Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Molecular connectomics reveals a glucagon-like peptide 1-sensitive neural circuit for satiety

  • Addison N. Webster
  • , Jordan J. Becker
  • , Chia Li
  • , Dana C. Schwalbe
  • , Damien Kerspern
  • , Eva O. Karolczak
  • , Catherine B. Bundon
  • , Roberta A. Onoharigho
  • , Maisie Crook
  • , Maira Jalil
  • , Elizabeth N. Godschall
  • , Emily G. Dame
  • , Adam Dawer
  • , Dylan Matthew Belmont-Rausch
  • , Tune H. Pers
  • , Andrew Lutas
  • , Naomi Habib
  • , Ali D. Güler
  • , Michael J. Krashes*
  • , John N. Campbell*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Liraglutide and other glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective weight loss drugs, but how they suppress appetite remains unclear. One potential mechanism is by activating neurons that inhibit the hunger-promoting Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons of the arcuate hypothalamus (Arc). To identify these afferents, we developed a method combining rabies-based connectomics with single-nucleus transcriptomics. Here, we identify at least 21 afferent subtypes of AgRP neurons in the mouse mediobasal and paraventricular hypothalamus, which are predicted by our method. Among these are thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)+ Arc (TRHArc) neurons, inhibitory neurons that express the Glp1r gene and are activated by the GLP-1RA liraglutide. Activating TRHArc neurons inhibits AgRP neurons and feeding, probably in an AgRP neuron-dependent manner. Silencing TRHArc neurons causes overeating and weight gain and attenuates liraglutide’s effect on body weight. Our results demonstrate a widely applicable method for molecular connectomics, comprehensively identify local inputs to AgRP neurons and reveal a circuit through which GLP-1RAs suppress appetite.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2354-2373
Number of pages20
JournalNature Metabolism
Volume6
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2024.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular connectomics reveals a glucagon-like peptide 1-sensitive neural circuit for satiety'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this