The mahoganoid mutation (Mgrn1md) improves insulin sensitivity in mice with mutations in the melanocortin signaling pathway independently of effects on adiposity.

Abstract

Mahoganoid (Mgrn1(md)) is a mutation of the mahogunin (Mgrn1) gene. The hypomorphic allele suppresses the yellow pigmentation and obesity of the A(y) mouse that ubiquitously overexpresses agouti signaling protein (ASP). To assess the physiological effects of MGRN1 on energy and glucose homeostasis, we generated animals doubly mutant for Mgrn1(md) and A(y), Lep(ob), or a null allele of Mc4r, and diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice segregating for Mgrn1(md). Mgrn1(md) suppressed the obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia of A(y) mice. Mgrn1(md) suppressed A(y)-induced obesity by reducing food intake, and reduced adiposity in Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) females, but did not alter the body weight or body composition of mice fed a high-fat diet. There was no effect of Mgrn1(md) on weight gain, body composition, energy intake, or energy expenditure in Mc4r-null animals. Mgrn1(md) reduced circulating insulin concentrations in DIO, A(y), and Mc4r-null but not Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) mice. The effect of Mgrn1(md) on circulating insulin concentrations was not due primarily to reductions in fat mass, since the plasma insulin concentrations of Mgrn1(md) mice segregating for either A(y) or Mc4r-null alleles, adjusted for fat mass and plasma glucose, were reduced compared with A(y) and Mc4r mice, respectively. The effect of Mgrn1(md) on insulin sensitivity of Mc4r-null mice suggests that Mgrn1(md) may be increasing insulin sensitivity via the hypothalamic melanocortin-3 receptor pathway.

• Authors: Loan K Phan, Wendy K Chung, Rudolph L Leibel
• Journal: American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 291 Issue 3 Pg. E611-20 (Sep 2006) ISSN: 0193-1849 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16638826 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Agouti Signaling Protein
• Blood Glucose
• Insulin
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Leptin
• Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4
• Mgrn1 protein, mouse
• Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Topics

• Adiposity (genetics, physiology)
• Agouti Signaling Protein
• Animals
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Body Weight (physiology)
• Eating (physiology)
• Female
• Genotype
• Insulin (blood)
• Insulin Resistance (physiology)
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (genetics)
• Leptin (blood, genetics)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C3H
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Mice, Knockout
• Mice, Mutant Strains
• Mice, Obese
• Mutation (genetics)
• Obesity (etiology, genetics, physiopathology)
• Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 (genetics, physiology)
• Signal Transduction (genetics, physiology)
• Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases (genetics, physiology)