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Endocrinology Vol. 138, No. 2 778-789
Copyright © 1997 by The Endocrine Society


Articles

Gonadal Steroids Target AMPA Glutamate Receptor-Containing Neurons in the Rat Hypothalamus, Septum and Amygdala: A Morphological and Biochemical Study1

Sabrina Diano, Frederick Naftolin and Tamas L. Horvath

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Center for Research in Reproductive Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Tamas L. Horvath, Yale Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 333 Cedar Street, FMB 339, New Haven Connecticut, 06520. E-mail: HorvathTA{at}MASPO1.MAS.YALE.EDU


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Exp 1
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Interactions between glutamate and gonadal steroids are involved in the regulation of limbic and hypothalamic functions. We hypothesized that hormonal signals affect excitatory neurotransmission by regulating the expression of glutamate receptors (GluR) in limbic and hypothalamic regions. To test this hypothesis, first, the coexpression of dl-{alpha}-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazone-propionate (AMPA) GluR1, GluR2/3, and androgen receptors or estrogen receptors was revealed in the same cells of septal, amygdaloid, and hypothalamic areas by double immunocytochemistry. The highest incidence of colocalization was detected in hypothalamic regions. To demonstrate a regulatory role of testosterone or estradiol on AMPA receptor expression, the hormonal milieu of male and female rats was manipulated by gonadectomy and hormonal treatment. GluR1 and GluR2/3 expression was assessed by Western blots. Statistical analysis demonstrated that testosterone and estradiol have a stimulatory influence on the expression of AMPA receptors in the hypothalamus. The regulatory effect of estradiol on AMPA receptors was found to be site and gender specific: after estradiol treatment, samples taken from the hypothalamus contained increased levels of GluR1 and GluR2/3, whereas in the septum, bed nucleus and amygdala, no changes could be detected. Furthermore, the increase in hypothalamic GluR 2/3 levels was two times higher in females, compared with males, whereas the changes in hypothalamic GluR 1 levels showed no sex differences.

Our results support the hypothesis that the interaction between gonadal steroids and glutamate involves hormone regulation of GluR. This mechanism seems to be gender and site specific, suggesting that excitatory neurotransmission and related physiological mechanisms also may be distinctly different in males and females.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Exp 1
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
GLUTAMATE is the dominant excitatory neurotransmitter in limbic and hypothalamic areas (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). In these regions, glutamate induces an increase in intracellular Ca2+ that plays an important role as a second messenger in cellular functions. The increase of Ca2+ concentration by glutamate involves different mechanisms: influx from extracellular medium after activation of ionotropic receptors, and release or mobilization from intracellular stores after activation of metabotropic receptors (for review, see 9). On the basis of the predominant response to one of several glutamate agonists, ionotropic GluR are subdivided in AMPA (dl-{alpha}-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazone propionic acid), kainate, and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors. The activation of ionotropic receptor-gated channel-complex results in Ca2+ increase, which may regulate neuronal excitability (10), cell differentiation (11), long-term potentiation (12), and stimulation of peptide biosynthesis (13).

Synergistic interactions between glutamate and gonadal steroids may underlie various limbic and hypothalamic functions (for review, see 9). For example, administration of estradiol and progesterone induces an increase in glutamate binding sites in the hypothalamus of female rats (14). The rate of glutamate release is increased also in the medial preoptic area during an estrogen-induced LH surge (15). It is suggested that the elevation of glutamate binding sites and glutamate action in these areas are, at least in part, associated with AMPA receptor levels (16, 17, 18). To support the role of AMPA receptors in these mechanisms, in situ hybridization (7) and immunocytochemical studies (5) showed that two particular subunits of AMPA GluR (GluR1 and GluR2) are widely distributed in hypothalamic and limbic areas of female and male rats where gonadal steroid action is anticipated. However, the hypothalamic and limbic sites, where hormonal signals may be integrated into excitatory neural circuits, are yet to be defined.

We hypothesize that hormonal signals may affect excitatory neurotransmission, at least in part, by regulating the expression of AMPA GluR in the septum, amygdala, and hypothalamus, where these receptors coexist with gonadal steroid binding sites. Because developmental sexual dimorphism exists in hypothalamic areas, we propose also that hormonal regulation of AMPA receptors may occur in a gender-specific manner. To test these hypotheses, first we determined hypothalamic and limbic neuronal populations that are targets of both glutamate and gonadal steroid actions using immunolabeling for AMPA- and gonadal steroid receptors. AMPA receptors are present exclusively in the cytoplasm and perikaryal membrane (5, 19, 20), whereas the gonadal steroid receptors are restricted to the nucleus of cells (21, 22, 23), allowing easy detection of the two tissue antigens in the same cell. The second objective of this study was to determine whether, in sites where coexistence of GluR and steroid receptors is revealed, gonadal hormones regulate AMPA receptor levels, and whether this mechanism is sexually dimorphic. This hypothesis was tested by manipulating the hormonal environment of male and female rats, and subsequently, Western blot analyses were used to assess the AMPA receptor content of different limbic and hypothalamic regions.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Exp 1
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Animals
Adult, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 60; 200–250 g BW) were used for immunocytochemical studies and isolation of proteins from hormonally manipulated animals. Rats were kept under standard laboratory conditions, with tap water and regular rat chow available ad libitum, in a 12-h/12-h light/dark cycle.


    Exp 1
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Exp 1
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Immunocytochemistry.
Fixation and tissue preparation.
Randomly selected, intact male and female rats were killed under ether anesthesia by transaortic perfusion with 50 ml heparinized saline, followed by 250 ml fixative. The fixative consisted of 4% paraformaldehyde, 15% picric acid, and 0.2% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (PB), pH 7.4. The brains were dissected out, and coronal blocks were postfixed for an additional 1–2 h in glutaraldehyde-free fixative. Tissue blocks were rinsed in several changes of PB and then 60 µm vibratome (Lancer) sections were prepared and rinsed 4 x 15 min in PB. Sections for electron microscopy were transferred into vials containing 0.5 ml 10% sucrose (in PB) and rapidly frozen by immersing the vial in liquid nitrogen to enhance antibody penetration. They were then thawed to room temperature and repeatedly washed in PB. Subsequently, sections for both light and electron microscopy were treated with 1% sodium borohydride in PB for 10 min to eliminate unbound aldehydes from the tissue.

Immunostaining.
Because of the different subcellular compartmentalization of GluR (cytoplasm, perikaryal membrane) and gonadal steroid receptors (nucleus), the light microscopic double immunostaining for GluR1 or GluR2/3 and androgen receptors (AR) or estrogen receptors (ER) was carried out according to the following protocol: Incubation in antisera generated in rabbit against either GluR1 or GluR2/3 (Chemicon, Temecula, CA) diluted 1:500 in PB containing 0.3% Triton X-100 for 24 h at room temperature. After several washes in PB, sections were incubated in the secondary antibody (biotinylated goat antirabbit IgG, 1:250 in PB containing 0.3% Triton X-100; Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) for 2 h at room temperature, then rinsed in PB 3 x 10 min. This was followed by incubation in avidin-biotin peroxidase (1:250 in PB, ABC Elite, Vector Labs) for 2 h at room temperature, and the tissue-bound peroxidase was visualized with a nickel-diaminobenzidine (Ni-DAB) reaction (15 mg DAB, 0.12 mg glucose oxidase, 12 mg ammonium chloride, 600 µl of 0.05 M Ni ammonium sulfate, 600 µl 10% ß-D-glucose in 30 ml PB; dark blue reaction product in the cytoplasm). After several rinses in PB, sections were further immunostained for either AR or ER. After a 48-h (at 4 C), incubation in either rabbit anti-AR (2 µg/ml; gift from Dr. Gail Prins, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL; 23 or rabbit anti-ER (1:500; National Hormone and Pituitary Program; Refs. 21, 22), sections were further processed using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique: incubation in the secondary antibody (goat-antirabbit IgG), 1:50 in PB for 2h at room temperature, followed by rabbit peroxidase-antiperoxidase, 1:100 in PB. Between incubation steps, sections were rinsed 3 x 15 min in PB. The tissue bound peroxidase was visualized by a light brown DAB reaction (15 mg DAB, 165 µl 0.3% H2O2 in 30 ml PB, 5–10 min at room temperature; brown reaction product in the nucleus). After immunostaining of the second tissue antigen, sections were thoroughly rinsed in PB, placed on gelatin coated slides, dehydrated through increasing ethanol concentrations, and mounted with Permount. In control double-immunostaining experiments, one or both of the primary antibodies were replaced with normal serum. Either single or no immunostaining was detected under these circumstances.

For electron microscopic studies, double immunostaining for GluR1-2/3 and AR or ER was carried out according to the following protocol: Incubation was performed with a mixture of rabbit anti-AR (2 µg/ml; gift from Dr. Gail Prins, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL; 23 or rabbit anti-ER (1:500; National Hormone and Pituitary Program; Refs. 21, 22) and antisera generated against either rabbit anti-GluR1 or GluR2/3 (Chemicon) diluted 1:500 in PB for 24 h at room temperature. After several washes in PB, sections were further incubated in the secondary antibody (biotinylated goat antirabbit IgG, 1:250 in PB; Vector Labs) for 2 h at room temperature, then rinsed 3 x 10 min. This was followed by incubation in ABC Elite (Vector Labs) for 2 h at room temperature, and the tissue-bound peroxidase was visualized with a Ni-DAB reaction (dark blue reaction product). Subsequently, sections were postosmicated (1% OsO4 in PB) for 30 min, dehydrated through increasing ethanol concentrations (using 1% uranyl acetate in the 70% ethanol for 30 min), and flat embedded in araldite between liquid release-coated slides (Electron Microscopy Sciences, Fort Washington, PA), and placed in an oven at 60 C for 48 h. After capsule embedding, blocks were trimmed and cut on a Reichert-Jung ultramicrotome. Ribbons of ultrathin sections were collected on Formvar-coated single-slot grids and examined using a Philips CM-10 electron microscope (Mahway, NJ).

Exp 2
Hormonal manipulations.
Male (n = 6) and female (n = 6) rats were left intact or bilaterally ovariectomized (n = 12) or castrated (n = 16) under ether anesthesia. Four weeks later, groups of gonadectomized females (n = 6) and males (n = 4) received daily sc injections of 17-ß-estradiol benzoate (10 µg/100 g BW diluted in sesame oil) for 7 days (24). A group of castrated males (n = 6) were sc injected daily with testosterone (500 µg/100 g BW in sesame oil) for 7 days (24). The remainder of the gonadectomized animals (6 males and 6 females) received oil injection alone.

Western blot analysis.
Rats from each group were killed by decapitation 24 h after the last injection to the hormone-treated animals. The hypothalamus, septum, and amygdala of each animal were removed and homogenized in lysis buffer containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 50 mM MgCl2, 5 mM EGTA, 0.25% Triton X-100, and protease inhibitors (proteinase inhibitor cocktail tablets-Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN) for the protein isolation. The homogenated tissues were centrifuged at 190,000 x g for 1 h at 4 C. The resulting supernatant was normalized for total protein using the bicinchonic acid assay (BCA Protein Assay, Pierce Rockford, IL). Coomassie-stained SDS-polyacrylamide gels were routinely used to evaluate the concentration and quality of the extracts.

Western blots were carried out using 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gels run on a minigel apparatus; 30 µg of protein was loaded per lane. The gels were transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride (Millipore Corp. Bedford, MA) membranes by electroblotting overnight (30 V). The filters were blocked in 5% nonfat dry milk and 0.1% Tween for 1 h at room temperature. Blots were then incubated with rabbit anti-GluR1 (0.5 µg/ml) or GluR2/3 (0.25 µg/ml) (Chemicon) diluted in TBS Tween (20 mM Tris, 137 mM NaCl, pH 7.6) for 1 h at room temperature. Blots were incubated also with monoclonal mouse anti-ß tubulin (1:15,000) (Sigma Chemical Co. St. Louis, MO) as controls to evaluate the amount of protein loaded for each lane. Membranes were washed three times for 10 min in the same buffer and incubated for 1 h with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated goat antirabbit IgG or horse antimouse IgG (Vector Labs) diluted 1:15,000 in TBS Tween. Subsequently, the blots were washed five times for 10 min in the same buffer. Immunoreactive proteins were revealed using enhanced chemiluminescence method (ECL, Amersham, Arlington Heights, IL).

Data analysis
The extent of colocalization of GluR1 or GluR2/3 and ER or AR was calculated by quantitative analysis. Double-immunolabeled vibratome sections from five male and five female rats were examined under the light microscope. The number of single- and double-labeled neurons was counted in each area of interest. The percentage of gonadal steroid receptor-immunoreactive cells (immunolabeled nuclei) that were immunopositive for AMPA receptors (immunolabeled perikarya) and the percentage of AMPA receptor-containing cells that were immunoreactive for gonadal steroid receptors were calculated in each region.

The expressions of GluR1 and GluR2/3 on Western blot analysis were quantified densitometrically using an image analysis system (ImageQuantNT software; Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, CA). Each gel contained samples from each region studied in gonadectomized and gonadectomized plus hormone-treated animals. The value of each sample was normalized with the value of the corresponding ß tubulin. Then, the values of samples taken from gonadectomized animals were considered to be at the 100% level of protein. Thus, the values of GluR1 and GluR2/3 levels of intact and steroid-treated animals are given in arbitrary densitometric units.

Differences were assessed between groups using the ANOVA. All data are presented as the mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was assumed for P < 0.05.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Exp 1
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Exp 1: Immunocytochemistry
Double immunolabeling for AR or ER and AMPA GluR1 or GluR2/3.
Light microscopy revealed the coexistence of GluR1 or GluR2/3 and AR or ER in the same regions of the limbic system and the hypothalamus (Figs. 1Go-5). Table 1Go shows the percentage of colocalization of AMPA receptors and gonadal steroid receptors in areas of the limbic system and hypothalamus.



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Figure 1. Light micrographs taken from sections double immunostained for either GluR1 or GluR2/3 (reaction product in the cytoplasm) and either ER or AR (reaction product in the nucleus) in different nuclei of the hypothalamus. Panel A, Neurons in the arcuate nucleus of a normal male that express immunolabeling for AR in their nuclei (long arrows) and immunoreactivity for GluR1 in their cytoplasm ( short arrows). Panel B, Long arrows point to ER immunolabeled nuclei whereas short arrows indicate perikaryal immunostaining for GluR 1 in neurons of the medial preoptic area of a normal female rat. The neuron in the center of the micrograph expresses both ER and GluR1 immunostaining.The asterisk on panel B indicates a perikaryon single immunolabeled for GluR 1. Panel C, GluR2/3 immunolabeled neurons of a male rat (short arrows) coexpressing AR immunoreactivity (long arrows) in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. Panel D, GluR2/3-immunopositive (short arrows), female arcuate neurons, some of which are also immunolabeled for nuclear ER (long arrows).The asterisk on panel D indicates a neuron that is single immunolabeled for ER. Original magnification of panels A–D: x 100.

 

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Table 1. Colocalization of GluR1 or GluR2/3 and AR or ER

 
Immunolabeling of GluR 1, GluR2/3 in the limbic system and hypothalamus.
Light microscopy.
The distribution pattern of GluR1 and GluR2/3 immunolabeling corresponded to an earlier description (19). Immunolabeling for GluR1 resulted in heavy peroxidase labeling in neuronal perikarya of all divisions of the lateral septum (see Fig. 4Go).



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Figure 4. Figures 4Go and 5Go are schematic illustrations depicting the relationship between AR/ER- and GluR1/GluR2/3 immunolabeling in the septum (A), medial preoptic area (B), arcuate and ventromedial nuclei (C), amygdala (D). {circ}, GluR2/3 immunolabeled neurons; {square}, GluR1-immunolabeled neurons; •, AR/ER immunolabeled nuclei; {blacksquare}, AR-immunolabeled nuclei. Overlapping images indicate colocalization. cc, Corpus callosum; LS, lateral septum; BST, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; ac, anterior commissure; DBB, diagonal band of Broca; acp, anterior comissure, posterior; MPN, medial preoptic nucleus; oc, optic chiasm; fx, fornix; VMN, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus; ARC, arcuate nucleus; III, third ventricle; ME, median eminence; CeA, central amygdaloid nucleus; MeA, medial amygdaloid nucleus; opt, optic tract; D3V, third ventricle, dorsal.

 
Numerous labeled cells were detected in the central nucleus of the amygdala, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and the paraventricular and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei. Although labeled cells were detected in the medial nucleus of the amygdala and all nuclei of the hypothalamus (including the medial preoptic area, periventricular regions, anterior hypothalamus, and arcuate nucleus), the staining intensity in these regions was lower, compared with that in the septum.

Immunostaining for GluR2/3 resulted in a distribution pattern of labeled neurons similar to that of GluR1. However, in the lateral septum, the subcellular distribution of GluR2/3 immunoreactivity seemed to be different from that of GluR1. Here, labeling was predominantly in the soma, whereas only the proximal dendrites were lightly stained.

Electron microscopy. In most cells of all regions, immunolabeling was most intense in the cell membrane with weaker, patchy labeling throughout the cytoplasm of both somata and dendrites (Figs. 2Go and 3Go). No labeling was detected in axons, axon terminals, nuclei, or nucleoli.



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Figure 2. Electron micrographs taken from material double immunostained for either GluR1 or GluR2/3 and ER. Panel A, A perikaryon in the lateral septum of a normal female rat that is immunopositive for GluR2/3 without nuclear ER labeling. From the same female rat, panel B demonstrates a GluR1-immunolabeled cell body in the medial amygdala coexpressing ER in the nucleus. Bar scales on panels A and B represent 1 µm.

 


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Figure 3. Electron micrograph taken from the material double immunostained for ER and GluR2/3 of a normal female rat. The ER-immunoreactive cell of the lateral septum does not show cytoplasmic labeling for GluR2/3, confirming predominant nuclear labeling. On the other hand, in the vicinity of this cell and a neighboring unlabeled neuron, GluR2/3-immunopositivity is localized to dendritic profiles (arrows).The bar scale represents 1 µm.

 
Immunolabeling of AR and ER
Light microscopy.
The distribution pattern of AR- and ER-containing nuclei in this study is generally in agreement with previous descriptions (21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27). AR were found most abundantly in the lateral septum, bed nucleus, medial amygdala, the medial preoptic area, periventricular areas, anterior hypothalamus, and arcuate and ventromedial nuclei (Figs. 4Go and 5Go). Fewer AR-immunoreactive nuclei were detected in the diagonal band of Broca and other hypothalamic nuclei. The distribution pattern of ER-immunoreactive perikarya overlapped that of the AR, except for the dorsal divisions of the lateral septum. In this latter region, no ER positive cells were found.



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Figure 5. Figures 4Go and 5Go are schematic illustrations depicting the relationship between AR/ER- and GluR1/GluR2/3 immunolabeling in the septum (A), medial preoptic area (B), arcuate and ventromedial nuclei (C), amygdala (D). {circ}, GluR2/3 immunolabeled neurons; {square}, GluR1-immunolabeled neurons; •, AR/ER immunolabeled nuclei; {blacksquare}, AR-immunolabeled nuclei. Overlapping images indicate colocalization. cc, Corpus callosum; LS, lateral septum; BST, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; ac, anterior comissure; DBB, diagonal band of Broca; acp, anterior commissure, posterior; MPN, medial preoptic nucleus; oc, optic chiasm; fx, fornix; VMN, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus; ARC, arcuate nucleus; III, third ventricle; ME, median eminence; CeA, central amygdaloid nucleus; MeA, medial amygdaloid nucleus; opt, optic tract; D3V, third ventricle, dorsal.

 
Electron microscopy. Peroxidase labeling for ER/AR was confined to the nucleus of neurons with no cytoplasmic or nucleolar immunostaining (Fig. 3Go).

Exp 2
GluR1 and GluR2/3 levels in intact and castrated plus testosterone-treated males, as compared with castrated controls, using Western blot analysis (Figs. 6Go and 7Go). Compared with castrated males (n = 6), animals with testosterone treatment (n = 6) showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in GluR1 protein levels in the hypothalamus (41% ± 8.54) (Figs. 6AGo and 7AGo). GluR2/3 also was increased by 33% ± 21.3 in the hypothalamus of testosterone-treated castrated animals (Figs. 6BGo and 7BGo). Changes ({Delta}) in either of these AMPA receptor levels could not be detected in the septum or in the amygdala (Figs. 6Go and 7Go).



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Figure 6. Results of the Western blot analyses on GluR1 and GluR 2/3 protein levels in limbic and hypothalamic tissues after different hormonal manipulations in male rats (panels A–B). Treatment of animals and preparation of tissue proteins are described in Materials and Methods. Hormone treatment was for 7 days. Panels A and B, Quantitative analyses of GluR1 and GluR2/3 protein levels using ANOVA. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM of determinations from 5–6 animals. Concentrations of GluR1 and GluR2/3 protein were determined as described in the Materials and Methods. The bars represent GluR 1 (panel A) or GluR2/3 (panel B) expression in hypothalamic, septal, and amygdaloid tissues of castrated males, intact males, castrated plus testosterone-treated males and castrated plus estradiol-treated males. After testosterone treatment, the protein concentrations for GluR1 and GluR2/3 increased in the hypothalamus (41% ± 8.54 and 33% ± 21.3, respectively) but not in the septum and in the amygdala. In the same way, after estradiol treatment, the protein concentrations for GluR1 and GluR2/3 increased in the hypothalamus (53% ± 6.8 and 29% ± 1.5, respectively). No changes were seen in the septum and amygdala. ADU, arbitrary densitometric units; *, P < 0.05.

 


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Figure 7. Representative gels showing hypothalamus, septum, and amygdala of castrated male (a), intact male (b), castrated male plus testosterone treatment (c), and castrated male plus estradiol treatment (d). A, Immunoreactive protein for AMPA GluR1, revealed using enhanced chemiluminescence method. B, Immunoreactive protein for AMPA GluR2/3, revealed using enhanced chemiluminescence method. The amount of proteins loaded for each lane of the gel was normalized for total protein using the bicinchonic acid assay (BCA Protein Assay). The expressions of GluR1 and GluR2/3 were quantified densitometrically using an image analysis system (ImageQuantNT software; Molecular Dynamics). The value of each sample was normalized with the value of the correspondent ß tubulin.

 
Samples taken from intact males (n = 6) demonstrated that, in the hypothalamus, the levels of GluR1 and GluR2/3 were significantly higher (P < 0.05), compared with castrated controls (n = 6). GluR1 was higher by 30% (Figs. 6AGo and 7AGo) and GluR2/3 was higher by 17% in the hypothalamus (Figs. 6BGo and 7BGo). Samples taken from the septum and amygdala of intact and castrated control animals did not show differences (Figs. 6Go and 7Go).

GluR1 and GluR2/3 levels in castrated plus estradiol benzoate-treated males, as compared with castrated controls, using Western blot analysis (Figs. 6Go and 7Go).
Treatment of castrated male rats (n = 4) with estradiol benzoate increased the amount of GluR1 by 53% ± 6.88 in the hypothalamus, compared with castrated controls (n = 4; Figs. 6AGo and 7AGo). The amount of GluR2/3 in treated animals also was increased by 29% ± 1.5 in the hypothalamus (Figs. 6BGo and 7BGo). {Delta} in GluR 1 or GluR2/3 levels could not be detected in the septum or in the amygdala (Figs. 6Go and 7Go).

GluR1 and GluR2/3 levels in intact females and ovariectomized plus estradiol benzoate-treated females, as compared with ovariectomized controls, using Western blot analysis (Figs. 8Go and 9Go).
Compared with ovariectomized females (n = 6), ovariectomized plus estradiol-benzoate-treated animals (n = 6), increased their GluR1 and GluR2/3 protein content in the hypothalamus. This increase for GluR1 was 43% ± 13.63 (Figs. 8AGo and 9AGo), whereas for GluR2/3 level, was 55% ± 5.9 (Figs. 8BGo and 9BGo). {Delta} in either of these AMPA receptor levels could not be detected in the septum or in the amygdala (Figs. 8Go and 9Go).



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Figure 8. Results of the Western blot analyses on GluR1 and GluR 2/3 protein levels in limbic and hypothalamic tissues after different hormonal manipulations in female rats (panels A and B). Treatment of animals and preparation of tissue proteins were as described in Materials and Methods. Estradiol benzoate treatment (10 µg/100 g BW per day) was for 7 days. Panel A, Quantitative analysis of GluR1 protein levels. The figure shows an increase in the level of the protein in ovariectomized plus estradiol-treated animals in hypothalamus (43% ± 13.63), compared with ovariectomized controls. Panel B, Quantitative analysis of GluR2/3 protein levels. In the hypothalamus, ovariectomized plus estradiol-treated females show a 55% ± 5.9 increase in GluR2/3 levels, compared with ovariectomized controls. No differences were seen in the values of the septum and amygdala for either GluR1 or GluR2/3 between the treatment groups. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM of determinations from 5–6 animals. The quantitation of GluR1 and GluR2/3 proteins is in arbitrary densitometric units (ADU), compared with ovariectomized female rats. *, P < 0.05.

 


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Figure 9. Representative gels showing hypothalamus, septum, and amygdala of ovariectomized female (a), intact female (b), ovariectomized female plus estradiol treatment (c). A, Immunoreactive protein for AMPA GluR1, revealed using enhanced chemiluminescence method; B, immunoreactive protein for AMPA GluR2/3, revealed using enhanced chemiluminescence method. The amount of proteins loaded for each lane of the gel was normalized for total protein using the bicinchonic acid assay (BCA protein assay). The expressions of GluR1 and GluR2/3 were quantified densitometrically using an image analysis system (ImageQuantNT software; Molecular Dynamics). The value of each sample was normalized with the value of the correspondent ß tubulin.

 
Samples taken from intact animals (n = 6) revealed no significant differences in AMPA GluR1 and GluR2/3 content in the hypothalamus, septum, and amygdala, compared with ovariectomized controls (n = 6; Figs. 8Go and 9Go). This may reflect that intact females were most probably killed at days of their estrus cycle when estrogen levels were low.

Male-female differences in the {Delta} of GluR2/3 levels after estradiol benzoate treatment (Fig. 10Go).
Western blot analysis showed increased expressions of AMPA GluR1 and GluR2/3 in gonadectomized female and male rats after estradiol treatment (see above). In the hypothalamus, {Delta} GluR2/3 was about 2-fold higher (P < 0.05) in females (55% ± 5.9), compared with males (29% ± 1.5; Fig. 10Go). On the other hand, no significant differences could be detected between {Delta} GluR1 of males (53% ± 6.88) and that of females (43% ± 13.63; Fig. 10Go).



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Figure 10. Western blot analysis indicates a gender-specific increase in the expressions of AMPA GluR2/3, but not GluR1, in gonadectomized animals after estradiol treatment. In the hypothalamus, {Delta} GluR2/3 was 2-fold higher (P < 0.05) in females (55% ± 5.9), compared with males (29% ± 1.5). On the other hand, no significant differences could be detected between {Delta} GluR1 of males (53% ± 6.8) and that of females (43% ± 13.63) (data derived from Figs. 6Go and 8Go). *, P < 0.05.

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Exp 1
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The present observations provide evidence for the colocalization of AMPA GluR and gonadal steroid receptors in limbic and hypothalamic areas of the rat. Western blot analyses demonstrated that, in the hypothalamus, sex steroids upregulate the expression of ionotropic AMPA GluR in a gender-specific manner.

The experimental design of this study was based on the premise that gonadal steroids exert their effect through classical, nuclear receptors. In fact, the colocalization studies indicate that the effects of estradiol and testosterone on the expression of AMPA receptors may be mediated by estrogen or AR: the area that showed significant increases in GluR1-3 expression, the hypothalamus, had the highest incidence of colocalization of glutamate and gonadal steroid receptors.

Functional implications
Hypothalamus.
The detection of gonadal steroid receptors in hypothalamic neurons expressing different subtypes of AMPA receptors and the upregulation of these GluR by gonadal steroids may have implications for a possible mechanism in the central regulation of neuroendocrine processes.

An increasing body of data indicates that glutamate plays a role in the hypothalamic regulation of pituitary hormones, including ACTH, GH, PRL, oxytocin, vasopressin, and gonadotropins (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35). For example, endogenous excitatory amino acids induce gonadotropin secretion from the anterior pituitary during the ovarian cycle and under experimental conditions (36, 37, 38). The effect of glutamate on gonadotropin secretion seems to be mediated by the hypothalamus, because: 1) direct administration of glutamate to the pituitary gland does not alter gonadotropin secretion (39); 2) glutamate-induced LH secretion can be blocked by the administration of an LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonist (40). Supporting a central site of action, Bourguignon et al. (17) have reported that incubation of rat hypothalami in vitro with glutamate analogs results in a dose-related stimulation of LHRH release. Donoso et al. (41) and Abbud and Smith (42) have found that in vitro, non-NMDA receptors are more potent in stimulating LHRH release from arcuate nucleus and median eminence (ME fragments). Administration of kainic acid or quisqualic acid readily increased the release of LHRH, whereas NMDA injected in physiological concentrations was ineffective. Furthermore, the glutamate-induced release of LHRH from arcuate nucleus/ME fragments could be blocked by the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, DNQX, but not by the NMDA receptor antagonist, AP-7 (41). Moreover, Brann et al. (43) have demonstrated that castration does not affect NMDA receptor concentrations in the hypothalamus of female and male rat brain. Steroid replacement to ovariectomized and castrated rats does not have an effect on NMDA receptors binding in the hypothalamus or cerebral cortex (43). On the other hand, Weiland (14) found an increase in [3H] glutamate binding in the preoptic area of ovariectomized rats after estradiol plus progesterone treatment. In light of the views that estradiol (44) and glutamate (42, 45, 46) exert their effects on LHRH neurons, at least in part indirectly, we propose that the actions of glutamate and estradiol on gonadotropin secretion are integrated in LHRH-targeting hypothalamic neurons that coexpress gonadal steroid receptors and AMPA receptors. Furthermore, we suggest that estradiol could amplify the effect of glutamate on LHRH by increasing the expression of different AMPA receptor subunits in hypothalamic nuclei. Further studies are needed to determine whether changes in AMPA receptors content occur in female rats during the estrus cycle under different estrogen environment. Moreover, it is necessary to assess whether the increased expression of AMPA receptors occurred in neurons with ER, and if so, whether ER/AMPA containing neurons have direct efferents or access (for example, via nitric oxide) to LHRH cells.

Amygdala, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, septum.
The amygdala, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and septal area are conspicuous, integrated parts of the limbic system. Through extensive and reciprocal interconnections with the limbic telencephalic and diencephalic areas and with mesencephalic, lower brain stem and spinal cord regions, these areas are involved in the control of a variety of physiological and behavioral processes related to higher cognitive functions (2). These include emotion and memory, social behavior such as reproduction and aggression, and modulation of the autonomic and neuroendocrine system.

The medial nucleus of amygdala, in conjunction with the posteromedial bed nucleus and medial preoptic area, plays a major role in the integration of sensory and hormonal cues in the regulation of sexual behaviors (47, 48). The abundance of steroid receptors in these areas was described earlier (21, 49), and the present study is in absolute agreement with those descriptions. Our observation that approximately 50% of medial amygdala, bed nucleus, and medial preoptic ER/AR-containing neurons coexpress AMPA GluR raises the possibility that, in the chemosensory pathway, glutamate is a dominant neurotransmitter.

The septal area, particularly the lateral septum, is rich in glutamate and aspartate because of its massive innervation by excitatory amino acid-containing limbic cortical efferents (1, 2, 3). Substantial populations of neurons in this region also are direct targets of circulating gonadal steroids, including estradiol (49) and testosterone (23). Because the lateral septum is considered to be a site that relays hippocampal signals to hypothalamic regions that participate in gonadal steroid dependent mechanisms, such as gonadotropin control (medial preoptic area, arcuate nucleus) and sexual behaviors (ventromedial nucleus, medial preoptic area), it is surprising that we found very limited colocalization of gonadal steroid and AMPA GluR (10%) in septal neurons and no significant alteration of AMPA receptor expression after hormone treatment. Whereas technical limitations (antisera, sampling for the Western blots) may have contributed to these results, one may suggest that hippocampal and gonadal signals are not integrated at the level of the septum, but rather in the hypothalamus or in the hippocampus.

Conclusions
The present observations suggest that glutamate regulated neurons in the hypothalamus are direct targets of gonadal steroids and that, by altering the expression of AMPA GluR, androgen and estrogen may readily influence excitatory neurotransmission in these areas in a sexually dimorphic manner.


    Acknowledgments
 
We are indebted to Dr. Gail Prins, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, for providing the AR antiserum. The anti-ER antiserum was obtained through NHPP, NIDDK, NICHHD, USDA.


    Footnotes
 
1 This study was supported by the Brow-Coxe Fellowship (to T.L.H.), NIH Grant HD-13587 (to F.N.), and the Fellowship of University of Naples (to S.D.). Part of this study was presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California, 1996, Abstract 176.14, p 430. Back

Received August 13, 1996.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Exp 1
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

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