SIRT1 and Leptin, An Important Relationship

Byron's Comments:

The relationship of leptin and SIRT1 needs full documentation and clarification.

Study Title:

Brain SIRT1: anatomical distribution and regulation by energy availability.

Study Abstract:

SIRT1 is a nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase that orchestrates key metabolic adaptations to nutrient deprivation in peripheral tissues. SIRT1 is induced also in the brain by reduced energy intake. However, very little is known about SIRT1 distribution and the biochemical phenotypes of SIRT1-expressing cells in the neuraxis. Unknown are also the brain sites in which SIRT1 is regulated by energy availability and whether these regulations are altered in a genetic model of obesity. To address these issues, we performed in situ hybridization histochemistry analyses and found that Sirt1 mRNA is highly expressed in metabolically relevant sites. These include, but are not limited to, the hypothalamic arcuate, ventromedial, dorsomedial, and paraventricular nuclei and the area postrema and the nucleus of the solitary tract in the hindbrain. Of note, our single-cell reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed that Sirt1 mRNA is expressed in pro-opiomelanocortin neurons that are critical for normal body weight and glucose homeostasis. We also found that SIRT1 protein levels are restrictedly increased in the hypothalamus in the fasted brain. Of note, we found that this hypothalamic-specific, fasting-induced SIRT1 regulation is altered in leptin-deficient, obese mice. Collectively, our findings establish the distribution of Sirt1 mRNA throughout the neuraxis and suggest a previously unrecognized role of brain SIRT1 in regulating energy homeostasis.

Study Information:

Ramadori G, Lee CE, Bookout AL, Lee S, Williams KW, Anderson J, Elmquist JK, Coppari R. Brain SIRT1: anatomical distribution and regulation by energy availability. J Neurosci. 2008 October 28(40):9989-96.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hypothalamic Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9077, USA.

Related Entries: Sirtuin1 During Calorie Restriction – Application for Weight Management