Munc18 plays an important role in the regulation of glutamate release during female puberty onset.
Munc18, a mammalian homolog of C. elegans Unc, is essential for neurotransmitter release. The aim of this study was to identify estrogen-dependent expression of Munc18-1 and its role in the regulation of glutamate release for puberty onset. Hypothalamic munc18-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased by estrogen treatment in ovariectomized, immature female rats. During pubertal development, the munc18-1 mRNA levels dramatically increased between the juvenile period and the anestrous phase of puberty. Intracerebroventricular administration of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against munc18-1 mRNA significantly decreased glutamate release and delayed the day of puberty onset. These results suggest that Munc18-1, expressed in an estrogen-dependent manner, plays an important role in the onset of female puberty via the regulation of glutamate release.
Kim
Byung U
BU
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 680-749, Korea.
Choi
Jungil
J
Ahn
Kook Hee
KH
Jeong
Jin Kwon
JK
Ha
Chang Man
CM
Jeong
Choon Soo
CS
Lee
Chae Kwan
CK
Kang
Sung Goo
SG
Lee
Byung Ju
BJ
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D051938:Munc18 Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
D051938:Munc18 Proteins; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense; C497939:Stxbp1 protein, rat; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D004958:Estradiol