| First Author | Werner L | Year | 2012 |
| Journal | Endocrinology | Volume | 153 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 2655-64 |
| PubMed ID | 22492306 | Mgi Jnum | J:188092 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5439093 | Doi | 10.1210/en.2011-1760 |
| Citation | Werner L, et al. (2012) Involvement of doublecortin-expressing cells in the arcuate nucleus in body weight regulation. Endocrinology 153(6):2655-64 |
| abstractText | Hypothalamic functions, including feeding behavior, show a high degree of plasticity throughout life. Doublecortin (DCX) is a marker of plasticity and neuronal migration expressed in the hypothalamus. Therefore, we wanted to map the fate of DCX(+) cells in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. For this purpose, we generated a BAC transgenic mouse line that expresses the inducible recombinase CreER(T2) under control of the DCX locus. Crossing this line with the Rosa26 or Ai14 reporter mouse lines, we found reporter(+) cells in the ARC upon tamoxifen treatment. They were born prenatally and expressed both DCX and the plasticity marker TUC-4. Immediately after labeling, reporter(+) cells had an enlarged soma that normalized over time, suggesting morphological remodeling. Reporter(+) cells expressed beta-endorphin and BSX, neuronal markers of the feeding circuit. Furthermore, leptin treatment led to phosphorylation of STAT3 in reporter(+) cells in accordance with the concept that they are part of the feeding circuits. Indeed, we found a negative correlation between the number of reporter(+) cells and body weight and epididymal fat pads. Our data suggest that DCX(+) cells in the ARC represent a cellular correlate of plasticity that is involved in controlling energy balance in adult mice. |
