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.

Hippocampal glucocorticoid target genes associated with enhancement of memory consolidation.

Glucocorticoids enhance memory consolidation of emotionally arousing events via largely unknown molecular mechanisms. This glucocorticoid effect on the consolidation process also requires central noradrenergic neurotransmission. The intracellular pathways of these two stress mediators converge on two transcription factors: the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB).

Glucocorticoid and Mineralocorticoid Receptors in the Brain: A Transcriptional Perspective.

Adrenal glucocorticoid hormones are crucial for maintenance of homeostasis and adaptation to stress. They act via the mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs)-members of the family of nuclear receptors. MRs and GRs can mediate distinct, sometimes opposite, effects of glucocorticoids.

Sex-Dependent Modulation of Acute Stress Reactivity After Early Life Stress in Mice: Relevance of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Expression.

Early life stress (ELS) is considered a major risk factor for developing psychopathology. Increasing evidence points towards sex-dependent dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a contributing mechanism. Additionally, clinical studies suggest that the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) may further confer genetic vulnerability/resilience on a background of ELS.