Rapid signaling of steroid hormones in the vertebrate nervous system.
Steroid hormones easily cross the blood-brain barrier because of their physicochemical lipid solubility. The hormones act through nuclear receptor-mediated mechanisms and modulate gene transcription. In contrast to their genomic actions, the non-genomic rapid action of steroid hormones, acting via various types of membrane-associated receptors, reveals pharmacological properties that are distinct from the actions of the intracellular nuclear receptors. As a result, non-genomic rapid actions have gained increased scientific interest. However, insight into the phylogenic and/or comparative actions of steroids in the brain is still poorly understood. In this review, we summarize recent findings concerning the rapid, non-genomic signaling of steroid hormones in the vertebrate central nervous system, and we discuss (using a comparative view from fish to mammals) recently published data regarding the mechanism underlying physiology and behavior.
Ushimado Marine Laboratory, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Kashino, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan. hsakamo@uml.okayama-u.ac.jp
Hirotaka
H
Sakamoto
Hideya
H
Takahashi
Ken-Ichi
K
Matsuda
Mayumi
M
Nishi
Keiko
K
Takanami
Maho
M
Ogoshi
Tatsuya
T
Sakamoto
Mitsuhiro
M
Kawata
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D008959:Models, Neurological; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013256:Steroids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013256:Steroids