Decreased 5-HT transporter mRNA in neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus and behavioral depression in the obese leptin-deficient ob/ob mouse.
The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is an important regulator of feeding behavior. A hypothalamic site of action for 5-HT in body weight control is supported by the presence of 5-HT receptors in hypothalamic regions which are intimately associated with regulation of food intake. In the present study we have investigated whether there may be an interaction between the hormone leptin, an adipose tissue-derived cytokine signaling factor that inhibits food intake and lowers body weight, and the brain serotonergic system. Immunohistochemical analysis of colchicine-treated rats showed colocalization of 5-HT transporter- and leptin receptor-immunoreactivity in cell bodies of the dorsal raphe nucleus, suggesting that dorsal raphe neurons are targets for circulating leptin. Levels of 5-HT transporter mRNA expression were compared in neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus of obese leptin-deficient ob/ob mice and their lean littermates using in situ hybridization. 5-HT transporter mRNA levels were significantly down-regulated in neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus of obese ob/ob mice as compared to lean control mice. Behavioral analysis showed that obese ob/ob mice had significantly lower locomotor activity and exhibited increased immobility in Porsolt's test, a model for depression. Taken together, these results suggest that serotonergic cell bodies in the rodent dorsal raphe nucleus possess leptin receptors and that the serotonergic system, as reflected by expression levels of 5-HT transporter mRNA, is down-regulated in the obese behaviorally depressed ob/ob mouse.
Collin
M
M
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
Håkansson-Ovesjö
M L
ML
Misane
I
I
Ogren
S O
SO
Meister
B
B
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020738:Leptin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008820:Mice, Obese; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013851:Thinness; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C493231:Slc6a4 protein, mouse; C493232:Slc6a4 protein, rat