Expression of mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in the human hippocampus

The genomic effects of corticosteroids in the brain are mediated through tw o receptors with a high affinity for cortisol: the glucocorticoid and miner alocorticoid receptor (GR/MR). We used competitive reverse transcription-po lymerase chain reaction to quantify the amount of MR and GR mRNA in hippoca mpal tissue obtained from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. MR and GR m RNA were expressed at approximately the same levels as in tissues known for high glucocorticoid/mineralocorticoid sensitivity, i.e. liver or kidney. M R mRNA concentrations were significantly higher in the hippocampus of women (0.24 +/- 0.04 aU, arbitrary units; mean +/- SEM) than in men (0.14 +/- 0. 01 aU, P < 0.006) or children (0.09 +/- 0.02, P < 0.007). No such differenc es were observed for GR mRNA expression. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.