NPY/AgRP neurons are essential for feeding in adult mice but can be ablated in neonates

S Luquet, FA Perez, TS Hnasko, RD Palmiter - Science, 2005 - science.org
S Luquet, FA Perez, TS Hnasko, RD Palmiter
Science, 2005science.org
Hypothalamic neurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein
(AgRP) are thought to be critical regulators of feeding behavior and body weight. To
determine whether NPY/AgRP neurons are essential in mice, we targeted the human
diphtheria toxin receptor to the Agrp locus, which allows temporally controlled ablation of
NPY/AgRP neurons to occur after an injection of diphtheria toxin. Neonatal ablation of
NPY/AgRP neurons had minimal effects on feeding, whereas their ablation in adults caused …
Hypothalamic neurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) are thought to be critical regulators of feeding behavior and body weight. To determine whether NPY/AgRP neurons are essential in mice, we targeted the human diphtheria toxin receptor to the Agrp locus, which allows temporally controlled ablation of NPY/AgRP neurons to occur after an injection of diphtheria toxin. Neonatal ablation of NPY/AgRP neurons had minimal effects on feeding, whereas their ablation in adults caused rapid starvation. These results suggest that network-based compensatory mechanisms can develop after the ablation of NPY/AgRP neurons in neonates but do not readily occur when these neurons become essential in adults.
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