# Neurobiology for the sex differences in energy balance

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $352,647

## Abstract

Sexual dimorphism exists in body weight balance, but underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We
screened a number of neural populations that are known to play key roles in the regulation of energy
homeostasis, and found that hypothalamic neurons expressing pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) display sex
differences in two fundamental functions: (1) expressing the Pomc gene and (2) firing action potentials. In
particular, female POMC neurons express more Pomc gene and firing more frequently than male POMC
neurons. Mechanisms for this sexual dimorphism are not clear and little is known about whether these sex
differences contribute to sexually dimorphic regulation of energy balance. Through POMC neuron-specific
transcriptome analyses, we identified a number of genes that are expressed in a sexually dimorphic fashion.
These include TAp63 (a transcription factor) which is dominant in female POMC neurons, as well as Gabra5
(a GABAA receptor subunit) and SK3 (a small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel) which are both
dominant in male POMC neurons. Three mutant mice will be generated to have each of these three genes
deleted specifically in POMC neurons, respectively. These mouse strains (both males and females) will be
used to determine the physiological roles of these three genes in regulating POMC neuron firing and/or Pomc
gene expression, and in maintaining energy homeostasis in different sexes. The functional interactions
between these sexually dimorphic genes with the sex hormones will also be examined. Results from these
studies will test a hypothesis that multiple sexually dimorphic genes in POMC neurons contribute to the
sex differences in POMC neuron functions and body weight balance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10136588
- **Project number:** 5R01DK117281-04
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** YONG XU
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $352,647
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10136588

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10136588, Neurobiology for the sex differences in energy balance (5R01DK117281-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10136588. Licensed CC0.

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