title: Estrogen-induced decrease of glucocorticoid receptor messenger ribonucleic acid concentration in rat anterior pituitary gland.
abstract: Using Northern blots and hybridization techniques, we have identified an approximately 6.5 kilobase glucocorticoid receptor mRNA species in rat anterior pituitary gland. Ovariectomy resulted in an approximately 2-fold increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA concentrations. This effect was maximal 8 days after surgery and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA levels remained elevated for at least up to 4 weeks. Administration of 17-beta-estradiol completely reversed the ovariectomy-induced increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA content of pituitary gland. Treatment of rats with corticosterone did not influence the ovariectomy-induced increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA content, indicating that this increase is not mediated via effects on circulating glucocorticoid levels or availability. In situ hybridization experiments confirmed the ovariectomy-induced increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA content and indicated that this action is widely distributed throughout the anterior pituitary gland.
authors.affiliation: Ontogénèse et Génètique Moléculaire, Laval University Hospital Center, Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peiffer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barden
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D004958:Estradiol