Single-nucleus transcriptome sequencing reveals a specific neuronal subtype in the arcuate nucleus.

Over recent decades, research has established the hypothalamus, particularly the arcuate nucleus, as a central hub for the homeostatic control of energy balance. The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus is a pivotal regulator of energy balance, containing anorexic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons and orexigenic agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, which exert opposing effects on energy homeostasis. However, the molecular identity of “non-AgRP, non-POMC” neurons remains unclear. We identified a distinct neuronal subtype characterized by the absence of Agrp and Pomc expressions, while exhibiting robust Crabp1 expression. The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of adult mice was microdissected for single-nucleus RNA sequencing.