Regulation of hypothalamic gene expression by glucocorticoid: implications for energy homeostasis

The present study investigated the hypothalamic gene expressions regulated by glucocorticoids (GC), key hormones in energy homeostasis. Using the serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) method, we studied the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) and GC on the transcriptomes of mouse hypothalamus. Approximately 180,000 SAGE tags, which correspond to 50,000 tag species, were isolated from each group of intact or adrenalectomized mice as well as 1, 3, and 24 h after GC injection. ADX upregulated diazepam binding inhibitor gene expression while downregulating vomeronasal 1 receptor D4, genes involved in mitochondrial phosphorylation (cytochrome-c oxidase 1 and NADH dehydrogenase 3), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1, and prostaglandin D2 synthase. GC increased the gene expression levels of dehydrogenase/reductase member 3, prostaglandin D2 synthase, solute carrier family 4 member 4, and five cytoskeletal proteins including myosin light chain phosphorylatable fast and troponin C2 fast. On the other hand, GC reduced the mRNA levels of calmodulin 1 and expressed sequence tag similar to calmodulin 2, ATP synthase F0 subunit 6, and solute carrier family 4 member 3. Moreover, 7 uncharacterized and 43 novel transcripts were modulated by ADX and GC. The present study has identified genes that may regulate hypothalamic systems governing energy balance in response to ADX and GC.