2 h after LPS administration, and central NPY injection (3 nM) prevented LPS-induced anorexia. In conclusion, cytokines, insulin, and leptin levels evidence different time courses by LPS administration. In LPS-induced anorexia, insulin may constitute a newly found causative factor, whereas leptin appears to be uninvolved in an early period in rats.

Up-regulation of NPY gene expression in hypothalamus of rats with experimental chronic renal failure

Anorexia is possibly one of the most important causes of malnutrition in uremic patients. The cause of this abnormality is still unknown. Considering that: (a) NPY is one of the most important stimulants of food intake; (b) eating is a central nervous system regulated process and (c) NPY is expressed in hypothalamus, we hypothesized that the decrease of NPY gene expression in the hypothalamus could be an important factor contributing to anorexia associated with uremic state. In contrast to the prediction, the results presented in this paper indicate that the NPY gene expression in the hypothalamus of chronic renal failure (CRF) rats was significantly higher than in the hypothalamus of control (pair-fed) rats. Moreover, we found that serum NPY concentration in CRF rats was higher than in control (pair-fed) animals. The increase of plasma NPY concentration in CRF rats may be due to the greater synthesis of the neuropeptide in liver, since higher level of NPY mRNA was found in liver of CRF rats. The results obtained revealed that experimental chronic renal failure is associated with the increase of NPY gene expression in hypothalamus and liver of rats.

The Elucidation of the Mechanism of Weight Gain and Glucose Tolerance Abnormalities Induced by Chlorpromazine

Antipsychotic drugs induce weight gain and metabolic abnormalities. Recently, the role of adipocytokines secreted from adipocytes in the development of metabolic syndrome has received attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chlorpromazine (Cp) on body weight, glucose, lipid metabolism, and adipocytokine secretion in rats fed sucrose. Wistar rats received 15% sucrose (Suc group), 15% sucrose and Cp at 7.5 mg/kg per day (Suc + Cp group), or Cp alone (Cp group) in water for 10 weeks. Fasting glucose levels in the Suc and Suc + Cp groups were significantly higher than in the control (Cont) group. Fasting insulin levels in the Suc, Suc + Cp, and Cp groups were also significantly higher than in the Cont group. The adiponectin level in the Suc group was significantly higher than in the Cont group, although the adiponectin level in the Suc + Cp group was not. Furthermore, the plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level in the Suc + Cp group was significantly higher than in the Suc group. These data suggest that Cp inhibits the compensatory response of adiponectin with respect to obesity due to increased expression of plasma TNF-alpha level. Cp may exert more harmful effects on the glucose level and insulin resistance than on other factors, which may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the metabolic syndrome induced by antipsychotic agents.

Transcriptional regulation of neuronal genes and its effect on neural functions: NAD-dependent histone deacetylase SIRT1 (Sir2alpha)

Sir2 (silent information regulator 2) is an NAD-dependent deacetylase that is broadly conserved from bacteria to humans. It catalyzes a unique deacetylation reaction using NAD, and specific inhibitors and activators of its activity have been discovered. In yeast, Sir2 deacetylates histones and participates in transcription silencing and the suppression of recombination. Sir2 is also implicated in the regulation of aging, because its increased expression extends the lifespan of yeast and nematodes. Mammalian SIRT1 (Sir2alpha) is a member of the Sir2 family. Recently, SIRT1 was shown to interact with various transcription factors such as p53, forkhead transcription factor (FOXO) family proteins, and MyoD, and to participate in stress tolerance, differentiation, and development.