Obesity is a Surgical Problem

描述(由申请者提供)：美国社会正在经历肥胖症的流行。由于下丘脑在控制体重中的关键作用，本研究的长期目标一直是研究下丘脑弓状核参与能量稳态的基因。拟议的研究集中在下丘脑黑素皮质素能系统，该系统已成为基础研究和药物开发的焦点。该系统包含α-黑素细胞刺激素(1-MSH)和黑素皮质素受体(MCR)亚型MC3R和MC4R。1-MSH是一种强烈的饱腹感诱导因子，通过结合和激活MC3R和MC4R来调节其作用。一项对下丘脑基因表达变化的持续分析发现，Ankyrin Repeat and SoCS box Containing Protein 4(Asb-4)是一个非常有前途的研究目标。ASB-4是中枢神经系统能量平衡回路中重要的细胞内调节蛋白，在下丘脑神经元中受到高度调控。这项拟议的研究包含四个具体目标：1)研究替代的黑素皮质素信号通路。我们假设MC3R和MC4R除了在下丘脑神经元中激活公认的环状AMP依赖的过程外，还激活了丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶信号通路。2)探讨黑素皮质素信号在c-jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)调控中的作用。我们推测MC3R和MC4R通过Asb-4调节弓状核的JNK活性。3)阐明Asb-4的转录调控。我们假设Asb-4在下丘脑的表达受黑素皮质肽1-MSH的调节。4)确定Asb-4在摄食行为中的作用。我们推测，锚蛋白重复序列和含有蛋白4的SoCS盒是下丘脑神经元中一种重要的细胞内蛋白。我们推测，在下丘脑前阿片黑素皮质素原神经元中定向过表达Asb-4将减少摄食量，增加能量消耗，并有助于抵抗高脂饮食诱导的肥胖。与公共健康相关：美国社会正在经历肥胖症的流行。下丘脑是大脑中控制食欲和食物摄入量的重要区域，是这些研究的重点。该提案仔细研究了下丘脑黑素皮质素信号系统，这是一种重要的能量调节系统，被认为可以影响食欲、能量消耗和葡萄糖代谢。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): American society is experiencing an epidemic of obesity. Because of the key role of the hypothalamus in controlling body weight, the long-term objective of this research has been to examine arcuate nucleus hypothalamic genes involved in energy homeostasis. The proposed studies focus upon the hypothalamic melanocortinergic system which has become a focal point for basic research and drug development. That system contains alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (1-MSH) and melanocortin receptor (MCR) subtypes MC3R and MC4R. 1-MSH is a potent satiety-inducing factor that mediates its effects by binding and activating MC3R and MC4R. A continuing analysis of hypothalamic gene expression changes has identified ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing protein 4 (Asb-4) as a very promising investigative target. Asb-4 is an important intracellular regulatory protein in CNS energy homeostatic circuits that is highly regulated in hypothalamic neurons. The proposed research is contained in four specific aims: 1) To examine alternative melanocortin signaling pathways. We hypothesize that MC3R and MC4R activate mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in addition to well- recognized cyclic AMP-dependent processes in hypothalamic neurons. 2) To determine the role of melanocortin signaling in regulation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). We hypothesize that MC3R and MC4R, via Asb-4, regulate arcuate nucleus JNK activity. 3) To elucidate transcriptional regulation of Asb-4. We hypothesize that Asb-4 expression in the hypothalamus is regulated by the melanocortinergic peptide, 1-MSH. 4) To determine the role Asb-4 in feeding behavior. We hypothesize that ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing protein 4 is a crucial intracellular protein in hypothalamic neurons. We hypothesize that directed overexpression of Asb-4 in hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin neurons will decrease food intake, increase energy expenditure and confe resistance to high fat diet-induced obesity. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: American Society is experiencing an epidemic of obesity. The hypothalamis, an area in the brain that is essential in control of appetite and food intake, is the focus of these investigations. The proposal examines carefully the hypothalamic melanocortin signaling system, an important energy regulatory system that has postulated to effect appetite, energy expenditure, and glucose metabolism.