Single-molecule imaging reveals rapid estradiol action on the surface movement of AMPA receptors in live neurons

Abstract

Estrogens are gonadal steroid hormons playing major role in the reproductive system but they are also crucial for osteogeneis, cardiovascular health, lipid metabolism and nervous system functions. (Ábrahám et al., 2009) E2 is mainly produced by the ovaries in premenopausal woman. The synthesized E2 diffuses into the circulatory system where it binds to sex hormone binding globulins and transported to target tissues. E2 production is under the strict control of hypothalamicpituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis). E2 is also produced by extragonadal tissues. For instance, the brain can synthetize E2 locally as aromatase enzyme is also expressed by neurons in different parts of the brain such as hippocampus, medial preoptic area, medialis amygdala and cortex. Aromatase enzyme activity and neurosteroid E2 have been linked to several physiological functions such as neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neuroprotection and cognitive behaviour. It has also been shown that aromatase activity is disturbed in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease or autism spectrum disorder. (Ubuka and Tsutsui, 2014)