Loss of Selenot in POMC Neurons Disrupts ER Homeostasis and Induces A Senescent-like Phenotype.

Authors

Cédric Jehan, Inès Drissa, Dorthe Cartier, Christine Bucharles, Azénor Abgrall, Agathe Prieur, Philippe Chan, Carole Burel, Marie-Laure Walet-Balieu, David Alexandre, Muriel Bardor, Christophe Dubessy, Youssef Anouar, Isabelle Lihrmann

Published in

Antioxidants & redox signaling. Pages 15230864261494912. Oct 07, 2026. Epub Oct 07, 2026.

Abstract

Selenoprotein T (SELENOT) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident thioredoxin-like oxidoreductase implicated in redox and calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis and protein quality control. Although SELENOT is highly expressed in the brain, its role in hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, which regulate energy balance, remains poorly understood. We investigated whether SELENOT is required for maintaining ER homeostasis and neuronal integrity in POMC neurons.
Using CRISPR-edited and siRNA-silenced POMC neuronal models together with a POMC-specific SELENOT knockout mouse, we demonstrated that SELENOT loss induces a senescent-like phenotype including cellular hypertrophy, loss of neurite outgrowth, senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, increased P16 and P21 expression, and acquisition of senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Senescence markers were elevated not only in SELENOT-deficient POMC neurons but also throughout the surrounding arcuate nucleus in vivo, suggesting propagation of a pro-inflammatory microenvironment. Mechanistically, prolonged SELENOT deficiency produced selective activation of the ATF6α arm of the unfolded protein response, depletion of ER Ca²⁺ stores, and profound alterations in N-glycan maturation. Notably, leptin-induced POMC processing and secretion were spared. Glycomics revealed a shift toward immature glycans, whereas thiol-trapping proteomics identified candidate SELENOT interactors linked to ER Ca²⁺ regulation.
This study provides the first evidence that SELENOT deficiency is sufficient to trigger cellular senescence in POMC neurons, acting as a central regulator integrating ER proteostasis, Ca²⁺ homeostasis, redox adaptation, and glycosylation. These results reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism potentially linking neuronal senescence to hypothalamic dysfunction and suggest that SELENOT-dependent pathways may represent therapeutic targets for obesity, metabolic disease, and age-related neuroendocrine disorders. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.

PMID:
42844213
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 08 Oct 2026.

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