Probes for SLC17A6

Autophagy represents a key regulator of aging and metabolism in sensing energy deprivation. We find that fasting in mice activates autophagy in the liver paralleled by activation of hypothalamic AgRP neurons. Optogenetic and chemogenetic activation of AgRP neurons induces autophagy, alters phosphorylation of autophagy regulators, and promotes ketogenesis. AgRP neuron-dependent induction of liver autophagy relies on NPY release in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) via presynaptic inhibition of NPY1R-expressing neurons to activate PVHCRH neurons. Conversely, inhibiting AgRP neurons during energy deprivation abrogates induction of hepatic autophagy and rewiring of metabolism. AgRP neuron activation increases circulating corticosterone concentrations, and reduction of hepatic glucocorticoid receptor expression attenuates AgRP neuron-dependent activation of hepatic autophagy. Collectively, our study reveals a fundamental regulatory principle of liver autophagy in control of metabolic adaptation during nutrient deprivation.

Single-cell RNA sequencing data can unveil the molecular diversity of cell types. Cell type atlases of the mouse spinal cord have been published in recent years but have not been integrated together. Here, we generate an atlas of spinal cell types based on single-cell transcriptomic data, unifying the available datasets into a common reference framework. We report a hierarchical structure of postnatal cell type relationships, with location providing the highest level of organization, then neurotransmitter status, family, and finally, dozens of refined populations. We validate a combinatorial marker code for each neuronal cell type and map their spatial distributions in the adult spinal cord. We also show complex lineage relationships among postnatal cell types. Additionally, we develop an open-source cell type classifier, SeqSeek, to facilitate the standardization of cell type identification. This work provides an integrated view of spinal cell types, their gene expression signatures, and their molecular organization.

In addition to its renal and cardiovascular functions, angiotensin signalling is thought to be responsible for the increases in salt and water intake caused by hypovolaemia. However, it remains unclear whether these behaviours require angiotensin production in the brain or liver. Here, we use in situ hybridization to identify tissue-specific expression of the genes required for producing angiotensin peptides, and then use conditional genetic deletion of the angiotensinogen gene (Agt) to test whether production in the brain or liver is necessary for sodium appetite and thirst. In the mouse brain, we identified expression of Agt (the precursor for all angiotensin peptides) in a large subset of astrocytes. We also identified Ren1 and Ace (encoding enzymes required to produce angiotensin II) expression in the choroid plexus, and Ren1 expression in neurons within the nucleus ambiguus compact formation. In the liver, we confirmed that Agt is widely expressed in hepatocytes. We next tested whether thirst and sodium appetite require angiotensinogen production in astrocytes or hepatocytes. Despite virtually eliminating expression in the brain, deleting astrocytic Agt did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite. Despite markedly reducing angiotensinogen in the blood, eliminating Agt from hepatocytes did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite, and in fact, these mice consumed the largest amounts of salt and water after sodium deprivation. Deleting Agt from both astrocytes and hepatocytes also did not prevent thirst or sodium appetite. Our findings suggest that angiotensin signalling is not required for sodium appetite or thirst and highlight the need to identify alternative signalling mechanisms. KEY POINTS: Angiotensin signalling is thought to be responsible for the increased thirst and sodium appetite caused by hypovolaemia, producing elevated water and sodium intake. Specific cells in separate brain regions express the three genes needed to produce angiotensin peptides, but brain-specific deletion of the angiotensinogen gene (Agt), which encodes the lone precursor for all angiotensin peptides, did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite. Double-deletion of Agt from brain and liver also did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite. Liver-specific deletion of Agt reduced circulating angiotensinogen levels without reducing thirst or sodium appetite. Instead, these angiotensin-deficient mice exhibited an enhanced sodium appetite. Because the physiological mechanisms controlling thirst and sodium appetite continued functioning without angiotensin production in the brain and liver, understanding these mechanisms requires a renewed search for the hypovolaemic signals necessary for activating each behaviour.

The arcuate nucleus (ArcN) is an integrative hub for the regulation of energy balance, reproduction, and arterial pressure (AP), all of which are influenced by Angiotensin II (AngII); however, the cellular mechanisms and downstream neurocircuitry are unclear. Here we show that ArcN AngII increases AP in female rats via two phases, both of which are mediated via activation of AngII type 1 receptors (AT1aR): initial vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction, followed by slowly developing increases in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and heart rate (HR). In male rats, ArcN AngII evoked a similarly slow increase in SNA, but the initial pressor response was variable. In females, the effects of ArcN AngII varied during the estrus cycle, with significant increases in SNA, HR, and AP occurring during diestrus and estrus, but only increased AP during proestrus. Pregnancy markedly increased the expression of AT1aR in the ArcN with parallel substantial AngII-induced increases in SNA and MAP. In both sexes, the sympathoexcitation relied on suppression of tonic ArcN sympathoinhibitory Neuropeptide Y inputs, and activation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) projections, to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Few or no NPY or POMC neurons expressed the AT1aR, suggesting that AngII increases AP and SNA at least in part indirectly via local interneurons, which express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and VGat (i.e. GABAergic). ArcN TH neurons release GABA locally, and central AT1aR and TH neurons mediate stress responses; therefore, we propose that TH AT1aR neurons are well situated to locally coordinate the regulation of multiple modalities within the ArcN in response to stress.SIGNIFICANCEThe arcuate nucleus (ArcN) is an integrative hub for the regulation of energy balance, reproduction, and arterial pressure (AP), all of which are influenced by Angiotensin II (AngII). Here we show that ArcN AngII activates AT1aR to increase AP in male and female rats by slowly increasing sympathetic nerve activity. In females, ArcN AngII also evoked an initial pressor response mediated by vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction. Pregnant and estrus females responded more than males, in association with higher ArcN AT1aR expression. AT1aR were identified in ArcN interneurons that express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and GABA. Since brain AT1aR and TH mediate stress responses, ArcN AT1aR TH neurons are well situated to locally coordinate autonomic, hormonal, and behavioral responses to stress.