Neuron‐derived estrogen—a key neuromodulator in synaptic function and memory

Darrell W. Brann, Yujiao Lu, Jing Wang, Gangadhara R. Sareddy, Uday P. Pratap, Quanguang Zhang, Rajeshwar R. Tekmal, Ratna K. Vadlamudi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

In addition to being a steroid hormone, 17b‐estradiol (E2) is also a neurosteroid produced in neurons in various regions of the brain of many species, including humans. Neuron‐derived E2 (NDE2) is synthesized from androgen precursors via the action of the biosynthetic enzyme aroma-tase, which is located at synapses and in presynaptic terminals in neurons in both the male and female brain. In this review, we discuss evidence supporting a key role for NDE2 as a neuromodu-lator that regulates synaptic plasticity and memory. Evidence supporting an important neuromod-ulatory role of NDE2 in the brain has come from studies using aromatase inhibitors, aromatase over-expression in neurons, global aromatase knockout mice, and the recent development of conditional forebrain neuron‐specific knockout mice. Collectively, these studies demonstrate a key role of NDE2 in the regulation of synapse and spine density, efficacy of excitatory synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation, and regulation of hippocampal‐dependent recognition memory, spatial reference memory, and contextual fear memory. NDE2 is suggested to achieve these effects through estrogen receptor‐mediated regulation of rapid kinase signaling and CREB‐BDNF signaling pathways, which regulate actin remodeling, as well as transcription, translation, and transport of synaptic proteins critical for synaptic plasticity and function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number13242
JournalInternational journal of molecular sciences
Volume22
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2021

Keywords

  • Aromatase
  • Cognition
  • Estradiol
  • Memory
  • Neuroestrogen
  • Neuromodulator
  • Neurosteroid
  • Steroid hormone
  • Synapse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Spectroscopy
  • Catalysis
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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