Sabrina Diano, PhD
Professor AdjunctCards
Appointments
Contact Info
Cellular & Molecular Physiology
333 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06510-
United States
About
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Professor Adjunct
Biography
Sabrina Diano, Ph.D.
Professor
Email: sabrina.diano@yale.edu
Phone: 737-1216
Dr. Sabrina Diano is a Tenure Professor in Departments of Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Neurobiology and Comparative Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine and Graduate School. She is also part of the Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism (ICSNM), and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program here at Yale. She graduated with honors from the University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy. She conducted her post doctoral studies here at Yale where she became faculty in 2000.
Her research focuses on CNS (hypothalamic) mechanisms relating to the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis. Her studies on hypothalamic inter- and intra-cellular mechanisms that regulates energy metabolism add critical information to the current understanding of the central regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis and how alterations in stored energy are sensed in the hypothalamus. The results of her research have important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, obesity and type 2 diabetes, disorders that are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., and the developed world in general, with the highest financial burden on the National economy.
Selected Publications:
Toda C, Santoro A, Kim JD, Diano S. (2017) POMC neurons: From birth to Death. Annu Rev Physiol. 79:209-236. doi: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-022516-034110. PMID: 28192062
Santoro A, Campolo M, Liu C, Sesaki H, Meli R, Liu ZW, Kim JD, Diano S. (2017) DRP1 suppresses leptin and glucose sensing of POMC neurons. Cell Metab. 25(3):647-660. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.01.003. Epub 2017 Feb 9. PMID: 28190775
Toda C, Kim JD, Impellizzeri D, Cuzzocrea S, Liu ZW, Diano S (2016) UCP2 regulates mitochondrial fission and ventromedial nucleus control of glucose responsiveness. Cell 164(5):872-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.02.010. PMID: 26919426
Koch M, Varela L, Kim JG, Kim JD, Hernandez F, Simonds SE, Castorena CM, Vianna CR, Elmquist JK, Morozov YM, Rakic P, Bechmann I, Cowley MA, Szigeti-Buck K, Dietrich MO, Gao X-B, Diano S, Horvath TL (2015) Hypothalamic POMC neurons promote cannabinoid-induced feeding. Nature 519(7541):45-50. doi: 10.1038/nature14260. Epub 2015 Feb 18.
Long L, Toda C, Jeong JK, Horvath TL, Diano S(2014) PPARg-deficient POMC neurons preserve weight control on obesogenic diet. J Clin Invest 124(9):4017-27. doi: 10.1172/JCI76220. PMID: 25083994
Kim JD, Toda C, D'Agostino G, Zeiss CJ, DiLeone RJ, Elsworth JD, Kibbey RG, Chan O, Harvey BK, Richie CT, Savolainen M, Myöhännen T, Jeong JK, Diano S. (2014) Hypothalamic prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) regulates pancreatic insulin and glucagon secretion in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 111(32):11876-81. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1406000111. PMID: 25071172
Jeong JK, Diano S(2013) Prolyl carboxypeptidase and its inhibitors in metabolism. Trend in Endocrinology and Metabolism 24(2):61-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2012.11.001. Epub 2012 Dec 12.PMID: 23245768.
Diano S, Horvath TL (2012) Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 in glucose and lipid metabolism. Trends in Molecular Medicine 18(1):52-8.
Diano S, Liu ZW, Jeong JK, Dietrich MO, Ruan HB, Kim E, Suyama S, Kelly K, Gyengesi E, Arbiser JL, Belsham DD, Sarruf DA, Schwartz MW, Bennett A, Shanabrough M, Mobbs CV, Yang X, Gao XB, Horvath TL (2011) Peroxisome proliferation-related hypothalamic control of ROS sets melanocortin tone and feeding in diet-induced obesity. Nature Medicine 2011 17(9):1121-7.
Wallingford N, Perroud B, Gao Q, Coppola A, Gyengesi E, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Diament A, Haus KA, Shariat-Madar Z, Mahdi F, Wardlaw SL, Schmaier AH, Warden CH, Diano S. (2009) Prolylcarboxypeptidase regulates food intake by inactivating alpha-MSH in rodents. J Clin Invest. 119(8):2291-303.
Andrews ZB, Liu ZW, Wallingford N, Erion DM, Borok E, Friedman JM, Tschoep MH, Shanabrough M, Cline GM, Shulman GI, Coppola A, Gao XB, Horvath TL, Diano S (2008) UCP2 mediates ghrelin’s action on NPY/AgRP neurons. Nature 454(7206):846-51.
Gao Q, Mezei G, Nie Y, Rao Y, Choi CS, Bechmann I, Leranth C, Toran-Allerand D, Priest CA, Roberts JL, Gao XB, Mobbs C, Shulman GI, Diano S, Horvath TL. (2007) Anorectic estrogen mimics leptin's effect on the rewiring of melanocortin cells and Stat3 signaling in obese animals. Nature Medicine. 13(1):89-94.
Coppola A, Liu ZW, Andrews ZB, Paradis E, Roy MC, Friedman JM, Ricquier D, Richard D, HorvathTL, Gao XB, Diano S. (2007) A central thermogenic-like mechanism in feeding regulation: an interplay between arcuate nucleus T3 and UCP2. Cell Metabolism 5:21-33.
Appointments
Cellular & Molecular Physiology
Professor AdjunctPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cellular & Molecular Physiology
- Diabetes Research Center
- Diano Lab
- Discovery to Cure Internship
- Reproductive Neurosciences Group
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- PhD
- University of Naples (1993)
Research
Overview
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ORCID
0000-0002-7921-2617
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Tamas Horvath, DVM, PhD
Zhongwu Liu, MD
Anton Bennett, PhD
Da Li
Yingqun Huang, MD, PhD
Publications
2024
Skeletal muscle TET3 promotes insulin resistance through destabilisation of PGC-1α
Liu B, Xie D, Huang X, Jin S, Dai Y, Sun X, Li D, Bennett A, Diano S, Huang Y. Skeletal muscle TET3 promotes insulin resistance through destabilisation of PGC-1α. Diabetologia 2024, 67: 724-737. PMID: 38216792, PMCID: PMC10904493, DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-06073-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsTen-eleven translocationMuscle insulin sensitivityRNA-seqPGC-1aRegulation of muscle insulin sensitivityType 2 diabetesAnalysis of RNA-seqResponse to environmental cuesGenome-wide expression profilingWild-typeHFD-fedHFD-induced insulin resistanceHigh-fat diet (HFD)-inducedExpression levelsMaintenance of glucoseSkeletal muscle insulin sensitivityAccession numbersSkeletal muscleEnhanced glucose toleranceFamily dioxygenasesMitochondrial respirationSkeletal muscle of humansEnvironmental cuesMitochondrial functionBiological processes
2023
Microglia in Central Control of Metabolism
Kim J, Copperi F, Diano S. Microglia in Central Control of Metabolism. Physiology 2023, 39: 5-17. PMID: 37962895, PMCID: PMC11283896, DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00021.2023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetric146-OR: Causative Role of Hypothalamic Ventromedial Glucose-Inhibited Neurons in Impaired Counterregulatory Responses to Hypoglycemia
COPPERI F, SHEN X, DIANO S. 146-OR: Causative Role of Hypothalamic Ventromedial Glucose-Inhibited Neurons in Impaired Counterregulatory Responses to Hypoglycemia. Diabetes 2023, 72 DOI: 10.2337/db23-146-or.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImpaired counterregulatory responseCounterregulatory responsesGI neuronsRecurrent hypoglycemiaCausative roleGlucose-inhibited neuronsType 1 diabetesBlood glucose levelsScientific evidence pointsDiabetes CenterChemogenetic activationKidney diseaseVentromedial nucleusNeuronal activationGlucose levelsMouse modelCurrent evidenceConsecutive daysMiceNeuronsAdministrationSignificant decreaseCausal involvementNational InstituteHypoglycemia
2017
POMC Neurons: From Birth to Death
Toda C, Santoro A, Kim JD, Diano S. POMC Neurons: From Birth to Death. Annual Review Of Physiology 2017, 79: 209-236. PMID: 28192062, PMCID: PMC5669621, DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-022516-034110.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsHypothalamic neuronal populationsPOMC neuronsBrain stemHypothalamic nucleiSpinal cordAutonomic regionsMelanocortin systemBrain areasNeuronal populationsNeuronal circuitsHomeostatic functionsBrain structuresPathological dysregulationHypothalamusCritical regulatorNeuronsPhysiological functionsCurrent understandingMajor roleCordDRP1 Suppresses Leptin and Glucose Sensing of POMC Neurons
Santoro A, Campolo M, Liu C, Sesaki H, Meli R, Liu ZW, Kim JD, Diano S. DRP1 Suppresses Leptin and Glucose Sensing of POMC Neurons. Cell Metabolism 2017, 25: 647-660. PMID: 28190775, PMCID: PMC5366041, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.01.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptorPOMC neuronsLeptin sensitivityHypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsPro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsCounter-regulatory responseProliferator-activated receptorMitochondrial sizeFed miceGlucoprivic stimuliNeuronal activationFl/Glucose metabolismMetabolic environmentNeuronsFasted animalsIntracellular mechanismsReduced expressionGlucose responsivenessGreater activationInducible deletionROS productionMiceStrong inhibitionMitochondrial fission regulator
2016
UCP2 Regulates Mitochondrial Fission and Ventromedial Nucleus Control of Glucose Responsiveness
Toda C, Kim JD, Impellizzeri D, Cuzzocrea S, Liu ZW, Diano S. UCP2 Regulates Mitochondrial Fission and Ventromedial Nucleus Control of Glucose Responsiveness. Cell 2016, 164: 872-883. PMID: 26919426, PMCID: PMC4770556, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.02.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSystemic glucose homeostasisMitochondrial fissionCellular biological processesMitochondrial dynamicsGenetic manipulationGlucose homeostasisReactive oxygen speciesBiological processesMitochondrial adaptationsProtein 2Reduced reactive oxygen speciesOxygen speciesHomeostasisCritical roleMetabolic environmentGlucose-excited neuronsGlucose responsivenessFissionNeuronal circuitrySpeciesNeuronsRegulationVMH neuronsGlucose loadPool
2015
Hypothalamic POMC neurons promote cannabinoid-induced feeding
Koch M, Varela L, Kim JG, Kim JD, Hernández-Nuño F, Simonds SE, Castorena CM, Vianna CR, Elmquist JK, Morozov YM, Rakic P, Bechmann I, Cowley MA, Szigeti-Buck K, Dietrich MO, Gao XB, Diano S, Horvath TL. Hypothalamic POMC neurons promote cannabinoid-induced feeding. Nature 2015, 519: 45-50. PMID: 25707796, PMCID: PMC4496586, DOI: 10.1038/nature14260.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPOMC neuronsΒ-endorphinHypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsOpioid peptide β-endorphinHypothalamic POMC neuronsPromotion of feedingPro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsCannabinoid receptor 1CB1R activityPOMC activitySated miceHormone releaseHypothalamic administrationFood intakeCentral regulationNeuronal activityParadoxical increaseCB1RReceptor 1POMC cellsNeuronsMitochondrial adaptationsDecreased activityPOMC geneUnsuspected role
2010
Hypothalamic prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) in the regulation of melanocortin system
Diano S. Hypothalamic prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) in the regulation of melanocortin system. 2010, 2010: e1002473. DOI: 10.69645/zqwp1030.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2001
Minireview: Ghrelin and the Regulation of Energy Balance—A Hypothalamic Perspective
Horvath T, Diano S, Sotonyi P, Heiman M, Tschöp M. Minireview: Ghrelin and the Regulation of Energy Balance—A Hypothalamic Perspective. Endocrinology 2001, 142: 4163-4169. DOI: 10.1210/en.142.10.4163.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsGH secretionSynthetic ghrelin receptor agonistRegulation of GH secretionGhrelin receptor agonistEtiology of obesityEnergy homeostasisRegulate energy homeostasisGH secretagoguesReceptor agonistsLeptin actionClinical trialsGhrelinChronic changesNeuroendocrine networkPrevent energy deficitRegulation of metabolismNutritional stateCentral regulatorCentral regulator of metabolismSubject of ongoing discussionsRegulation of growth processesEnergy deficitSecretionHomeostasisStomach
2000
Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein 2 (UCP2) in the Nonhuman Primate Brain and Pituitary**This work was supported by NSF Grant IBN-9728581, NIH Grants NS-36111, MH-59847, RR-00163, HD-29186, and HD-37186.
Diano S, Urbanski H, Horvath B, Bechmann I, Kagiya A, Nemeth G, Naftolin F, Warden C, Horvath T. Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein 2 (UCP2) in the Nonhuman Primate Brain and Pituitary**This work was supported by NSF Grant IBN-9728581, NIH Grants NS-36111, MH-59847, RR-00163, HD-29186, and HD-37186. Endocrinology 2000, 141: 4226-4238. DOI: 10.1210/en.141.11.4226.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUncoupling protein 2Pituitary glandPrimate brainIn situ hybridization histochemistryMitochondrial uncoupling protein 2Mitochondrial uncoupling proteinMessenger RNAGH-producing cellsNonhuman primate brainTreatment of metabolic disordersBrain stem regionsUncoupling protein 2 expressionAxonal processesRegulatory componentsUncoupling proteinPrimate hypothalamusPOMC cellsMetabolic regulationArcuate nucleusHybridization histochemistryAnterior pituitaryMitochondrial oxidationStem regionNeuropeptide YPeptide expression
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
honor Helmholtz Diabetes Award
International AwardDetails09/26/2018Germany
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- August 16, 2017
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Cellular & Molecular Physiology
333 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06510-
United States