Does the brain control fat cell differentiation? Accumulation of preadipocytes in adipose tissue of NSCL-2 mutant mice

The basic helix-loop-helix protein NSCL-2, a neuronal transcription factor, is widely expressed in different areas of the CNS and PNS during embryonic and fetal development. During postnatal live the expression decreases significantly but is specifically maintained in hypothalamic areas known for control of food intake and energy expenditure. In particular, the expression of NSCL-2 co-localizes with POMC and NPY in neurons of the arcutate and paraventricular nucleus. NSCL-2 mutant mice show adult onset of obesity and leptin resistance. NSCL-2 knockout mice, unlike ob/ob mice, are characterized by low insulin and…