Glucose-sensing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus regulate glucose metabolism

Sci Adv. 2022 Jun 10;8(23):eabn5345. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abn5345. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates energy homeostasis via activation of the GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) in the central nervous system. However, the mechanism by which the central GLP-1 signal controls blood glucose levels, especially in different nutrient states, remains unclear. Here, we defined a population of glucose-sensing GLP-1R neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH), by which endogenous GLP-1 decreases glucose levels via the cross-talk between the hypothalamus and pancreas. Specifically, we illustrated the sufficiency and necessity of DMHGLP-1R in glucose regulation. The activation of the DMHGLP-1R neurons is mediated by a cAMP-PKA-dependent inhibition of a delayed rectifier potassium current. We also dissected a descending control of DMHGLP-1R -dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV)-pancreas activity that can regulate glucose levels by increasing insulin release. Thus, our results illustrate how central GLP-1 action in the DMH can induce a nutrient state-dependent reduction in blood glucose level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / metabolism
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor* / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Hypothalamus* / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Glucose