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Christakoudi S, Tsilidis KK, Riboli E. Prospective associations of leucocyte subtypes and obesity with the risk of developing cutaneous malignant melanoma in the UK Biobank cohort. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:625. [PMID: 38783251 PMCID: PMC11112846 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12344-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which is linked to cancer development. Abdominal obesity (a body mass index, ABSI), however, has unusually been associated inversely with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), while general obesity (body mass index, BMI) is associated positively. Leucocytes participate in inflammation and are higher in obesity, but prospective associations of leucocytes with cutaneous malignant melanoma are unclear. METHODS We examined the prospective associations of neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts (each individually), as well as the prospective associations of ABSI and BMI, with cutaneous malignant melanoma in UK Biobank. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and explored heterogeneity according to sex, menopausal status, age (≥ 50 years at recruitment), smoking status, ABSI (dichotomised at the median: ≥73.5 women; ≥79.8 men), BMI (normal weight, overweight, obese), and time to diagnosis. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 10.2 years, 2174 CMM cases were ascertained in 398,450 participants. There was little evidence for associations with neutrophil or lymphocyte counts. Monocyte count, however, was associated inversely in participants overall (HR = 0.928; 95%CI: 0.888-0.971; per one standard deviation increase; SD = 0.144*109/L women; SD = 0.169*109/L men), specifically in older participants (HR = 0.906; 95%CI: 0.862-0.951), and more clearly in participants with low ABSI (HR = 0.880; 95%CI: 0.824-0.939), or with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (HR = 0.895; 95%CI: 0.837-0.958 for overweight; HR = 0.923; 95%CI: 0.848-1.005 for obese). ABSI was associated inversely in pre-menopausal women (HR = 0.810; 95%CI: 0.702-0.935; SD = 4.95) and men (HR = 0.925; 95%CI: 0.867-0.986; SD = 4.11). BMI was associated positively in men (HR = 1.148; 95%CI: 1.078-1.222; SD = 4.04 kg/m2). There was little evidence for heterogeneity according to smoking status. The associations with monocyte count and BMI were retained to at least 8 years prior to diagnosis, but the association with ABSI was observed up to 4 years prior to diagnosis and not for longer follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS Monocyte count is associated prospectively inversely with the risk of developing CMM in older individuals, while BMI is associated positively in men, suggesting a mechanistic involvement of factors related to monocytes and subcutaneous adipose tissue in melanoma development. An inverse association with ABSI closer to diagnosis may reflect reverse causality or glucocorticoid resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Christakoudi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Konstantinos K Tsilidis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Elio Riboli
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
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Greene ES, Ardakani MA, Dridi S. Effects of an herbal adaptogen feed-additive on feeding-related hypothalamic neuropeptides in chronic cyclic heat-stressed chickens. Neuropeptides 2024; 106:102439. [PMID: 38788297 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102439] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Heat stress (HS) is a global serious issue in the poultry industry with numerous adverse effects, including increased stress, depressed feed intake (FI), poor growth performance and higher mortality. Herbal adaptogens, plant extracts considered as stress response modifiers, are metabolic regulators that improve an organism's ability to adapt to and minimize damage from environmental stresses. Previously, we showed that herbal adaptogen supplementation increased FI and body weight (BW) of broiler (meat-type) chickens reared under HS conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that these effects may be mediated through modulation of hypothalamic feeding-related neuropeptides. Male Cobb 500 chicks were reared in 12 environmental chambers with three diets: a corn-soybean-based diet (C) and two herbal adaptogen-supplemented diets at 500 g/1000 kg (NR-PHY-500) and 1 kg/1000 kg (NR-PHY-1000). Broilers in 9 chambers were exposed to chronic cyclic HS (35 °C for 8 h/day) from d29 to d42, while 3 chambers were maintained at 24 °C (thermoneutral, TN) for all 42 days. Hypothalamic samples were collected on d42 from each group, both before the onset of HS (Pre-HS) that day and after 3 h of HS (post-HS). Hypothalamic expressions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors Y4 and Y7, Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), orexin receptor 1 (ORXR1), melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC4R, and MC5R), visfatin and neurosecretory protein GL (NPGL) genes were significantly upregulated by adaptogen supplementation. The hypothalamic expression of MC2R was affect by period, with a significant upregulation during post-HS phase. There was a significant period by treatment interaction for hypothalamic orexin and adiponectin expression. The hypothalamic expression of NPY, Y1, Y2, Y5, Y6, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), agouti-related peptide (AgRP), ORXR2, AdipR1/2, MC3R, and ghrelin was not affected by diet supplementation nor by HS exposure. In conclusion, these findings suggest that in-feed supplementation of adaptogen might improve FI and growth via modulation of hypothalamic feeding-related neuropeptides in heat-stressed broilers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Greene
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Maryam Afkhami Ardakani
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Sami Dridi
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States.
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Hemerich D, Svenstrup V, Obrero VD, Preuss M, Moscati A, Hirschhorn JN, Loos RJF. An integrative framework to prioritize genes in more than 500 loci associated with body mass index. Am J Hum Genet 2024:S0002-9297(24)00131-9. [PMID: 38754426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for a myriad of diseases, affecting >600 million people worldwide. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified hundreds of genetic variants that influence body mass index (BMI), a commonly used metric to assess obesity risk. Most variants are non-coding and likely act through regulating genes nearby. Here, we apply multiple computational methods to prioritize the likely causal gene(s) within each of the 536 previously reported GWAS-identified BMI-associated loci. We performed summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR), FINEMAP, DEPICT, MAGMA, transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs), mutation significance cutoff (MSC), polygenic priority score (PoPS), and the nearest gene strategy. Results of each method were weighted based on their success in identifying genes known to be implicated in obesity, ranking all prioritized genes according to a confidence score (minimum: 0; max: 28). We identified 292 high-scoring genes (≥11) in 264 loci, including genes known to play a role in body weight regulation (e.g., DGKI, ANKRD26, MC4R, LEPR, BDNF, GIPR, AKT3, KAT8, MTOR) and genes related to comorbidities (e.g., FGFR1, ISL1, TFAP2B, PARK2, TCF7L2, GSK3B). For most of the high-scoring genes, however, we found limited or no evidence for a role in obesity, including the top-scoring gene BPTF. Many of the top-scoring genes seem to act through a neuronal regulation of body weight, whereas others affect peripheral pathways, including circadian rhythm, insulin secretion, and glucose and carbohydrate homeostasis. The characterization of these likely causal genes can increase our understanding of the underlying biology and offer avenues to develop therapeutics for weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane Hemerich
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Victor Svenstrup
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Virginia Diez Obrero
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael Preuss
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arden Moscati
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Regeneron Genetics Center, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - Joel N Hirschhorn
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Division of Endocrinology and Center for Basic and Translational Obesity Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ruth J F Loos
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Oya M, Miyasaka Y, Nakamura Y, Tanaka M, Suganami T, Mashimo T, Nakamura K. Age-related ciliopathy: Obesogenic shortening of melanocortin-4 receptor-bearing neuronal primary cilia. Cell Metab 2024; 36:1044-1058.e10. [PMID: 38452767 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is often associated with aging. However, the mechanism of age-related obesity is unknown. The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) mediates leptin-melanocortin anti-obesity signaling in the hypothalamus. Here, we discovered that MC4R-bearing primary cilia of hypothalamic neurons progressively shorten with age in rats, correlating with age-dependent metabolic decline and increased adiposity. This "age-related ciliopathy" is promoted by overnutrition-induced upregulation of leptin-melanocortin signaling and inhibited or reversed by dietary restriction or the knockdown of ciliogenesis-associated kinase 1 (CILK1). Forced shortening of MC4R-bearing cilia in hypothalamic neurons by genetic approaches impaired neuronal sensitivity to melanocortin and resulted in decreased brown fat thermogenesis and energy expenditure and increased appetite, finally developing obesity and leptin resistance. Therefore, despite its acute anti-obesity effect, chronic leptin-melanocortin signaling increases susceptibility to obesity by promoting the age-related shortening of MC4R-bearing cilia. This study provides a crucial mechanism for age-related obesity, which increases the risk of metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manami Oya
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Miyasaka
- Institute of Experimental Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Nakamura
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Miyako Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Suganami
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Tomoji Mashimo
- Institute of Experimental Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Animal Genetics, Laboratory Animal Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; Division of Genome Engineering, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nakamura
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
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Gan HW, Cerbone M, Dattani MT. Appetite- and Weight-Regulating Neuroendocrine Circuitry in Hypothalamic Obesity. Endocr Rev 2024; 45:309-342. [PMID: 38019584 PMCID: PMC11074800 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Since hypothalamic obesity (HyOb) was first described over 120 years ago by Joseph Babinski and Alfred Fröhlich, advances in molecular genetic laboratory techniques have allowed us to elucidate various components of the intricate neurocircuitry governing appetite and weight regulation connecting the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, brainstem, adipose tissue, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. On a background of an increasing prevalence of population-level common obesity, the number of survivors of congenital (eg, septo-optic dysplasia, Prader-Willi syndrome) and acquired (eg, central nervous system tumors) hypothalamic disorders is increasing, thanks to earlier diagnosis and management as well as better oncological therapies. Although to date the discovery of several appetite-regulating peptides has led to the development of a range of targeted molecular therapies for monogenic obesity syndromes, outside of these disorders these discoveries have not translated into the development of efficacious treatments for other forms of HyOb. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the neuroendocrine physiology of appetite and weight regulation, and explore our current understanding of the pathophysiology of HyOb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoong-Wei Gan
- Department of Endocrinology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Genetics & Genomic Medicine Research & Teaching Department, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Manuela Cerbone
- Department of Endocrinology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Genetics & Genomic Medicine Research & Teaching Department, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Mehul Tulsidas Dattani
- Department of Endocrinology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Genetics & Genomic Medicine Research & Teaching Department, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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6
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Peres Díaz LS, Aisicovich M, Schuman ML, Rosati M, Toblli JE, Uceda A, Giardina G, Landa MS, García SI. Novel Leptin-Cardiac TRH pathway responsible for the cardiac alterations in the Hyperleptinemic obesity. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-05008-x. [PMID: 38676812 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-05008-x] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The association between hypertension and obesity-induced cardiac damage is usually accepted. However, no studies have been focused on cardiac alterations in obesity, independently of blood pressure increase. It is well known that Cardiac TRH induces Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) and fibrosis, and its inhibition prevents the development of hypertrophy. Also, it has been described that the adiponectin leptin induces TRH expression. Thus, we hypothesized that in obesity, the increase in TRH induced by hyperleptinemia is responsible for LVH, until now mostly attributed to pressure load. We studied obese Agouti mice suffering from hypertension with hyperleptinemia and found a significant LVH development with increased TRH gene expression. Consequently, we found higher fibrotic (collagens and TGF-β) and hypertrophic markers (BNP and β-MHC) expression vs lean black controls. As pressure could explain these results, we treated obese mice with diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide 20 mg/kg/day) since weaning. Diuretic treatment was successful as the diuretic group was normotensive in contrast to control obese mice. Nevertheless, both groups showed LVH development, higher cardiac precursor TRH gene and peptide expressions and elevated fibrotic and hypertrophic markers expression, pointing out that obesity-induced LVH is not due to hypertension. In addition, we performed Cardiac TRH inhibition by specific siRNA injection compared to control siRNA treatment and evaluated cardiac damage. As expected, expressions and protein increase in hypertrophic and fibrotic markers observed in the AG mouse with the native cTRH system were not seen in the AG mouse with the cTRH silencing. Indeed, the AG + TRH-siRNA group showed hypertrophic markers expression and fibrosis measurements similar to the lean BL mice. On the whole, these results point out that the novel Leptin-Cardiac TRH pathway is responsible for the cardiac alterations present in hyperleptinemic obesity, independent of blood pressure, and cTRH long-term silencing since early stages totally prevent LVH development and cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Soledad Peres Díaz
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research Alfredo Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maia Aisicovich
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research Alfredo Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano Luis Schuman
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research Alfredo Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Macarena Rosati
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research Alfredo Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge Eduardo Toblli
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Hospital Alemán, A. Pueyrredón 1640, CABA 1118, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Uceda
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Hospital Alemán, A. Pueyrredón 1640, CABA 1118, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Giardina
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Hospital Alemán, A. Pueyrredón 1640, CABA 1118, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Silvina Landa
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research Alfredo Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Inés García
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research Alfredo Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Hospital Alemán, A. Pueyrredón 1640, CABA 1118, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), Molecular Cardiology Laboratory and University of Buenos Aires, Institute of Medical Research A. Lanari, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, CABA-1427, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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7
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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] [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. Key Points: MC3R signaling regulates energy rheostasis in adult miceMedial hypothalamus regulates energy rheostasis in adult miceEnergy rheostasis alters mRNA levels of AgRP and MC3R in DMHDMH MC3R neurons increase locomotion and energy expenditureMC3R expression in DMH is sexually dimorphic.
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Strnadová V, Pačesová A, Charvát V, Šmotková Z, Železná B, Kuneš J, Maletínská L. Anorexigenic neuropeptides as anti-obesity and neuroprotective agents: exploring the neuroprotective effects of anorexigenic neuropeptides. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231385. [PMID: 38577975 PMCID: PMC11043025 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231385] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Since 1975, the incidence of obesity has increased to epidemic proportions, and the number of patients with obesity has quadrupled. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing other serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Recent epidemiologic studies have defined obesity as a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other types of dementia. Despite all these serious comorbidities associated with obesity, there is still a lack of effective antiobesity treatment. Promising candidates for the treatment of obesity are anorexigenic neuropeptides, which are peptides produced by neurons in brain areas implicated in food intake regulation, such as the hypothalamus or the brainstem. These peptides efficiently reduce food intake and body weight. Moreover, because of the proven interconnection between obesity and the risk of developing AD, the potential neuroprotective effects of these two agents in animal models of neurodegeneration have been examined. The objective of this review was to explore anorexigenic neuropeptides produced and acting within the brain, emphasizing their potential not only for the treatment of obesity but also for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Strnadová
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Pačesová
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vilém Charvát
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Šmotková
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Železná
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Kuneš
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Maletínská
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Ericson MD, Freeman KT, Larson CM, Bouchard JL, John K, Lunzer MM, Koerperich ZM, Haskell-Luevano C. Incorporation of Three Extracyclic Arginine Residues into a Melanocortin Macrocyclic Agonist (c[Pro-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Dap-Lys(Arg-Arg-Arg-Ac)-DPro]) Decreases Food Intake When Administered Intrathecally or Subcutaneously Compared to a Macrocyclic Ligand Lacking Extracyclic Arginine Residues (c[Pro-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Dap-Ala-DPro)]. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1114-1125. [PMID: 38633589 PMCID: PMC11020072 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00011] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Of the three Food and Drug Administration-approved melanocortin peptide drugs, two possess a cyclic scaffold, demonstrating that cyclized melanocortin peptides have therapeutic relevance. An extracyclic Arg residue, critical for pharmacological activity in the approved melanocortin cyclic drug setmelanotide, has also been demonstrated to increase the signal when fluorescently labeled cell-penetrating cyclic peptides are incubated with HeLa cells, with the maximal signal observed with three extracyclic Arg amino acids. Herein, a branching Lys residue was substituted into two macrocyclic melanocortin peptide agonists to incorporate 0-3 extracyclic Arg amino acids. Incorporation of the Arg residues resulted in equipotent or increased agonist potency at the mouse melanocortin receptors in vitro, suggesting that these substitutions were tolerated in the macrocyclic scaffolds. Further in vivo evaluation of one parent ligand (c[Pro-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Dap-Ala-Pro]) and the three Arg derivative (c[Pro-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Dap-Lys(Ac-Arg-Arg-Arg)-Pro)] demonstrated that the three Arg derivative further decreased food intake compared to the parent macrocycle when the compounds were administered either via intrathecal injection or subcutaneous dosing. This suggests that three extracyclic Arg amino acids may be beneficial in the design of cyclic melanocortin ligands and that in vitro pharmacological profiling may not predict the in vivo efficacy of melanocortin ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Ericson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katie T. Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Courtney M. Larson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jacob L. Bouchard
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kristen John
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mary M. Lunzer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Zoe M. Koerperich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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10
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Borgmann D, Fenselau H. Vagal pathways for systemic regulation of glucose metabolism. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 156:244-252. [PMID: 37500301 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining blood glucose at an appropriate physiological level requires precise coordination of multiple organs and tissues. The vagus nerve bidirectionally connects the central nervous system with peripheral organs crucial to glucose mobilization, nutrient storage, and food absorption, thereby presenting a key pathway for the central control of blood glucose levels. However, the precise mechanisms by which vagal populations that target discrete tissues participate in glucoregulation are much less clear. Here we review recent advances unraveling the cellular identity, neuroanatomical organization, and functional contributions of both vagal efferents and vagal afferents in the control of systemic glucose metabolism. We focus on their involvement in relaying glucoregulatory cues from the brain to peripheral tissues, particularly the pancreatic islet, and by sensing and transmitting incoming signals from ingested food to the brain. These recent findings - largely driven by advances in viral approaches, RNA sequencing, and cell-type selective manipulations and tracings - have begun to clarify the precise vagal neuron populations involved in the central coordination of glucose levels, and raise interesting new possibilities for the treatment of glucose metabolism disorders such as diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diba Borgmann
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Physical Activity Research (CFAS), Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henning Fenselau
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, Cologne 50931, Germany.
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11
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Cetiner M, Bergmann C, Bettendorf M, Faust J, Gäckler A, Gillissen B, Hansen M, Kerber M, Klaus G, König J, Kühlewein L, Oh J, Richter-Unruh A, von Schnurbein J, Wabitsch M, Weihrauch-Blüher S, Pape L. [Improved Care and Treatment Options for Patients with Hyperphagia-Associated Obesity in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome]. KLINISCHE PADIATRIE 2024. [PMID: 38458231 DOI: 10.1055/a-2251-5382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare, autosomal recessive multisystem disease. The pathophysiological origin is a dysfunction of the primary cilium. Clinical symptoms are heterogeneous and variable: retinal dystrophy, obesity, polydactyly, kidney abnormalities, hypogenitalism and developmental delays are the most common features. By the approval of the melanocortin 4 receptor agonist setmelanotide, a drug therapy for BBS-associated hyperphagia and obesity can be offered for the first time. Hyperphagia and severe obesity represent a considerable burden and are associated with comorbidity and increased mortality risk. Due to the limited experience with setmelanotide in BBS, a viable comprehensive therapy concept is to be presented. Therapy decision and management should be conducted in expert centers. For best therapeutic effects with setmelanotide adequate information of the patient about the modalities of the therapy (daily subcutaneous injection) and possible adverse drug events are necessary. Furthermore, the involvement of psychologists, nutritionists and nursing services (support for the application) should be considered together with the patient. The assessment of therapy response should be carried out with suitable outcome measurements and centrally reported to an adequate register.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metin Cetiner
- Department of Pediatrics II, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Carsten Bergmann
- Human genetic diagnostics, Medical Genetics Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Bettendorf
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Heidelberg University Hospital Department of General Pediatrics Pediatric Neurology Metabolic Diseases Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Faust
- Psychiatry and psychotherapy, Max-Planck-Institute for Psychiatry, München, Germany
| | - Anja Gäckler
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernarda Gillissen
- Bardet Biedl syndrome Working Group, PRO RETINA Deutschland e V, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Hansen
- KFH Kidney Center for Children and Adolescents, Clementine Children's Hospital - Dr Christ'sche Foundation, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maximilian Kerber
- Bardet Biedl syndrome Working Group, PRO RETINA Deutschland e V, Bonn, Germany
| | - Günter Klaus
- KFH Kidney Center for Children and Adolescents, University Hospitals Giessen and Marburg Campus Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens König
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Laura Kühlewein
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Tübingen Clinic of Ophthalmology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jun Oh
- Pediatric Nephrology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Department of Pediatrics, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annette Richter-Unruh
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Julia von Schnurbein
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Lars Pape
- Department of Pediatrics II, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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12
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Gravina AG, Panarese I, Trotta MC, D'Amico M, Pellegrino R, Ferraraccio F, Galdiero M, Alfano R, Grieco P, Federico A. Melanocortin 3,5 receptors immunohistochemical expression in colonic mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease patients: A matter of disease activity? World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:1132-1142. [PMID: 38577176 PMCID: PMC10989484 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i9.1132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanocortin 3 and 5 receptors (i.e., MC3R and MC5R) belong to the melanocortin family. However, data regarding their role in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are currently unavailable. AIM This study aims to ascertain their expression profiles in the colonic mucosa of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), aligning them with IBD disease endoscopic and histologic activity. METHODS Colonic mucosal biopsies from CD/UC patients were sampled, and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the expression of MC3R and MC5R. Colonic sampling was performed on both traits with endoscopic scores (Mayo endoscopic score and CD endoscopic index of severity) consistent with inflamed mucosa and not consistent with disease activity (i.e., normal appearing mucosa). RESULTS In both CD and UC inflamed mucosa, MC3R (CD: + 7.7 fold vs normal mucosa, P < 0.01; UC: + 12 fold vs normal mucosa, P < 0.01) and MC5R (CD: + 5.5 fold vs normal mucosa, P < 0.01; UC: + 8.1 fold vs normal mucosa, P < 0.01) were significantly more expressed compared to normal mucosa. CONCLUSION MC3R and MC5R are expressed in the colon of IBD patients. Furthermore, expression may differ according to disease endoscopic activity, with a higher degree of expression in the traits affected by disease activity in both CD and UC, suggesting a potential use of these receptors in IBD pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Gerarda Gravina
- Hepatogastroenterology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Iacopo Panarese
- Pathology Division, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Michele D'Amico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Raffaele Pellegrino
- Hepatogastroenterology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Franca Ferraraccio
- Pathology Division, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Marilena Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Roberto Alfano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (DAMSS), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Alessandro Federico
- Hepatogastroenterology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
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Montero-Vallejo R, Maya-Miles D, Ampuero J, Martín F, Romero-Gómez M, Gallego-Durán R. Novel insights into metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease preclinical models. Liver Int 2024; 44:644-662. [PMID: 38291855 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) encompasses a wide spectrum of metabolic conditions associated with an excess of fat accumulation in the liver, ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Finding appropriate tools to study its development and progression is essential to address essential unmet therapeutic and staging needs. This review discusses advantages and shortcomings of different dietary, chemical and genetic factors that can be used to mimic this disease and its progression in mice from a hepatic and metabolic point of view. Also, this review will highlight some additional factors and considerations that could have a strong impact on the outcomes of our model to end up providing recommendations and a checklist to facilitate the selection of the appropriate MASLD preclinical model based on clinical aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Montero-Vallejo
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Douglas Maya-Miles
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Ampuero
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Franz Martín
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, University Pablo Olavide-University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- Biomedical Research Network on Diabetes and Related Metabolic Diseases-CIBERDEM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rocío Gallego-Durán
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
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14
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Ong SG, Dehghan R, Dorajoo R, Liu JJ, Sng AA, Lee YS, Ooi DSQ. Novel Melanocortin-3 and -4 Receptor Functional Variants in Asian Children With Severe Obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1249-e1259. [PMID: 37820740 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Genetic variants in melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) genes are strongly associated with childhood obesity. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify and functionally characterize MC3R and MC4R variants in an Asian cohort of children with severe early-onset obesity. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed to screen for MC3R and MC4R coding variants in 488 Asian children with severe early-onset obesity (body mass index for age ≥97th percentile). Functionality of the identified variants were determined via measurement of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations and luciferase activity. RESULTS Four MC3R and 2 MC4R heterozygous nonsynonymous rare variants were detected. There were 3 novel variants: MC3R c.151G > C (p.Val51Leu), MC4R c.127C > A (p.Gln43Lys), and MC4R c.272T > G (p.Met91Arg), and 3 previously reported variants: MC3R c.127G > A (p.Glu43Lys), MC3R c.97G > A (p.Ala33Thr), and MC3R c.437T > A (p.Ile146Asn). Both MC3R c.127G > A (p.Glu43Lys) and MC4R c.272T > G (p.Met91Arg) variants demonstrated defective downstream cAMP signaling activity. The MC4R c.127C > A (p.Gln43Lys) variant showed reduced cAMP signaling activity at low substrate concentration but the signaling activity was restored at high substrate concentration. The MC3R c.151G > C (p.Val51Leu) variant did not show a significant reduction in cAMP signaling activity compared to wild-type (WT) MC3R. Coexpression studies of the WT and variant MC3R/MC4R showed that the heterozygous variants did not exhibit dominant negative effect. CONCLUSION Our functional assays demonstrated that MC3R c.127G > A (p.Glu43Lys) and MC4R c.272T > G (p.Met91Arg) variants might predispose individuals to early-onset obesity, and further studies are needed to establish the causative effect of these variants in the pathogenesis of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siong Gim Ong
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Roghayeh Dehghan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138672, Singapore
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Medical Science, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran
| | - Rajkumar Dorajoo
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Jian-Jun Liu
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138672, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Andrew Anjian Sng
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Yung Seng Lee
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Delicia Shu Qin Ooi
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
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15
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Huang L, Deng X, Yang X, Tang Z, Fan S, Zhou Z, Tao M, Liu S. Cloning, distribution, and effects of growth regulation of MC3R and MC4R in red crucian carp ( Carassius auratus red var.). Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1310000. [PMID: 38322156 PMCID: PMC10846643 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1310000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R and MC4R), G protein-coupled receptors, play vital roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis. To understand the functions of mc3r and mc4r in the energy homeostasis of red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var., RCC), we cloned mc3r and mc4r, analyzed the tissue expression and localization of the genes, and investigated the effects of knockout of mc3r (mc3r +/-) and mc4r (mc4r +/-) in RCC. Results The full-length cDNAs of RCC mc3r and mc4r were 1459 base pairs (bp) and 1894 bp, respectively. qRT-PCR indicated that mc3r and mc4r were profusely expressed in the brain, but lower expressed in the periphery tissues. ISH revealed that mc3r and mc4r were located in NPP, NPO, NAPv, NSC, NAT, NRL, NLTl, and NLTp of the brain, suggesting that mc3r and mc4r might regulate many physiological and behavioral aspects in RCC. To further verify the roles of mc3r and mc4r in energy homeostasis, the mc3r+/- and mc4r+/- fish were obtained by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The average body weights, total lengths, body depths, and food intake of mc4r+/- fish were significantly higher than those of mc3r+/- and the normal wild-type (WT) fish, but there was no difference between the mc3r+/- and WT fish, indicating that the RCC phenotype and food intake were mainly influenced by mc4r but not mc3r. Interestingly, mc4r+/- fish displayed more visceral fat mass than mc3r+/- and WT fish, and mc3r+/- fish also exhibited slightly more visceral fat mass compared to WT. RNA-seq of the liver and muscle revealed that a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) differed in WT vs. mc3r+/-, WT vs. mc4r+/-, and mc3r+/- vs. mc4r+/-, mainly related to lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways such as steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, wnt signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway, thereby affecting lipid accumulation and growth. Conclusion In conclusion, these results will assist in the further investigation of the molecular mechanisms in which MC3R and MC4R were involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Min Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shaojun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Metzger PJ, Zhang A, Carlson BA, Sun H, Cui Z, Li Y, Jahnke MT, Layton DR, Gupta MB, Liu N, Kostenis E, Gavrilova O, Chen M, Weinstein LS. A human obesity-associated MC4R mutation with defective Gq/11α signaling leads to hyperphagia in mice. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e165418. [PMID: 38175730 PMCID: PMC10869179 DOI: 10.1172/jci165418] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) mutations are the most common cause of human monogenic obesity and are associated with hyperphagia and increased linear growth. While MC4R is known to activate Gsα/cAMP signaling, a substantial proportion of obesity-associated MC4R mutations do not affect MC4R/Gsα signaling. To further explore the role of specific MC4R signaling pathways in the regulation of energy balance, we examined the signaling properties of one such mutant, MC4R (F51L), as well as the metabolic consequences of MC4RF51L mutation in mice. The MC4RF51L mutation produced a specific defect in MC4R/Gq/11α signaling and led to obesity, hyperphagia, and increased linear growth in mice. The ability of a melanocortin agonist to acutely inhibit food intake when delivered to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was lost in MC4RF51L mice, as well as in WT mice in which a specific Gq/11α inhibitor was delivered to the PVN; this provided evidence that a Gsα-independent signaling pathway, namely Gq/11α, significantly contributes to the actions of MC4R on food intake and linear growth. These results suggest that a biased MC4R agonist that primarily activates Gq/11α may be a potential agent to treat obesity with limited untoward cardiovascular and other side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hui Sun
- Metabolic Diseases Branch and
| | - Zhenzhong Cui
- Mouse Metabolism Core Laboratory, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Naili Liu
- Mouse Metabolism Core Laboratory, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular, and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oksana Gavrilova
- Mouse Metabolism Core Laboratory, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Abbas A, Hammad AS, Al-Shafai M. The role of genetic and epigenetic GNAS alterations in the development of early-onset obesity. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2024; 793:108487. [PMID: 38103632 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2023.108487] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND GNAS (guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha stimulating) is an imprinted gene that encodes Gsα, the α subunit of the heterotrimeric stimulatory G protein. This subunit mediates the signalling of a diverse array of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) that serves a pivotal role in regulating food intake, energy homoeostasis, and body weight. Genetic or epigenetic alterations in GNAS are known to cause pseudohypoparathyroidism in its different subtypes and have been recently associated with isolated, early-onset, severe obesity. Given the diverse biological functions that Gsα serves, multiple molecular mechanisms involving various GPCRs, such as MC4R, β2- and β3-adrenoceptors, and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of severe, early-onset obesity that results from genetic or epigenetic GNAS changes. SCOPE OF REVIEW This review examines the structure and function of GNAS and provides an overview of the disorders that are caused by defects in this gene and may feature early-onset obesity. Moreover, it elucidates the potential molecular mechanisms underlying Gsα deficiency-induced early-onset obesity, highlighting some of their implications for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of this complex condition. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Gsα deficiency is an underappreciated cause of early-onset, severe obesity. Therefore, screening children with unexplained, severe obesity for GNAS defects is recommended, to enhance the molecular diagnosis and management of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Abbas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayat S Hammad
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mashael Al-Shafai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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18
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Xu L, Lin W, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Chen Z. The Diverse Network of Brain Histamine in Feeding: Dissect its Functions in a Circuit-Specific Way. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:241-259. [PMID: 36424776 PMCID: PMC10788888 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221117153755] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding is an intrinsic and important behavior regulated by complex molecular, cellular and circuit-level mechanisms, one of which is the brain histaminergic network. In the past decades, many studies have provided a foundation of knowledge about the relationship between feeding and histamine receptors, which are deemed to have therapeutic potential but are not successful in treating feeding- related diseases. Indeed, the histaminergic circuits underlying feeding are poorly understood and characterized. This review describes current knowledge of histamine in feeding at the receptor level. Further, we provide insight into putative histamine-involved feeding circuits based on the classic feeding circuits. Understanding the histaminergic network in a circuit-specific way may be therapeutically relevant for increasing the drug specificity and precise treatment in feeding-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Xu
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenkai Lin
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanrong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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19
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Zimmermann A, Böge N, Schuster K, Staffeld A, Lang S, Gill S, Rupprecht H, Frintrop L. Glial cell changes in the corpus callosum in chronically-starved mice. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:227. [PMID: 38111061 PMCID: PMC10726510 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00948-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by emaciation, hyperactivity, and amenorrhea. Imaging studies in AN patients have revealed reductions in grey and white matter volume, which correlate with the severity of neuropsychological deficits. However, the cellular basis for the observed brain atrophy is poorly understood. Although distinct hypothalamic centers, including the arcuate nucleus (ARC) are critically involved in regulating feeding behavior, little is known about potential hypothalamic modifications in this disorder. Since glia e.g. astrocytes and microglia influence neuronal circuits, we investigated the glial changes underlying pathophysiology of starvation in the corpus callosum (CC) and hypothalamus. Female mice were given a limited amount of food once a day and had unlimited access to a running wheel until a 20% weight reduction was achieved (acute starvation). This weight reduction was maintained for two weeks to mimic chronic starvation. Immunohistochemistry was used to quantify the density of astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and the staining intensity of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a potent orexigenic peptide. Chronic starvation induced a decreased density of OLIG2+ oligodendrocytes, GFAP+ astrocytes, and IBA1+ microglia in the CC. However, the densities of glial cells remained unchanged in the ARC following starvation. Additionally, the staining intensity of NPY increased after both acute and chronic starvation, indicating an increased orexigenic signaling. Chronic starvation induced glial cell changes in the CC in a mouse model of AN suggesting that glia pathophysiology may play a role in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelie Zimmermann
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Natalie Böge
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Katharina Schuster
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anna Staffeld
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stephan Lang
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sadaf Gill
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Hanna Rupprecht
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Linda Frintrop
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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20
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Pocai A. G protein-coupled receptors and obesity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1301017. [PMID: 38161982 PMCID: PMC10757641 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1301017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have emerged as important drug targets for various chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Obesity is a complex chronic disease that requires long term management predisposing to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. The therapeutic landscape for GPCR as targets of anti-obesity medications has undergone significant changes with the approval of semaglutide, the first peptide glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) achieving double digit weight loss (≥10%) and cardiovascular benefits. The enhanced weight loss, with the expected beneficial effect on obesity-related complications and reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), has propelled the commercial opportunity for the obesity market leading to new players entering the space. Significant progress has been made on approaches targeting GPCRs such as single peptides that simultaneously activate GIP and/or GCGR in addition to GLP1, oral tablet formulation of GLP-1, small molecules nonpeptidic oral GLP1R and fixed-dose combination as well as add-on therapy for patients already treated with a GLP-1 agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Pocai
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Research & Development, Spring House, PA, United States
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21
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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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22
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Park S, Oh S, Kim N, Kim EK. HMBA ameliorates obesity by MYH9- and ACTG1-dependent regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e18024. [PMID: 37984341 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202318024] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The global epidemic of obesity remains a daunting problem. Here, we report hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) as a potent anti-obesity compound. Peripheral and central administration of HMBA to diet-induced obese mice regulated the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides critical for energy balance, leading to beneficial metabolic effects such as anorexia and weight loss. We found that HMBA bound to MYH9 and ACTG1, which were required for the anti-obesity effects of HMBA in both NPY-expressing and POMC-expressing neurons. The binding of HMBA to MYH9 and ACTG1 elevated the expression of HEXIM1 and enhanced its interaction with MDM2, resulting in the dissociation of the HEXIM1-p53 complex in hypothalamic cells. Subsequently, the free HEXIM1 and p53 translocated to the nucleus, where they downregulated the transcription of orexigenic NPY, but p53 and acetylated histone 3 upregulated that of anorexigenic POMC. Our study points to a previously unappreciated efficacy of HMBA and reveals its mechanism of action in metabolic regulation, which may propose HMBA as a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokjae Park
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
- Neurometabolomics Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sungjoon Oh
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
- Neurometabolomics Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
| | - Nayoun Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
| | - Eun-Kyoung Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
- Neurometabolomics Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
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23
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Mohammed I, Selvaraj S, Ahmed WS, Al-Barazenji T, Hammad AS, Dauleh H, Saraiva LR, Al-Shafai M, Hussain K. Functional Characterization of Novel MC4R Variants Identified in Two Unrelated Patients with Morbid Obesity in Qatar. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16361. [PMID: 38003551 PMCID: PMC10671262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216361] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The leptin-melanocortin pathway is pivotal in appetite and energy homeostasis. Pathogenic variants in genes involved in this pathway lead to severe early-onset monogenic obesity (MO). The MC4R gene plays a central role in leptin-melanocortin signaling, and heterozygous variants in this gene are the most common cause of MO. A targeted gene panel consisting of 52 obesity-related genes was used to screen for variants associated with obesity. Variants were analyzed and filtered to identify potential disease-causing activity and validated using Sanger sequencing. We identified two novel heterozygous variants, c.253A>G p.Ser85Gly and c.802T>C p.Tyr268His, in the MC4R gene in two unrelated patients with morbid obesity and evaluated the functional impact of these variants. The impact of the variants on the MC4R gene was assessed using in silico prediction tools and molecular dynamics simulation. To further study the pathogenicity of the identified variants, GT1-7 cells were transfected with plasmid DNA encoding either wild-type or mutant MC4R variants. The effects of allelic variations in the MC4R gene on cAMP synthesis, MC4R protein level, and activation of PKA, ERB, and CREB signaling pathways in both stimulated and unstimulated ɑ-MSH paradigms were determined for their functional implications. In silico analysis suggested that the variants destabilized the MC4R structure and affected the overall dynamics of the MC4R protein, possibly leading to intracellular receptor retention. In vitro analysis of the functional impact of these variants showed a significant reduction in cell surface receptor expression and impaired extracellular ligand binding activity, leading to reduced cAMP production. Our analysis shows that the variants do not affect total protein expression; however, they are predicted to affect the post-translational localization of the MC4R protein to the cell surface and impair downstream signaling cascades such as PKA, ERK, and CREB signaling pathways. This finding might help our patients to benefit from the novel therapeutic advances for monogenic forms of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idris Mohammed
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar; (I.M.); (W.S.A.); (L.R.S.)
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar;
| | - Senthil Selvaraj
- Department of Disease Modeling and Therapeutics, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar;
| | - Wesam S. Ahmed
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar; (I.M.); (W.S.A.); (L.R.S.)
| | - Tara Al-Barazenji
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (T.A.-B.); (A.S.H.)
| | - Ayat S Hammad
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (T.A.-B.); (A.S.H.)
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Hajar Dauleh
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar;
| | - Luis R. Saraiva
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar; (I.M.); (W.S.A.); (L.R.S.)
- Department of Disease Modeling and Therapeutics, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar;
| | - Mashael Al-Shafai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (T.A.-B.); (A.S.H.)
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Khalid Hussain
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar;
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24
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Qu J, Wu D, Ko CW, Zhu Q, Liu M, Tso P. Deficiency of apoA-IV in Female 129X1/SvJ Mice Leads to Diet-Induced Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Decreased Energy Expenditure. Nutrients 2023; 15:4655. [PMID: 37960308 PMCID: PMC10650794 DOI: 10.3390/nu15214655] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. Obesity in women at the reproductive stage adversely affects contraception, fertility, maternal well-being, and the health of their offspring. Being a major protein component in chylomicrons and high-density lipoproteins, apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) is involved in lipid metabolism, food intake, glucose homeostasis, prevention against atherosclerosis, and platelet aggregation. The goal of the present study is to determine the impact of apoA-IV deficiency on metabolic functions in 129X1/SvJ female mouse strain. After chronic high-fat diet feeding, apoA-IV-/- mice gained more weight with a higher fat percentage than wild-type (WT) mice, as determined by measuring their body composition. Increased adiposity and adipose cell size were also observed with a microscope, particularly in periovarian fat pads. Based on plasma lipid and adipokine assays, we found that obesity in apoA-IV-/- mice was not associated with hyperlipidemia but with higher leptin levels. Compared to WT mice, apoA-IV deficiency displayed glucose intolerance and elevated insulin levels, according to the data of the glucose tolerance test, and increased HOMA-IR values at fasting, suggesting possible insulin resistance. Lastly, we found obesity in apoA-IV-/- mice resulting from reduced energy expenditure but not food intake. Together, we established a novel and excellent female mouse model for future mechanistic study of obesity and its associated comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Qu
- Medpace Reference Laboratories, LLC, 5365 Medpace Way, Cincinnati, OH 45227, USA;
| | - Dong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China;
| | - Chih-Wei Ko
- Chroma Medicine, 201 Brookline Ave, Suite 1101, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Qi Zhu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, 2180 E Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237, USA; (Q.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, 2180 E Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237, USA; (Q.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Patrick Tso
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, 2180 E Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237, USA; (Q.Z.); (M.L.)
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25
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Kokkorakis M, Katsarou A, Katsiki N, Mantzoros CS. Milestones in the journey towards addressing obesity; Past trials and triumphs, recent breakthroughs, and an exciting future in the era of emerging effective medical therapies and integration of effective medical therapies with metabolic surgery. Metabolism 2023; 148:155689. [PMID: 37689110 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The 21st century is characterized by an increasing incidence and prevalence of obesity and the burden of its associated comorbidities, especially cardiometabolic diseases, which are reaching pandemic proportions. In the late '90s, the "black box" of adipose tissue and energy homeostasis was opened with the discovery of leptin, transforming the adipose tissue from an "inert fat-storage organ" to the largest human endocrine organ and creating the basis on which more intensified research efforts to elucidate the pathogenesis of obesity and develop novel treatments were based upon. Even though leptin was eventually not proven to be the "standalone magic bullet" for the treatment of common/polygenic obesity, it has been successful in the treatment of monogenic obesity syndromes. Additionally, it shifted the paradigm of treating obesity from a condition due to "lack of willpower" to a disease due to distinct underlying biological mechanisms for which specific pharmacotherapies would be needed in addition to lifestyle modification. Subsequently, the melanocortin pathway proved to be an equally valuable pathway for the pharmacotherapy of obesity. Melanocortin receptor agonists have recently been approved for treating certain types of syndromic obesity. Other molecules- such as incretins, implicated in energy and glucose homeostasis- are secreted by the gastrointestinal tract. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is the most prominent one, with GLP-1 analogs approved for common/polygenic obesity. Unimolecular combinations with other incretins, e.g., GLP-1 with gastric inhibitory polypeptide and/or glucagon, are expected to be approved soon as more effective pharmacotherapies for obesity and its comorbidities. Unimolecular combinations with other compounds and small molecules activating the receptors of these molecules are currently under investigation as promising future pharmacotherapies. Moreover, metabolic and bariatric surgery has also demonstrated impressive results, especially in the case of morbid obesity. Consequently, this broadening therapeutic armamentarium calls for a well-thought-after and well-coordinated multidisciplinary approach, for instance, through cardiometabolic expertise centers, that would ideally address effectively and cost-effectively obesity and its comorbidities, providing tangible benefits to large segments of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Kokkorakis
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Angeliki Katsarou
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Niki Katsiki
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Section of Endocrinology, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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26
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Gui Y, Dahir NS, Wu Y, Downing G, Sweeney P, Cone RD. Melanocortin-3 receptor expression in AgRP neurons is required for normal activation of the neurons in response to energy deficiency. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113188. [PMID: 37792535 PMCID: PMC10728878 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is a negative regulator of the central melanocortin circuitry via presynaptic expression on agouti-related protein (AgRP) nerve terminals, from where it regulates GABA release onto secondary MC4R-expressing neurons. However, MC3R knockout (KO) mice also exhibit defective behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to fasting. Here, we demonstrate that MC3R KO mice exhibit defective activation of AgRP neurons in response to fasting, cold exposure, or ghrelin while exhibiting normal inhibition of AgRP neurons by sensory detection of food in the ad libitum-fed state. Using a conditional MC3R KO model, we show that the control of AgRP neuron activation by fasting and ghrelin requires the specific presence of MC3R within AgRP neurons. Thus, MC3R is a crucial player in the responsiveness of the AgRP soma to both hormonal and neuronal signals of energy need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Gui
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA
| | - Naima S Dahir
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA
| | - Yanan Wu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA
| | - Griffin Downing
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA
| | - Patrick Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801-3633, USA
| | - Roger D Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216, USA.
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27
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Farooqi S. Obesity and thinness: insights from genetics. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220205. [PMID: 37661743 PMCID: PMC10475868 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic disruption of key molecular components of the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin pathway causes severe obesity in mice and humans. Physiological studies in people who carry these mutations have shown that the adipose tissue-derived hormone leptin primarily acts to defend against starvation. A lack of leptin causes an intense drive to eat and increases the rewarding properties of food, demonstrating that human appetite has a strong biological basis. Genetic studies in clinical- and population-based cohorts of people with obesity or thinness continue to provide new insights into the physiological mechanisms involved in weight regulation and identify molecular targets for weight loss therapy. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Causes of obesity: theories, conjectures and evidence (Part II)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Farooqi
- Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Box 289, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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28
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Huang J, Wang C, Zhang HB, Zheng H, Huang T, Di JZ. Neuroimaging and neuroendocrine insights into food cravings and appetite interventions in obesity. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2023; 3:kkad023. [PMID: 38666104 PMCID: PMC10917384 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
This article reviews the previous studies on the distinction between food cravings and appetite, and how they are regulated by hormones and reflected in brain activity. Based on existing research, food cravings are defined as individual preferences influenced by hormones and psychological factors, which differ from appetite, as they are not necessarily related to hunger or nutritional needs. The article also evaluates the neuroimaging findings about food cravings, and interventions to reduce food cravings, such as mindfulness training, alternative sweeteners, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and imaginal retraining, and points out their advantages, disadvantages, and limitations. Furthermore, the article delves into the potential future directions in the field, emphasizing the need for a neuroendocrine perspective, considerations for associated psychiatric disorders, innovative clinical interventions, and emerging therapeutic frontiers in obesity management. The article outlines the neuro-endocrine basis of food cravings, including ghrelin, leptin, melanocortin, oxytocin, glucagon-like peptide-1, baclofen, and other hormones and their brain regions of action. The article argues that food cravings are an important target for obesity, and more research is needed to explore their complex characteristics and mechanisms, and how to effectively interact with their neuro-endocrine pathways. The article provides a new perspective and approach to the prevention and treatment of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Huang
- Department of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Hang-Bin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Centre for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Centre for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Xuhui Health Care Commission, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Di
- Department of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
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29
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Anwar MY, Graff M, Highland HM, Smit R, Wang Z, Buchanan VL, Young KL, Kenny EE, Fernandez-Rhodes L, Liu S, Assimes T, Garcia DO, Daeeun K, Gignoux CR, Justice AE, Haiman CA, Buyske S, Peters U, Loos RJF, Kooperberg C, North KE. Assessing efficiency of fine-mapping obesity-associated variants through leveraging ancestry architecture and functional annotation using PAGE and UKBB cohorts. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1477-1489. [PMID: 37658231 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02593-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate representation of non-European ancestry populations in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has limited opportunities to isolate functional variants. Fine-mapping in multi-ancestry populations should improve the efficiency of prioritizing variants for functional interrogation. To evaluate this hypothesis, we leveraged ancestry architecture to perform comparative GWAS and fine-mapping of obesity-related phenotypes in European ancestry populations from the UK Biobank (UKBB) and multi-ancestry samples from the Population Architecture for Genetic Epidemiology (PAGE) consortium with comparable sample sizes. In the investigated regions with genome-wide significant associations for obesity-related traits, fine-mapping in our ancestrally diverse sample led to 95% and 99% credible sets (CS) with fewer variants than in the European ancestry sample. Lead fine-mapped variants in PAGE regions had higher average coding scores, and higher average posterior probabilities for causality compared to UKBB. Importantly, 99% CS in PAGE loci contained strong expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in adipose tissues or harbored more variants in tighter linkage disequilibrium (LD) with eQTLs. Leveraging ancestrally diverse populations with heterogeneous ancestry architectures, coupled with functional annotation, increased fine-mapping efficiency and performance, and reduced the set of candidate variants for consideration for future functional studies. Significant overlap in genetic causal variants across populations suggests generalizability of genetic mechanisms underpinning obesity-related traits across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Yaser Anwar
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Mariaelisa Graff
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Heather M Highland
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Roelof Smit
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Victoria L Buchanan
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kristin L Young
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Eimear E Kenny
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lindsay Fernandez-Rhodes
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Simin Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Global Cardiometabolic Health, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Themistocles Assimes
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - David O Garcia
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Kim Daeeun
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Christopher R Gignoux
- Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Anne E Justice
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Health, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Christopher A Haiman
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Steve Buyske
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Ulrike Peters
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Ruth J F Loos
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Charles Kooperberg
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Kari E North
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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Jerjen CP, Kumaran SJ, Liesegang A, Hall E, Wichert B, Haase B. Melanocortin-4 receptor and proopiomelanocortin: Candidate genes for obesity in domestic shorthair cats. Anim Genet 2023; 54:637-642. [PMID: 37365843 DOI: 10.1111/age.13335] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is an escalating global health problem affecting both humans and companion animals. In cats it is associated with increased mortality and multiple diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Two genes coding for proteins known to play a critical role in energy homeostasis across species are the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene and the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene. A missense variant in the coding sequence of the feline MC4R (MC4R:c.92C>T) has been reported to be associated with diabetes and overweight in domestic shorthair cats, and while variants in the POMC gene are known to cause obesity in humans and dogs, variants in POMC and their association with feline obesity and diabetes mellitus have not been investigated to date. The current study aimed to assess the association between the previously described MC4R variant and body condition score (BCS), as well as body fat content (%BF) in 89 non-diabetic domestic shorthair cats. Furthermore, we investigated the feline POMC gene as a potential candidate gene for obesity. Our results indicate that the MC4R:c.92C>T polymorphism is not associated with BCS or %BF in non-diabetic domestic shorthair cats. The mutation analysis of all POMC exons identified two missense variants, with a variant in exon 1 (c.28G>C; p.G10R) predicted to be damaging. The variant was subsequently assessed in all 89 cats, and cats heterozygous for the variant had a significantly increased body condition score (p = 0.03) compared with cats homozygous for the wild-type allele. Results from our study provide additional evidence that the previously described variant in MC4R is not associated with obesity in domestic shorthair cats. More importantly, we have identified a novel variant in the POMC gene, which might play a role in increased body condition score and body fat content in domestic shorthair cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Jerjen
- Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - S J Kumaran
- Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - A Liesegang
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - E Hall
- Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - B Wichert
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - B Haase
- Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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Ross RA, Kim A, Das P, Li Y, Choi YK, Thompson AT, Douglas E, Subramanian S, Ramos K, Callahan K, Bolshakov VY, Ressler KJ. Prefrontal cortex melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) mediate food intake behavior in male mice. Physiol Behav 2023; 269:114280. [PMID: 37369302 PMCID: PMC10528493 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114280] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) activity in the hypothalamus is crucial for regulation of metabolism and food intake. The peptide ligands for the MC4R are associated with feeding, energy expenditure, and also with complex behaviors that orchestrate energy intake and expenditure, but the downstream neuroanatomical and neurochemical targets associated with these behaviors are elusive. In addition to strong expression in the hypothalamus, the MC4R is highly expressed in the medial prefrontal cortex, a region involved in executive function and decision-making. METHODS Using viral techniques in genetically modified male mice combined with molecular techniques, we identify and define the effects on feeding behavior of a novel population of MC4R expressing neurons in the infralimbic (IL) region of the cortex. RESULTS Here, we describe a novel population of MC4R-expressing neurons in the IL of the mouse prefrontal cortex that are glutamatergic, receive input from melanocortinergic neurons, and project to multiple regions that coordinate appetitive responses to food-related stimuli. The neurons are stimulated by application of MC4R-specific peptidergic agonist, THIQ. Deletion of MC4R from the IL neurons causes increased food intake and body weight gain and impaired executive function in simple food-related behavior tasks. CONCLUSION Together, these data suggest that MC4R neurons of the IL play a critical role in the regulation of food intake in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Ross
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Angela Kim
- Department of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Priyanka Das
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kat Ramos
- Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Callahan
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Huang L, Liu P, Du Y, Pan D, Lee A, Wolfe SA, Wang YX. A brown fat-enriched adipokine, ASRA, is a leptin receptor antagonist that stimulates appetite. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557454. [PMID: 37745491 PMCID: PMC10515849 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The endocrine control of food intake remains incompletely understood, and whether the leptin receptor-mediated anorexigenic pathway in the hypothalamus is negatively regulated by a humoral factor is unknown. Here we identify an appetite-stimulating factor - ASRA - that acts as a leptin receptor antagonist. ASRA encodes an 8 kD protein that is abundantly and selectively expressed in adipose tissue and to a lesser extent, in liver, and is upregulated during fasting and cold. ASRA protein associates with autophagosomes and its secretion is induced by energy deficiency. Overexpression of ASRA in mice attenuates leptin receptor signaling leading to elevated blood glucose and development of severe hyperphagic obesity, whereas either adipose- or liver-specific ASRA knockout mice display increased leptin sensitivity, improved glucose homeostasis, reduced food intake, and resistance to high fat diet-induced obesity. Furthermore, ASRA is indispensable for cold-evoked feeding response. Recombinant ASRA (rASRA) protein binds to leptin receptor and suppresses leptin receptor signaling in cultured cells. In vivo, rASRA promotes food intake and increases blood glucose in a leptin receptor signaling-dependent manner. Our studies collectively show that ASRA, acting as a peripheral signal of energy deficit, stimulates appetite and regulates glucose metabolism by antagonizing leptin receptor signaling, thus revealing a previously unknown endocrine mechanism that has important implications for our understanding of leptin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Huang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work: Lei Huang, Pengpeng Liu, and Yong Du
| | - Pengpeng Liu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work: Lei Huang, Pengpeng Liu, and Yong Du
| | - Yong Du
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work: Lei Huang, Pengpeng Liu, and Yong Du
| | - Dongning Pan
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Present address: Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Alexandra Lee
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Scot A. Wolfe
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Yong-Xu Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Matsukawa T, Yagi T, Uchida T, Sakai M, Mitsushima M, Naganuma T, Yano H, Inaba Y, Inoue H, Yanagida K, Uematsu M, Nakao K, Nakao H, Aiba A, Nagashima Y, Kubota T, Kubota N, Izumida Y, Yahagi N, Unoki-Kubota H, Kaburagi Y, Asahara SI, Kido Y, Shindou H, Itoh M, Ogawa Y, Minami S, Terauchi Y, Tobe K, Ueki K, Kasuga M, Matsumoto M. Hepatic FASN deficiency differentially affects nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes in mouse obesity models. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e161282. [PMID: 37681411 PMCID: PMC10544238 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.161282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes are interacting comorbidities of obesity, and increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), driven by hyperinsulinemia and carbohydrate overload, contributes to their pathogenesis. Fatty acid synthase (FASN), a key enzyme of hepatic DNL, is upregulated in association with insulin resistance. However, the therapeutic potential of targeting FASN in hepatocytes for obesity-associated metabolic diseases is unknown. Here, we show that hepatic FASN deficiency differentially affects NAFLD and diabetes depending on the etiology of obesity. Hepatocyte-specific ablation of FASN ameliorated NAFLD and diabetes in melanocortin 4 receptor-deficient mice but not in mice with diet-induced obesity. In leptin-deficient mice, FASN ablation alleviated hepatic steatosis and improved glucose tolerance but exacerbated fed hyperglycemia and liver dysfunction. The beneficial effects of hepatic FASN deficiency on NAFLD and glucose metabolism were associated with suppression of DNL and attenuation of gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, respectively. The exacerbation of fed hyperglycemia by FASN ablation in leptin-deficient mice appeared attributable to impairment of hepatic glucose uptake triggered by glycogen accumulation and citrate-mediated inhibition of glycolysis. Further investigation of the therapeutic potential of hepatic FASN inhibition for NAFLD and diabetes in humans should thus consider the etiology of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiya Matsukawa
- Department of Molecular Metabolic Regulation, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yagi
- Department of Molecular Metabolic Regulation, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Bioregulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tohru Uchida
- Department of Nutrition Management, Faculty of Health Science, Hyogo University, Kakogawa, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Mashito Sakai
- Department of Molecular Metabolic Regulation, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Mitsushima
- Department of Molecular Metabolic Regulation, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takao Naganuma
- Department of Molecular Metabolic Regulation, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yano
- Department of Molecular Metabolic Regulation, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Bioregulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuka Inaba
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, and
- Department of Physiology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inoue
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, and
- Department of Physiology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Kazuki Nakao
- Institute of Experimental Animal Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Harumi Nakao
- Laboratory of Animal Resources, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsu Aiba
- Laboratory of Animal Resources, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagashima
- Department of Surgical Pathology, School of Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kubota
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Diabetes and Metabolism, The Institute of Medical Science, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health, and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Kubota
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition Therapy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Izumida
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoya Yahagi
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Unoki-Kubota
- Department of Diabetic Complications, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, NCGM, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kaburagi
- Department of Diabetic Complications, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, NCGM, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun-ichiro Asahara
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
| | - Yoshiaki Kido
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
- Division of Medical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism and Disease, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hideo Shindou
- Department of Lipid Life Science, NCGM, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medical Lipid Science, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michiko Itoh
- Department of Metabolic Syndrome and Nutritional Science, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ogawa
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shiro Minami
- Department of Bioregulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasuo Terauchi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Tobe
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama-shi, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kohjiro Ueki
- Department of Molecular Diabetic Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, NCGM, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masato Kasuga
- The Institute of Medical Science, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michihiro Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Metabolic Regulation, Diabetes Research Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan
- Course of Advanced and Specialized Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Cho D, O'Berry K, Possa-Paranhos IC, Butts J, Palanikumar N, Sweeney P. Paraventricular Thalamic MC3R Circuits Link Energy Homeostasis with Anxiety-Related Behavior. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6280-6296. [PMID: 37591737 PMCID: PMC10490510 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0704-23.2023] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic melanocortin system is critically involved in sensing stored energy and communicating this information throughout the brain, including to brain regions controlling motivation and emotion. This system consists of first-order agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and downstream neurons containing the melanocortin-3 (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Although extensive work has characterized the function of downstream MC4R neurons, the identity and function of MC3R-containing neurons are poorly understood. Here, we used neuroanatomical and circuit manipulation approaches in mice to identify a novel pathway linking hypothalamic melanocortin neurons to melanocortin-3 receptor neurons located in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) in male and female mice. MC3R neurons in PVT are innervated by hypothalamic AgRP and POMC neurons and are activated by anorexigenic and aversive stimuli. Consistently, chemogenetic activation of PVT MC3R neurons increases anxiety-related behavior and reduces feeding in hungry mice, whereas inhibition of PVT MC3R neurons reduces anxiety-related behavior. These studies position PVT MC3R neurons as important cellular substrates linking energy status with neural circuitry regulating anxiety-related behavior and represent a promising potential target for diseases at the intersection of metabolism and anxiety-related behavior such as anorexia nervosa.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Animals must constantly adapt their behavior to changing internal and external challenges, and impairments in appropriately responding to these challenges are a hallmark of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we demonstrate that paraventricular thalamic neurons containing the melanocortin-3 receptor respond to energy-state-related information and external challenges to regulate anxiety-related behavior in mice. Thus, these neurons represent a potential target for understanding the neurobiology of disorders at the intersection of metabolism and psychiatry such as anorexia nervosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajin Cho
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Kyle O'Berry
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Ingrid Camila Possa-Paranhos
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Jared Butts
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Naraen Palanikumar
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Patrick Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
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35
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Kim EM, Quinn JG, Reid RE, O'Hare E. Evidence for a feeding related association between melanocortin in the NTS and Neuropeptide-Y in the PVN. Appetite 2023; 188:106618. [PMID: 37257508 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Melanocortin and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) are both involved in feeding and energy regulation, and they have opposite effects in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). The present study examined an interaction between melanocortin in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and NPY in the PVN. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with cannulae in the injection sites of interest. In Experiment 1, subjects received either the melanocortin 3/4-receptor (MC3/4) antagonist SHU9119 (0, 10, 50 and 100 pmol/0.5 μl) or the MC3/4 agonist MTII (0, 10, 50, 100 and 200 pmol/0.5 μl) into the NTS. Food intake was measured at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24-h post-injection. Administration of SHU9119 into the NTS significantly and dose-dependently increased food intake at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 6-24-h, and administration of MTII into the NTS significantly and dose-dependently decreased 24-h free feeding. In Experiment 2, subjects received the MC3/4 agonist MTII (0, 10, 50, 100 and 200 pmol/0.5 μl) into the NTS just prior to NPY (0 and 1μg/0.5 μl) in the PVN. PVN injection of NPY stimulated feeding, and administration of MTII (50, 100 and 200 pmol) into the NTS significantly and dose-dependently decreased NPY-induced feeding at 2, 4, 6 and 6-24-h. These data suggest that there could be a neuronal association between melanocortin in the NTS and NPY in the PVN, and that the melanocortin system in the NTS has an antagonistic effect on NPY-induced feeding in the PVN.
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Affiliation(s)
- E-M Kim
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - J G Quinn
- School of Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - R E Reid
- School of Psychology, Dublin Business School, Ireland
| | - E O'Hare
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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36
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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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Gebrie A. The melanocortin receptor signaling system and its role in neuroprotection against neurodegeneration: Therapeutic insights. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1527:30-41. [PMID: 37526975 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin signaling system consists of the melanocortin peptides, their distinctive receptors, accessory proteins, and endogenous antagonists. Melanocortin peptides are small peptide hormones that have been studied in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions. There are five types of melanocortin receptors, and they are distributed within the central nervous system and in several tissues of the periphery. The G protein-coupled melanocortin receptors typically signal through adenylyl cyclase and other downstream signaling pathways. Depending on the ligand, surface expression of melanocortin receptor, receptor occupancy period, related proteins, the type of cell, and other parameters, the signaling pathways are complicated and pleiotropic. While it is known that all five melanocortin receptors are coupled to Gs, they can also occasionally couple to Gq or Gi. Both direct and indirect neuroprotection are induced by the melanocortin signaling system. Targeting several of the components of the melanocortin signaling system (ligands, receptors, accessory proteins, signaling effectors, and regulators) may provide therapeutic opportunities. Activation of the melanocortin system improves different functional traits in neurodegenerative diseases. There is a potential for additional melanocortin system interventions by interfering with dimerization or dissociation. This review aims to discuss the melanocortin receptor signaling system and its role in neuroprotection, as well as its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Gebrie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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Wei R, Li D, Jia S, Chen Y, Wang J. MC4R in Central and Peripheral Systems. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2300035. [PMID: 37043700 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Obesity has emerged as a critical and urgent health burden during the current global pandemic. Among multiple genetic causes, melanocortin receptor-4 (MC4R), involved in food intake and energy metabolism regulation through various signaling pathways, has been reported to be the lead genetic factor in severe and early onset obesity and hyperphagia disorders. Most previous studies have illustrated the roles of MC4R signaling in energy intake versus expenditure in the central system, while some evidence indicates that MC4R is also expressed in peripheral systems, such as the gut and endocrine organs. However, its physiopathological function remains poorly defined. This review aims to depict the central and peripheral roles of MC4R in energy metabolism and endocrine hormone homeostasis, the diversity of phenotypes, biased downstream signaling caused by distinct MC4R mutations, and current drug development targeting the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Wei
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Danjie Li
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Sheng Jia
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yuhong Chen
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jiqiu Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
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Song Y, Fothergill LJ, Lee KS, Liu BY, Koo A, Perelis M, Diwakarla S, Callaghan B, Huang J, Wykosky J, Furness JB, Yeo GW. Stratification of enterochromaffin cells by single-cell expression analysis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554649. [PMID: 37662229 PMCID: PMC10473706 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic interactions between gut mucosal cells and the external environment are essential to maintain gut homeostasis. Enterochromaffin (EC) cells transduce both chemical and mechanical signals and produce 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to mediate disparate physiological responses. However, the molecular and cellular basis for functional diversity of ECs remains to be adequately defined. Here, we integrated single-cell transcriptomics with spatial image analysis to identify fourteen EC clusters that are topographically organized along the gut. Subtypes predicted to be sensitive to the chemical environment and mechanical forces were identified that express distinct transcription factors and hormones. A Piezo2+ population in the distal colon was endowed with a distinctive neuronal signature. Using a combination of genetic, chemogenetic and pharmacological approaches, we demonstrated Piezo2+ ECs are required for normal colon motility. Our study constructs a molecular map for ECs and offers a framework for deconvoluting EC cells with pleiotropic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Song
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Linda J. Fothergill
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Kari S. Lee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Brandon Y. Liu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Ada Koo
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark Perelis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Shanti Diwakarla
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Brid Callaghan
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jie Huang
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - Jill Wykosky
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - John B. Furness
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Gene W. Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
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40
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Ji RL, Liu T, Hou ZS, Wen HS, Tao YX. Divergent Pharmacology and Biased Signaling of the Four Melanocortin-4 Receptor Isoforms in Rainbow Trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss). Biomolecules 2023; 13:1248. [PMID: 37627313 PMCID: PMC10452266 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is essential for the modulation of energy balance and reproduction in both fish and mammals. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has been extensively studied in various fields and provides a unique opportunity to investigate divergent physiological roles of paralogues. Herein we identified four trout mc4r (mc4ra1, mc4ra2, mc4rb1, and mc4rb2) genes. Four trout Mc4rs (omMc4rs) were homologous to those of teleost and mammalian MC4Rs. Multiple sequence alignments, a phylogenetic tree, chromosomal synteny analyses, and pharmacological studies showed that trout mc4r genes may have undergone different evolutionary processes. All four trout Mc4rs bound to two peptide agonists and elevated intracellular cAMP levels dose-dependently. High basal cAMP levels were observed at two omMc4rs, which were decreased by Agouti-related peptide. Only omMc4rb2 was constitutively active in the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Ipsen 5i, ML00253764, and MCL0020 were biased allosteric modulators of omMc4rb1 with selective activation upon ERK1/2 signaling. ML00253764 behaved as an allosteric agonist in Gs-cAMP signaling of omMc4rb2. This study will lay the foundation for future physiological studies of various mc4r paralogs and reveal the evolution of MC4R in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Lei Ji
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
| | - Zhi-Shuai Hou
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
| | - Hai-Shen Wen
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China;
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
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Schröder SK, Gasterich N, Weiskirchen S, Weiskirchen R. Lipocalin 2 receptors: facts, fictions, and myths. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1229885. [PMID: 37638032 PMCID: PMC10451079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1229885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human 25-kDa Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) was first identified and purified as a protein that in part is associated with gelatinase from neutrophils. This protein shows a high degree of sequence similarity with the deduced sequences of rat α2-microglobulin-related protein and the mouse protein 24p3. Based on its typical lipocalin fold, which consists of an eight-stranded, anti-parallel, symmetrical β-barrel fold structure it was initially thought that LCN2 is a circulating protein functioning as a transporter of small lipophilic molecules. However, studies in Lcn2 null mice have shown that LCN2 has bacteriostatic properties and plays a key role in innate immunity by sequestering bacterial iron siderophores. Numerous reports have further shown that LCN2 is involved in the control of cell differentiation, energy expenditure, cell death, chemotaxis, cell migration, and many other biological processes. In addition, important roles for LCN2 in health and disease have been identified in Lcn2 null mice and multiple molecular pathways required for regulation of Lcn2 expression have been identified. Nevertheless, although six putative receptors for LCN2 have been proposed, there is a fundamental lack in understanding of how these cell-surface receptors transmit and amplify LCN2 to the cell. In the present review we summarize the current knowledge on LCN2 receptors and discuss inconsistencies, misinterpretations and false assumptions in the understanding of these potential LCN2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Schröder
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Natalie Gasterich
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sabine Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Horwitz A, Birk R. Adipose Tissue Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy in Common and Syndromic Obesity-The Case of BBS Obesity. Nutrients 2023; 15:3445. [PMID: 37571382 PMCID: PMC10421039 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a metabolic state generated by the expansion of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue expansion depends on the interplay between hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and is mainly regulated by a complex interaction between genetics and excess energy intake. However, the genetic regulation of adipose tissue expansion is yet to be fully understood. Obesity can be divided into common multifactorial/polygenic obesity and monogenic obesity, non-syndromic and syndromic. Several genes related to obesity were found through studies of monogenic non-syndromic obesity models. However, syndromic obesity, characterized by additional features other than obesity, suggesting a more global role of the mutant genes related to the syndrome and, thus, an additional peripheral influence on the development of obesity, were hardly studied to date in this regard. This review summarizes present knowledge regarding the hyperplasia and hypertrophy of adipocytes in common obesity. Additionally, we highlight the scarce research on syndromic obesity as a model for studying adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy, focusing on Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). BBS obesity involves central and peripheral mechanisms, with molecular and mechanistic alternation in adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Thus, we argue that using syndromic obesity models, such as BBS, can further advance our knowledge regarding peripheral adipocyte regulation in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Birk
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
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Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Durante T, Palladino G, Imperio G, D'Amico G, Trotta MC, Dallio M, Romeo M, D'Amico M, Federico A. The Melanocortin System in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Insights into Its Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials. Cells 2023; 12:1889. [PMID: 37508552 PMCID: PMC10378568 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin system is a complex set of molecular mediators and receptors involved in many physiological and homeostatic processes. These include the regulation of melanogenesis, steroidogenesis, neuromodulation and the modulation of inflammatory processes. In the latter context, the system has assumed importance in conditions of chronic digestive inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), in which numerous experiences have been accumulated in mouse models of colitis. Indeed, information on how such a system can counteract colitis inflammation and intervene in the complex cytokine imbalance in the intestinal microenvironment affected by chronic inflammatory damage has emerged. This review summarises the evidence acquired so far and highlights that molecules interfering with the melanocortin system could represent new drugs for treating IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Gerarda Gravina
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Pellegrino
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Tommaso Durante
- Mental Health Department, S. Pio Hospital, Via dell'Angelo, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Giovanna Palladino
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Imperio
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Marcello Dallio
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Romeo
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele D'Amico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Federico
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Zhang SX, Kim A, Madara JC, Zhu PK, Christenson LF, Lutas A, Kalugin PN, Jin Y, Pal A, Tian L, Lowell BB, Andermann ML. Competition between stochastic neuropeptide signals calibrates the rate of satiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.11.548551. [PMID: 37503012 PMCID: PMC10369917 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.11.548551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
We investigated how transmission of hunger- and satiety-promoting neuropeptides, NPY and αMSH, is integrated at the level of intracellular signaling to control feeding. Receptors for these peptides use the second messenger cAMP, but the messenger's spatiotemporal dynamics and role in energy balance are controversial. We show that AgRP axon stimulation in the paraventricular hypothalamus evokes probabilistic and spatially restricted NPY release that triggers stochastic cAMP decrements in downstream MC4R-expressing neurons (PVH MC4R ). Meanwhile, POMC axon stimulation triggers stochastic, αMSH-dependent cAMP increments. NPY and αMSH competitively control cAMP, as reflected by hunger-state-dependent differences in the amplitude and persistence of cAMP transients evoked by each peptide. During feeding bouts, elevated αMSH release and suppressed NPY release cooperatively sustain elevated cAMP in PVH MC4R neurons, thereby potentiating feeding-related excitatory inputs and promoting satiation across minutes. Our findings highlight how state-dependent integration of opposing, quantal peptidergic events by a common biochemical target calibrates energy intake.
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Abstract
Obesity research is advancing swiftly, but the increase in obesity prevalence is faster. Over the past three decades, researchers have found that biopsychosocial factors determine weight gain much more than personal choices and responsibility. Various genes have found to predispose people to obesity by interacting with our obesogenic environment. In this review, we discuss the impact of physical inactivity, excessive caloric intake, intrauterine environment, postnatal influences, insufficient sleep, drugs, medical conditions, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, psychosocial stress, endocrine disrupting chemicals and the gastrointestinal microbiome, on the occurrence of obesity.
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Gui Y, Dahir NS, Downing G, Sweeney P, Cone RD. Cell autonomous regulation of the activation of AgRP neurons by the melanocortin-3 receptor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546874. [PMID: 37425887 PMCID: PMC10327035 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is a negative regulator of the central melanocortin circuitry via presynaptic expression on AgRP nerve terminals, from where it regulates GABA release onto secondary MC4R-expressing neurons. Hence, animals lacking MC3R (MC3R KO) exhibit hypersensitivity to MC4R agonists. However, MC3R KO mice also exhibit defective behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to fasting. Here, we demonstrate that MC3R KO mice exhibit defective activation of AgRP neurons in response to fasting and cold exposure, while exhibiting normal inhibition of AgRP neurons by sensory detection of food. Further, using an AgRP-specific MC3R knockout model, we show that the control of AgRP neuron activation by MC3R is cell-autonomous. One mechanism underlying this involves the response to ghrelin, which is also blunted in mice with AgRP-specific deletion of the MC3R. Thus, MC3R is a crucial player in the control of energy homeostasis by the central melanocortin system, not only acting presynaptically on AgRP neurons, but via AgRP cell-autonomous regulation of fasting- and cold-induced neuronal activation as well.
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Ericson MD, Tran LT, Mathre SS, Freeman KT, Holdaway K, John K, Lunzer MM, Bouchard JL, Haskell-Luevano C. Discovery of a Pan-Melanocortin Receptor Antagonist [Ac-DPhe(pI)-Arg-Nal(2')-Orn-NH 2] at the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R that Mediates an Increased Feeding Response in Mice and a 40-Fold Selective MC1R Antagonist [Ac-DPhe(pI)-DArg-Nal(2')-Arg-NH 2]. J Med Chem 2023; 66:8103-8117. [PMID: 37307241 PMCID: PMC10631449 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00432] [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: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Discovery of pan-antagonist ligands for the melanocortin receptors will help identify the physiological activities controlled by these receptors. The previously reported MC3R/MC4R antagonist Ac-DPhe(pI)-Arg-Nal(2')-Arg-NH2 was identified herein, for the first time, to possess MC1R and MC5R antagonist activity. Further structure-activity relationship studies probing the second and fourth positions were performed toward the goal of identifying potent melanocortin antagonists. Of the 21 tetrapeptides synthesized, 13 possessed MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R antagonist activity. Three tetrapeptides were more than 10-fold selective for the mMC1R, including 8 (LTT1-44, Ac-DPhe(pI)-DArg-Nal(2')-Arg-NH2) that possessed 80 nM mMC1R antagonist potency and was at least 40-fold selective over the mMC3R, mMC4R, and mMC5R. Nine tetrapeptides were selective for the mMC4R, including 14 [SSM1-8, Ac-DPhe(pI)-Arg-Nal(2')-Orn-NH2] with an mMC4R antagonist potency of 1.6 nM. This compound was administered IT into mice, resulting in a dose-dependent increase in the food intake and demonstrating the in vivo utility of this compound series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Ericson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Linh T Tran
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Sarah S Mathre
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katie T Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kelsey Holdaway
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kristen John
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mary M Lunzer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jacob L Bouchard
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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48
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Lu HL, Li L, Miao YL, Liang H, Zou JM, You JJ, Liang XF, He S. Effects and regulatory pathway of proopinmelanocortin on feeding habit domestication in mandarin fish. Gene 2023:147581. [PMID: 37336270 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a hormone precursor, and has been reported to participate in domestication. However, its effects on feeding habit domestication in fish are poorly understood. Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) feeds solely on live prey fish since first-feeding. In the present study, the high expression of pomc in mandarin fish, both the pomc siRNA and MC4R inhibitor treatments increased the success rate of domestication from live prey fish to dead prey fish and food intake of dead prey fish, suggesting the role of pomc on the special feeding habit of live prey fish in mandarin fish. In addition, one c-fos binding site was identified in the region that from -1053 bp to -931 bp upstream of the transcription start site of pomc, and this region exhibited positive promoter activity. The mandarin fish brain cells treated with c-fos siRNA displayed suppressed pomc mRNA expression, indicating that c-fos positively regulated pomc expression. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of c-fos was higher in the mandarin fish which were more difficult to domesticate. The results of ChIP assay and inhibitor treatment confirmed that the activation of c-fos gene by histone H3K4me3 was catalyzed by Setd1b in mandarin fish. Three open peaks were found at the upstream regulatory region of setd1b by ATAC-seq, and the mRNA expression of setd1b was higher in the mandarin fish which were more difficult to domesticate. These results indicated that Setd1b could methylate histone H3K4 to activate the c-fos transcription, maintaining the high expression of pomc, which might contribute to the special feeding habit of mandarin fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Lin Lu
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ling Li
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yun-Liang Miao
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hui Liang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jia-Ming Zou
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jun-Jie You
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xu-Fang Liang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shan He
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China.
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49
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Ericson MD, Freeman KT, LaVoi TM, Donow HM, Santos RG, Giulianotti MA, Pinilla C, Houghten RA, Haskell-Luevano C. The Parallel Structure-Activity Relationship Screening of Three Compounds Identifies the Common Agonist Pharmacophore of Pyrrolidine Bis-Cyclic Guanidine Melanocortin-3 Receptor (MC3R) Small-Molecule Ligands. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10145. [PMID: 37373293 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210145] [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: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin receptors are involved in numerous physiological pathways, including appetite, skin and hair pigmentation, and steroidogenesis. In particular, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is involved in fat storage, food intake, and energy homeostasis. Small-molecule ligands developed for the MC3R may serve as therapeutic lead compounds for treating disease states of energy disequilibrium. Herein, three previously reported pyrrolidine bis-cyclic guanidine compounds with five sites for molecular diversity (R1-R5) were subjected to parallel structure-activity relationship studies to identify the common pharmacophore of this scaffold series required for full agonism at the MC3R. The R2, R3, and R5 positions were required for full MC3R efficacy, while truncation of either the R1 or R4 positions in all three compounds resulted in full MC3R agonists. Two additional fragments, featuring molecular weights below 300 Da, were also identified that possessed full agonist efficacy and micromolar potencies at the mMC5R. These SAR experiments may be useful in generating new small-molecule ligands and chemical probes for the melanocortin receptors to help elucidate their roles in vivo and as therapeutic lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Ericson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Katie T Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Travis M LaVoi
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Haley M Donow
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Radleigh G Santos
- Department of Mathematics, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
| | - Marc A Giulianotti
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Clemencia Pinilla
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Richard A Houghten
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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50
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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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