Estrogen induces rapid decrease in dendritic thorns of CA3 pyramidal neurons in adult male rat hippocampus

Journal Article · Fri Dec 02 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.09.188· OSTI ID:20713467

Tsurugizawa, Tomokazu ^[1]; Mukai, Hideo ^[1]

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1. Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo at Komaba, 3-8-1 Meguro, Tokyo 153 (Japan)

Modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity by estrogen has been attracting much attention. Thorns of thorny excrescences of CA3 hippocampal neurons are post-synaptic regions whose presynaptic partners are mossy fiber terminals. Here we demonstrated the rapid effect of estradiol on the density of thorns of thorny excrescences, by imaging Lucifer Yellow-injected CA3 neurons in adult male rat hippocampal slices. The application of 1 nM estradiol induced rapid decrease in the density of thorns on pyramidal neurons within 2 h. The estradiol-mediated decrease in the density of thorns was blocked by CNQX (AMPA receptor antagonist) and PD98059 (MAP kinase inhibitor), but not by MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist). ER{alpha} agonist PPT induced the same suppressive effect as that induced by estradiol on the density of thorns, but ER{beta} agonist DPN did not affect the density of thorns. Note that a 1 nM estradiol treatment did not affect the density of spines in the stratum radiatum and stratum oriens. A search for synaptic ER{alpha} was performed using purified RC-19 antibody. The localization of ER{alpha} (67 kDa) in the CA3 mossy fiber terminals and thorns was demonstrated using immunogold electron microscopy. These results imply that estradiol drives the signaling pathway including ER{alpha} and MAP kinase.

• OSTI ID: 20713467
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 337; ISSN 0006-291X; ISSN BBRCA9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANTIBODIES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ESTRADIOL
HIPPOCAMPUS
NERVE CELLS
PLASTICITY
RATS
RECEPTORS
VERTEBRAE