Abstract

Adenylate cyclase 3 (Adcy3) has been linked to both obesity and major depressive disorder. We identified a protein-coding variant in the transmembrane (TM) helix of Adcy3 in rats; similar obesity variants have been identified in humans. This study investigates the role of a TM variant in adiposity and behavior. We mutated the TM domain of Adcy3 (Adcy3mut/mut) and created a heterozygous knockout (Adcy3+/-) in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Wild-type, Adcy3+/-, and Adcy3mut/mut rats were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. We measured body weight, fat mass, glucose tolerance, food intake, metabolism, emotion-like behaviors, memory, and downstream proteins. Adcy3+/- and Adcy3mut/mut rats weighed more than wild-typerats due to increased fat mass. There were key sex differences: adiposity was driven by increased food intake in males but by decreased energy expenditure in females. Adcy3mut/mut males displayed increased passive coping and decreased memory, whereas Adcy3mut/mut females displayed increased anxiety-like behavior. Adcy3mut/mut males had decreased hypothalamic cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling, with decreased phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) signaling in both sexes. The ADCY3 TM domain plays a role in protein function via p-AMPK and CREB signaling. Adcy3 may contribute to the relationship between obesity and major depressive disorder, and sex influences the relationships between Adcy3, metabolism, and behavior.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.