Carbon monoxide, an activator of guanylyl cyclase, is formed by the action of the enzyme heme oxygenase. By in situ hybridization in brain slices, discrete neuronal localization of messenger RNA for the constitutive form of heme oxygenase throughout the brain has been demonstrated. This localization is essentially the same as that for soluble guanylyl cyclase messenger RNA. In primary cultures of olfactory neurons, zinc protoporphyrin-9, a potent selective inhibitor of heme oxygenase, depletes endogenous guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP). Thus, carbon monoxide, like nitric oxide, may be a physiologic regulator of cGMP. These findings, together with the neuronal localizations of heme oxygenase, suggest that carbon monoxide may function as a neurotransmitter.

With the escalation of obesity-related disease, there is great interest in defining the mechanisms that control appetite and body weight. We have identified a link between anabolic energy metabolism and appetite control. Both systemic and intracerebroventricular treatment of mice with fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitors (cerulenin and a synthetic compound C75) led to inhibition of feeding and dramatic weight loss. C75 inhibited expression of the prophagic signal neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus and acted in a leptin-independent manner that appears to be mediated by malonyl-coenzyme A. Thus, FAS may represent an important link in feeding regulation and may be a potential therapeutic target.

The restoration of energy balance during ischemia is critical to cellular survival; however, relatively little is known concerning the regulation of neuronal metabolic pathways in response to central nervous system ischemia. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master sensor of energy balance in peripheral tissues, is phosphorylated and activated when energy balance is low. We investigated whether AMPK might also modulate neuronal energy homeostasis during ischemia. We utilized two model systems of ischemia, middle cerebral artery occlusion in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro, to delineate changes in AMPK activity incurred from a metabolic stress. AMPK is highly expressed in cortical and hippocampal neurons under both normal and ischemic conditions. AMPK activity, as assessed by phosphorylation status, is increased following both middle cerebral artery occlusion and oxygen-glucose deprivation. Pharmacological inhibition of AMPK by either C75, a known modulator of neuronal ATP levels, or compound C reduced stroke damage. In contrast, activation of AMPK by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside exacerbated damage. Mice deficient in neuronal nitric-oxide synthase demonstrated a decrease in both stroke damage and AMPK activation compared with wild type, suggesting a possible interaction between NO and AMPK activation in stroke. These data demonstrate a role for AMPK in the response of neurons during metabolic stress and suggest that in ischemia the activation of AMPK is deleterious. The ability to manipulate pharmacologically neuronal energy balance during ischemia represents an innovative approach to neuroprotection.Despite significant advances in our understanding of neuronal responses to ischemia, interventions for stroke remain elusive. A reduction in oxygen and glucose in cells causes a disruption of protein synthesis, depletion of intracellular energy stores, destabilization of the cell membrane, opening of voltagegated Ca 2ϩ channels, and activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor. These conditions lead to excitotoxic and oxidative damage (1). Stimulation of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) 1 by increasing Ca 2ϩ levels causes accumulations of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, peroxynitrite (ONOO), and free radicals, which further damage the cell membrane and may lead to DNA damage (1, 2). In the attempt to repair damage and return neurons to homeostasis, numerous energy-consuming processes are activated (3, 4). Overactivation of these pathways during ischemia can lead to complete energy failure and cell death (5, 6). The mechanisms by which neurons attempt to restore energy balance are largely unknown.In peripheral tissues, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a member of a metabolite-sensing protein kinase family (7,8), is activated by energy deficiency to coordinate a switch from anabolic to catabolic pathways to produce a positive energy balance. AMPK is composed of a catalytic ␣ subunit (␣1 or ␣2) and two regulatory subunits (␤ and ␥) (9) and is activated via phosphorylation by an up...

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has a number of functions in mammalian physiology. Here we identify a role for NPY in promoting proliferation of postnatal neuronal precursor cells. NPY is synthesized in the postnatal olfactory epithelium by sustentacular cells, previously proposed to function only in structural support. Mice with a targeted deletion of NPY contain half as many dividing olfactory neuronal precursor cells as do controls. Furthermore, NPY-deficient mice develop significantly fewer olfactory neurons by adulthood. NPY acts on multipotent neuronal precursor or basal cells to activate rapidly and transiently the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 subgroup of mitogen-activated protein kinases. The NPY Y1 receptor subtype appears to mediate this effect. The ability of NPY to induce neuronal precursor proliferation is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC), indicating an upstream PKC-dependent activation of ERK1/2. These results indicate that NPY may regulate neuronal precursor proliferation in the adult mammal.

C75, a known inhibitor of fatty acid synthase is postulated to cause significant weight loss through decreased hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) production. Peripherally, C75, an ␣-methylene-␥-butyrolactone, reduces adipose tissue and fatty liver, despite high levels of malonyl-CoA. To investigate this paradox, we studied the effect of C75 on fatty acid oxidation and energy production in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and cellular models. Whole-animal calorimetry showed that C75-treated DIO mice had a 50% greater weight loss, and a 32.9% increased production of energy because of fatty acid oxidation, compared with paired-fed controls. Etomoxir, an inhibitor of carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), reversed the increased energy expenditure in DIO mice by inhibiting fatty acid oxidation. C75 treatment of rodent adipocytes and hepatocytes and human breast cancer cells increased fatty acid oxidation and ATP levels by increasing CPT-1 activity, even in the presence of elevated concentrations of malonyl-CoA. Studies in human cancer cells showed that C75 competed with malonyl-CoA, as measured by CPT-1 activity assays. Thus, C75 acts both centrally to reduce food intake and peripherally to increase fatty acid oxidation, leading to rapid and profound weight loss, loss of adipose mass, and resolution of fatty liver. The pharmacological stimulation of CPT-1 activity is a novel finding. The dual action of the C75 class of compounds as fatty acid synthase inhibitors and CPT-1 agonists has therapeutic implications in the treatment of obesity and type II diabetes. C 75 and its family of ␣-methylene-␥-butyrolactones are known inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (FAS) (1). Treatment of mice with C75 alters the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides, leading to reversible inanition and weight loss (2-4). In addition to its central action, C75 treatment caused changes in peripheral tissues, including inhibition of hepatic fatty acid synthesis, reduction of fatty liver, diminished adipose tissue mass, and high levels of malonyl-CoA (2, 4, 5).Malonyl-CoA, in addition to its role as a substrate for FAS, is pivotal to energy regulation through its reversible inhibition of O-carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) (6). CPT-1 catalyzes the esterification of long-chain acyl-CoAs to L-carnitine for transport into mitochondria for fatty acid oxidation. During energy excess, the increased malonyl-CoA generated for fatty acid synthesis inhibits CPT-1 activity, preventing the oxidation of newly formed fatty acids bound for energy storage. During starvation, malonyl-CoA levels fall to permit the oxidation of fatty acids for energy. When FAS is pharmacologically inhibited, malonyl-CoA levels abruptly rise (2, 5).Taken together, the peripheral effects of C75 gave rise to a paradox. How could there be a selective reduction in adipocyte mass and fatty liver in the setting of elevated levels of malonylCoA as a result of FAS inhibition? We hypothesized that C75 might have additional effects on fatty acid oxidation and CPT-1 activity.Specifical...

Energy homeostasis and feeding are regulated by the central nervous system. C75, a fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitor, causes weight loss and anorexia, implying a novel central nervous system pathway(s) for sensing energy balance. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a sensor of peripheral energy balance, is phosphorylated and activated when energy sources are low. Here, we identify a role for hypothalamic AMPK in the regulation of feeding behavior and in mediating the anorexic effects of C75. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-␤-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an activator of AMPK, increased food intake, whereas compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, decreased food intake. C75 rapidly reduced the level of the phosphorylated AMPK ␣ subunit (pAMPK␣) in the hypothalamus, even in fasted mice that had elevated hypothalamic pAMPK␣ levels. Furthermore, AICAR reversed both the C75-induced anorexia and the decrease in hypothalamic pAMPK␣ levels. C75 elevated hypothalamic neuronal ATP levels, which may contribute to the mechanism by which C75 decreased AMPK activity. C75 reduced the levels of pAMPK␣ and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) in the arcuate nucleus neurons of the hypothalamus, suggesting a mechanism for the reduction in NPY expression seen with C75 treatment. These data indicate that modulation of FAS activity in the hypothalamus can alter energy perception via AMPK, which functions as a physiological energy sensor in the hypothalamus.Despite significant advances in the understanding of appetite and satiety at molecular levels (1-3), practical therapies for weight loss remain elusive. We and others (4 -8) have demonstrated that C75, a synthetic fatty acid synthase (FAS) 1 inhibitor, caused profound weight loss and anorexia in lean, dietinduced obese (DIO) and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. In addition to FAS inhibition, C75 also stimulates carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) activity, increasing fatty acid oxidation and ATP levels (8). Since enzymes of the fatty acid metabolic pathways are highly expressed in hypothalamic neurons that regulate feeding behavior (9), we hypothesize that C75-induced alterations in fatty acid metabolism may affect neuronal energy flux, which could signal a change in energy status, leading to changes in feeding behavior.AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) is activated by metabolic stresses such as nutrient starvation (10) and ischemiahypoxia (11) and by physiological processes such as vigorous exercise (12, 13). Specifically, increases in the AMP/ATP ratio, decreases in cellular pH, and increases in the creatine/phosphocreatine ratio are known to activate AMPK via allosteric activation of AMPK by AMP and by phosphorylation of AMPK by AMPKK (14 -19). Once activated, AMPK switches off ATPconsuming biosynthetic pathways such as fatty acid synthesis and switches on ATP-generating metabolic pathways such as fatty acid oxidation to preserve ATP levels (20, 21). The central roles of AMPK in both energy sensing and the control of fatty acid metabolism (16,22) and its r...

Fatty acid synthase (FAS), the enzyme responsible for the de novo synthesis of fatty acids, is highly expressed in ovarian cancers and most common human carcinomas. Inhibition of FAS and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) have been shown to be cytotoxic to human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In this report, we explore the cytotoxic mechanism of action of FAS inhibition and show that C93, a synthetic FAS inhibitor, increases the AMP/ATP ratio, activating AMPK in SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells, which leads to cytotoxicity. As a physiologic consequence of AMPK activation, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid synthesis, was phosphorylated and inhibited whereas glucose oxidation was increased. Despite these attempts to conserve energy, the AMP/ATP ratio increased with worsening cellular redox status. Pretreatment of SKOV3 cells with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, substantially rescued the cells from C93 cytotoxicity, indicating its dependence on AMPK activation. 5-(Tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid, an ACC inhibitor, did not activate AMPK despite inhibiting fatty acid synthesis pathway activity and was not significantly cytotoxic to SKOV3 cells. This indicates that substrate accumulation from FAS inhibition triggering AMPK activation, not end-product depletion of fatty acids, is likely responsible for AMPK activation. C93 also exhibited significant antitumor activity and apoptosis against SKOV3 xenografts in athymic mice without significant weight loss or cytotoxicity to proliferating cellular compartments such as bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, or skin. Thus, pharmacologic FAS inhibition selectively activates AMPK in ovarian cancer cells, inducing cytotoxicity while sparing most normal human tissues from the pleiotropic effects of AMPK activation. [Cancer Res 2007;67(7):2964-71]

Background and Purpose-5Ј adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) acts as a metabolic sensor.AMPK is elevated under ischemic conditions, but the role of AMPK in ischemic brain remains controversial. In this study, we examined the effects of AMPK inhibition using both pharmacological and genetic approaches in an in vivo stroke model. Methods-Focal stroke was induced by reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion in male wild-type mice as well as mice deficient in one of the isoforms of the catalytic subunit of AMPK, AMPK ␣-1 or ␣-2. Results-AMPK inhibition was neuroprotective after focal stroke. Mice deficient in AMPK ␣-2 demonstrated significantly smaller infarct volumes compared with wild-type littermates, whereas deletion of AMPK ␣-1 had no effect. Phosphorylation of a major upstream regulator of AMPK, LKB1, was also induced in stroke brain. Conclusions-AMPK activation is detrimental in a model of focal stroke. The AMPK catalytic isoform ␣-2 contributes to the deleterious effects of AMPK activation. AMPK inhibition leads to neuroprotection even when these agents are administered poststroke.