Na. Datson et al., Identification of corticosteroid-responsive genes in rat hippocampus usingserial analysis of gene expression, EUR J NEURO, 14(4), 2001, pp. 675-689
Adrenal corticosteroids (CORT) have a profound effect on the function of th
e hippocampus. This is mediated in a coordinated manner by mineralocorticoi
d (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) via activation or repression of ta
rget genes. The aim of this study was to identify, using serial analysis of
gene expression (SAGE), CORT-responsive hippocampal genes regulated via MR
and/or GR. SAGE profiles were compared under different conditions of CORT
exposure, resulting in the identification of 203 CORT-responsive genes that
are involved in many different cellular processes like, energy expenditure
and cellular metabolism; protein synthesis and turnover; signal transducti
on and neuronal connectivity and neurotransmission. Besides some previously
identified CORT-responsive genes, the majority of the genes identified in
this study were novel. In situ hybridization revealed that six randomly cho
sen CORT-responsive genes had distinct expression patterns in neurons of th
e hippocampus. In addition, using in situ hybridization, we confirmed that
these six genes were indeed regulated by CORT, underscoring the validity of
the SAGE data. Comparison of MR- and GR-dependent expression profiles reve
aled that the majority of the CORT-responsive genes were regulated either b
y activated MR or by activated GR, while only a few genes were responsive t
o both activated MR and GR. This indicates that the molecular basis for the
differential effects of activated MR and GR is activation or repression of
distinct, yet partially overlapping sets of genes. The putative CORT-respo
nsive genes identified here will provide insight into the molecular mechani
sms underlying the differential and sometimes opposing effects of MR and GR
on neuronal excitability, memory formation and behaviour as well as their
role in neuronal protection and damage.