Estrogen Receptors α and β Differentially Regulate the Transcriptional Activity of the Urocortin Gene

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0476-06.2006
• Publication Date: 2006-05-03T20:24:13Z
• Authors: Paola Haeger; María Estela Andrés; María Inés Forray; Claudia Daza; Silvia Araneda; Katia Gysling
• Keywords: Urocortin; Estrogen receptor beta; Estrogen receptor alpha

Urocortin (Ucn), a highly conserved metazoan gene, is related to stress and feeding, behaviors with significant gender differences. We investigated whether estrogens regulate the expression of Ucn gene using transient transfection in PC12 cells human (hUcn) promoter coupled luciferase either α or β estrogen receptors (ERα ERβ, respectively). The results demonstrate that estradiol (E 2 ) increases activity hUcn via ERα, decreases through ERβ. Deletions show increase mediated by E -ERα depends on region containing half-estrogen response element an Sp1 site, decrease -ERβ proximal cAMP element. ERs coexist neurons rat hypothalamic nuclei, giving anatomical support for direct effect gene. By situ hybridization, we observed cycling female rats have higher number expressing mRNA than males paraventricular nucleus hypothalamus (PVN) septum. Both these brain nuclei are express moderate levels Ucn. Furthermore, was significantly decreased PVN increased septum 30 d after ovariectomy. Acute administration ovariectomized In conclusion, our vitro vivo evidence suggests exert differential transcriptional regulation