Tups Lab, Department of Physiology, Department of Physiology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Lab personnel
Research interests
Current funding
Previous funding
Selected publications

Lab personnel

Alisa Boucsein Postdoctoral Fellow
Kaj Kamstra PhD student
Dr Mohammed Rizwan Research Fellow
Nathan Skinner PhD Student
Associate Professor Alexander Tups Associate Professor

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Research interests

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?

Keywords

Gene therapy, nutritional interventions, obesity, metabolic disorders

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Current funding

2014–2016 Project Grant by the German Research Foundation (DFG)

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Previous funding

2008–2013 German Ministry of Education and Research
2003–2005 Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds

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Selected publications

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

Loehfelm, A., Rizwan, M. Z., & Tups, A. (2020). 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. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1017/s0007114520002342

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

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

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

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

Boucsein, A., Rizwan, M. Z., & Tups, A. (2019, July). Time of day-dependent action of hypothalamic leptin signalling. Poster session presented at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) 27th Annual Meeting, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Kamstra, K., Horsfield, J. A., & Tups, A. (2019, July). The effects of leptin mutations and diet-induced obesity on glucose homeostasis in the zebrafish. Poster session presented at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) 27th Annual Meeting, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Rizwan, M. Z., Shepherd, P. R., Tups, A., & Grattan, D. R. (2019, August-September). Region-specific deletion of β-catenin leads to impaired glucose tolerance and increased bodyweight. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Pretz, D., Lutz, T., & Tups, A. (2019, July). Beneficial effects of leptin antagonism on glucose homeostasis in diet-induced obese mice. Poster session presented at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) 27th Annual Meeting, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Kamstra, K., Horsfield, J. A., & Tups, A. (2019, August-September). The effects of leptin mutations and diet-induced weight gain on glucose homeostasis in the zebrafish. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

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

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

Rizwan, M. Z., Shepherd, P., Tups, A., & Grattan, D. (2018). Stabilization of beta-catenin in mouse hypothalamic cell lines. Proceedings of the 9th International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (ICN). (pp. 348-349). Retrieved from http://www.icn2018.org/

Loehfelm, A., & Tups, A. (2018). Effects of the saturated fatty acid palmitate on neuronal morphology and function. Proceedings of the 9th International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (ICN). (pp. 211). Retrieved from http://www.icn2018.org/

Kerbus, R., Rizwan, M., & Tups, A. (2018, August). Dose dependent central insulin resistance in response to high fat diet. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Boucsein, A., Rizwan, M., & Tups, A. (2018, February). Circadian regulation of leptin action. Verbal presentation at the 9th Swiss Winter Conference on Ingestive Behavior, St. Moritz, Switzerland.

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

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

Rizwan, M. Z., Shepherd, P., Tups, A., & Grattan, D. R. (2017, September). Stabilization of beta-catenin in mouse hypothalamic cell lines. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Skinner, N., Rizwan, M. Z., & Tups, A. (2017, September). Effect of circadian rhythms on leptin and insulin sensitivity. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Loehfelm, A., Elder, M., Williams, J., & Tups, A. (2017, September). Effects of fatty acids on neuronal morphology and function: Implications for Alzheimer’s disease. Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Boucsein, A., Rizwan, M., & Tups, A. (2017, September). Circadian rhythmicity of leptin sensitivity in the hypothalamus. Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

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

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
Journal - Research Other
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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Journal - Research Other

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Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Skinner, N., Rizwan, M. Z., & Tups, A. (2016). Effect of circadian rhythms on leptin sensitivity. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 37). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Rizwan, M. Z., Skinner, N., Mehlitz, S., & Tups, A. (2016). Temporal and regional onset of leptin resistance in diet induced obese mice. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 35). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Kamstra, K., Benzler, M., & Tups, A. (2016). The role of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in neuro-inflammation and insulin sensitivity in a hypothalamic cell culture system. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 51). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Boucsein, A., Rizwan, M., Skinner, N., & Tups, A. (2016). Temporal rhythms of metabolic pathways in the hypothalamus. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 34, (pp. 64). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Tups, A., Boucsein, A., Skinner, N., & Rizwan, M. (2016). Leptin resistance: Cause or consequence of hypothalamic inflammation? In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 63). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Loehfelm, A., Tups, A., & Mueller, U. (2016). Rapid effects of neurosteroids DHEA, 7α-OH-DHEA and 7β-OH-DHEA on the ACh-induced calcium-influx in honeybee (Apis mellifera) kenyon cells. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 49). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Quennell, J. H., Tups, A., & Anderson, G. M. (2007). Leptin action on neurons is required for normal puberty onset. Endocrine Journal. 54(Suppl.), (pp. 105). [Abstract]

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Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Boucsein, A., Benzler, J., Hempp, C., Helfer, G., & Tups, A. (2015, August-September). Photoperiodic regulation of Wnt signalling in the arcuate nucleus of the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

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Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Boucsein, A., Rizwan, M., & Tups, A. (2018, February). Circadian regulation of leptin action. Verbal presentation at the 9th Swiss Winter Conference on Ingestive Behavior, St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Tups, A. (2016, August-September). Brain inflammation and its essential role in obesity, type 2 diabetes and cognition. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Nelson, New Zealand.

Tups, A. (2015, August-September). Leptin resistance and its implication in body weight and glucose homeostasis. Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Tups, A. (2015, June). Hypothalamic inflammation, a hallmark for obesity and type II diabetes? Verbal presentation at the 9th Annual Brain Health Research Centre Conference: Science for a Healthy Brain, Dunedin, New Zealand.

More publications...

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