2022
Ventromedial 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 ResearchConceptsVentromedial hypothalamusWhite adipose tissueVMH neuronsAdipose tissueBody weightLipid metabolismRapid weight gainCounterregulatory responsesSympathetic activitySympathetic innervationAdipocyte hypertrophyTissue lipolysisNeuronal excitabilityFood intakePhysical activityObesity phenotypesGenetic ablationWeight gainHomeostatic set pointEnergy expenditureNeuronsInnervationLipolysisSignificant changesCellular sensors
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 ResearchConceptsHcrt 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 mechanismsNeurons
2013
Mitochondrial Dynamics Controlled by Mitofusins Regulate Agrp Neuronal Activity and Diet-Induced Obesity
Dietrich MO, Liu ZW, Horvath TL. Mitochondrial Dynamics Controlled by Mitofusins Regulate Agrp Neuronal Activity and Diet-Induced Obesity. Cell 2013, 155: 188-199. PMID: 24074868, PMCID: PMC4142434, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.09.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMitochondrial dynamicsEnergy metabolismCell-type specificCellular energy metabolismWhole-body energy metabolismKey organellesMitofusin 1Mitofusin 2High-fat dietMitochondria sizeAgRP neuronsMfn1Anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsAgRP neuronal activityKnockout miceMetabolismPro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsFusion mechanismDiet-Induced ObesityMitofusinsOverfed stateImportant roleCellsDynamic changesOrganelles
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
2009
Prolylcarboxypeptidase 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