Gene Expression Regulation: Steroid Hormone Effects

Estradiol-17 β influences a wide variety of brain functions in mammals, including development, plasticity, feedback regulation of hypothalamic and pituitary hormone secretion, motor behavior, mood, and mental state, by the control of central aminergic and peptidergic neurotransmission, preservation of cognitive brain function, and perhaps neuroprotection in some neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic stroke. Estrogen action is exerted via both estrogen receptor (ER) α and β, encoded by different genes. A central finding is that ER. β is important for neuronal survival, during both brain development and the ensuing neuronal life span. An estrogenic metabolite of 5 α-dihydrotestosterone, 5 α-androstane-3. β,17. β-diol (3. βAdiol), appears to be an important ER. β ligand in the brain.