GLP-1R signaling directly activates arcuate nucleus kisspeptin action in brain slices but does not rescue luteinizing hormone inhibition in ovariectomized mice during negative energy balance

Kristy M. Heppner, Arian F. Baquero, Camdin M. Bennett, Sarah R. Lindsley, Melissa A. Kirigiti, Baylin Bennett, Martha A. Bosch, Aaron J. Mercer, Oline K. Rønnekleiv, Cadence True, Kevin L. Grove, M. Susan Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) are key components of the hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis, as they regulate the basal pulsatile release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). ARC Kiss1 action is dependent on energy status, and unmasking metabolic factors responsible for modulating ARC Kiss1 neurons is of great importance. One possible factor is glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), an anorexigenic neuropeptide produced by brainstem preproglucagon neurons. Because GLP fiber projections and the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) are abundant in the ARC, we hypothesized that GLP-1R signaling could modulate ARC Kiss1 action. Using ovariectomized mice, we found that GLP-producing fibers come in close apposition with ARC Kiss1 neurons; these neurons also contain Glp1r mRNA. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that liraglutide (a long-acting GLP-1R agonist) increased action potential firing and caused a direct membrane depolarization of ARC Kiss1 cells in brain slices. We determined that brainstem preproglucagon mRNA is decreased after a 48-h fast in mice, a negative energy state in which ARC Kiss1 expression and downstream GnRH/luteinizing hormone (LH) release are potently suppressed. However, activation of GLP-1R signaling in fasted mice with liraglutide was not sufficient to prevent LH inhibition. Furthermore, chronic central infusions of the GLP-1R antagonist, exendin (9–39), in ad libitum–fed mice did not alter ARC Kiss1 mRNA or plasma LH. As a whole, these data identify a novel interaction of the GLP-1 system with ARC Kiss1 neurons but indicate that CNS GLP-1R signaling alone is not critical for the maintenance of LH during fasting or normal feeding.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere0198
JournaleNeuro
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 5 2017

Keywords

  • Fasting
  • GLP-1
  • Hypothalamus
  • Kisspeptin
  • LH
  • Liraglutide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'GLP-1R signaling directly activates arcuate nucleus kisspeptin action in brain slices but does not rescue luteinizing hormone inhibition in ovariectomized mice during negative energy balance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this