Fast regulation of steroid biosynthesis: a further piece in the neurosteroid puzzle
2000; Elsevier BV; Volume: 23; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0166-2236(99)01514-3
ISSN1878-108X
AutoresJacques Balthazart, Gregory F. Ball,
Tópico(s)Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
ResumoIt is widely recognized that steroid hormones regulate physiological processes by acting as transcription factors at the genomic level. These steroid effects are relatively slow (that is, they last from hours to days) and are compatible with gradual changes in steroid availability. Recently, attention has been devoted to the more-rapid actions of steroids, which occur in the brain over a period of a few milliseconds to a few seconds and involve the interaction of steroids with the neuronal membrane. In their recent article, Rupprecht and Holsboer 1 Rupprecht R. Holsboer F. Neuroactive steroids: mechanisms of action and neuropsychopharmalogical perspectives. Trends Neurosci. 1999; 22: 410-416 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (595) Google Scholar highlight these rapid effects and describe several ways in which they can be mediated at the cellular level. Recent work has identified steroids that are produced in the brain from cholesterol (the so-called ‘neurosteroids’) and that seem to act mostly at high concentrations via a direct interaction with membrane-bound neurotransmitter receptors (see 2 Baulieu E.E. et al. Neurosteroids. A new regulatory function in the nervous system. Humana Press, 1999 Google Scholar for a review). Other steroids that might not be formed in the brain but act rapidly when present in high concentration are termed ‘neuroactive steroids’, a notable example being estrogen. ReplyRupprecht et al.Trends in NeurosciencesFebruary 01, 2000In Brief Full-Text PDF
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