Gene regulation by gonadal hormone receptors underlies brain sex differences.

ABSTRACT: Oestradiol establishes neural sex differences in many vertebrates^1-3 and modulates mood, behaviour and energy balance in adulthood^4-8. In the canonical pathway, oestradiol exerts its effects through the transcription factor oestrogen receptor-α (ERα)⁹. Although ERα has been extensively characterized in breast cancer, the neuronal targets of ERα, and their involvement in brain sex differences, remain largely unknown. Here we generate a comprehensive map of genomic ERα-binding sites in a sexually dimorphic neural circuit that mediates social behaviours. We conclude that ERα orchestrates sexual differentiation of the mouse brain through two mechanisms: establishing two male-biased neuron types and activating a sustained male-biased gene expression program. Col

SUBMITTER: Gegenhuber B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9159952 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature