Abstract:
Feeding is a complex behavior having a robust and conserved underlying
neural circuitry. Different regions of the brain take part in regulating this
behavior along with myriad signaling molecules like orexigenic neuropeptide
Y (NPY) and anorexigenic Cocaine and amphetamine-related transcript
(CART). Knowing the regions in the brain that express the receptors to such
signals allows for identifying regions playing a role in regulating energy
homeostasis. Hence, we attempted to map the regions in the zebrafish brain
that express Y1 mRNA using in situ hybridization to elucidate the neural
circuitry underlying the regulation of feeding.
Sensing glucose in the blood is a crucial step in knowing the energy state of
the body. It also allows modulation of various processes to ensure energy
homeostasis. Various methods for sensing glucose in the blood, apart from
the classical glucokinase-dependent methods, have been identified in
vertebrates. Glucose sensing via sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) is
one such glucokinase-independent mechanism which is not well studied in
zebrafish. Hence, we attempted to look at the role of SGLTs in glucose
sensing in the zebrafish brain.
