Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Brainstem Raphe Pallidus And The Adjacent Area Contain A Novel Action Site In The Melanocortin Circuitry Regulating Energy Balance, Liugen Lei, Yan Gu, Jonathan G. Murphy, Pinxuan Yu, James L. Smart, Malcolm J. Low, Wei Fan

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

The central melanocortin system plays a critical role in the regulation of energy balance in rodents and humans. The melanocortin signals in both the hypothalamus and brainstem contribute to this regulation. However, how the melanocortin signals of the hypothalamus interact with those intrinsic to the brainstem in the regulation of energy balance is poorly understood. The brainstem raphe pallidus (RPa) and adjacent areas contain melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4-R)-bearing neurons and sympathetic premotor neurons regulating thermogenesis. Here we report that α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-immunoreactive (IR) fibers are in close apposition to MC4-R neurons in the RPa. Retrograde tracing studies revealed a unique …