Abstract
Estrogen plays critical roles in the regulation of reproductive neuroendocrinology and behavior in female rats, through separate actions on the preoptic area (POA) and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). We obtained separate samples of total RNA from the POA and VMH of 6-week old ovariectomized rats, treated with or without estrogen. cDNA microarrays designed for evaluation of estrogen effects were used for the analyses. Genes up-regulated 4 times or more or down-regulated one forth or less were selected based on the microarray profiles. The transcriptional regulation of the selected genes was further examined by RT-PCR and real-time PCR techniques. According to the transcriptional analyses, we focused on four neuronal system-related genes, GABA transporter 2, GABA-A receptor delta, serotonin receptor 6 and cholinergic receptor. The regulation of the selected genes by estrogen was examined at the translational level by Western-blotting and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the regulation of these genes by estrogen differed between POA and VMH, providing molecular bases for site-specific, differential effect of estrogen on neuroendocrinology and behavior. [Jpn J Physiol 55 Suppl:S208 (2005)]
