Regulation of Satiety by Bdnf-e2 -Expressing Neurons through TrkB Activation in Ventromedial Hypothalamus.

The transcripts for (), driven by different promoters, are expressed in different brain regions to control different body functions. Specific promoter(s) that regulates energy balance remain unclear. We show that disruption of promoters I and II but not IV and VI in mice (, ) results in obesity. Whereas exhibited impaired thermogenesis, showed hyperphagia and reduced satiety before the onset of obesity. The transcripts were primarily expressed in ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a nucleus known to regulate satiety. Re-expressing transcript in VMH or chemogenetic activation of VMH neurons rescued the hyperphagia and obesity of mice. Deletion of BDNF receptor TrkB in VMH neurons in wildtype mice resulted in hyperphagia and obesity, and infusion of TrkB agonistic antibody into VMH of mice alleviated these phenotypes. Thus, -transcripts in VMH neurons play a key role in regulating energy intake and satiety through TrkB pathway.