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Lam BYH, Williamson A, Finer S, Day FR, Tadross JA, Gonçalves Soares A, Wade K, Sweeney P, Bedenbaugh MN, Porter DT, Melvin A, Ellacott KLJ, Lippert RN, Buller S, Rosmaninho-Salgado J, Dowsett GKC, Ridley KE, Xu Z, Cimino I, Rimmington D, Rainbow K, Duckett K, Holmqvist S, Khan A, Dai X, Bochukova EG, Trembath RC, Martin HC, Coll AP, Rowitch DH, Wareham NJ, van Heel DA, Timpson N, Simerly RB, Ong KK, Cone RD, Langenberg C, Perry JRB, Yeo GS, O'Rahilly S. MC3R links nutritional state to childhood growth and the timing of puberty. Nature 2021; 599:436-441. [PMID: 34732894 PMCID: PMC8819628 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04088-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The state of somatic energy stores in metazoans is communicated to the brain, which regulates key aspects of behaviour, growth, nutrient partitioning and development1. The central melanocortin system acts through melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) to control appetite, food intake and energy expenditure2. Here we present evidence that MC3R regulates the timing of sexual maturation, the rate of linear growth and the accrual of lean mass, which are all energy-sensitive processes. We found that humans who carry loss-of-function mutations in MC3R, including a rare homozygote individual, have a later onset of puberty. Consistent with previous findings in mice, they also had reduced linear growth, lean mass and circulating levels of IGF1. Mice lacking Mc3r had delayed sexual maturation and an insensitivity of reproductive cycle length to nutritional perturbation. The expression of Mc3r is enriched in hypothalamic neurons that control reproduction and growth, and expression increases during postnatal development in a manner that is consistent with a role in the regulation of sexual maturation. These findings suggest a bifurcating model of nutrient sensing by the central melanocortin pathway with signalling through MC4R controlling the acquisition and retention of calories, whereas signalling through MC3R primarily regulates the disposition of calories into growth, lean mass and the timing of sexual maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Y H Lam
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Williamson
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S Finer
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - F R Day
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J A Tadross
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Gonçalves Soares
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - K Wade
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - P Sweeney
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - M N Bedenbaugh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - D T Porter
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - A Melvin
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K L J Ellacott
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - R N Lippert
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam, Germany
| | - S Buller
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - J Rosmaninho-Salgado
- Medical Genetics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - G K C Dowsett
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K E Ridley
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Z Xu
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - I Cimino
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - D Rimmington
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Rainbow
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Duckett
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - S Holmqvist
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Khan
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - X Dai
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - E G Bochukova
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - R C Trembath
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - H C Martin
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - A P Coll
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - D H Rowitch
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - N J Wareham
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - D A van Heel
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - N Timpson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - R B Simerly
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - K K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - R 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
| | - C Langenberg
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - G S Yeo
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - S O'Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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Abstract
Puberty is the process whereby an individual acquires the ability to reproduce, and the attainment of puberty in a timely manner is critical for both humans and livestock. For livestock, the initiation of puberty at the appropriate time aids in increasing lifetime productivity, thus maximizing profitability for producers. For humans, particularly females, early or late puberty is associated with several adverse health outcomes, including polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, and psychosocial distress. Therefore, characterizing the mechanisms responsible for puberty onset would have a significant impact on human and animal health. It has been postulated that a group of neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus may play a role in puberty onset. These neurons contain kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB), and dynorphin and are often called KNDy neurons. Although the role of kisspeptin in puberty onset has been heavily researched, the involvement of NKB and dynorphin is not well defined. This mini-review focuses on the role of NKB in the initiation of puberty in female sheep. Stimulation of the receptor for NKB, NK3R, elicits LH secretion in a GnRH-dependent manner in prepubertal ewes, and both functional and neuroanatomical changes to the NKB system, particularly within the preoptic area, appear to occur as female sheep transition from a prepubertal to an adult state. Thus, NKB is likely an important component of puberty onset in sheep, although its integration with other systems that impact the pubertal process, such as photoperiod and nutrition, remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Bedenbaugh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - E C Bowdridge
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - S M Hileman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
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Bedenbaugh MN, O'Connell RC, Lopez JA, McCosh RB, Goodman RL, Hileman SM. Kisspeptin, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and oestrogen receptor α colocalise with neuronal nitric oxide synthase neurones in prepubertal female sheep. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:10.1111/jne.12560. [PMID: 29178496 PMCID: PMC5786465 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Puberty is a process that integrates multiple inputs ultimately resulting in an increase in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Although kisspeptin neurones play an integral role in GnRH secretion and puberty onset, other systems are also likely important. One potential component is nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous neurotransmitter synthesised by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The present study aimed to neuroanatomically characterise neuronal NOS (nNOS) in prepubertal female sheep and determine whether oestradiol exerts effects on this system. Luteinising hormone secretion was reduced by oestradiol treatment in prepubertal ovariectomised ewes. Neurones immunoreactive for nNOS were identified in several areas, with the greatest number present in the ventrolateral portion of the ventromedial hypothalamus, followed by the ventromedial hypothalamus, preoptic area (POA) and arcuate nucleus (ARC). Next, we determined whether nNOS neurones contained oestrogen receptor (ER)α and could potentially communicate oestradiol (E2 ) feedback to GnRH neurones. Neuronal NOS neurones contained ERα with the percentage of coexpression (12%-40%) depending upon the area analysed. We next investigated whether a neuroanatomical relationship existed between nNOS and kisspeptin or nNOS and GnRH neurones. A high percentage of kisspeptin neurones in the POA (79%) and ARC (98%) colocalised with nNOS. Kisspeptin close contacts were also associated with nNOS neurones. A greater number of close contacts were observed in the ARC than the POA. A high percentage of POA GnRH neurones (79%) also expressed nNOS, although no GnRH close contacts were observed onto nNOS neurones. Neither the numbers of nNOS neurones in the POA or hypothalamus, nor the percentage of nNOS coexpression with GnRH, kisspeptin or ERα were influenced by oestradiol. These experiments reveal that a neuroanatomical relationship exists between both nNOS and kisspeptin and nNOS and GnRH in prepubertal ewes. Therefore, nNOS may act both directly and indirectly to influence GnRH secretion in prepubertal sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Bedenbaugh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - J A Lopez
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - R B McCosh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - R L Goodman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - S M Hileman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Lopez JA, Bedenbaugh MN, McCosh RB, Weems PW, Meadows LJ, Wisman B, Coolen LM, Goodman RL, Hileman SM. Does Dynorphin Play a Role in the Onset of Puberty in Female Sheep? J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28:10.1111/jne.12445. [PMID: 28328155 PMCID: PMC5412962 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Puberty onset involves increased gonadotrophin-release (GnRH) release as a result of decreased sensitivity to oestrogen (E2 )-negative feedback. Because GnRH neurones lack E2 receptor α, this pathway must contain interneurones. One likely candidate is KNDy neurones (kisspeptin, neurokinin B, dynorphin). The overarching hypothesis of the present study was that the prepubertal hiatus in luteinising hormone (LH) release involves reduced kisspeptin and/or heightened dynorphin input. We first tested the specific hypothesis that E2 would reduce kisspeptin-immunopositive cell numbers and increase dynorphin-immunopositive cell numbers. We found that kisspeptin cell numbers were higher in ovariectomised (OVX) lambs than OVX lambs treated with E2 (OVX+ E2 ) or those left ovary-intact. Very few arcuate dynorphin cells were identified in any group. Next, we hypothesised that central blockade of κ-opioid receptor (KOR) would increase LH secretion at a prepubertal (6 months) but not postpubertal (10 months) age. Luteinising hormone pulse frequency and mean LH increased during infusion of a KOR antagonist, norbinaltorphimine, in OVX + E2 lambs at the prepubertal age but not in the same lambs at the postpubertal age. We next hypothesised that E2 would increase KOR expression in GnRH neurones or alter synaptic input to KNDy neurones in prepubertal ewes. Oestrogen treatment decreased the percentage of GnRH neurones coexpressing KOR (approximately 68%) compared to OVX alone (approximately 78%). No significant differences in synaptic contacts per cell between OVX and OVX + E2 groups were observed. Although these initial data are consistent with dynorphin inhibiting pulsatile LH release prepubertally, additional work will be necessary to define the source and mechanisms of this inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Lopez
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - M N Bedenbaugh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - R B McCosh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - P W Weems
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - L J Meadows
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - B Wisman
- Department of Biology, Alderson-Broaddus University, Philippi, WV, USA
| | - L M Coolen
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - R L Goodman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - S M Hileman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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