Dopaminergic activation of estrogen receptors in neonatal brain alters progestin receptor expression and juvenile social play behavior.
Steroid receptor activation in developing brain influences a variety of cellular processes that endure into adulthood, altering both behavior and physiology. We report that estrogen receptors can be activated in a ligand-independent manner within developing brain by membrane dopamine receptors. Neonatal treatment with either estradiol or a dopamine D1 receptor agonist can increase the expression of an estrogen receptor-regulated gene (i.e. progestin receptors) and later juvenile social play. More importantly, increases in social play behavior induced by neonatal treatment with estradiol or a dopamine D1 receptor agonist can be prevented by prior treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist. This suggests that changes in dopamine transmission in developing brain can activate estrogen receptors in a ligand-independent manner to influence gene expression and have lasting consequences on social behavior.
Olesen
Kristin M
KM
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1202 West Johnson Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Jessen
Heather M
HM
Auger
Catherine J
CJ
Auger
Anthony P
AP
D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D013629:Tamoxifen; D004958:Estradiol; D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; D004298:Dopamine