Transcriptional glucocorticoid effects in the brain: Finding the relevant target genes.

Glucocorticoids are powerful modulators of brain function. They act via mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors (MR and GR). These are best understood as transcription factors.

Sexual Dimorphism in Transcriptional and Functional Glucocorticoid Effects on Mouse Skeletal Muscle.

Muscle atrophy is common in patients with increased glucocorticoid exposure. Glucocorticoid effects are often sex-specific, and while different glucocorticoid responses between male and female subjects are reported, it is unclear why this is. In this study, we evaluated the effects of corticosterone and synthetic glucocorticoid treatment on muscle atrophy in male and female mice.

Application of a pharmacological transcriptome filter identifies a shortlist of mouse glucocorticoid receptor target genes associated with memory consolidation.

Glucocorticoids regulate memory consolidation, facilitating long-term storage of relevant information to adequately respond to future stressors in similar conditions. This effect of glucocorticoids is well-established and is observed in multiple types of behaviour that depend on various brain regions. By and large, higher glucocorticoid levels strengthen event-related memory, while inhibition of glucocorticoid signalling impairs consolidation.

Hepatic glucocorticoid-induced transcriptional regulation is androgen-dependent after chronic but not acute glucocorticoid exposure.

Glucocorticoids exert their pleiotropic effects by activating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is expressed throughout the body. GR-mediated transcription is regulated by a multitude of tissue- and cell type-specific mechanisms, including interactions with other transcription factors such as the androgen receptor (AR). We previously showed that the transcription of canonical glucocorticoid-responsive genes is dependent on active androgen signaling, but the extent of this glucocorticoid-androgen crosstalk warrants further investigation.

Cell type specificity of glucocorticoid signaling in the adult mouse hippocampus.

Glucocorticoid stress hormones are powerful modulators of brain function and can affect mood and cognitive processes. The hippocampus is a prominent glucocorticoid target and expresses both the glucocorticoid receptor (GR: Nr3c1) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR: Nr3c2). These nuclear steroid receptors act as ligand-dependent transcription factors.