Abstract
The leptin hormone is critical for normal food intake and metabolism. While leptin receptor (Lepr) function has been well studied in the hypothalamus, the functional relevance of Lepr expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has not been investigated. The VTA contains dopamine neurons that are important in modulating motivated behavior, addiction, and reward. Here, we show that VTA dopamine neurons express Lepr mRNA and respond to leptin with activation of an intracellular JAK-STAT pathway and a reduction in firing rate. Direct administration of leptin to the VTA caused decreased food intake while long-term RNAi-mediated knockdown of Lepr in the VTA led to increased food intake, locomotor activity, and sensitivity to highly palatable food. These data support a critical role for VTA Lepr in regulating feeding behavior and provide functional evidence for direct action of a peripheral metabolic signal on VTA dopamine neurons.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials / drug effects
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Animals
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Dopamine / metabolism
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Eating / drug effects
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Eating / physiology
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Feeding Behavior / drug effects
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Feeding Behavior / physiology*
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Gene Expression
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In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
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In Vitro Techniques
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Infusions, Intravenous
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Leptin / administration & dosage
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Leptin / pharmacology
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Mesencephalon / cytology
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Mesencephalon / physiology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Motor Activity / drug effects
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / metabolism
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Neurons / physiology*
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Phosphorylation / drug effects
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RNA Interference
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
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Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
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Receptors, Leptin
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STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Signal Transduction / physiology*
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Ventral Tegmental Area / cytology
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Ventral Tegmental Area / metabolism
Substances
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Leptin
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Receptors, Leptin
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STAT3 Transcription Factor
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leptin receptor, mouse
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Dopamine