Brain-derived neurotrophic factor regulates energy balance downstream of melanocortin-4 receptor.
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is critically involved in regulating energy balance, and obesity has been observed in mice with mutations in the gene for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here we report that BDNF is expressed at high levels in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) where its expression is regulated by nutritional state and by MC4R signaling. In addition, similar to MC4R mutants, mouse mutants that expresses the BDNF receptor TrkB at a quarter of the normal amount showed hyperphagia and excessive weight gain on higher-fat diets. Furthermore, BDNF infusion into the brain suppressed the hyperphagia and excessive weight gain observed on higher-fat diets in mice with deficient MC4R signaling. These results show that MC4R signaling controls BDNF expression in the VMH and support the hypothesis that BDNF is an important effector through which MC4R signaling controls energy balance.
Xu
Baoji
B
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA. bx3@georgetown.edu
Goulding
Evan H
EH
Zang
Keling
K
Cepoi
David
D
Cone
Roger D
RD
Jones
Kevin R
KR
Tecott
Laurence H
LH
Reichardt
Louis F
LF
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007033:Hypothalamus, Middle / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D044105:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D008543:Melanins; D044105:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin; D000521:alpha-MSH