Neural circuitry underlying feeding

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.