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Chronic high prolactin levels impact on gene expression at discrete hypothalamic nuclei involved in food intake
Author(s) -
LopezVicchi Felicitas,
Ladyman Sharon R.,
Ornstein Ana Maria,
Gustafson Papillon,
Knowles Penelope,
Luque Guillermina Maria,
Grattan David R.,
BecuVillalobos Damasia
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.201902357r
Subject(s) - prolactin , food intake , gene , gene expression , endocrinology , medicine , biology , expression (computer science) , physiology , genetics , hormone , computer science , programming language
To study the pathological effects of continuous hyperprolactinemia on food intake mechanisms we used female mice that lack dopamine D2 receptors in lactotropes (lacDrd2KO). These mice had lifelong hyperprolactinemia, increased food intake, and gradual development of obesity from 5 to 10 months of age. Ongoing endogenous prolactin signaling in lacDrd2KO mice was evidenced by increased basal phosphorylation of STAT5b in hypothalamic areas related to food intake, such as the arcuate (ARN), dorsomedial (DMN), and ventromedial nuclei. In the ARN of young lacDrd2KO mice there were higher Prlr mRNA levels and in obese 10‐month‐old lacDrd2KO mice increased expression of the orexigenic genes Neuropeptide Y ( Npy ) and Agouti‐related peptide, compared to controls. Furthermore, Npy expression was increased in the DMN, probably contributing to increased food intake and decreased expression of Uncoupling protein‐1 in brown adipose tissue, both events favoring weight gain. Leptin resistance in obese lacD2RKO mice was evidenced by its failure to lower food intake and a dampened response of STAT3 phosphorylation, specifically in the mediobasal hypothalamus. Our results suggest that pathological chronically high prolactin levels, as found in psychiatric treatments or patients with prolactinomas, may impact on specific hypothalamic nuclei altering gene expression, leptin response, and food intake.