The role of the essential trace element selenium in hypothalamic physiology has begun to come to light over recent years. Selenium is used to synthesize a family of proteins participating in redox reactions called selenoproteins, which contain a selenocysteine residue in place of a cysteine. Past studies have shown that disrupted selenoprotein expression in the hypothalamus can adversely impact energy homeostasis. There is also evidence that selenium supports leptin signaling in the hypothalamus by maintaining proper redox balance. In this study, we generated mice with conditional knockout of the selenocysteine tRNA[Ser]Sec gene (Trsp) in an orexigenic cell population called agouti-related peptide (Agrp)-positive neurons. We found that female TrspAgrpKO mice gain less weight while on a high-fat diet, which occurs due to changes in adipose tissue activity. Female TrspAgrpKO mice also retained hypothalamic sensitivity to leptin administration. Male mice were unaffected, however, highlighting the sexually dimorphic influence of selenium on neurobiology and energy homeostasis. These findings provide novel insight into the role of selenoproteins within a small yet heavily influential population of hypothalamic neurons.
Keywords: Agrp neuron; Trsp; diet-induced obesity; hypothalamus; leptin resistance; selenium; selenoprotein; sex differences.