SF-1 in the ventral medial hypothalamic nucleus: a key regulator of homeostasis.
The ventral medial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) regulates food intake and body weight homeostasis. The nuclear receptor NR5A1 (steroidogenic factor 1; SF-1) is a transcription factor whose expression is highly restricted in the VMH and is required for the development of the nucleus. Neurons expressing SF-1 in the VMH have emerged as playing important roles in the regulation of body weight and energy homeostasis. Many of these studies have used site-specific gene KO approaches, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of energy homeostasis by the SF-1 neurons of the VMH. In this brief review, we will focus on recent studies defining the molecular mechanisms regulating energy homeostasis and body weight in the VMH, particularly stressing the SF-1 expressing neurons.
Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9077, United States.
Ki Woo
KW
Kim
Jong-Woo
JW
Sohn
Daisuke
D
Kohno
Yong
Y
Xu
Kevin
K
Williams
Joel K
JK
Elmquist
D000818:Animals; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D019426:Integrases / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014697:Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*
D020738:Leptin; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases