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Corticosteroids regulate 5-HT(1A) but not 5-HT(1B) receptor mRNA in rat hippocampus
J F Neumaier1, T J Sexton, M W Hamblin
1Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. neumaier@u.washington.edu
Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research
|October 24, 2000
Summary
Mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors regulate serotonin 5-HT(1A) mRNA in the hippocampus. These steroid hormone receptors do not affect 5-HT(1B) mRNA levels in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Molecular Psychiatry
- Receptor Pharmacology
Background:
- The precise roles of mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors in regulating serotonin (5-HT) receptors remain unclear.
- Existing research lacks consensus on MR/GR control of 5-HT(1A) receptors.
- Corticosteroid effects on 5-HT(1B) mRNA have not been previously investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential roles of MR and GR in regulating 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) mRNA.
- To compare the effects of selective MR, combined MR/GR, and cyclical GR activation on serotonin receptor mRNA expression.
Main Methods:
- Long-term adrenalectomy in rodents to eliminate endogenous MR and GR activation.
- Hormone replacement protocols to selectively or concurrently activate MR and GR.
- In situ hybridization to quantify 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) mRNA levels in hippocampus and raphe nuclei.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in 5-HT(1B) mRNA were observed in the hippocampus or dorsal raphe across all experimental conditions.
- 5-HT(1A) mRNA levels in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei were unaffected by adrenalectomy or hormone treatments.
- Complex, subfield-specific regulation of 5-HT(1A) mRNA was observed in the hippocampus.
Conclusions:
- Both MR and GR are implicated in the integrated regulation of 5-HT(1A) mRNA within hippocampal subfields.
- MR and GR do not appear to influence 5-HT(1B) mRNA expression under the studied experimental conditions.
