Endocrine Abstracts

BDNF, a neurotrophin involved in brain development and plasticity, is implicated in the melanocortin regulation of obesity onset. Mice deficient in the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 have a poorly developed VMH and consequent absence of BDNF in this region. Our studies reveal a role for SF-1 in BDNF expression, and its' implications for hypothalamic obesity. Real-time RT-PCR indicated expression of BDNF exons I, III and IV were dramatically reduced in the VMH of SF-1 heterozygou...