mGluR5 functionally interacts with estrogen receptors and is required in the female ventromedial hypothalamus for the regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis
Panessiti, Micaella.
2017
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Abstract: The metabolic syndrome, characterized by dysregulated glycemic
control and lipid metabolism, disproportionately affects postmenopausal women and is a
major public health concern. The central mechanisms governing peripheral glucose and lipid
homeostasis and the role of estrogens in these systems are poorly understood. Previous
investigations demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophi... read morec factor (BDNF) in the
ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is a critical regulator of energy and glucose metabolism.
We found that metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) was markedly reduced in
the VMH of mutant mice with global BDNF depletion. Thus, we hypothesize that mGluR5 may be
acting within this nucleus to mediate energy and glucose balance. We show that mGluR5 in
steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1)+ neurons, which are exclusive to the VMH, serves an essential
and sex-specific role in glycemic control and lipid metabolism. Accordingly, female but not
male mice with mGluR5 deletion in SF1+ neurons (mGluR52L/2L:SF1-cre) exhibit severe glucose
intolerance, insulin resistance and triglyceride accumulation in white adipose tissue
accompanied by adipocyte hypertrophy. Reduced excitability of SF1+ neurons and diminished
sympathetic tone was observed exclusively in mGluR52L/2L:SF1-cre females and underlie these
metabolic alterations. Moreover, sex-specific effects of mGluR5 are explained by its
necessity in mediating the beneficial effects of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) signaling on
glucose balance control in females. Collectively, these findings inform a novel and
critical synergism between mGluR5 and estrogen receptors in the control of VMH neuronal
activity, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. These results are significant as
central mechanisms predisposing estrogen deficient postmenopausal women to increased risk
of metabolic symptoms remain elusive.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2017.
Submitted to the Dept. of Neuroscience.
Advisor: Maribel Rios.
Committee: Jamie Maguire, and Peter Juo.
Keyword: Neurosciences.read less - ID:
- w3763k052
- Component ID:
- tufts:23407
- To Cite:
- DCA Citation Guide EndNote
