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Neuroanatomy of melanocortin-4 receptor pathway in the lateral hypothalamic area.

The Journal of comparative neurology | 2012

The central melanocortin system regulates body energy homeostasis including the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) receives dense melanocortinergic inputs from the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and regulates multiple processes including food intake, reward behaviors, and autonomic function. By using a mouse line in which green fluorescent protein (GFP) is expressed under control of the MC4R gene promoter, we systemically investigated MC4R signaling in the LHA by combining double immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, and retrograde tracing techniques. We found that LHA MC4R-GFP neurons coexpress neurotensin as well as the leptin receptor but do not coexpress other peptide neurotransmitters found in the LHA including orexin, melanin-concentrating hormone, and nesfatin-1. Furthermore, electrophysiological recording demonstrated that leptin, but not the MC4R agonist melanotan II, hyperpolarizes the majority of LHA MC4R-GFP neurons in an ATP- sensitive potassium channel-dependent manner. Retrograde tracing revealed that LHA MC4R-GFP neurons do not project to the ventral tegmental area, dorsal raphe nucleus, nucleus accumbens, and spinal cord, and only limited number of neurons project to the nucleus of the solitary tract and parabrachial nucleus. Our findings provide new insights into MC4R signaling in the LHA and its potential implications in homeostatic regulation of body energy balance.

Pubmed ID: 22605619 RIS Download

Associated grants

  • Agency: NIDDK NIH HHS, United States
    Id: RL1 DK081185
  • Agency: NIDDK NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01DK53301
  • Agency: NIDDK NIH HHS, United States
    Id: K01DK087780
  • Agency: NIDDK NIH HHS, United States
    Id: RL1DK081185
  • Agency: NIDDK NIH HHS, United States
    Id: K01 DK087780
  • Agency: NIMH NIH HHS, United States
    Id: K08 MH084058
  • Agency: NIDDK NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 DK053301
  • Agency: NIMH NIH HHS, United States
    Id: MH084058-01A1

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