Neural Steroid Hormone Receptors: Subcellular Analysis

卵巢类固醇激素，雌二醇，调节生理和 大脑中的行为。 依地平与 细胞内的蛋白质受体发现在靶神经元内 特定的大脑神经区域。 这些类固醇受体 然后复合物与细胞核中的受体位点结合， 基因表达（即诱导RNA和蛋白质合成）。 据信，蛋白质的增加和减少 类固醇-受体相互作用的结果是主要的 激素的作用机制。 虽然许多 诱导的生理、形态和行为效应 雌二醇可占这一机制，最近 免疫细胞化学研究已经鉴定出类固醇激素 受体在靶神经元的胞核区域。 这有力地表明，激素也通过一个 非基因组过程 布劳斯坦博士会找出其他可能的 雌二醇作用的神经元内的位点。 因为在那盏灯下 显微镜水平的不同细胞定位不能 容易识别，他将开发一个电子显微镜， 超微结构免疫细胞化学技术 使用此 Blaustein博士将确定 与类固醇受体相关的细胞器。 这些解剖学研究将大大提高我们的 了解这种作用的细胞机制， 激素. 许多研究表明雌二醇与 各种类型癌症的发生。 更好地理解 的作用机制，最终可能导致改善 治疗和可能的治愈这些危及生命的 雌激素相关疾病

The ovarian steroid hormone, estradiol, regulates physiology and behavior by actions in the brain. Estradiol binds to intracellular protein receptors found in target neurons within the specific neural brain regions. These steroid-receptor complexes then bind to acceptor sites in the nucleus to alter gene expression (i.e. induction of RNA and protein synthesis). It is the believed that the increase and decrease of proteins resulting from this steroid-receptor interaction is the primary mechanism of action of the hormone. While many of the physiological, morphological and behavioral effects induced by estradiol can be accounted for by this mechanism, recent immunocytochemical studies have identified steroid hormone receptors in the extranuclear regions of the target neurons. This strongly suggests that the hormone also acts through a nongenomic process. Dr. Blaustein will identify other possible sites within neurons at which estradiol acts. Since at the light microscopic level distinct cellular localization can not be readily identified, he will develop an electron microscopic, ultrastructural immunocytochemical technique. Using this technique, Dr. Blaustein will determine the extranuclear organelles with which the steroid receptors are associated. These anatomical studies will significantly enhance our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of action of this hormone. A number of studies have linked estradiol with the occurrence of various types of cancers. A better understanding of the mechanisms of action could eventually lead to improved treatments and possible cures for these life threatening estrogen-related diseases.