Lac-Phe induces hypophagia by inhibiting AgRP neurons in mice

Nature metabolism |

Hailan Liu, Veronica L Li, Qingzhuo Liu, Yao Liu, Cunjin Su, Hueyxian Wong, Na Yin, Hesong Liu, Xing Fang, Kristine M McDermott, Hueyzhong Wong, Meng Yu, Longlong Tu, Jonathan C Bean, Yongxiang Li, Mengjie Wang, Yue Deng, Yuhan Shi, Olivia Z Ginnard, Yuxue Yang, Junying Han, Megan E Burt, Sanika V Jossy, Chunmei Wang, Yongjie Yang, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Dong Kong, Yang He, Jonathan Z Long, Yong Xu

Nat Metab. 2025 Oct;7(10):2004-2017. doi: 10.1038/s42255-025-01377-9. Epub 2025 Sep 16.

ABSTRACT

N-Lactoyl-phenylalanine (Lac-Phe) is a lactate-derived circulating metabolite that reduces feeding and obesity, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie the metabolic benefits of Lac-Phe remain unknown. Here we show that Lac-Phe directly inhibits hypothalamic neurons that express Agouti-related protein (AgRP), resulting in an indirect activation of anorexigenic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). Both AgRP inhibition and PVH activation are required to mediate Lac-Phe-induced hypophagia. Lac-Phe-mediated inhibition of AgRP neurons occurs through activation of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, whereas inhibition of the KATP channel blunts the effects of Lac-Phe to suppress feeding. Together, these results reveal the molecular and neurobiological mechanisms by which Lac-Phe mediates metabolic improvements and suggest this exercise-induced metabolite might have therapeutic benefits in various human diseases.

PMID:40957996 | DOI:10.1038/s42255-025-01377-9