Researchers discovered a mechanism by which estrogen can trigger fast neuronal responses.
Estrogen, the major female ovarian hormone, can trigger nerve impulses within milliseconds to regulate a variety of physiological processes. At Baylor College of Medicine, Louisiana State University and collaborating institutions, researchers discovered that estrogen's fast actions are mediated by the coupling of the estrogen receptor-alpha with an ion channel protein called Clic1.
"Estrogen also can change the firing activity of neurons in a manner of milliseconds, but it was not clear how this happens," Xu said."In this case, it did not make sense to us that the minutes-long nuclear receptor function of ER-alpha was involved in such a rapid action. We explored the possibility that ion channels, proteins in the cell membrane that regulate the fast flux of ions, mediated estrogen's quick actions.
"We discovered that estrogen enhances Clic1-mediated ion currents, and eliminating estrogen reduced such currents," Xu said."In addition, Clic1 currents are required for estrogen to induce rapid responses in neurons. Also, disrupting the Clic1 gene in animal models blunted estrogen regulation of female body weight balance."
"This study was conducted with female mice. However, Clic1 is also present in males. We are interested in investigating its role in male physiology," Xu said.
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