Sex-dependent changes in metabolism and behavior, as well as reduced anxiety after eliminating ventromedial hypothalamus excitatory output.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) regulates energy homeostasis as well as social and emotional behaviors. Nearly all VMH neurons, including those in the sexually dimorphic ventrolateral VMH (VMHvl) subregion, release the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and use the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2). Here, we asked how glutamatergic signaling contributes to the collective metabolic and behavioral responses attributed to the VMH and VMHvl.

Methods

Using Sf1-Cre and a Vglut2 floxed allele, Vglut2 was knocked-out in SF-1 VMH neurons (Vglut2 (Sf1-Cre) ). Metabolic and neurobehavioral assays were carried out initially on Vglut2 (fl/fl) and Vglut2 (Sf1-Cre) mice in a mixed, and then in the C57BL/6 genetic background, which is prone to hyperglycemi

SUBMITTER: Cheung CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4632173 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature