PUBLICATION
Role of developmental factors in hypothalamic function
- Authors
- Biran, J., Tahor, M., Wircer, E., Levkowitz, G.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-150509-2
- Date
- 2015
- Source
- Frontiers in Neuroanatomy 9: 47 (Review)
- Registered Authors
- Biran, Jacob, Levkowitz, Gil, Tahor, Maayan, Wircer, Einav
- Keywords
- Otp, PAC1, SF-1, SIM1, homeostasis, neuroendocrine, neuropeptides, zebrafish model system
- MeSH Terms
- none
- PubMed
- 25954163 Full text @ Front. Neuroanat.
Citation
Biran, J., Tahor, M., Wircer, E., Levkowitz, G. (2015) Role of developmental factors in hypothalamic function. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy. 9:47.
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a brain region which regulates homeostasis by mediating endocrine, autonomic and behavioral functions. It is comprised of several nuclei containing distinct neuronal populations producing neuropeptides and neurotransmitters that regulate fundamental body functions including temperature and metabolic rate, thirst and hunger, sexual behavior and reproduction, circadian rhythm, and emotional responses. The identity, number and connectivity of these neuronal populations are established during the organism's development and are of crucial importance for normal hypothalamic function. Studies have suggested that developmental abnormalities in specific hypothalamic circuits can lead to obesity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and autism. At the molecular level, the development of the hypothalamus is regulated by transcription factors (TF), secreted growth factors, neuropeptides and their receptors. Recent studies in zebrafish and mouse have demonstrated that some of these molecules maintain their expression in the adult brain and subsequently play a role in the physiological functions that are regulated by hypothalamic neurons. Here, we summarize the involvement of some of the key developmental factors in hypothalamic development and function by focusing on the mouse and zebrafish genetic model organisms.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping