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Updated: May 26, 2026

Optogenetic Signaling Activation in Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: October 27, 2023
Rapid signaling of steroid hormones in the vertebrate nervous system
Hirotaka Sakamoto1, Hideya Takahashi, Ken-Ichi Matsuda
1Ushimado Marine Laboratory, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Kashino, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan. hsakamo@uml.okayama-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Steroid hormones easily cross the blood-brain barrier because of their physicochemical lipid solubility. The hormones act through nuclear receptor-mediated mechanisms and modulate gene transcription. In contrast to their genomic actions, the non-genomic rapid action of steroid hormones, acting via various types of membrane-associated receptors, reveals pharmacological properties that are distinct from the actions of the intracellular nuclear receptors. As a result, non-genomic rapid actions have gained increased scientific interest. However, insight into the phylogenic and/or comparative actions of steroids in the brain is still poorly understood. In this review, we summarize recent findings concerning the rapid, non-genomic signaling of steroid hormones in the vertebrate central nervous system, and we discuss (using a comparative view from fish to mammals) recently published data regarding the mechanism underlying physiology and behavior.
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