Localization of leptin receptor mRNA and the long form splice variant (Ob‐Rb) in mouse hypothalamus and adjacent brain regions by in situ hybridization

Abstract

Expression of the leptin receptor gene has been examined in mouse hypothalamns and other brain regions by in situ hybridization. With a probe recognizing all the known splice ~ariants, receptor mRNA was evident in several brain regions (cortex, hippocampus, thalamus), with strong expression in the hypothalamus (arcuate, ventromedial, paraventricniar and ventral premammillary nuclei), choroid plexus and leptomeninges. A probe specific to the long splice variant of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb), containing the putative intracellniar signaling domain, again revealed strong expression in the hypothalamus; there was, however, minimal hybridization to choroid plexus and leptomeninges. These results indicate that the hypothalamus is a key site of leptin action, although other brain regions are also targeted.

Requirement of the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 in terminal differentiation of ventromedial hypothalamic neurons

“…Although the functional significance of an altered BDNF expression pattern in the vlVMN of sf-1 −/− mice remains to be established, the obvious links between the VMN to energy homeostasis and to conditioned responses is intriguing. Further studies are needed to decipher the possible interplay in the VMN between SF-1 and the other molecular determinants of energy homeostasis found in the VMN, such as BDNF, the leptin receptor, the tubby peptide, and the ghrelin receptor (Kleyn et al, 1996;Mercer et al, 1996;Guan et al, 1997;Wren et al, 2000).…”

Leptina: o diálogo entre adipócitos e neurônios

“…A forma longa do receptor foi encontrada nos mais diversos órgãos incluindo pâncreas, rim, medula adrenal, placenta, ovários e tecido adiposo (25)(26)(27). Uma forte presença da expressão do gene do receptor Ob-Rb é vista nos diversos núcleos hipotalâmicos que regulam a ingestão alimentar e o controle do gasto energético (28). Técnicas de imunohistoquímica localizaram a proteína do receptor também no hipotálamo (29).…”

The Leptin Receptor

“…4 An exception to this is in the hypothalamus (Fig. 1), where the OB-R L transcript is expressed at much higher levels (38) 4 and can be detected by in situ hybridization (39). In fact, of the tissues so far tested, only hypothalamus expresses more long form transcript than the most predominant short form (OB-R S1 ).…”

“…In fact, of the tissues so far tested, only hypothalamus expresses more long form transcript than the most predominant short form (OB-R S1 ). 1 Within the hypothalamus, the long form transcript has been detected in the arcuate, ventromedial, paraventricular, and dorsomedial nuclei (39), regions previously thought to be important in body weight regulation.…”