Heterogeneity of hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin-expressing neurons revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Arcuate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are critical nodes in the control of body weight. Often characterized simply as direct targets for leptin, recent data suggest a more complex architecture.

Methods

Using single cell RNA sequencing, we have generated an atlas of gene expression in murine POMC neurons.

Results

Of 163 neurons, 118 expressed high levels of Pomc with little/no Agrp expression and were considered "canonical" POMC neurons (P⁺). The other 45/163 expressed low levels of Pomc and high levels of Agrp (A⁺P₊). Unbiased clustering analysis of P⁺ neurons revealed four different classes, each with distinct cell surface receptor gene expression profiles. Further, only 12% (14/11

SUBMITTER: Lam BYH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5404100 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature