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Neuropilin‐1 expression in GnRH neurons regulates prepubertal weight gain and sexual attraction
Author(s) -
Vanacker Charlotte,
Trova Sara,
Shruti Sonal,
Casoni Filippo,
Messina Andrea,
Croizier Sophie,
Malone Samuel,
Ternier Gaetan,
Hanchate Naresh Kumar,
Rasika S,
Bouret Sebastien G,
Ciofi Philippe,
Giacobini Paolo,
Prevot Vincent
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.2020104633
Subject(s) - semaphorin , neuropilin 1 , medicine , olfactory bulb , endocrinology , biology , hypothalamus , receptor , olfactory system , neuroscience , central nervous system , vascular endothelial growth factor , vegf receptors
Hypothalamic neurons expressing gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH), the “master molecule” regulating reproduction and fertility, migrate from their birthplace in the nose to their destination using a system of guidance cues, which include the semaphorins and their receptors, the neuropilins and plexins, among others. Here, we show that selectively deleting neuropilin‐1 in new GnRH neurons enhances their survival and migration, resulting in excess neurons in the hypothalamus and in their unusual accumulation in the accessory olfactory bulb, as well as an acceleration of mature patterns of activity. In female mice, these alterations result in early prepubertal weight gain, premature attraction to male odors, and precocious puberty. Our findings suggest that rather than being influenced by peripheral energy state, GnRH neurons themselves, through neuropilin–semaphorin signaling, might engineer the timing of puberty by regulating peripheral adiposity and behavioral switches, thus acting as a bridge between the reproductive and metabolic axes.