Horm Metab Res 2020; 52(09): 676-684
DOI: 10.1055/a-1196-2059
Endocrine Research

Endogenous NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 Regulates Energy Homeostasis Under Physiological Conditions in Male Rats

Anna-Maria Wilz
1   Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Kerstin Wernecke
1   Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Lena Appel
1   Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Johanna Kahrs
1   Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Riccardo Dore
1   Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
2   Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Olaf Jöhren
2   Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Hendrik Lehnert
1   Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
2   Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Carla Schulz
1   Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
2   Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Funding Information: This work was partly funded by the Deutsche Diabetes Stiftung (333/02/13) to C.S.
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Abstract

Nesfatin-1 is the proteolytic cleavage product of Nucleobindin 2, which is expressed both in a number of brain nuclei (e. g., the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus) and peripheral tissues. While Nucleobindin 2 acts as a calcium binding protein, nesfatin-1 was shown to affect energy homeostasis upon central nervous administration by decreasing food intake and increasing thermogenesis. In turn, Nucleobindin 2 mRNA expression is downregulated in starvation and upregulated in the satiated state. Still, knowledge about the physiological role of endogenous Nucleobindin 2/nesfatin-1 in the control of energy homeostasis is limited and since its receptor has not yet been identified, rendering pharmacological blockade impossible. To overcome this obstacle, we tested and successfully established an antibody-based experimental model to antagonize the action of nesfatin-1. This model was then employed to investigate the physiological role of endogenous Nucleobindin 2/nesfatin-1. To this end, we applied nesfatin-1 antibody into the paraventricular nucleus of satiated rats to antagonize the presumably high endogenous Nucleobindin 2/nesfatin-1 levels in this feeding condition. In these animals, nesfatin-1 antibody administration led to a significant decrease in thermogenesis, demonstrating the important role of endogenous Nucleobindin 2/nesfatin-1in the regulation of energy expenditure. Additionally, food and water intake were significantly increased, confirming and complementing previous findings. Moreover, neuropeptide Y was identified as a major downstream target of endogenous Nucleobindin 2/nesfatin-1.



Publication History

Received: 31 July 2019

Accepted: 04 June 2020

Article published online:
28 July 2020

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

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