Diet-induced adaptive thermogenesis requires neuropeptide FF receptor-2 signalling

Nat Commun. 2018 Nov 9;9(1):4722. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06462-0.

Abstract

Excess caloric intake results in increased fat accumulation and an increase in energy expenditure via diet-induced adaptive thermogenesis; however, the underlying mechanisms controlling these processes are unclear. Here we identify the neuropeptide FF receptor-2 (NPFFR2) as a critical regulator of diet-induced thermogenesis and bone homoeostasis. Npffr2-/- mice exhibit a stronger bone phenotype and when fed a HFD display exacerbated obesity associated with a failure in activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic response to energy excess, whereas the activation of cold-induced BAT thermogenesis is unaffected. NPFFR2 signalling is required to maintain basal arcuate nucleus NPY mRNA expression. Lack of NPFFR2 signalling leads to a decrease in BAT thermogenesis under HFD conditions with significantly lower UCP-1 and PGC-1α levels in the BAT. Together, these data demonstrate that NPFFR2 signalling promotes diet-induced thermogenesis via a novel hypothalamic NPY-dependent circuitry thereby coupling energy homoeostasis with energy partitioning to adipose and bone tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue, Brown / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Cold Temperature
  • Diet*
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Female
  • Homeostasis
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neuropeptide Y / metabolism
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide / deficiency
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide / genetics
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Thermogenesis*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Neuropeptides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Neuropeptide
  • neuropeptide FF receptor
  • arginylphenylalaninamide