Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2023
Publication Title
PLOS Biology
Abstract
Aging is a systemic process, which is a risk factor for impaired physiological functions, and finally death. The molecular mechanisms driving aging process and the associated cognitive decline are not fully understood. The hypothalamus acts as the arbiter that orchestrates systemic aging through neuroinflammatory signaling. Our recent findings revealed that Menin plays important roles in neuroinflammation and brain development. Here, we found that the hypothalamic Menin signaling diminished in aged mice, which correlates with systemic aging and cognitive deficits. Restoring Menin expression in ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus (VMH) of aged mice extended lifespan, improved learning and memory, and ameliorated aging biomarkers, while inhibiting Menin in VMH of middle-aged mice induced premature aging and accelerated cognitive decline. We further found that Menin epigenetically regulates neuroinflammatory and metabolic pathways, including D-serine metabolism. Aging-associated Menin reduction led to impaired D-serine release by VMH-hippocampus neural circuit, while D-serine supplement rescued cognitive decline in aged mice. Collectively, VMH Menin serves as a key regulator of systemic aging and aging-related cognitive decline.
DOI
10.1371/journal.pbio.3002033
Recommended Citation
Leng, Lige; al, et.; Yan, Jingqi; and Zhang, Jie, "Hypothalamic Menin Regulates Systemic Aging and Cognitive Decline" (2023). Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications. 263.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/scibges_facpub/263
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Volume
21
Issue
3
