FGF21 acts in the brain to drive macronutrient-specific changes in behavioral motivation and brain reward signaling

Abstract

Dietary protein restriction induces adaptive changes in food preference, increasing protein consumption over carbohydrates or fat. We investigated whether motivation and reward signaling underpin these preferences. In an operant task, protein-restricted male mice responded more for liquid protein rewards, but not carbohydrate, fat, or sweet rewards compared to non-restricted mice. When the number of responses required to access protein reward varied, protein-restricted mice exhibited higher operant responses at moderate to high response requirements. The protein restriction-induced increase in operant responding for protein was absent in Fgf21 -KO mice and mice with neuron-specific deletion of the FGF21 co-receptor beta-Klotho (Klb Cam2ka ). Fiber photometry recording of VTA dopamine neurons revealed that oral delivery of maltodextrin triggered a larger dopamine neuron activation than casein in control diet-fed mice, while casein triggered a larger activation in low-protein diet-fed mice. This restriction-induced shift in nutrient-specific VTA dopamine signaling was lost in Fgf21 -KO mice. These data suggest that the increased FGF21 during protein restriction acts in the brain to induce a protein-specific appetite by specifically enhancing the reward value of protein-containing foods and the motivation to consume them. • Protein restriction increases the motivation for protein but not other nutrients. • FGF21 signaling in the brain is required for this protein-specific motivation. • Protein restriction selectively increases the dopamine neuron response to protein. • FGF21 is required for low protein-induced shifts in dopamine neuron activity.

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