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Associate Professor Alexander Tups

PositionAssociate Professor
DepartmentDepartment of Physiology
QualificationsPhD
Research summaryNeuroendocrinology

Research

  • Neuroendocrine regulation of metabolism; in particular, understanding how the adiposity signals, leptin and insulin interact in the hypothalamus to maintain energy homeostasis.
  • Identification of novel pathways that are involved in the neuroendocrine control of glucose metabolism.
  • Neuroendocrinology of nutrition related diseases: What is the link between type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer's disease?

Publications

Kamstra, K., & Tups, A. (2023). Neuroendocrine interactions in the control of glucose- and energy homeostasis. In A. Kleinridders (Ed.), Physiological consequences of brain insulin action. (pp. 63-78). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003079927-5

Kamstra, K., & Tups, A. (2023). Neuroendocrine interactions in the control of glucose- and energy homeostatis. In A. Kleinridders (Ed.), Physiological consequences of brain insulin action. (pp. 63-78). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003079927

Boer, G. A., Hay, D. L., & Tups, A. (2022). Obesity pharmacotherapy: Incretin action in the central nervous system [Review]. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 44(1), 50-63. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.11.001

Kamstra, K., Rizwan, M. Z., Grattan, D. R., Horsfield, J. A., & Tups, A. (2022). Leptin regulates glucose homeostasis via the canonical Wnt pathway in the zebrafish. FASEB Journal, 36, e22207. doi: 10.1096/fj.202101764R

Boucsein, A., Kamstra, K., & Tups, A. (2021). Central signalling cross-talk between insulin and leptin in glucose and energy homeostasis [Invited]. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33, e12944. doi: 10.1111/jne.12944

Kamstra, K., & Tups, A. (2023). Neuroendocrine interactions in the control of glucose- and energy homeostasis. In A. Kleinridders (Ed.), Physiological consequences of brain insulin action. (pp. 63-78). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003079927-5

Chapter in Book - Research

Kamstra, K., & Tups, A. (2023). Neuroendocrine interactions in the control of glucose- and energy homeostatis. In A. Kleinridders (Ed.), Physiological consequences of brain insulin action. (pp. 63-78). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003079927

Chapter in Book - Research

Boer, G. A., Hay, D. L., & Tups, A. (2022). Obesity pharmacotherapy: Incretin action in the central nervous system [Review]. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 44(1), 50-63. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.11.001

Journal - Research Article

Kamstra, K., Rizwan, M. Z., Grattan, D. R., Horsfield, J. A., & Tups, A. (2022). Leptin regulates glucose homeostasis via the canonical Wnt pathway in the zebrafish. FASEB Journal, 36, e22207. doi: 10.1096/fj.202101764R

Journal - Research Article

Loehfelm, A., Rizwan, M. Z., & Tups, A. (2021). A New Zealand green-lipped mussel oil-enriched high-fat diet exhibits beneficial effects on body weight and metabolism in mice. British Journal of Nutrition, 125(9), 972-982. doi: 10.1017/s0007114520002342

Journal - Research Article

Pretz, D., Le Foll, C., Rizwan, M. Z., Lutz, T. A., & Tups, A. (2021). Hyperleptinemia as a contributing factor for the impairment of glucose intolerance in obesity. FASEB Journal, 35, e21216. doi: 10.1096/fj.202001147R

Journal - Research Article

Loehfelm, A., Elder, M. K., Boucsein, A., Jones, P. P., Williams, J. M., & Tups, A. (2020). Docosahexaenoic acid prevents palmitate-induced insulin-dependent impairments of neuronal health. FASEB Journal, 34, 4635-4652. doi: 10.1096/fj.201902517R

Journal - Research Article

Benzler, M., Benzler, J., Stoehr, S., Hempp, C., Rizwan, M. Z., Heyward, P., & Tups, A. (2019). "Insulin-like" effects of palmitate compromise insulin signalling in hypothalamic neurons. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 189(3-4), 413-424. doi: 10.1007/s00360-019-01220-0

Journal - Research Article

Boucsein, A., Rizwan, M. Z., & Tups, A. (2019). Hypothalamic leptin sensitivity and health benefits of time-restricted feeding are dependent on the time of day in male mice. FASEB Journal, 33, 12175-12187. doi: 10.1096/fj.201901004R

Journal - Research Article

Skinner, N. J., Rizwan, M. Z., Grattan, D. R., & Tups, A. (2019). Chronic light cycle disruption alters central insulin and leptin signaling as well as metabolic markers in male mice. Endocrinology, 160(10), 2257-2270. doi: 10.1210/en.2018-00935

Journal - Research Article

McEwen, H. J. L., Cognard, E., Ladyman, S. R., Khant-Aung, Z., Tups, A., Shepherd, P. R., & Grattan, D. R. (2018). Feeding and GLP-1 receptor activation stabilize beta-catenin in specific hypothalamic nuclei in male rats. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 30(6), e12607, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/jne.12607

Journal - Research Article

Sergi, D., Campbell, F. M., Grant, C., Morris, A. C., Bachmair, E.-M., Koch, C., … Tups, A., & Williams, L. M. (2018). SerpinA3N is a novel hypothalamic gene upregulated by a high-fat diet and leptin in mice 06 Biological Sciences 0604 Genetics. Genes & Nutrition, 13, 28. doi: 10.1186/s12263-018-0619-1

Journal - Research Article

Rizwan, M. Z., Mehlitz, S., Grattan, D. R., & Tups, A. (2017). Temporal and regional onset of leptin resistance in diet-induced obese mice. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 29(10), e12481. doi: 10.1111/jne.12481

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A., Benzler, J., Sergi, D., Ladyman, S. R., & Williams, L. M. (2017). Central regulation of glucose homeostasis. Comprehensive Physiology, 7(2), 741-764. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c160015

Journal - Research Article

Boucsein, A., Benzler, J., Hempp, C., Stöhr, S., Helfer, G., & Tups, A. (2016). Photoperiodic and diurnal regulation of WNT signaling in the arcuate nucleus of the female Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. Endocrinology, 157(2), 799-809. doi: 10.1210/en.2015-1708

Journal - Research Article

Helfer, G., & Tups, A. (2016). Hypothalamic Wnt signalling and its role in energy balance regulation. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 28. doi: 10.1111/jne.12368

Journal - Research Article

Benzler, J., Ganjam, G. K., Pretz, D., Oelkrug, R., Koch, C. E., Legler, K., … Tups, A. (2015). Central inhibition of IKKβ/NF-κB signalling attenuates high-fat diet–induced obesity and glucose intolerance. Diabetes, 64, 2015-2027. doi: 10.2337/db14-0093

Journal - Research Article

Stark, R., Reichenbach, A., Lockie, S. H., Pracht, C., Wu, Q., Tups, A., & Andrews, Z. B. (2015). Acyl ghrelin acts in the brain to control liver function and peripheral glucose homeostasis in male mice. Endocrinology, 156(3), 858-868. doi: 10.1210/en.2014-1733

Journal - Research Article

Briggs, D. I., Lockie, S. H., Benzler, J., Wu, Q., Stark, R., Reichenbach, A., … Tups, A., & Andrews, Z. B. (2014). Evidence that diet-induced hyperleptinemia, but not hypothalamic gliosis, causes ghrelin resistance in NPY/AgRP neurons of male mice. Endocrinology, 155(7), 2411-2422. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1861

Journal - Research Article

Koch, C. E., Lowe, C., Legler, K., Benzler, J., Boucsein, A., Böttiger, G., Grattan, D. R., … Tups, A. (2014). Central adiponectin acutely improves glucose tolerance in male mice. Endocrinology, 155(5), 1806-1816. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1734

Journal - Research Article

Koch, C. E., Lowe, C., Pretz, D., Steger, J., Williams, L. M., & Tups, A. (2014). High-fat diet induces leptin resistance in leptin-deficient mice. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 26(2), 58-67. doi: 10.1111/jne.12131

Journal - Research Article

Penzkofer, D., Bonauer, A., Fischer, A., Tups, A., Brandes, R. P., Zeiher, A. M., & Dimmeler, S. (2014). Phenotypic characterization of miR-92a-/- mice reveals an important function of miR-92a in skeletal development. PLoS ONE, 9(6), e101153. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101153

Journal - Research Article

Williams, L. M., Campbell, F. M., Drew, J. E., Koch, C., Hoggard, N., Rees, W. D., … Tups, A. (2014). The development of diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance in C57BL/6 mice on a high-fat diet consists of distinct phases. PLoS ONE, 9(8), e106159. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106159

Journal - Research Article

Benzler, J., Andrews, Z. B., Pracht, C., Stöhr, S., Shepherd, P. R., Grattan, D. R., & Tups, A. (2013). Hypothalamic WNT signalling is impaired during obesity and reinstated by leptin treatment in male mice. Endocrinology, 154(12), 4737-4745. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1746

Journal - Research Article

Benzler, J., Ganjam, G. K., Legler, K., Stöhr, S., Krüger, M., Steger, J., & Tups, A. (2013). Acute inhibition of central c-Jun N-terminal kinase restores hypothalamic insulin signalling and alleviates glucose intolerance in diabetic mice. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 25(5), 446-454. doi: 10.1111/jne.12018

Journal - Research Article

Ganjam, G. K., Benzler, J., Pinkenburg, O., Boucsein, A., Stöhr, S., Steger, J., … Tups, A. (2013). Overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in the arcuate nucleus of juvenile Phodopus sungorus alters seasonal body weight changes. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 183(8), 1101-1111. doi: 10.1007/s00360-013-0772-1

Journal - Research Article

Koch, C. E., Ganjam, G. K., Steger, J., Legler, K., Stöhr, S., Schumacher, D., … Tups, A. (2013). The dietary flavonoids naringenin and quercetin acutely impair glucose metabolism in rodents possibly via inhibition of hypothalamic insulin signalling. British Journal of Nutrition, 109(6), 1040-1051. doi: 10.1017/s0007114512003005

Journal - Research Article

Koch, C. E., Göddeke, S., Krüger, M., & Tups, A. (2013). Effect of central and peripheral leucine on energy metabolism in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 183(2), 261-268. doi: 10.1007/s00360-012-0699-y

Journal - Research Article

Benzler, J., Ganjam, G. K., Krüger, M., Pinkenburg, O., Kutschke, M., Stöhr, S., … Grattan, D. R., & Tups, A. (2012). Hypothalamic glycogen synthase kinase 3β has a central role in the regulation of food intake and glucose metabolism. Biochemical Journal, 447(1), 175-184. doi: 10.1042/bj20120834

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A., Stöhr, S., Helwig, M., Barrett, P., Krol, E., Schachtner, J., … Klingenspor, M. (2012). Seasonal leptin resistance is associated with impaired signalling via JAK2-STAT3 but not ERK, possibly mediated by reduced hypothalamic GRB2 protein. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 182(4), 553-567. doi: 10.1007/s00360-011-0637-4

Journal - Research Article

Koch, C., Augustine, R. A., Steger, J., Ganjam, G. K., Benzler, J., Pracht, C., … Anderson, G. M., Grattan, D. R., & Tups, A. (2010). Leptin rapidly improves glucose homeostasis in obese mice by increasing hypothalamic insulin sensitivity. Journal of Neuroscience, 30(48), 16180-16187. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3202-10.2010

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A., Anderson, G. M., Rizwan, M., Augustine, R. A., Chaussade, C., Shepherd, P. R., & Grattan, D. R. (2010). Both p110α and p110β isoforms of phosphatidylinositol 3-OH-kinase are required for insulin signalling in the hypothalamus. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 22(6), 534-542. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2010.01975.x

Journal - Research Article

Helwig, M., Archer, Z. A., Heldmaier, G., Tups, A., Mercer, J. G., & Klingenspor, M. (2009). Photoperiodic regulation of satiety mediating neuropeptides in the brainstem of the seasonal Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 195(7), 631-642. doi: 10.1007/s00359-009-0438-3

Journal - Research Article

Ladyman, S. R., Tups, A., Augustine, R. A., Swahn-Azavedo, A., Kokay, I. C., & Grattan, D. R. (2009). Loss of hypothalamic response to leptin during pregnancy associated with development of melanocortin resistance. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 21(5), 449-456. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2009.01862.x

Journal - Research Article

Quennell, J. H., Mulligan, A. C., Tups, A., Liu, X., Phipps, S. J., Kemp, C. J., Herbison, A. E., Grattan, D. R., & Anderson, G. M. (2009). Leptin indirectly regulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuronal function. Endocrinology, 150(6), 2805-2812. doi: 10.1210/en.2008-1693

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A. (2009). Physiological models of leptin resistance [Young investigator perspective]. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 21(11), 961-971. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2009.01916.x

Journal - Research Article

Król, E., Tups, A., Archer, Z. A., Ross, A. W., Moar, K. M., Bell, L. M., … Speakman, J. R. (2007). Altered expression of SOCS3 in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus during seasonal body mass changes in the field vole, Microtus agrestis. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 19(2), 83-94. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2006.01507.x

Journal - Research Article

Helwig, M., Khorooshi, R. M. H., Tups, A., Barrett, P., Archer, Z. A., Exner, C., … Klingenspor, M. (2006). PC1/3 and PC2 gene expression and post-translational endoproteolytic pro-opiomelanocortin processing is regulated by photoperiod in the seasonal Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 18(6), 413-425. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2006.01431.x

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A., Barrett, P., Cross, A. W., Morgan, P. J., Klingenspor, M., & Mercer, J. G. (2006). The suppressor of cytokine signalling 3, SOCS3, may be one critical modulator of seasonal body weight changes in the Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 18, 139-145. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2005.01394.x

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A., Helwig, M., Stöhr, S., Barrett, P., Mercer, J. G., & Klingenspor, M. (2006). Photoperiodic regulation of insulin receptor mRNA and intracellular insulin signaling in the arcuate nucleus of the Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative & Comparative Physiology, 291(3), R643-R650. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00807.2005

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A., Ellis, C., Moar, K. M., Logie, T. J., Adam, C. L., Mercer, J. G., & Klingenspor, M. (2004). Photoperiodic regulation of leptin sensitivity in the Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus, is reflected in arcuate nucleus SOCS-3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling) gene expression. Endocrinology, 145(3), 1185-1193. doi: 10.1210/en.2003-1382

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A., Helwig, M., Khorooshi, R. M. H., Archer, Z. A., Klingenspor, M., & Mercer, J. G. (2004). Circulating ghrelin levels and central ghrelin receptor expression are elevated in response to food deprivation in a seasonal mammal (Phodopus sungorus). Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16(11), 922-928. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2004.01251.x

Journal - Research Article

Mercer, J. G., & Tups, A. (2003). Neuropeptides and anticipatory changes in behaviour and physiology: Seasonal body weight regulation in the Siberian hamster. European Journal of Pharmacology, 480, 43-50.

Journal - Research Article

Tups, A. (2003). The leptin resistance paradox: Molecular dissection of leptin signalling pathways in the central nervous system. BIF Futura, 18, 107-108.

Journal - Research Article

Boucsein, A., Kamstra, K., & Tups, A. (2021). Central signalling cross-talk between insulin and leptin in glucose and energy homeostasis [Invited]. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33, e12944. doi: 10.1111/jne.12944

Journal - Research Other

Loehfelm, A., Boucsein, A., Pretz, D., & Tups, A. (2019). Timing matters: Circadian effects on energy homeostasis and Alzheimer's disease. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 30(2), 132-143. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.12.001

Journal - Research Other

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