Pleiotropic effects of proopiomelanocortin and VGF nerve growth factor inducible neuropeptides for the long-term regulation of energy balance

Helfer, G. and Stevenson, T. (2020) Pleiotropic effects of proopiomelanocortin and VGF nerve growth factor inducible neuropeptides for the long-term regulation of energy balance. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 514, 110876. (doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110876) (PMID:32473184)

Abstract

Seasonal rhythms in energy balance are well documented across temperate and equatorial zones animals. The long-term regulated changes in seasonal physiology consists of a rheostatic system that is essential to successful time annual cycles in reproduction, hibernation, torpor, and migration. Most animals use the annual change in photoperiod as a reliable and robust environmental cue to entrain endogenous (i.e. circannual) rhythms. Research over the past few decades has predominantly examined the role of first order neuroendocrine peptides for the rheostatic changes in energy balance. These anorexigenic and orexigenic neuropeptides in the arcuate nucleus include neuropeptide y (Npy), agouti-related peptide (Agrp), cocaine and amphetamine related transcript (Cart) and pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc). Recent studies also indicate that VGF nerve growth factor inducible (Vgf) in the arcuate nucleus is involved in the seasonal regulation of energy balance. In situ hybridization, qPCR and RNA-sequencing studies have identified that Pomc expression across fish, avian and mammalian species, is a neuroendocrine marker that reflects seasonal energetic states. Here we highlight that long-term changes in arcuate Pomc and Vgf expression is conserved across species and may provide rheostatic regulation of seasonal energy balance.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded in part by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant (TJS) and the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Wellcome Trust, the Government of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK [SBF004\1063] (GH). We would like to thank the British Society for Neuroendocrinology for their continuous support of our research.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stevenson, Professor Tyler
• Authors: Helfer, G., and Stevenson, T.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0303-7207
• ISSN (Online): 1872-8057
• Published Online: 27 May 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 514: 110876
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher