SORCS1 and SORCS3 control energy balance and orexigenic peptide production

EMBO Rep. 2018 Apr;19(4):e44810. doi: 10.15252/embr.201744810. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Abstract

SORCS1 and SORCS3 are two related sorting receptors expressed in neurons of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Using mouse models with individual or dual receptor deficiencies, we document a previously unknown function of these receptors in central control of metabolism. Specifically, SORCS1 and SORCS3 act as intracellular trafficking receptors for tropomyosin-related kinase B to attenuate signaling by brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a potent regulator of energy homeostasis. Loss of the joint action of SORCS1 and SORCS3 in mutant mice results in excessive production of the orexigenic neuropeptide agouti-related peptide and in a state of chronic energy excess characterized by enhanced food intake, decreased locomotor activity, diminished usage of lipids as metabolic fuel, and increased adiposity, albeit at overall reduced body weight. Our findings highlight a novel concept in regulation of the melanocortin system and the role played by trafficking receptors SORCS1 and SORCS3 in this process.

Keywords: TrkB; VPS10P domain receptors; adiposity; agouti‐related peptide; brain‐derived neurotrophic factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity / genetics
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Body Composition / genetics
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism / genetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Models, Biological
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • SORCS1 protein, mouse
  • Sorcs3 protein, mouse
  • Glucose