A groundbreaking discovery in the fight against obesity has identified a previously unknown population of neurons in the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for regulating hunger and satiety.These neurons, dubbed BNC2 neurons, play a crucial role in controlling appetite and could pave the way for more effective obesity treatments.
Obesity is a pressing public health concern in the United States, affecting a staggering 40% of adults and 20% of children. While new therapies are emerging, the complex brain-body connection governing appetite remains largely a mystery. This latest research sheds light on a key player in this intricate system.
Published in the December 5th issue of Nature, the study, conducted by researchers from Rockefeller University, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and other institutions, reveals that BNC2 neurons are highly responsive to leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells that signals fullness to the brain.
“We’ve long known that the hypothalamus plays a role in hunger, hormone levels, stress responses, and body temperature,” explained Dr. Brian Herb,a scientist at the Institute for Genome Science (IGS) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “Our earlier research, published in 2023 in Science Advances, was the first to use single-cell technology to map the cells in the developing hypothalamus in humans.”
In this new study, researchers genetically disrupted leptin receptors in BNC2 neurons in mice. The result? The mice ate more and gained weight,highlighting the critical role these neurons play in energy balance.
What sets BNC2 neurons apart from previously known populations is their unique responsiveness to both leptin and food-related sensory cues.”In addition, researchers added fluorescence to the BNC2 neurons and noticed when they fed mice after fasting, the BCN2 neurons activated, whereas previously known neuronal populations in the hypothalamus did not react,” the study authors noted.
This discovery opens up exciting new avenues for developing targeted therapies for obesity. By focusing on BNC2 neurons, researchers might potentially be able to develop drugs that effectively regulate appetite and promote weight loss without the unwanted side effects frequently enough associated with current treatments.
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland has uncovered a previously unknown set of neurons that play a crucial role in regulating appetite and energy balance. This discovery could pave the way for novel treatments for obesity.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature, the research focused on a specific population of neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, a brain region known to be involved in controlling hunger and satiety. These neurons express both receptors for leptin, a hormone that signals fullness, and the BNC2 gene.
“It makes sense that this new research discovered a previously unknown set of neurons that regulate energy and food intake,” said Dr. Herb, lead author of the study.
Through a series of experiments using mice, the researchers found that these BNC2 neurons not only suppress hunger but also respond to sensory cues related to food, such as taste and nutritional content. For instance,when researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to delete the leptin receptor (LEPR) in these neurons,the mice exhibited increased food consumption and weight gain compared to control mice.
furthermore, by tagging the BNC2 neurons with fluorescent markers, the researchers observed that these neurons became activated when mice where fed after a period of fasting, while other known hunger-regulating neurons in the hypothalamus remained inactive.
“These findings add a critical new component to our understanding of how neurons impact appetite and obesity,” Dr.Herb explained. “This could be a future target for obesity treatment, such as by activating these neurons to reduce weight or suppress hunger.”
The study’s findings shed light on the complex neural circuitry underlying appetite regulation and offer a promising new avenue for developing effective obesity treatments. By targeting these newly identified BNC2 neurons, researchers might potentially be able to develop therapies that directly address the underlying mechanisms of overeating and weight gain.
About this Appetite and Neuroscience Research News
Table of Contents
Author: Heide Aungst
Source: University of Maryland
Contact: Heide Aungst – University of Maryland
Image: Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Leptin activated Hypothalamic BNC2 Neurons Acutely Suppress Food Intake” by Brian Herb et al. nature
Abstract
Leptin is an adipose tissue hormone that maintains homeostatic control of adipose tissue mass by regulating the activity of specific neural populations controlling appetite and metabolism.
Leptin regulates food intake by inhibiting orexigenic agouti-related protein (AGRP) neurons and activating anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. However,whereas AGRP neurons regulate food intake on a rapid time scale,acute activation of POMC neurons has only a minimal effect.
This has raised the possibility that there is a heretofore unidentified leptin-regulated neural population that rapidly suppresses appetite.
Here we report the discovery of a new population of leptin-target neurons expressing basonuclin 2 (Bnc2) in the arcuate nucleus that acutely suppress appetite by directly inhibiting AGRP neurons.
Opposite to the effect of AGRP activation, BNC2 neuronal activation elicited a place preference indicative of positive valence in hungry but not fed mice. the activity of BNC2 neurons is modulated by leptin, sensory food cues and nutritional status.
deleting leptin receptors in BNC2 neurons caused marked hyperphagia and obesity, similar to that observed in a leptin receptor knockout in AGRP neurons.
These data indicate that BNC2-expressing neurons are a key component of the neural circuit that maintains energy balance, thus filling an significant gap in our understanding of the regulation of food intake and leptin action.
A groundbreaking discovery in the field of archaeology has unearthed a trove of ancient artifacts in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The find, hailed as one of the most significant in recent decades, sheds new light on the complex history and complex culture of pre-Columbian civilizations in South america.
The excavation, led by a team of international researchers, uncovered a vast network of interconnected settlements dating back over 1,000 years. Among the remarkable discoveries are intricately carved stone sculptures, elaborate pottery adorned with enigmatic symbols, and remnants of sophisticated agricultural systems.
“This discovery fully rewrites our understanding of the pre-Columbian Amazon,” said Dr. Elena ramirez, lead archaeologist on the project. “It demonstrates the existence of a highly organized and technologically advanced society that thrived in this region long before European contact.”
The artifacts reveal a culture deeply connected to the natural world, with depictions of animals, plants, and celestial bodies prominently featured in their art. Researchers believe these symbols may hold clues to the society’s religious beliefs and understanding of the cosmos.
“The level of detail and artistry in these artifacts is truly astonishing,” remarked dr. Ramirez. “It speaks to the ingenuity and creativity of these ancient people.”
the team is currently working to analyze the artifacts and map the extent of the settlements. They hope that further research will unlock more secrets about this lost civilization and its place in the broader history of the Americas.
This groundbreaking discovery not only expands our knowledge of the past but also highlights the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest,a region teeming with untold cultural and historical treasures.
# Paragraph Conversion and Insight
You’ve provided a structured excerpt from a news article about a groundbreaking study on **appetite regulation.** Here’s a breakdown of the essential facts and some insights from the text:
**Key Findings:**
* **New Appetite-controlling Neurons:** Researchers uncovered a previously unknown set of neurons in the hypothalamus (brain region responsible for hunger and satiety) that play a crucial role in appetite regulation. These neurons express both leptin receptors (wich signal fullness) and the *BNC2* gene.
* **BNC2 Neurons Suppress Hunger:** Experiments showed that these *BNC2* neurons actively suppress hunger and respond to food-related sensory cues like taste and nutritional content.
* **Leptin’s Role:** Deleting leptin receptors in these neurons lead to increased food intake and weight gain in mice, highlighting leptin’s importance in regulating these neurons.
* **Activation by Feeding:** when mice were fed after fasting, *BNC2* neurons became activated, while other known hunger-regulating neurons in the hypothalamus didn’t.
**Meaning:**
* **Potential for New Obesity Treatments:** This finding opens up exciting avenues for developing targeted therapies for obesity. By focusing on *BNC2* neurons, researchers could perhaps create drugs to regulate appetite and promote weight loss more effectively and with fewer side effects.
**additional information Provided:**
* **Source:** University of Maryland
* **Publication:** The study is published in the prestigious journal *Nature*.
* **Lead Researcher:** Dr.Brian Herb
* **Abstract:** A summarized overview of the study’s methods and findings is included.
**Paragraph Structure:**
The text effectively utilizes WordPress paragraph blocks to present information in a logical and easy-to-read manner. the inclusion of a figure and caption further enhances the understanding of the study’s findings.
**Overall:** This news snippet highlights a significant breakthrough in neuroscience related to appetite regulation.
The potential implications for treating obesity are substantial, making this research a crucial step toward developing more effective and targeted therapies.
