Skip to Content
Merck
  • AgRP neurons control structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex.

AgRP neurons control structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex.

Molecular psychiatry (2022-07-30)
Bernardo Stutz, Michael J Waterson, Matija Šestan-Peša, Marcelo O Dietrich, Mario Škarica, Nenad Sestan, Bence Racz, Aletta Magyar, Peter Sotonyi, Zhong-Wu Liu, Xiao-Bing Gao, Ferenc Matyas, Milan Stoiljkovic, Tamas L Horvath
ABSTRACT

Hypothalamic agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y-expressing (AgRP) neurons have a critical role in both feeding and non-feeding behaviors of newborn, adolescent, and adult mice, suggesting their broad modulatory impact on brain functions. Here we show that constitutive impairment of AgRP neurons or their peripubertal chemogenetic inhibition resulted in both a numerical and functional reduction of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice. These changes were accompanied by alteration of oscillatory network activity in mPFC, impaired sensorimotor gating, and altered ambulatory behavior that could be reversed by the administration of clozapine, a non-selective dopamine receptor antagonist. The observed AgRP effects are transduced to mPFC in part via dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and may also be conveyed by medial thalamic neurons. Our results unmasked a previously unsuspected role for hypothalamic AgRP neurons in control of neuronal pathways that regulate higher-order brain functions during development and in adulthood.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-Tyrosine Hydroxylase Antibody, clone LNC1, ascites fluid, clone LNC1, Chemicon®
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-CUX1 antibody produced in rabbit, Prestige Antibodies® Powered by Atlas Antibodies, affinity isolated antibody, buffered aqueous glycerol solution
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-NeuN Antibody, clone A60, clone A60, Chemicon®, from mouse
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-BCL11B antibody produced in rabbit, Prestige Antibodies® Powered by Atlas Antibodies, affinity isolated antibody, buffered aqueous glycerol solution
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-Olig-2 Antibody, Chemicon®, from rabbit
Sigma-Aldrich
Monoclonal Anti-S100B antibody produced in mouse, Prestige Antibodies® Powered by Atlas Antibodies, clone CL2720, purified immunoglobulin, buffered aqueous glycerol solution