Induction of hypothalamic serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase-1 gene expression and its relation to plasma des-acyl ghrelin in energy homeostasis in mice

Serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase (SGK) is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that is transcriptionally regulated by serum, glucocorticoids, and mineral corticoids. Here, we report that fasting or obesity with hyperphagia increased hypothalamic SGK-1 gene expression. Hypothalamic SGK-1 mRNA levels were proportional to daily food intake and body weights in C57BL6J mice, KK mice, and KKA^y mice matched for age. Plasma des-acyl ghrelin, but not active ghrelin, levels were inversely proportional to daily food intake and body weights among these animals. The increases in hypothalamic SGK-1 gene expression in these animals were not accompanied by increases in plasma corticosterone levels. Under conditions of increased energy usage such as fasting, hypothalamic SGK-1 gene expression and plasma des-acyl ghrelin levels were positively correlated while during conditions of increased energy storage, they were negatively correlated. These results suggest that hypothalamic SGK-1 gene is a novel candidate gene involving in energy homeostasis in mice.