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Serotonergic Neurons Are Targets for Leptin in the Monkey¹

Departments of Physiology and Biophysics (P.D.F., D.G.R., R.A.S.) and Obstetrics and Gynecology (D.K.C., R.A.S.), Graduate Program in Neurobiology and Behavior (M.J.C.), and the Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction Research (D.K.C., R.A.S.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Robert A. Steiner, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Box 357290, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7290. E-mail: steiner{at}u.washington.edu

Leptin is a secretory product of adipocytes that has been shown to affect food intake, metabolism, and reproduction. One site of leptin’s action is the central nervous system, where the leptin receptor (Ob-R) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein are expressed in discrete areas. In both the rat and monkey, Ob-R mRNA has been localized in the Raphe nuclei of the brainstem. Neurons in the Raphe nuclei are the primary source of serotonin in the brain. Serotonergic pathways influence both feeding and reproduction, and these cells are plausible direct targets for leptin’s action. We used double label in situ hybridization and computerized image analysis to determine whether serotonergic neurons in the brainstem of the female pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) express Ob-R mRNA. We observed that many cells in the Raphe nuclei express serotonin transporter mRNA, a marker of serotonergic cells, and Ob-R mRNA. Based on quantitative analysis, the highest number of cells that express both serotonin transporter and Ob-R mRNAs were found in the caudal dorsal Raphe and median Raphe nuclei; fewer double labeled cells were situated in the caudal linear nucleus and rostral median Raphe, whereas double labeled cells occurred infrequently in the rostral dorsal Raphe. These observations suggest that leptin may act on serotonergic cells to mediate some of its effects on ingestive behavior, metabolism, and reproduction.

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