The homeodomain transcription factor Six3 regulates hypothalamic Pomc expression and its absence from POMC neurons induces hyperphagia and mild obesity in male mice.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons release potent anorexigenic neuropeptides, which suppress food intake and enhance energy expenditure via melanocortin receptors. Although the importance of central melanocortin in physiological regulation is well established, the underlying genetic mechanisms that define the functional identity of melanocortin neurons and maintain hypothalamic Pomc expression remain to be fully determined. In this study, we investigate the functional significance of Six3, a transcriptional regulator notably expressed in embryonic and adult mouse POMC neurons, in the regulation of hypothalamic Pomc expression and downstream physiological consequences.

Methods

We first evaluated the expression of Six3 in the developing and adult hypothalamus by doub

SUBMITTER: Yu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11327434 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature