Obesity and related metabolic dysfunctions, such as type 2 diabetes, have emerged as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed societies. The development of obesity and type 2 diabetes may be triggered or abrogated by central nervous system mechanisms. The hypothalamic melanocortin system plays an important role in the regulation of energy balance. The major anorexigenic peptide in the hypothalamus is alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (1-MSH), the product of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene. When released, 1-MSH is rapidly degraded, a process that is likely to play an important role in melanocortin signaling. We have identified a carboxylase enzyme, prolyl carboxypeptidase (PRCP), which is expressed in the hypothalamus and initiates degradation and inactivation of extracellular 1-MSH. We found that PRCP is expressed in neuronal populations that send efferents to areas where 1-MSH is released from axon terminals. We confirmed that 1-MSH1-13 is a substrate of PRCP, and PRCP-degraded 1-MSH (1-MSH1-12) is not neuroactive. Inhibition of PRCP activity by small molecule protease inhibitors administered peripherally or centrally decreased food intake in wild type as well as obese animals. In addition, whole body or lateral hypothalamic area-specific ablation of the PRCP gene resulted in resistance to diet-induced obesity. Taken together, these observations gave impetus to the central hypothesis of this proposal that PRCP is an important regulator of melanocortin signaling downstream of the melanocortin cells. We suggest that elevated PRCP activity promotes metabolic dysfunctions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. To further our understanding of the role of PRCP in metabolic regulation, we propose the following specific aims:
Specific Aim 1) we will study PRCP and melanocortin peptides levels in lean and obese mice.
Specific Aim 2) we will study leptin and ghrelin effects on PRCP.
Specific Aim 3) We will study PRCP in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The execution of the above specific aims will shed light on a novel central regulatory element in the regulation of energy metabolism. Successful completion of these studies will deliver new drug targets for metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal aims to investigate the role of a hypothalamic carboxylase in the regulation of brain circuits that control food intake and energy expenditure. Successful completion of these studies will deliver new drug targets for metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK084065-02
Application #
8055409
Study Section
Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology, and Behavior Study Section (NNB)
Program Officer
Sato, Sheryl M
Project Start
2010-04-05
Project End
2014-01-31
Budget Start
2011-02-01
Budget End
2012-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$339,978
Indirect Cost
Name
Yale University
Department
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
043207562
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520
Jeong, Jin Kwon; Diano, Sabrina (2014) Prolyl carboxypeptidase mRNA expression in the mouse brain. Brain Res 1542:85-92
Kim, Jung Dae; Toda, Chitoku; D'Agostino, Giuseppe et al. (2014) Hypothalamic prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) regulates pancreatic insulin and glucagon secretion in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:11876-81
Mattace Raso, G; Santoro, A; Russo, R et al. (2014) Palmitoylethanolamide prevents metabolic alterations and restores leptin sensitivity in ovariectomized rats. Endocrinology 155:1291-301
Jeong, Jin Kwon; Diano, Sabrina (2013) Prolyl carboxypeptidase and its inhibitors in metabolism. Trends Endocrinol Metab 24:61-7
D'Agostino, Giuseppe; Kim, Jung Dae; Liu, Zhong-Wu et al. (2013) Prolyl endopeptidase-deficient mice have reduced synaptic spine density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, impaired LTP, and spatial learning and memory. Cereb Cortex 23:2007-14
Kwon Jeong, Jin; Dae Kim, Jung; Diano, Sabrina (2013) Ghrelin regulates hypothalamic prolyl carboxypeptidase expression in mice. Mol Metab 2:23-30
Jeong, Jin Kwon; Szabo, Gyorgyi; Raso, Giuseppina Mattace et al. (2012) Deletion of prolyl carboxypeptidase attenuates the metabolic effects of diet-induced obesity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 302:E1502-10
Brown, Whitney H; Gillum, Matthew P; Lee, Hui-Young et al. (2012) Fatty acid amide hydrolase ablation promotes ectopic lipid storage and insulin resistance due to centrally mediated hypothyroidism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:14966-71
Rabey, F M; Gadepalli, R S V S; Diano, S et al. (2012) Influence of a novel inhibitor (UM8190) of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) on appetite and thrombosis. Curr Med Chem 19:4194-206
Jeong, Jin Kwon; Szabo, Gyorgyi; Kelly, Kaitlin et al. (2012) Prolyl carboxypeptidase regulates energy expenditure and the thyroid axis. Endocrinology 153:683-9

Showing the most recent 10 out of 14 publications