Neuronal GPR75 deficiency protects against diet-induced obesity in a humanized mouse model

Sci Adv. 2026 Jan 23;12(4):eady7993. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ady7993. Epub 2026 Jan 23.

Abstract

GPR75, a G protein-coupled receptor implicated in human obesity through loss-of-function variants, has emerged as a promising regulator of energy and metabolic homeostasis. To dissect its tissue-specific functions, we generated a humanized floxed Gpr75 mouse model with conditional deletions in the brain and adipose tissue. Mice with brain-specific Gpr75 deletion using Nestin-Cre were resistant to diet-induced obesity, primarily through suppressed food intake and modest increases in energy expenditure. In contrast, adipocyte-specific deletion of Gpr75 had minimal effects on systemic metabolism but modestly enhanced mitochondrial oxygen consumption in brown adipose tissue under cold exposure. Gpr75 expression was up-regulated in key brain regions and down-regulated in white adipose tissue under high-fat diet conditions, supporting a predominant central role in metabolic adaptation. Histological and transcriptomic analyses further revealed depot-specific effects on adipocyte morphology and hepatic lipid accumulation in global knockouts. These findings position GPR75 as a critical regulator of central energy balance and provide a mechanistic framework for developing brain-targeted therapies against obesity.

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue, Brown / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue, White / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Diet, High-Fat* / adverse effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neurons* / metabolism
  • Obesity* / etiology
  • Obesity* / genetics
  • Obesity* / metabolism
  • Obesity* / pathology
  • Obesity* / prevention & control
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / deficiency
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Hcar1 protein, mouse