scholarly journals The Orexigenic Activity of the Hypothalamic Neuropeptide 26RFa Is Mediated by the Neuropeptide Y and Proopiomelanocortin Neurons of the Arcuate Nucleus

Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 2342-2350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Lectez ◽  
Lydie Jeandel ◽  
Fatima-Zohra El-Yamani ◽  
Sébastien Arthaud ◽  
David Alexandre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Central Administration ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Hybridization Procedure ◽  
First Time ◽  
G Protein Coupled

26RFa is a hypothalamic RFamide neuropeptide that was identified as the endogenous ligand of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor, GPR103, and that stimulates appetite in mice. Up until now, the mechanism of action of 26RFa in the hypothalamic control of food intake remains unknown. The high density of GPR103 in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) prompted us to investigate, in the present study, the effects of 26RFa on the rat neuropeptide Y (NPY)/proopiomelanocortin (POMC) system. Intracerebroventricular injection of 26RFa stimulated NPY expression and release in the basal hypothalamus, whereas it decreased POMC expression and α-MSH release, and these effects were associated with an increase in food intake. A double in situ hybridization procedure indicated that the 26RFa receptor is present in NPY neurons of the Arc, but not in POMC neurons. Central administration of NPY Y1 and Y5 receptor antagonists abolished the inhibitory effects of 26RFa on POMC expression and α-MSH release, and reversed 26RFa-induced food consumption. Finally, 26RFa antagonized the effects of leptin on NPY expression and release, POMC expression and α-MSH release, and food intake. Altogether, the present data demonstrate for the first time that 26RFa exerts its orexigenic activity by stimulating the release of NPY in the Arc, which in turn inhibits POMC neurons by activating the Y1 and Y5 receptors. It is also suggested that the balance 26RFa/leptin is an important parameter in the maintenance of energy homeostasis.

scholarly journals LGR4 and Its Ligands, R-Spondin 1 and R-Spondin 3, Regulate Food Intake in the Hypothalamus of Male Rats

Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Yao Li ◽  
Biaoxin Chai ◽  
Weizhen Zhang ◽  
Danielle M. Fritze ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Median Eminence ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Brain

The hypothalamus plays a key role in the regulation of feeding behavior. Several hypothalamic nuclei, including the arcuate nucleus (ARC), paraventricular nucleus, and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), are involved in energy homeostasis. Analysis of microarray data derived from ARC revealed that leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) is highly expressed. LGR4, LGR5, and LGR6 form a subfamily of closely related receptors. Recently, R-spondin (Rspo) family proteins were identified as ligands of the LGR4 subfamily. In the present study, we investigated the distribution and function of LGR4–LGR6 and Rspos (1–4) in the brain of male rat. In situ hybridization showed that LGR4 is expressed in the ARC, VMH, and median eminence of the hypothalamus. LGR4 colocalizes with neuropeptide Y, proopiomelanocortin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor neurons. LGR5 is not detectable with in situ hybridization; LGR6 is only expressed in the epithelial lining of the lower portion of the third ventricle and median eminence. Rspo1 is expressed in the VMH and down-regulated with fasting. Rspo3 is expressed in the paraventricular nucleus and also down-regulated with fasting. Rspos 1 and 3 colocalize with the neuronal marker HuD, indicating that they are expressed by neurons. Injection of Rspo1 or Rspo3 into the third brain ventricle inhibited food intake. Rspo1 decreased neuropeptide Y and increased proopiomelanocortin expression in the ARC. Rspo1 and Rspo3 mRNA is up-regulated by insulin. These data indicate that Rspo1 and Rspo3 and their receptor LGR4 form novel circuits in the brain to regulate energy homeostasis.

scholarly journals Altered Expression of Agouti-Related Protein and Its Colocalization with Neuropeptide Y in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Hypothalamus during Lactation*

Endocrinology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
pp. 2645-2650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peilin Chen ◽  
Chien Li ◽  
Carrie Haskell-Luevano ◽  
Roger D. Cone ◽  
M. Susan Smith
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Caudal Portion ◽  
Agouti Related Protein

Abstract During lactation, the levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which plays an important role in mediating food intake, are significantly elevated in a number of hypothalamic areas, including the arcuate nucleus (ARH). To identify additional hypothalamic systems that might be important in mediating the increase in food intake and alterations in energy homeostasis during lactation, the present studies examined the expression of agouti-related protein (AGRP), a recently described homologue of the skin agouti protein. AGRP is found in the hypothalamus and has been suggested to play an important role in the regulation of food intake. In the first experiment, animals were studied during diestrus of the estrous cycle, a stage of the cycle when estrogen levels are basal and similar to lactation, or during days 12–13 postpartum. Lactating animals had their litters adjusted to eight pups on day 2 postpartum. Brain tissue sections were used to measure AGRP messenger RNA (mRNA) levels by in situ hybridization. AGRP mRNA signal was found mostly in the ventromedial portion of the ARH, which has been shown to contain a high density of NPY neurons. A significant increase in AGRP mRNA content was observed in the mid- to caudal portion of the ARH of lactating animals compared with diestrous females. No difference was found in the rostral portion of the ARH. In the second experiment, double-label in situ hybridization for AGRP and NPY was performed in lactating animals to determine the extent of colocalization of the two peptides in the ARH, using 35S-labeled and digoxigenin-labeled antisense complementary RNA probes. It was found that almost all of the NPY-positive neurons throughout the ARH also expressed AGRP mRNA signal. Furthermore, AGRP expression was confined almost exclusively to NPY-positive neurons. Thus, the present study showed that during lactation, AGRP gene expression was significantly elevated in a subset of the AGRP neurons in the ARH. The high degree of colocalization of AGRP and NPY, coupled with previous reports from our laboratory demonstrating increased NPY expression in the ARH in response to suckling, suggests that AGRP and NPY are coordinately regulated and may be involved in the increase in food intake during lactation.

scholarly journals Immunolesion of Norepinephrine and Epinephrine Afferents to Medial Hypothalamus Alters Basal and 2-Deoxy-d-Glucose-Induced Neuropeptide Y and Agouti Gene-Related Protein Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression in the Arcuate Nucleus

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Fraley ◽  
S. Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Medial Hypothalamus ◽  
Agouti Gene

Abstract Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti gene-related protein (AGRP) are orexigenic peptides of special importance for control of food intake. In situ hybridization studies have shown that NPY and AGRP mRNAs are increased in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) by glucoprivation. Other work has shown that glucoprivation stimulates food intake by activation of hindbrain glucoreceptor cells and requires the participation of rostrally projecting norepinephrine (NE) or epinephrine (E) neurons. Here we determine the role of hindbrain catecholamine afferents in glucoprivation-induced increase in ARC NPY and AGRP gene expression. The selective NE/E immunotoxin saporin-conjugated antidopamineβ-hydroxylase (anti-dβh) was microinjected into the medial hypothalamus and expression of AGRP and NPY mRNA was analyzed subsequently in the ARC under basal and glucoprivic conditions using 33P-labeled in situ hybridization. Saporin-conjugated anti-dβh virtually eliminated dβh-immunoreactive terminals in the ARC without causing nonspecific damage. These lesions significantly increased basal but eliminated 2-deoxy-d-glucose-induced increases in AGRP and NPY mRNA expression. Results indicate that hindbrain catecholaminergic neurons contribute to basal NPY and AGRP gene expression and mediate the responsiveness of NPY and AGRP neurons to glucose deficit. Our results also suggest that catecholamine neurons couple potent orexigenic neural circuitry within the hypothalamus with hindbrain glucose sensors that monitor brain glucose supply.

scholarly journals Neither Agouti-Related Protein nor Neuropeptide Y Is Critically Required for the Regulation of Energy Homeostasis in Mice

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 5027-5035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Qian ◽  
Howard Chen ◽  
Drew Weingarth ◽  
Myrna E. Trumbauer ◽  
Dawn E. Novi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Orexigenic Peptide ◽  
Agouti Related Protein

ABSTRACT Agouti-related protein (AgRP), a neuropeptide abundantly expressed in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, potently stimulates feeding and body weight gain in rodents. AgRP is believed to exert its effects through the blockade of signaling by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone at central nervous system (CNS) melanocortin-3 receptor (Mc3r) and Mc4r. We generated AgRP-deficient (Agrp−/− ) mice to examine the physiological role of AgRP. Agrp−/− mice are viable and exhibit normal locomotor activity, growth rates, body composition, and food intake. Additionally, Agrp−/− mice display normal responses to starvation, diet-induced obesity, and the administration of exogenous leptin or neuropeptide Y (NPY). In situ hybridization failed to detect altered CNS expression levels for proopiomelanocortin, Mc3r, Mc4r, or NPY mRNAs in Agrp−/− mice. As AgRP and the orexigenic peptide NPY are coexpressed in neurons of the arcuate nucleus, we generated AgRP and NPY double-knockout (Agrp−/− ;Npy−/− ) mice to determine whether NPY or AgRP plays a compensatory role in Agrp−/− or NPY-deficient (Npy−/− ) mice, respectively. Similarly to mice deficient in either AgRP or NPY, Agrp−/− ;Npy−/− mice suffer no obvious feeding or body weight deficits and maintain a normal response to starvation. Our results demonstrate that neither AgRP nor NPY is a critically required orexigenic factor, suggesting that other pathways capable of regulating energy homeostasis can compensate for the loss of both AgRP and NPY.

Lateral ventricular ghrelin and fourth ventricular ghrelin induce similar increases in food intake and patterns of hypothalamic gene expression

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (6) ◽  
pp. R1565-R1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly P. Kinzig ◽  
Karen A. Scott ◽  
Jayson Hyun ◽  
Sheng Bi ◽  
Timothy H. Moran
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Fourth Ventricle ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Central Administration ◽  
Stimulatory Action ◽  
Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Ghrelin Receptors ◽  
The Brain

The gut peptide ghrelin has been shown to stimulate food intake after both peripheral and central administration, and the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus has been proposed to be the major site for mediating this feeding stimulatory action. Ghrelin receptors are widely distributed in the brain, and hindbrain ghrelin administration has been shown to potently stimulate feeding, suggesting that there may be other sites for ghrelin action. In the present study, we have further assessed potential sites for ghrelin action by comparing the ability of lateral and fourth ventricular ghrelin administration to stimulate food intake and alter patterns of hypothalamic gene expression. Ghrelin (0.32, 1, or 3.2 nmol) in the lateral or fourth ventricle significantly increased food intake in the first 4 h after injection, with no ventricle-dependent differences in degree or time course of hyperphagia. One nanomole of ghrelin into either the lateral or fourth ventricle resulted in similar increases in arcuate nucleus neuropeptide Y mRNA expression. Expression levels of agouti-related peptide or proopiomelanocortin mRNA were not affected by ghrelin administration. These data demonstrate that ghrelin can affect food intake and hypothalamic gene expression through interactions at multiple brain sites.

Influence of photoperiod and gonadal status on food intake, adiposity, and gene expression of hypothalamic appetite regulators in a seasonal mammal

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (1) ◽  
pp. R242-R252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantacha Anukulkitch ◽  
Alexandra Rao ◽  
Frank R. Dunshea ◽  
Dominique Blache ◽  
Gerald A. Lincoln ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Leptin Receptor ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Pomc Gene ◽  
Gonadal Status ◽  
Long Photoperiod ◽  
Refractory Phase

We studied the effects of photoperiod on metabolic profiles, adiposity, and gene expression of hypothalamic appetite-regulating peptides in gonad-intact and castrated Soay rams. Groups of five to six animals were studied 6, 18, or 30 wk after switching from long photoperiod (LP: 16 h of light) to short photoperiod (SP: 8 h of light). Reproductive and metabolic indexes were measured in blood plasma. Expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and leptin receptor (ObRb) in the arcuate nucleus was measured using in situ hybridization. Testosterone levels of intact animals were low under LP, increased to a peak at 16 wk under SP, and then declined. Voluntary food intake (VFI) was high under LP in both intact and castrated animals, decreased to a nadir at 12–16 wk under SP, and then recovered, but only in intact rams as the reproductive axis became photorefractory to SP. NPY gene expression varied positively and POMC expression varied negatively with the cycle in VFI, with differences between intact and castrate rams in the refractory phase. ObRb expression decreased under SP, unrelated to changes in VFI. Visceral fat weight also varied between the intact and castrated animals across the cycle. We conclude that 1) photoperiodic changes in VFI reflect changes in NPY and POMC gene expression, 2) changes in ObRb gene expression are not necessarily determinants of changes in VFI, 3) gonadal status affects the pattern of VFI that changes with photoperiod, and 4) in the absence of gonadal factors, animals can eat less but gain adiposity.

Expression of a Novel Neuropeptide Y Receptor Subtype Involved in Food Intake: An in Situ Hybridization Study of Y5 mRNA Distribution in Rat Brain

2000 ◽  
Vol 165 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret M. Durkin ◽  
Mary W. Walker ◽  
Kelli E. Smith ◽  
Eric L. Gustafson ◽  
Christophe Gerald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Rat Brain ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Hybridization Study ◽  
Neuropeptide Y Receptor

Hypothalamic mapping of orexigenic action and Fos-like immunoreactivity following relaxin-3 administration in male Wistar rats

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (3) ◽  
pp. E913-E919 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. McGowan ◽  
S. A. Stanley ◽  
N. E. White ◽  
A. Spangeus ◽  
M. Patterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Supraoptic Nucleus ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Preoptic Area ◽  
Disulphide Bonds ◽  
Hypothalamic Nuclei ◽  
Relaxin Family ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The insulin superfamily, characterized by common disulphide bonds, includes not only insulin but also insulin-like peptides such as relaxin-1 and relaxin-3. The actions of relaxin-3 are largely unknown, but recent work suggests a role in regulation of food intake. Relaxin-3 mRNA is highly expressed in the nucleus incertus, which has extensive projections to the hypothalamus, and relaxin immunoreactivity is present in several hypothalamic nuclei. In the rat, relaxin-3 binds and activates both relaxin family peptide receptor 1, which also binds relaxin-1, and a previously orphaned G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3. These receptors are extensively expressed in the hypothalamus. The aims of these studies were twofold: 1) map the hypothalamic site(s) of the orexigenic action of relaxin-3 and 2) examine the site(s) of neuronal activation following central relaxin-3 administration. After microinjection into hypothalamic sites, human relaxin-3 (H3; 180 pmol) significantly stimulated 0- to 1-h food intake in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), arcuate nucleus (ARC), and the anterior preoptic area (APOA) [SON 0.4 ± 0.2 (vehicle) vs. 2.9 ± 0.5 g (H3), P < 0.001; ARC 0.7 ± 0.3 (vehicle) vs. 2.7 ± 0.2 g (H3), P < 0.05; and APOA 0.8 ± 0.1 (vehicle) vs. 2.2 ± 0.2 g (H3), P < 0.05]. Cumulative food intake was significantly increased ≤8 h following administration into the SON and 4 h into the APOA. A significant increase in Fos-like immunoreactivity was seen in the SON following central relaxin-3 administration. Relaxin-3 stimulates feeding in several hypothalamic nuclei, and these studies provide additional support for relaxin-3 as an important peptide in appetite regulation.

scholarly journals The Antiobesity Effects of Centrally Administered Neuromedin U and Neuromedin S Are Mediated Predominantly by the Neuromedin U Receptor 2 (NMUR2)

Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (7) ◽  
pp. 3101-3109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Peier ◽  
Jennifer Kosinski ◽  
Kimberly Cox-York ◽  
Ying Qian ◽  
Kunal Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Central Administration ◽  
Diet Induced Obesity ◽  
Inhibit Food Intake ◽  
Selective Agonists ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Deficient Mice

Neuromedin U (NMU) and neuromedin S (NMS) are structurally related neuropeptides that have been reported to modulate energy homeostasis. Pharmacological data have shown that NMU and NMS inhibit food intake when administered centrally and that NMU increases energy expenditure. Additionally, NMU-deficient mice develop obesity, whereas transgenic mice overexpressing NMU are lean and hypophagic. Two high-affinity NMU/NMS receptors, NMUR1 and NMUR2, have been identified. NMUR1 is predominantly expressed in the periphery, whereas NMUR2 is predominantly expressed in the brain, suggesting that the effects of centrally administered NMU and NMS are mediated by NMUR2. To evaluate the role of NMUR2 in the regulation of energy homeostasis, we characterized NMUR2-deficient (Nmur2−/−) mice. Nmur2−/− mice exhibited a modest resistance to diet-induced obesity that was at least in part due to reduced food intake. Acute central administration of NMU and NMS reduced food intake in wild-type but not in Nmur2−/− mice. The effects on activity and core temperature induced by centrally administered NMU were also absent in Nmur2−/− mice. Moreover, chronic central administration of NMU and NMS evoked significant reductions in body weight and sustained reductions in food intake in mice. In contrast, Nmur2−/− mice were largely resistant to these effects. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the anorectic and weight-reducing actions of centrally administered NMU and NMS are mediated predominantly by NMUR2, suggesting that NMUR2-selective agonists may be useful for the treatment of obesity.

Expression of FAS within hypothalamic neurons: a model for decreased food intake after C75 treatment

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (5) ◽  
pp. E867-E879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Kyoung Kim ◽  
Ian Miller ◽  
Leslie E. Landree ◽  
Felice F. Borisy-Rudin ◽  
Pierre Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Fatty Acid Synthase ◽  
Arcuate Nucleus ◽  
Potent Inhibitor ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Axon Terminals ◽  
Paraventricular Nuclei ◽  
Brain Expression

We previously demonstrated that C75, a specific and potent inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FAS), reduced food intake and decreased body weight in mice. In the present study, we determined that these effects were not due to conditioned taste aversion. To investigate the mechanism of C75 action, we examined FAS brain expression. FAS was expressed in a number of brain regions, including arcuate and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) within regions that comprise the arcuate-PVN pathway in mouse and human. Although C75 and fasting significantly downregulated liver FAS, FAS levels remained high in hypothalamus, indicating that FAS levels were regulated differently in brain from those in liver. Double fluorescence in situ for FAS and neuropeptide Y (NPY) showed that FAS co-localized with NPY in neurons in the arcuate nucleus. NPY immnuoreactivity after C75 treatment was decreased in axon terminals that innervate the PVN and lateral hypothalamus. Collectively, these results demonstrate that FAS is present and active in neurons and suggests that C75 may alter food intake via interactions within the arcuate-PVN pathway mediated by NPY.

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