AI Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of leptin in hypothalamic POMC neurons by removing leptin receptors in mice to see how it affects their physiology.
- Mice without leptin signaling in these neurons become slightly obese and show increased levels of leptin in their blood, along with changes in neuropeptide expression in the hypothalamus.
- The findings suggest that while leptin receptors on POMC neurons are necessary for regulating body weight, they are not the only factor involved in this process.
Article Abstract
Neuroanatomical and electrophysiological studies have shown that hypothalamic POMC neurons are targets of the adipostatic hormone leptin. However, the physiological relevance of leptin signaling in these neurons has not yet been directly tested. Here, using the Cre/loxP system, we critically test the functional importance of leptin action on POMC neurons by deleting leptin receptors specifically from these cells in mice. Mice lacking leptin signaling in POMC neurons are mildly obese, hyperleptinemic, and have altered expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides. In summary, leptin receptors on POMC neurons are required but not solely responsible for leptin's regulation of body weight homeostasis.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2004.06.004 | DOI Listing |
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