# Investigating sex-specific metabolic effects of disrupted selenocysteine lyase and selenocysteine tRNA in Agrp hypothalamic neurons

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA · 2020 · $65,310

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Widely used as a dietary supplement, the antioxidant trace element selenium (Se) is essential for human
health. Se is known for its role in curbing oxidative stress and in the regulation of thyroid function and male
fertility. Past studies have associated altered selenoprotein expression with increased risk for metabolic
syndrome (MetS). Whole-body knockout (KO) of the intracellular Sec decomposition enzyme Sec lyase (Scly)
in mice increases susceptibility to MetS and diet-induced obesity (DIO), accompanied by decreased
selenoprotein expression in the hypothalamus, a key mediator of energy homeostasis. Surprisingly, mice with
targeted Scly KO in agouti-related peptide (Agrp)-positive neurons of the hypothalamus are protected from DIO
and leptin resistance, an effect that may be influenced by thyroid hormone function in males. Mice with Agrp
neuron-specific deletion of the selenocysteine-tRNA (Trsp), which is essential for selenoprotein expression,
display metabolic effects similar to those observed in Scly-Agrp KO mice. These results are specific to female
mice, however, as male Trsp-Agrp KO mice show no significant differences from controls.
 The overall goal of this proposal is to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the metabolic phenotype of
Scly-Agrp KO mice and the sex differences observed in Trsp-Agrp KO mice. The central hypothesis is that
Agrp neurons depend on Se utilization to mediate high-fat diet-induced changes via sex-specific mechanisms.
Specifically, this proposal investigates the possibility that loss of Scly protects Agrp neurons from developing
early leptin resistance to prevent downstream hypothalamic leptin resistance and limit weight gain by
maintaining brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. This project will also test the hypothesis that loss of Trsp
causes progressive neurodegeneration of Agrp neurons, which impacts sex-specific differences in
hypothalamic neurogenic mechanisms to result in the metabolic phenotypes observed. These hypotheses will
be tested using these mouse models and a combination of in vivo phenotyping, tissue analysis, and ex vivo
electrophysiology on live hypothalamic brain slices.
 This fellowship will take place under the guidance of an experienced mentor and pioneer in the Se field,
and an accomplished co-mentor with an extensive background in neuroscience. The proposed individualized
training plan includes specific educational and career development activities, and benefits from the expertise of
a collaborative community of scientists implementing an intensive team mentoring program. It is anticipated
that the experiments proposed herein will shed light on the important roles of Se utilization and selenoproteins
in metabolic disease pathology, provide new information on the interplay between the central nervous system
and whole-body energy metabolism, and may potentially identify key targets of interest for preventative
strategies or therapeutic treatments for metabolic di...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9991686
- **Project number:** 1F32DK124963-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel J. Torres
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $65,310
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-02-16 → 2023-02-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9991686

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9991686, Investigating sex-specific metabolic effects of disrupted selenocysteine lyase and selenocysteine tRNA in Agrp hypothalamic neurons (1F32DK124963-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9991686. Licensed CC0.

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