Absence of the mitochondrial translocator protein 18 kDa in mice does not affect body weight or food intake responses to altered energy availability

Changes in mitochondrial function a variety of cells/tissues are critical for orchestrating systemic energy homeostasis and linked to the development obesity many its comorbidities. The translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is expressed organs throughout body, including brain, liver, adipose tissue, gonads adrenal glands, where it implicated regulating steroidogenesis cellular metabolism. Prior work from our group others has shown that, rodents, TSPO levels altered tissue by that modulation activity may impact glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, vitro studies cell types have mediating energetics substrate utilisation. Although mice with germline global deficiency (TSPO−/−) no reported changes body weight under standard husbandry conditions, we hypothesised given roles metabolic flexibility, these animals alterations their response availability, either nutritional excess or insufficiency. In agreement published work, compared wild-type (TSPO+/+) littermates, TSPO−/− both sexes did not exhibit differences on chow. following 12-hour overnight fast, there was difference loss compensatory food intake during re-feeding. Five weeks feeding high-fat diet (HFD) reveal any absence gain male female mice. Basal blood clearance tolerance test were influenced HFD but genotype. conclusion, paradigms examined, deletion change physiological deviations availability at whole organism level.