RGD Reference Report - A role of melanin-concentrating hormone producing neurons in the central regulation of paradoxical sleep. - Rat Genome Database

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A role of melanin-concentrating hormone producing neurons in the central regulation of paradoxical sleep.

Authors: Verret, L  Goutagny, R  Fort, P  Cagnon, L  Salvert, D  Leger, L  Boissard, R  Salin, P  Peyron, C  Luppi, PH 
Citation: Verret L, etal., BMC Neurosci. 2003 Sep 9;4:19.
RGD ID: 1642489
Pubmed: PMID:12964948   (View Abstract at PubMed)
PMCID: PMC201018   (View Article at PubMed Central)
DOI: DOI:10.1186/1471-2202-4-19   (Journal Full-text)

BACKGROUND: Peptidergic neurons containing the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and the hypocretins (or orexins) are intermingled in the zona incerta, perifornical nucleus and lateral hypothalamic area. Both types of neurons have been implicated in the integrated regulation of energy homeostasis and body weight. Hypocretin neurons have also been involved in sleep-wake regulation and narcolepsy. We therefore sought to determine whether hypocretin and MCH neurons express Fos in association with enhanced paradoxical sleep (PS or REM sleep) during the rebound following PS deprivation. Next, we compared the effect of MCH and NaCl intracerebroventricular (ICV) administrations on sleep stage quantities to further determine whether MCH neurons play an active role in PS regulation. RESULTS: Here we show that the MCH but not the hypocretin neurons are strongly active during PS, evidenced through combined hypocretin, MCH, and Fos immunostainings in three groups of rats (PS Control, PS Deprived and PS Recovery rats). Further, we show that ICV administration of MCH induces a dose-dependent increase in PS (up to 200%) and slow wave sleep (up to 70%) quantities. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that MCH is a powerful hypnogenic factor. MCH neurons might play a key role in the state of PS via their widespread projections in the central nervous system.



Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process

  
Object SymbolSpeciesTermQualifierEvidenceWithNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
PmchRatpositive regulation of circadian sleep/wake cycle, REM sleep  IDA  RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Pmch  (pro-melanin-concentrating hormone)


Additional Information