title: Serotonin 2C receptors in pro-opiomelanocortin neurons regulate energy and glucose homeostasis.
abstract: Energy and glucose homeostasis are regulated by central serotonin 2C receptors. These receptors are attractive pharmacological targets for the treatment of obesity; however, the identity of the serotonin 2C receptor-expressing neurons that mediate the effects of serotonin and serotonin 2C receptor agonists on energy and glucose homeostasis are unknown. Here, we show that mice lacking serotonin 2C receptors (Htr2c) specifically in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons had normal body weight but developed glucoregulatory defects including hyperinsulinemia, hyperglucagonemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Moreover, these mice did not show anorectic responses to serotonergic agents that suppress appetite and developed hyperphagia and obesity when they were fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet. A requirement of serotonin 2C receptors in POMC neurons for the maintenance of normal energy and glucose homeostasis was further demonstrated when Htr2c loss was induced in POMC neurons in adult mice using a tamoxifen-inducible POMC-cre system. These data demonstrate that serotonin 2C receptor-expressing POMC neurons are required to control energy and glucose homeostasis and implicate POMC neurons as the target for the effect of serotonin 2C receptor agonists on weight-loss induction and improved glycemic control.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Berglund
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jong-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Tiemin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Mi Hwa
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Charlotte E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Claudia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.forename: Kevin W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Joel K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Elmquist
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000633:toxicity; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000633:toxicity; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000209:etiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D004041:Dietary Fats; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D007328:Insulin; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D005934:Glucagon; D005947:Glucose