ISSN:
1471-4159
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract: Aromatase in the diencephalic neurons, the level of which increases transiently during the prenatal to neonatal period, has been suggested to be involved in control of sexual behavior and differentiation of the CNS. Effects of neurotransmitters on levels of aromatase mRNA in cultured neurons were investigated to determine factors regulating the developmental increase that occurs in level of fetal brain aromatase. The expression of aromatase in diencephalic neurons of fetal mice at embryonic day 13, cultured in vitro, was significantly affected by α1-adrenergic receptor ligands. Aromatase mRNA levels were higher in neurons treated with the α1-agonist phenylephrine than in control neurons, whereas prazosin, an α1-antagonist, suppressed this increase, and ligands for α2- or β-adrenergic receptors did not exert any influence. The profile of α1-adrenergic receptor subtypes during actual development in vivo suggested that the α1B subtype is in fact responsible for the signal transduction. Substance P, cholecystokinin, neurotensin, and brain natriuretic peptide also increased the level of expression along with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and dibutyryl-cyclic GMP, whereas forskolin and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP caused a decrease. These data indicate that stimulation via α1 (possibly α1B)-adrenergic receptors, as well as receptors of specific neuropeptides, controls the expression of aromatase in embryonic day 13 diencephalic neurons through activation of protein kinase C or G. β-Adrenergic receptors would not appear to participate in the regulation, judging from their developmental profile, although cyclic AMP might be a suppressive second messenger.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1471-4159.1996.67052087.x
