2022
TET3 epigenetically controls feeding and stress response behaviors via AGRP neurons
Xie D, Stutz B, Li F, Chen F, Lv H, Sestan-Pesa M, Catarino J, Gu J, Zhao H, Stoddard CE, Carmichael GG, Shanabrough M, Taylor HS, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Horvath TL, Huang Y. TET3 epigenetically controls feeding and stress response behaviors via AGRP neurons. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2022, 132: e162365. PMID: 36189793, PMCID: PMC9525119, DOI: 10.1172/jci162365.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsNeuropeptide YExpression of AgRPControl of feedingHypothalamic agoutiAnxiolytic effectsNeurotransmitter GABAMouse modelLeptin signalingStress-like behaviorsGenetic ablationNeuronsAgRPCritical central regulatorsEnergy expenditureGABAEnergy metabolismAppetiteFeedingCentral regulatorMetabolismCentral controlHuman cellsTET3ObesityVentromedial hypothalamic OGT drives adipose tissue lipolysis and curbs obesity
Wang Q, Zhang B, Stutz B, Liu ZW, Horvath TL, Yang X. Ventromedial hypothalamic OGT drives adipose tissue lipolysis and curbs obesity. Science Advances 2022, 8: eabn8092. PMID: 36044565, PMCID: PMC9432828, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn8092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdipose TissueAnimalsBody WeightHypothalamusLipolysisMiceN-AcetylglucosaminyltransferasesObesityConceptsVentromedial hypothalamusWhite adipose tissueVMH neuronsAdipose tissueBody weightLipid metabolismRapid weight gainCounterregulatory responsesSympathetic activitySympathetic innervationAdipocyte hypertrophyTissue lipolysisNeuronal excitabilityFood intakePhysical activityObesity phenotypesGenetic ablationWeight gainHomeostatic set pointEnergy expenditureNeuronsInnervationLipolysisSignificant changesCellular sensorsAgRP neurons control structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex
Stutz B, Waterson MJ, Šestan-Peša M, Dietrich MO, Škarica M, Sestan N, Racz B, Magyar A, Sotonyi P, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Matyas F, Stoiljkovic M, Horvath TL. AgRP neurons control structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 27: 3951-3960. PMID: 35906488, PMCID: PMC9891653, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01691-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgouti-Related ProteinAnimalsDopaminergic NeuronsHypothalamusMiceNeuropeptide YPrefrontal CortexConceptsMedial prefrontal cortexAgRP neuronsNon-selective dopamine receptor antagonistBrain functionPrefrontal cortexHypothalamic AgRP neuronsMedial thalamic neuronsAdministration of clozapineDopamine receptor antagonistVentral tegmental areaOscillatory network activityHigher-order brain functionsHypothalamic agoutiThalamic neuronsChemogenetic inhibitionDopaminergic neuronsReceptor antagonistTegmental areaNeuronal pathwaysSensorimotor gatingAdult miceModulatory impactAmbulatory behaviorConstitutive impairmentNeurons
2020
Impaired hypocretin/orexin system alters responses to salient stimuli in obese male mice
Tan Y, Hang F, Liu ZW, Stoiljkovic M, Wu M, Tu Y, Han W, Lee AM, Kelley C, Hajos M, Lu L, de Lecea L, de Araujo I, Picciotto M, Horvath TL, Gao XB. Impaired hypocretin/orexin system alters responses to salient stimuli in obese male mice. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2020, 130: 4985-4998. PMID: 32516139, PMCID: PMC7456212, DOI: 10.1172/jci130889.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsFeeding BehaviorHypothalamusMaleMiceMice, TransgenicNerve NetNeuronsObesityOrexinsStress, PsychologicalConceptsHcrt cellsObese miceDiet-induced obese miceObese male miceExcessive energy intakeNeuropeptide hypocretin/orexinHypocretin/orexinHcrt neuronsMale miceHcrt systemClinical studiesCommon causeSynaptic transmissionObese animalsEnergy intakeAcute stressCognitive functionSalient stimuliAlters responsesExact mechanismMiceHomeostatic regulationNeuronal networksBehavioral changesNeurons
2014
O-GlcNAc Transferase Enables AgRP Neurons to Suppress Browning of White Fat
Ruan HB, Dietrich MO, Liu ZW, Zimmer MR, Li MD, Singh JP, Zhang K, Yin R, Wu J, Horvath TL, Yang X. O-GlcNAc Transferase Enables AgRP Neurons to Suppress Browning of White Fat. Cell 2014, 159: 306-317. PMID: 25303527, PMCID: PMC4509746, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsFundamental cellular processesWhite fatN-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modificationOrexigenic AgRP neuronsVoltage-dependent potassium channelsCellular processesGlcNAc transferaseDynamic physiological processesNuclear proteinsWhite adipose tissue browningPhysiological processesAdipose tissue browningDiet-induced obesityPhysiological relevanceTissue browningGenetic ablationBeige cellsEnergy metabolismInsulin resistanceNeuronal excitabilityPotassium channelsAdipose tissueCentral mechanismsNeuronsLeptin signaling in astrocytes regulates hypothalamic neuronal circuits and feeding
Kim JG, Suyama S, Koch M, Jin S, Argente-Arizon P, Argente J, Liu ZW, Zimmer MR, Jeong JK, Szigeti-Buck K, Gao Y, Garcia-Caceres C, Yi CX, Salmaso N, Vaccarino FM, Chowen J, Diano S, Dietrich MO, Tschöp MH, Horvath TL. Leptin signaling in astrocytes regulates hypothalamic neuronal circuits and feeding. Nature Neuroscience 2014, 17: 908-910. PMID: 24880214, PMCID: PMC4113214, DOI: 10.1038/nn.3725.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAstrocytesCell CountEatingExcitatory Postsynaptic PotentialsGlial Fibrillary Acidic ProteinHypothalamusImmunohistochemistryIn Situ HybridizationLeptinMaleMelanocortinsMiceMice, KnockoutMicroscopy, ElectronNerve NetNeuronsPrimary Cell CulturePro-OpiomelanocortinPulmonary Gas ExchangeReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionRNA, MessengerSignal Transduction
2013
Hypothalamic melanin concentrating hormone neurons communicate the nutrient value of sugar
Domingos AI, Sordillo A, Dietrich MO, Liu ZW, Tellez LA, Vaynshteyn J, Ferreira JG, Ekstrand MI, Horvath TL, de Araujo IE, Friedman JM. Hypothalamic melanin concentrating hormone neurons communicate the nutrient value of sugar. ELife 2013, 2: e01462. PMID: 24381247, PMCID: PMC3875383, DOI: 10.7554/elife.01462.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRewarding effectsHormone neuronsMelanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neuronsMCH neurons projectStriatal dopamine levelsStriatal DA releaseStriatal dopamine releaseMCH neuronsSucrose ingestionNeurons projectDA releaseDopamine levelsDopamine releaseOptogenetic activationNeural pathwaysArtificial sweetenersNeural circuitryNeuronsNormal preferenceFood preferencesFood rewardGlucoseNutrient sensingMiceSweetener sucralose
2012
Leptin regulates glutamate and glucose transporters in hypothalamic astrocytes
Fuente-Martín E, García-Cáceres C, Granado M, de Ceballos ML, Sánchez-Garrido MÁ, Sarman B, Liu ZW, Dietrich MO, Tena-Sempere M, Argente-Arizón P, Díaz F, Argente J, Horvath TL, Chowen JA. Leptin regulates glutamate and glucose transporters in hypothalamic astrocytes. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2012, 122: 3900-3913. PMID: 23064363, PMCID: PMC3484452, DOI: 10.1172/jci64102.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGlial structural proteinsPathology of obesityHypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsGlial cell activityOffspring of mothersHigh-fat dietActivity of neuronsExpression of glucoseProopiomelanocortin neuronsHypothalamic astrocytesGlial cellsBody weightSynaptic efficacyGlutamate transportersNeuronal functionCell activityLeptinGlucose uptakeMetabolic statusElectrical activityMetabolic signalsNeuronsAppetiteGlucose transporterKey regulator
2011
Peroxisome proliferation–associated control of reactive oxygen species sets melanocortin tone and feeding in diet-induced obesity
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 AM, Shanabrough M, Mobbs CV, Yang X, Gao XB, Horvath TL. Peroxisome proliferation–associated control of reactive oxygen species sets melanocortin tone and feeding in diet-induced obesity. Nature Medicine 2011, 17: 1121-1127. PMID: 21873987, PMCID: PMC3388795, DOI: 10.1038/nm.2421.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2009
A Serotonin-Dependent Mechanism Explains the Leptin Regulation of Bone Mass, Appetite, and Energy Expenditure
Yadav VK, Oury F, Suda N, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Confavreux C, Klemenhagen KC, Tanaka KF, Gingrich JA, Guo XE, Tecott LH, Mann JJ, Hen R, Horvath TL, Karsenty G. A Serotonin-Dependent Mechanism Explains the Leptin Regulation of Bone Mass, Appetite, and Energy Expenditure. Cell 2009, 138: 976-989. PMID: 19737523, PMCID: PMC2768582, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.06.051.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAppetiteBone DensityBrain StemEnergy MetabolismHypothalamusLeptinReceptors, LeptinSerotoninSignal TransductionConceptsSerotonergic neuronsHypothalamic neuronsBone massEnergy expenditureVentromedial hypothalamic neuronsBone mass accrualSerotonin-dependent mechanismRegulation of appetiteEnergy expenditure phenotypesSpecific hypothalamic neuronsHtr2c receptorLeptin deficiencyArcuate neuronsLeptin inhibitionSerotonin synthesisLeptin receptorLeptin regulationLeptinNeuronsAppetiteReceptorsEnergy metabolismBrainBoneMolecular basisProlylcarboxypeptidase regulates food intake by inactivating α-MSH in rodents
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. Prolylcarboxypeptidase regulates food intake by inactivating α-MSH in rodents. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2009, 119: 2291-2303. PMID: 19620781, PMCID: PMC2719925, DOI: 10.1172/jci37209.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFood intakeHigh-fat diet-induced obesityReduced body fatRegular chow dietDiet-induced obesityPRCP activityWild-type controlsChow dietMelanocortin signalingObese miceWeight maintenanceReal-time PCRAxon terminalsBody fatNeuronal populationsΑ-MSHBrain tissueMRNA expressionMouse strainsSmall molecule protease inhibitorsElevated levelsVivo activityProlylcarboxypeptidaseProtease inhibitorsHypothalamus
2008
UCP2 mediates ghrelin’s action on NPY/AgRP neurons by lowering free radicals
Andrews ZB, Liu ZW, Walllingford N, Erion DM, Borok E, Friedman JM, Tschöp MH, Shanabrough M, Cline G, Shulman GI, Coppola A, Gao XB, Horvath TL, Diano S. UCP2 mediates ghrelin’s action on NPY/AgRP neurons by lowering free radicals. Nature 2008, 454: 846-851. PMID: 18668043, PMCID: PMC4101536, DOI: 10.1038/nature07181.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgouti-Related ProteinAnimalsCarnitine O-PalmitoyltransferaseFatty AcidsFeeding BehaviorGene Expression RegulationGhrelinHypothalamusIon ChannelsMembrane Potential, MitochondrialMiceMitochondriaMitochondrial ProteinsNeuronsNeuropeptide YPhosphorylationReactive Oxygen SpeciesSynapsesUncoupling Protein 2ConceptsNPY/AgRP neuronsAgRP neuronsNeuronal activityCo-express neuropeptide YGut-derived hormone ghrelinAgRP neuronal activityArcuate nucleus neuronsFatty acid oxidation pathwayHypothalamic mitochondrial respirationG protein-coupled receptorsGhrelin actionNeuropeptide YNucleus neuronsHormone ghrelinFood intakeGhrelinFree radicalsSynaptic plasticityNeuronal functionIntracellular mechanismsNeuronsMitochondrial mechanismsProtein 2Mitochondrial proliferationRobust changes
2007
Prolonged wakefulness induces experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in mouse hypocretin/orexin neurons
Rao Y, Liu ZW, Borok E, Rabenstein RL, Shanabrough M, Lu M, Picciotto MR, Horvath TL, Gao XB. Prolonged wakefulness induces experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in mouse hypocretin/orexin neurons. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2007, 117: 4022-4033. PMID: 18060037, PMCID: PMC2104495, DOI: 10.1172/jci32829.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypocretin/orexin neuronsLong-term potentiationOrexin neuronsGlutamatergic synapsesSynaptic plasticitySleep lossExperience-dependent synaptic plasticityDopamine D1 receptorsChronic sleep lossSleep-wake regulationModafinil treatmentLateral hypothalamusD1 receptorsSimilar potentiationBrain slicesNeuronal activityNeuronal circuitryDopamine systemNervous systemSynaptic strengthNeuronsPathological conditionsGentle handlingMiceWakefulness