POMC Neurons: From Birth to Death

Abstract

The hypothalamus is an evolutionarily conserved brain structure that regulates an organism’s basic functions, such as homeostasis and reproduction. Several hypothalamic nuclei and neuronal circuits have been the focus of many studies to understand their role in regulating these basic functions. Within the hypothalamic neuronal populations, the arcuate melanocortin system plays a major role in controlling homeostatic functions. The arcuate pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in particular have been shown to be critical regulators of metabolism and reproduction because of their projections to several brain areas both in and outside of the hypothalamus, such as autonomic regions of the brain stem and spinal cord. Here, we review and discuss the current understanding of POMC neurons from their development and intracellular regulators to their physiological functions and pathological dysregulation.

Functional identity of hypothalamic melanocortin neurons depends on Tbx3

“…4), nor did we detect any proliferation leading to new Pomc-positive neurons between P0 and P3, as assessed using BrdU (Supplementary Fig. 4), confirming that most Pomc neurons are generated during embryonic life 28 and suggesting that neurogenesis and/or cellular turnover do not contribute to Tbx3mediated control of Pomc expression observed during neonatal life. Furthermore, no compensatory change was observed in the Pomcprocessing enzymes of Pomc-Cre;Tbx3 loxP/loxP mice (Supplementary Fig.…”

Functional identity of hypothalamic melanocortin neurons depends on Tbx3

“…4), nor did we detect any proliferation leading to new Pomc-positive neurons between P0 and P3, as assessed using BrdU (Supplementary Fig. 4), confirming that most Pomc neurons are generated during embryonic life 28 and suggesting that neurogenesis and/or cellular turnover do not contribute to Tbx3mediated control of Pomc expression observed during neonatal life. Furthermore, no compensatory change was observed in the Pomcprocessing enzymes of Pomc-Cre;Tbx3 loxP/loxP mice (Supplementary Fig.…”

Activation of prodynorphin neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus inhibits food intake and promotes positive valence

“…We used Arg3.1-CreER T2 because Arg3.1 has never been used in the study of the hypothalamus, and it could therefore identify novel cell populations. Although activation of SF1 and POMC neurons can terminate feeding behaviour 5,28 , TRAP-labelled neurons in the VMH and ARC displayed a similar activation status in both fasted and re-fed states in the present study. While some POMC and VMH neurons have been reported to express…”

Refeeding activates neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus to inhibit food intake and promote positive valence

“…Thus, TRAP-labeled cells may be different from cFos-expressing cells. Although the activation of SF1 and POMC neurons can terminate feeding behavior [ 5 , 34 ], TRAP-labeled neurons in the VMH and ARC displayed a similar activation status in both fasted and re-fed states in our study. Some POMC and VMH neurons have been reported to express Arg3.1 in a model of inflammation [ 39 ], but POMC, SF1, and NPY/AgRP neurons may not be labeled by fasting and refeeding.…”

Functional identity of hypothalamic melanocortin neurons depends on Tbx3

“…4), nor did we detect any proliferation leading to new Pomc-positive neurons between P0 and P3, as assessed using BrdU (Supplementary Fig. 4), confirming that most Pomc neurons are generated during embryonic life 28 and suggesting that neurogenesis and/or cellular turnover do not contribute to Tbx3mediated control of Pomc expression observed during neonatal life. Furthermore, no compensatory change was observed in the Pomcprocessing enzymes of Pomc-Cre;Tbx3 loxP/loxP mice (Supplementary Fig.…”

Activation of prodynorphin neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus inhibits food intake and promotes positive valence

“…We used Arg3.1-CreER T2 because Arg3.1 has never been used in the study of the hypothalamus, and it could therefore identify novel cell populations. Although activation of SF1 and POMC neurons can terminate feeding behaviour 5,28 , TRAP-labelled neurons in the VMH and ARC displayed a similar activation status in both fasted and re-fed states in the present study. While some POMC and VMH neurons have been reported to express…”

Refeeding activates neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus to inhibit food intake and promote positive valence

“…Thus, TRAP-labeled cells may be different from cFos-expressing cells. Although the activation of SF1 and POMC neurons can terminate feeding behavior [ 5 , 34 ], TRAP-labeled neurons in the VMH and ARC displayed a similar activation status in both fasted and re-fed states in our study. Some POMC and VMH neurons have been reported to express Arg3.1 in a model of inflammation [ 39 ], but POMC, SF1, and NPY/AgRP neurons may not be labeled by fasting and refeeding.…”

Functional identity of hypothalamic melanocortin neurons depends on Tbx3

“…4), nor did we detect any proliferation leading to new Pomc-positive neurons between P0 and P3, as assessed using BrdU (Supplementary Fig. 4), confirming that most Pomc neurons are generated during embryonic life 28 and suggesting that neurogenesis and/or cellular turnover do not contribute to Tbx3mediated control of Pomc expression observed during neonatal life. Furthermore, no compensatory change was observed in the Pomcprocessing enzymes of Pomc-Cre;Tbx3 loxP/loxP mice (Supplementary Fig.…”

Activation of prodynorphin neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus inhibits food intake and promotes positive valence

“…We used Arg3.1-CreER T2 because Arg3.1 has never been used in the study of the hypothalamus, and it could therefore identify novel cell populations. Although activation of SF1 and POMC neurons can terminate feeding behaviour 5,28 , TRAP-labelled neurons in the VMH and ARC displayed a similar activation status in both fasted and re-fed states in the present study. While some POMC and VMH neurons have been reported to express…”

Refeeding activates neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus to inhibit food intake and promote positive valence

“…Thus, TRAP-labeled cells may be different from cFos-expressing cells. Although the activation of SF1 and POMC neurons can terminate feeding behavior [ 5 , 34 ], TRAP-labeled neurons in the VMH and ARC displayed a similar activation status in both fasted and re-fed states in our study. Some POMC and VMH neurons have been reported to express Arg3.1 in a model of inflammation [ 39 ], but POMC, SF1, and NPY/AgRP neurons may not be labeled by fasting and refeeding.…”