The nerve cells, also called neurons, in our brain control all the basic processes of our body. For this reason, there are different types of neurons distributed over specific regions of the brain. Researchers have developed an approach that allows them to show that neurons that are supposedly the same are actually very different: they not only sense different hormones for the body's energy state, but also have a different influence on food intake. This can have a direct effect on our metabolism, for example by differentially restraining our appetite.
The brain processes our sensory perceptions, controls our behaviour and stores our memories. Because of these many functions, different types of nerve cells with specific tasks exist in different regions of our brain. One such type of nerve cells are the so-called POMC neurons, which play an important role in the metabolism of our body.
"POMC neurons are critically involved in the control of appetite, energy expenditure and metabolism," explains the first author of the study. "In recent years, it has been increasingly confirmed that POMC neurons are more diverse than previously thought." Such differences result, for example, from a different response to hormones secreted by the body and are only noticeable when individual POMC neurons are compared with each other. In such a case, scientists refer to different subtypes of neurons. "Whether the different subtypes also play a different role in metabolism has not been clarified so far," says the author.
"We have now succeeded in making different subtypes of neurons visible in mice at the genetic level and thus were able to subject them to more detailed investigation", says the author.
"Using this new, genetic approach, we were able to describe two different subtypes of POMC neurons in detail for the first time. For example, our results show a different distribution of the two subtypes within the same specific brain region. Moreover, they sense different hormones for the body's energy state. The two subtypes even act differently on food intake, with one part of the POMC neurons suppressing appetite more potently than the other.”
Because of the influence of POMC neurons on metabolism and food intake, these observations could also be relevant to diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
"We were able to show for the first time that the diversity of POMC neurons is important for their function in the control of metabolism. In further experiments, we would like to increasingly address the questions of how the two subtypes of POMC neurons influence metabolism in detail and which neuronal circuits in the brain they engage to carry out their effects", the author says. "More generally, however, the approach we have developed can also be used to identify cell subtypes in other organs and for other types of cells. This could lead to many more insights into the diversity of our body's cells."
https://www.mpg.de/16905268/same-nerve-cell-different-influence-on-food-intake
http://sciencemission.com/site/index.php?page=news&type=view&id=publications%2Ffunctionally-distinct&filter=22
Identical brain neurons have different influence on food intake
- 1,063 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Nanoparticle delivery of FZ…
By newseditor
Posted 14 May
Cell vulnerability 'fingerp…
By newseditor
Posted 14 May
Human skeletal muscle aging…
By newseditor
Posted 13 May
Disruption of organellar co…
By newseditor
Posted 13 May
Functional heterogeneity of…
By newseditor
Posted 13 May
Other Top Stories
'Mindreading' neurons identified!
Read more
Restoring the neuronal connectivity in dementia
Read more
An implant for nerve stimulation to treat stroke
Read more
Body parts respond to day and night independently from brain
Read more
New imaging tool for diagnosing heart disease
Read more
Protocols
Mime-seq 2.0: a method to s…
By newseditor
Posted 13 May
Improved detection of DNA r…
By newseditor
Posted 09 May
Single-cell adhesive profil…
By newseditor
Posted 07 May
Parasympathetic neurons der…
By newseditor
Posted 07 May
Non-invasive measurements o…
By newseditor
Posted 05 May
Publications
Messenger RNA transport on…
By newseditor
Posted 14 May
FOXF1 promotes tumor vessel…
By newseditor
Posted 14 May
Spatial transcriptomics rev…
By newseditor
Posted 14 May
The microbiota drives diurn…
By newseditor
Posted 14 May
Mitigation of TDP-43 toxic…
By newseditor
Posted 14 May
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar