Central < i > Dicer < /i > -miR-103/107 controls developmental switch of POMC progenitors into NPY neurons and impacts glucose homeostasis

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are major negative regulators of energy balance. A distinct developmental property of POMC neurons is that they can adopt an orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) phenotype. However, the mechanisms underlying the differentiation ofPomc progenitors remain unknown. Here, we show that the loss of the microRNA (miRNA)-processing enzymeDicer in POMC neurons causes metabolic defects, an age-dependent decline in the number ofPomc mRNA-expressing cells, and an increased proportion ofPomc progenitors acquiring a NPY phenotype. miRNome microarray screening further identified miR-103/107 as candidates that may be involved in the maturation ofPomc progenitors.In vitroinhibition of miR-103/107 causes a reduction in the number ofPomc-expressing cells and increases the proportion ofPomc progenitors differentiating into NPY neurons. Moreover,in utero silencing of miR-103/107 causes perturbations in glucose homeostasis. Together, these data suggest a role for prenatal miR-103/107 in the maturation ofPomc progenitors and glucose homeostasis.
Source: eLife - Category: Biomedical Science Tags: Neuroscience Source Type: research