Orexigen-sensitive NPY/AgRP pacemaker neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus

Nat Neurosci. 2004 May;7(5):493-4. doi: 10.1038/nn1226. Epub 2004 Apr 18.

Abstract

The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) integrates and responds to satiety and hunger signals and forms the origins of the central neural response to perturbations in energy balance. Here we show that rat ARC neurons containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP), which are conditional pacemakers, are activated by orexigens and inhibited by the anorexigen leptin. We propose a neuron-specific signaling mechanism through which central and peripheral signals engage the central neural anabolic drive.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminopyridine / pharmacology
  • Agouti-Related Protein
  • Anesthetics, Local / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / cytology*
  • Carrier Proteins / pharmacology
  • Drug Interactions
  • Ghrelin
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
  • Leptin / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neuropeptide Y / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology
  • Nickel / pharmacology
  • Orexin Receptors
  • Orexins
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Peptide Hormones / pharmacology
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Leptin
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide / genetics
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Tetrodotoxin / pharmacology

Substances

  • AGRP protein, rat
  • Agouti-Related Protein
  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Ghrelin
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Leptin
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Neuropeptides
  • Orexin Receptors
  • Orexins
  • Peptide Hormones
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Leptin
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Nickel
  • 4-Aminopyridine