Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
Modulation of hypothalamic S6K1 and S6K2 alters feeding behavior and systemic glucose metabolism
Mariana Rosolen Tavares1,2, Simone Ferreira Lemes2, Thais de Fante2
1Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Food and Health (LABMAS), School of Applied Sciences (FCA), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
The mTOR/S6Ks signaling is one of the intracellular pathways important for metabolic control, acting both peripherally and centrally. In the hypothalamus, mTOR/S6Ks axis mediates the action of leptin and insulin and can modulate the expression of neuropeptides. We analyzed the role of different S6Ks isoforms in the hypothalamic regulation of metabolism. We observed decreased food intake and decreased expression of agouti-related peptide (AgRP) following intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of adenoviral-mediated overexpression of three different S6Ks isoforms. Moreover, mice overexpressing p70-S6K1 in undefined periventricular hypothalamic neurons presented changes in glucose metabolism, as an increase in gluconeogenesis. To further evaluate the hypothalamic role of a less-studied S6K isoform, p54-S6K2, we used a Cre-LoxP approach to specifically overexpress it in AgRP neurons. Our findings demonstrate the potential participation of S6K2 in AgRP neurons regulating feeding behavior.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Food Intake
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Feedback Loops
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are...

