BIOHW 13 |
| Although diverse neural circuits, transmitters, and neuromodulators are involved in the central nervous system regulation of energy homeostasis, a few thousand peptidergic neurons within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that produce proopiomelanocortin (POMC) play an essential role in the prevention of caloric intake in excess of metabolic demand. This control is achieved through their integrative processing of relevant synaptic, metabolic, and hormonal inputs and efferent projections to multiple brain areas involved in different aspects of energy balance, ranging from basic reward pathways, appetitive drive, hypophyseotropic neurosecretion, taste perception, and central oromotor pattern generation, to autonomic outflow. Our laboratory has utilized genetically engineered mouse models and neuropharmacology to further define the functional anatomy of these POMC neural circuits. This presentation will focus on the molecular mechanisms controlling neuron-specific expression of the POMC gene and the impact of disordered central POMC expression on feeding behavior and meal patterning. |
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Genomics of Obesity
8:15 AM-12:05 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 BCEC -- 203, Oral
Biotechnology of Health and Wellness |