Deficiency of ER Ca2+ sensor STIM1 in AgRP neurons confers protection against dietary obesity

Highlights•Suppression of SOCE in the brain ameliorates dietary obesity•Deficiency of Stim1 in AgRP neurons protects against DIO•SOCE inhibition impedes general translation via Oas3-RNase L signaling•The Oas3-RNase L signaling mediates the anti-obesity effect of ASKOSummaryStore-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is pivotal in maintaining intracellular Ca2+ level and cell function; however, its role in obesity development remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the stromal interaction molecule 1 (Stim1), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensor for SOCE, is critically involved in obesity development. Pharmacological blockade of SOCE in the brain, or disruption of Stim1 in hypothalamic agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-producing neurons (ASKO), significantly ameliorates dietary obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Conversely, constitutive activation of Stim1 in AgRP neurons leads to an obesity-like phenotype. We show that the blockade of SOCE suppresses general translation in neuronal cells via the 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 3 (Oas3)-RNase L signaling. While Oas3 overexpression in AgRP neurons protects mice against dietary obesity, deactivation of RNase L in these neurons significantly abolishes the effect of ASKO. These findings highlight an important role of Stim1 and SOCE in the development of obesity.Graphical abstract