Heterogeneity of hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin-expressing neurons revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing

Abstract

Arcuate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are critical nodes in the control of body weight. Often characterized simply as direct targets for leptin, recent data suggest a more complex architecture. Using single cell RNA sequencing, we have generated an atlas of gene expression in murine POMC neurons. Of 163 neurons, 118 expressed high levels of Pomc with little/no Agrp expression and were considered “canonical” POMC neurons (P+). The other 45/163 expressed low levels of Pomc and high levels of Agrp (A+P+). Unbiased clustering analysis of P+ neurons revealed four different classes, each with distinct cell surface receptor gene expression profiles. Further, only 12% (14/118) of P+ neurons expressed the leptin receptor (Lepr) compared with 58% (26/45) of A+P+ neurons. In contrast, the insulin receptor (Insr) was expressed at similar frequency on P+ and A+P+ neurons (64% and 55%, respectively). These data reveal arcuate POMC neurons to be a highly heterogeneous population. Accession Numbers: GSE92707.

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Cited by papers we hold 5

• Ethanol consumption activates a subset of arcuate nucleus pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC)‐producing neurons: a c‐fos immunohistochemistry study · 2022
  Not checked
• Functionally distinct POMC-expressing neuron subpopulations in hypothalamus revealed by intersectional targeting · 2021
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• Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor-Expressing Cells in the Hypothalamus Regulate Food Intake · 2019
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• Molecular Architecture of the Mouse Nervous System · 2018
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• Development and Function of the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Context of Metabolic Control · 2017
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