A novel GPR55-mediated satiety signal in the oval Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis

• Published in: Neuropsychopharmacology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2019-06, Vol.44 (7), p.1274-1283
• Main Authors: Hawken, E R, Normandeau, C P, Gardner Gregory, J, Cécyre, B, Bouchard, J-F, Mackie, K, Dumont, É C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2-Arachidonoylglycerol; Animals; Channel gating; Dietary restrictions; Energy balance; Feeding; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - physiology; Gene Knockout Techniques; Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials; Long-term potentiation; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neuronal Plasticity; Rats, Long-Evans; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 - genetics; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 - physiology; Receptors, Cannabinoid - genetics; Receptors, Cannabinoid - physiology; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - genetics; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - physiology; Rodents; Satiety; Satiety Response - physiology; Septal Nuclei - physiology; Stria terminalis; Synapses; Synapses - physiology; Synaptic plasticity; Synaptic strength
• ISSN: 0893-133X; 1740-634X
• DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0309-0

Nestled within feeding circuits, the oval (ov) region of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) may be critical for monitoring energy balance through changes in synaptic strength. Here we report that bidirectional plasticity at ovBNST GABA synapses was tightly linked to the caloric state of male rats, seesawing between long-term potentiation (iLTP, fed) and depression (iLTD, food restricted). L-α-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) acting on GPR55 receptors and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) through CB1R were respectively responsible for fed (iLTP) and food restricted (iLTD) states. Thus, we have characterized a potential gating mechanism within the ovBNST that may signal metabolic state within the rat brain feeding circuitry.