Brain aromatization: classic roles and new perspectives.
Aromatization of testosterone to estradiol by neural tissue has classically been associated with the regulation of sexual differentiation, gonadotropin secretion, and copulatory behavior. However, new data indicate that the capacity for aromatization is not restricted to the endocrine brain and demonstrate roles for locally formed estrogens in neurogenesis and in responses of brain tissue to injury. This article summaries our current understanding of the distribution and regulation of aromatase in the brain and describes the classic and novel roles it plays. A better understanding of brain aromatization could shed new light on its physiologic and pathologic functions and someday lead to new, centrally acting drug therapies.
Roselli
Charles E
CE
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201-3098, USA. rosellic@ohsu.edu
Liu
Mingyue
M
Hurn
Patricia D
PD
D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D046468:Sexual Development; D020521:Stroke / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D006062:Gonadotropins; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D001141:Aromatase