The role of MicroRNA in the modulation of the melanocortinergic system

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Abstract

The central control of energy balance involves a highly regulated neuronal network within the hypothalamus and the dorsal vagal complex. In these structures, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are known to reduce meal size and to increase energy expenditure. In addition, leptin, a peripheral signal that relays information regarding body fat content, modulates the activity of melanocortin pathway neurons including POMC-, Agouti-related peptide (AgRP)/Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, melanocortin receptors (MC3R and MC4R)-expressing neurons. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs of 22-26 nucleotides that post-transcriptionally interfere with target gene expression by binding to their mRNAs. Evidence has demonstrated that miRNAs play important roles in the central regulation of energy balance. In this context, different studies identified miRNAs including miR-200 family, miR-103, or miR-488 that could target the genes of melanocortin pathway. More precisely, these different miRNAs can modulate energy homeostasis by affecting leptin transduction pathway in the POMC, or AgRP/NPY neurons. This article reviews the role of identified miRNAs in the modulation of melanocortin pathway in the context of energy homeostasis.

Figures

  • FIGURE 1 | The miRNAs in POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons and the central regulation of energy balance. The neurons of the melanocortin pathway integrate peripheral signals as ghrelin or leptin that modulate the expression of POMC, NPY, AgRP, and miRNAs genes. Then the melancortin pathway elicits adaptive responses like food intake, energy expenditure, or glucose homeostasis. AgRP, agouti related peptide; ARC, arcuate nucleus; BAT, brown adipose tissue; DMH, dorsomedial hypothalamus; LepRb, leptin receptor type b; LHA, lateral hypothalamus area; ME, median eminence; miRNA, microRNA; NPY, neuropeptide Y; GHSR, ghrelin receptor; POMC, pro-opiomelanocortin; PVN, paraventricular nucleus; VMH, ventromedial hypothalamus; WAT, white adipose tissue; 3V, third ventricle.
  • FIGURE 2 | Function of micro-RNAs in the control of melanocortin neurons activity by leptin. Akt, serine-threonine protein kinase; IRS-2, insulin receptor substrate 2; JAK2, janus kinase 2; LepRb, leptin receptor type b; mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin; Pi3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; POMC, pro-opiomelanocortin; SH2B1, Src homology 2 B adaptor protein 1; STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; ?, unexplored pathways.

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APA

Derghal, A., Djelloul, M., Trouslard, J., & Mounien, L. (2017, April 5). The role of MicroRNA in the modulation of the melanocortinergic system. Frontiers in Neuroscience. Frontiers Research Foundation. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2017.00181

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