Open AccessPro-opiomelanocortin Neurons and the Transcriptional Regulation of Motivated Exercise
Author(s) -
Deborah J. Good,
Haiyan Zhang,
Robert W. Grange,
Thomas Braun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
exercise and sport sciences reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1538-3008
pISSN - 0091-6331
DOI - 10.1249/jes.0000000000000219
Subject(s) - basic helix loop helix , neuroscience , transcription factor , biology , knockout mouse , endocrinology , gene , genetics , dna binding protein
Hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are key sensory neurons for energy balance. The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor NHLH2 is expressed in POMC neurons, and Nhlh2 knockout mice show adult-onset obesity with low exercise behavior. Evidence is presented to explore the hypothesis that NHLH2 transcriptional activity within POMC neurons is crucial for maintaining motivated spontaneous activity and enforced exercise.