title: Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of salt appetite control by mineralocorticoid action in brain.
abstract: Adrenocortical hormone effects in the central nervous system depend on steroid interaction with intracellular receptors, which belong to a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. Using a combination of biochemical and molecular biology techniques, we have demonstrated: 1. the localization of mineralocorticoid receptors in the brain, with highest density present in hippocampus, lateral septum and some amygdaloid nuclei; 2. the arousal of a mineralocorticoid-specific behavior such as salt appetite, coincident with inhibition of the biosynthesis/activity of (Na+K)ATPase in some amygdaloid and hypothalamic nuclei; 3. the modulation of the biosynthesis/activity of the sodium pump by glucocorticoids, although for these hormones changes are stimulatory, as shown in the spinal cord and brain; 4. the reported steroid effects on the (Na+K)ATPase constitute an important mechanism of control of nervous system function, involving behavior, changes in excitability and neurotropism.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Bioquímica Neuroendócrina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: De Nicola
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grillo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001069:Appetite Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase