Hormonal symphony: steroid orchestration of gene modules for sociosexual behaviors.
Genes induced by estrogens in the mammalian forebrain influence a variety of neural functions. Among them, reproductive behavior mechanisms are very well understood. Their functional genomics provide a theoretical paradigm for linking genes to neural circuits to behavior. We propose that estrogen-induced genes are organized in modules: Growth of hypothalamic neurons; Amplification of the estrogen effect by progesterone; Preparative behaviors; Permissive actions on sex behavior circuitry; and Synchronization of mating behavior with ovulation. These modules may represent mechanistic routes for CNS management of successful reproduction. Moreover, new microarray results add estrogen-dependent genes, including some expressed in glia, suggesting possible hormone-dependent neuronal/glial coordination.
Mong
J A
JA
The Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Pfaff
D W
DW
D000818:Animals; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011187:Posture; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D012919:Social Behavior
D004967:Estrogens; D006728:Hormones