p53 in AgRP neurons is required for protection against diet-induced obesity via JNK1.

p53 is a well-known tumor suppressor that has emerged as an important player in energy balance. However, its metabolic role in the hypothalamus remains unknown. Herein, we show that mice lacking p53 in agouti-related peptide (AgRP), but not proopiomelanocortin (POMC) or steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1) neurons, are more prone to develop diet-induced obesity and show reduced brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic activity.