The role of epigenetics in hypothalamic energy balance control: implications for obesity

Abstract

Despite enormous social and scientific efforts, obesity rates continue to increase worldwide. While genetic factors contribute to obesity development, genetics alone cannot explain the current epidemic. Obesity is essentially the consequence of complex genetic-environmental interactions. Evidence suggests that contemporary lifestyles trigger epigenetic changes, which can dysregulate energy balance and thus contribute to obesity. The hypothalamus plays a pivotal role in the regulation of body weight, through a sophisticated network of neuronal systems. Alterations in the activity of these neuronal pathways have been implicated in the pathophysiology of obesity. Here, we review the current knowledge on the central control of energy balance with a focus on recent studies linking epigenetic mechanisms in the hypothalamus to the development of obesity and metabolic disorders.

Exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy or lactation increases methylation while reducing the expression of Pdx1 and NEUROG3 in mouse pancreatic islets

“…DNA methylation is currently the most widely investigated epigenetic mechanism, which consists of the addition of a methyl group to the 5' position of cytosine residues located in a CG dinucleotide [10]. DNA methylation of gene promoters is generally regarded as a mechanism that represses gene expression [16], which was observed in our study as higher methylation levels of the genes Pdx1 and NEUROG3 led to a reduction in the expression of these genes.…”

“…DNA methylation is currently the most widely investigated epigenetic mechanism and occurs through the addition of a methyl group to a cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG site) [9,10]. Alteration in DNA methylation may be induced by exposure to air pollution, thus altering gene expression patterns [11].…”

Effect of Inflammation on Female Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neurons: Mechanisms and Consequences

“…Obesity develops when the energy homeostasis is disrupted [110]: The food intake, the energy expenditure and the energy storage become unbalanced [111]. Research over the past several decades has provided insight into control mechanisms of hypothalamus in the energy balance [112,113]. However, it is not entirely clear how obesity causes hypogonadism.…”

Mens sana in corpore sano: Does the Glycemic Index Have a Role to Play?

“…Ketone bodies could also be involved in metabolism through the acetylation or methylation of genes, thus modulating their transcription, as described before [ 93 , 94 , 95 ]. Indeed, such gene regulation has previously been linked to the brain control of energy homeostasis [ 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 ]. Of particular interest, these processes have been shown to be involved in neurogenesis, brain plasticity, and neuronal function.…”