Estradiol induces rapid remodelling of plasma membranes in developing rat cerebrocortical neurons in culture.
Exo-endocytotic images and intramembrane particles were quantitatively assessed in freeze-fracture replicas from the plasma membrane of dispersed fetal rat cortical neurons (day 16 gestation) grown for 24 days in culture. The addition of 10(-10) M 17 beta-estradiol to the culture medium resulted in a significant increase in the numerical density of exo-endocytotic images within 1 min. A further increase of the number of exo-endocytotic images associated to a significant decrease in the number of intramembrane particles was observed in cells exposed for 10 min to 17 beta-estradiol. Similar results were observed when the cells were exposed to 17 beta-estradiol for 17 days. No effects on exo-endocytotic images and intramembrane particles were observed when 17 alpha-estradiol was added, instead of 17 beta-estradiol, to the cultures. These results indicate that physiological levels of 17 beta-estradiol can have rapid effects upon the ultrastructure of the neuronal membrane of developing cerebrocortical neurons.
Garcia-Segura
L M
LM
Instituto Cajal, C.S.I.C., Madrid, Spain.
Olmos
G
G
Robbins
R J
RJ
Hernandez
P
P
Meyer
J H
JH
Naftolin
F
F
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D004705:Endocytosis; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005089:Exocytosis; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
D004958:Estradiol