Increased anxiety and synaptic plasticity in estrogen receptor beta -deficient mice.
Estrogens are powerful modulators of neuronal physiology and in humans may affect a broad range of functions, including reproductive, emotional, and cognitive behaviors. We studied the contribution of estrogen receptors (ERs) in modulation of emotional processes and analyzed the effects of deleting ERalpha or ERbeta in mice. Behavior consistent with increased anxiety was observed principally in ERbeta mutant females and was associated with a reduced threshold for the induction of synaptic plasticity in the basolateral amygdala. Local increase of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1a receptor expression in medial amygdala may contribute to these changes. Our data show that, particularly in females, there is an important role for ERbeta-mediated estrogen signaling in the processing of emotional behavior.
Krezel
W
W
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, P.O. Box 911, Cardiff, CF10 3US, United Kingdom.
Dupont
S
S
Krust
A
A
Chambon
P
P
Chapman
P F
PF
D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004594:Electrophysiology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid