Although over 20 neuronally-expressed genes have been implicated in the regulation of body weight, the transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms through which these genes are expressed in response to changes in energy balance remain unclear. Recent evidence from my laboratory suggests that the NhIh2 transcription factor plays a key role in the regulation of hypothalamic genes controlling body weight. NhIh2 knockout mice (N2KO) display adult-onset obesity and NhIh2 is expressed in the hypothalamic regions that control appetite-including the arcuate ncuelus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. In dual-label in situ hybridization studies, we found that nearly all pro- opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the ARC expressed NhIh2. In these neurons, the POMC precursor protein is processed to alpha- melanocyte stimulating hormone (alphaMSH), a peptide that regulates food intake and energy expenditure. In studies comparing POMC mRNA and peptide levels in N2KO and normal mice, we found that while POMC mRNA levels were identical between the two groups, levels of two processed forms of POMC, beta-endorphin (betaEND) and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) were dramatically reduced, while levels of alphaMSH were modestly reduced in the N2KO animals. These findings suggest that N2KO animals could have a defect that reduces processing of the POMC precursor. Indeed, mRNA levels for two of the processing enzymes necessary for cleaving POMC into bioactive peptides prohormone convertases I (PC1) and II (PC2) were reduced up to 80 percent in N2KO animals. Thus, it is likely that PC1 and PC2 are direct gene regulatory targets of the NhIh2 transcription factor and that a reduction in fully processed neuropeptides contributes to obesity in the N2KO animals. In addition, we predict that NhIh2 is a direct target of leptin-signaling pathways, as it is expressed in the leptin-receptor containing POMC neurons and contains STAT motifs in its promoter. Based on these preliminary findings, we propose that positive energy balance increases the expression of NhIh2, which in turn increases the transcription rate of the PC1 and PC2 genes. To test this hypothesis, we will ask in the first two specific aims, if NhIh2, PC1 and PC2 are increased in response to a positive energy balance and if the of the PC1 and PC2 genes is lost in N2KO animals.
In specific aim 3, we will switch to a molecular investigation of the NhIh2 promoter to determine if AP1 and STAT3 transcription factors can bind to and transactivate the NhIh2 gene. We will then ask in specific aim 4 if the NhIh2 transcription factor, in cooperation with activated STAT3, binds to and transactivates the PC1 promoter. The proposed experiments use both molecular and animal-based approaches to ask a fundamental question about transcriptional and post- transcriptional mechanisms controlling body weight.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK059903-04
Application #
6841209
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-2 (01))
Program Officer
Yanovski, Susan Z
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2005-03-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$130,891
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
153926712
City
Amherst
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01003
Al Rayyan, Numan; Zhang, Jinhua; Burnside, Amy S et al. (2014) Leptin signaling regulates hypothalamic expression of nescient helix-loop-helix 2 (Nhlh2) through signal transducer and activator 3 (Stat3). Mol Cell Endocrinol 384:134-42
Al Rayyan, Numan; Wankhade, Umesh D; Bush, Korie et al. (2013) Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human nescient helix-loop-helix 2 (NHLH2) gene reduce mRNA stability and DNA binding. Gene 512:134-42
Wankhade, Umesh D; Good, Deborah J (2011) Melanocortin 4 receptor is a transcriptional target of nescient helix-loop-helix-2. Mol Cell Endocrinol 341:39-47
Wankhade, Umesh D; Vella, Kristen R; Fox, Dana L et al. (2010) Deletion of Nhlh2 results in a defective torpor response and reduced Beta adrenergic receptor expression in adipose tissue. PLoS One 5:e12324
Pesapane, Risa; Good, Deborah J (2009) Seizures in a colony of genetically obese mice. Lab Anim (NY) 38:81-3
Good, Deborah J; Coyle, Christopher A; Fox, Dana L (2008) Nhlh2: a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor controlling physical activity. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 36:187-92
Fox, Dana L; Good, Deborah J (2008) Nescient helix-loop-helix 2 interacts with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 to regulate transcription of prohormone convertase 1/3. Mol Endocrinol 22:1438-48
Fox, Dana L; Vella, Kristen R; Good, Deborah J (2007) Energy balance pathways converging on the Nhlh2 transcription factor. Front Biosci 12:3983-93
Vella, K R; Burnside, A S; Brennan, K M et al. (2007) Expression of the hypothalamic transcription factor Nhlh2 is dependent on energy availability. J Neuroendocrinol 19:499-510
Brennan, K M; Vella, K R; Good, D J (2006) Genetic analysis of NHLH2 and its putative role in bovine body weight control. Anim Genet 37 Suppl 1:24-7

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