Expression and function of nesfatin-1 are altered by stage of the estrous cycle

Abstract

Nesfatin-1 is a peptide derived from the nucleobindin 2 ( Nucb2) precursor protein that has been shown to exert potent effects on appetite and cardiovascular function in male animals. Sex hormones modulate the expression of Nucb2 in several species, including goldfish, mouse, and rat, and human studies have revealed differential expression based on male or female sex. We therefore hypothesized that the ability of nesfatin-1 to increase mean arterial pressure (MAP) would be influenced by stage of the estrous cycle. Indeed, we found that in cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats, nesfatin-1 induced an increase in MAP on diestrus, when both estrogen and progesterone levels are low but not on proestrus or estrus. The effect of nesfatin-1 on MAP was dependent on functional central melanocortin receptors, because the nesfatin-1-induced increase in MAP was abolished by pretreatment with the melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist, SHU9119. We previously reported that nesfatin-1 inhibited angiotensin II-induced water drinking in male rats but found no effect of nesfatin-1 in females in diestrus. However, nesfatin-1 enhanced angiotensin II-induced elevations in MAP in females in diestrus but had no effect on males. Finally, in agreement with previous reports, the expression of Nucb2 mRNA in hypothalamus was significantly reduced in female rats in proestrus compared with rats in diestrus. From these data we conclude that the function and expression of nesfatin-1 are modulated by sex hormone status. Further studies are required to determine the contributions of chromosomal sex and individual sex hormones to the cardiovascular effects of nesfatin-1.

Looking Back on Seven Years of Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology

“…For example, the number of manuscripts focused on exercise and temperature regulation, as well as cell signaling, increased while those centered on fluid and electrolyte homeostasis declined. Toward the end of our second, three-year term with the journal Heddwen Brooks and Alastair Ferguson retired from the Editorial Team and were replaced by Jason Carter (2) and Gina Yosten (4,7,9,11,18,19); more about Dr. Yosten later. In fact, as that second term progressed, we experienced a continuing increase in the number of exercise-centered manuscripts leading to the two final Calls for Papers during our term, those Guest Edited by Audrey Stone (20) and Matt Brothers (1).…”