title: Central actions of neuromedin U via corticotropin-releasing hormone.
abstract: Neuromedin U (NMU), a hypothalamic peptide, has been known to be involved in feeding behavior as a catabolic signaling molecule. However, little is known about the participation of NMU in the neuronal network. One NMU receptor, NMU2R, is abundantly expressed in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, where corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is synthesized. The functions of CRH, regulation of stress response and feeding behavior, are comparable with those of NMU. Here, we have investigated the functional relationships between NMU and CRH using CRH knockout (KO) mice. Intracerebroventricular administration of NMU suppressed dark-phase food intake and fasting-induced feeding in wild-type mice. In contrast, these suppressions were not observed in CRH KO mice. NMU-induced increases in oxygen consumption and body temperature were attenuated in CRH KO mice. These results suggest that NMU plays a role in feeding behavior and catabolic functions via CRH. This study demonstrates a novel hypothalamic pathway that links NMU and CRH in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy homeostasis.
authors: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Miyazaki Medical College, 889-1692, Miyazaki, Japan.
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Hanada
authors: Yukari
authors: Y
authors: Date
authors: Takuya
authors: T
authors: Shimbara
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Sakihara
authors: Noboru
authors: N
authors: Murakami
authors: Yujiro
authors: Y
authors: Hayashi
authors: Yasushi
authors: Y
authors: Kanai
authors: Toshihiro
authors: T
authors: Suda
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Kangawa
authors: Masamitsu
authors: M
authors: Nakazato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001069:Appetite Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; C056900:neuromedin U; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone