Tanycytes of the hypothalamic median eminence form a diet-responsive neurogenic niche

Nat Neurosci. 2012 Mar 25;15(5):700-2. doi: 10.1038/nn.3079.

Abstract

Adult hypothalamic neurogenesis has recently been reported, but the cell of origin and the function of these newborn neurons are unknown. Using genetic fate mapping, we found that median eminence tanycytes generate newborn neurons. Blocking this neurogenesis altered the weight and metabolic activity of adult mice. These findings reveal a previously unreported neurogenic niche in the mammalian hypothalamus with important implications for metabolism.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Bromodeoxyuridine / metabolism
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Diet, High-Fat*
  • ELAV Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Median Eminence / cytology*
  • Median Eminence / growth & development
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nestin
  • Neurogenesis / drug effects
  • Neurogenesis / genetics
  • Neurogenesis / physiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Radiation
  • Receptors, Estrogen / agonists
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Stem Cell Niche / physiology*
  • Tamoxifen / analogs & derivatives
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Gt(ROSA)26Sor non-coding RNA, mouse
  • H2AX protein, mouse
  • Histones
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nes protein, mouse
  • Nestin
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Sox2 protein, mouse
  • yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria
  • Tamoxifen
  • afimoxifene
  • Bromodeoxyuridine