A new study identifies genetic targets for stress hormones in the brain

In the leading research, scholars published in Nature Communications today (August 6th) at the University of Bristol and discovered the connection between steroid receptors-mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid Receptors (GR) and genes for neuroplasticity of cilia and hippocampus, areas of the brain related to coping with stress, learning and memory

The purpose of this study was to find out which genes MR and GR interact with in the entire hippocampal genome during normal circadian rhythm changes and after exposure to acute stress

The research combines advanced next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and path analysis technologies to enable people to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of glucocorticoids on hippocampal gene activity through MRs and GRs

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown link between MR and cilia function

The discovery of the new role of MR in cilia structure and function related to neuron development has increased the understanding of the role of these cell structures in the brain, and may help solve cilia-related (developmental) disorders in the future

The research team also discovered that MR and GR interact with many genes involved in neuroplasticity processes, such as communication between neurons and learning and memory processes

Although it is necessary to further study the role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of these genes, these findings fill the gap between the involvement of glucocorticoids in mental health disorders and the existence of fragile genes

Hans Reul, Professor of Neuroscience at Bristol School of Medicine: Translational Health Sciences (THS) said: "This research is an important step in our efforts to understand how these powerful glucocorticoids act on the brain and their functions

"We hope that our findings will trigger new targeted research into the role of these hormones in the cause of serious mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder

The next steps of the research include studying the glucocorticoid effect of MR and GR on the hippocampal genome under chronic stress conditions, and the glucocorticoid effect of MR and GR on the female brain genome due to a new grant from BBSRC

The research was funded by the British Biological Research Council and the Wellcome Trust’s PhD in Neurodynamics, and was carried out by the neuroepigenetics research team led by Professor Hans Lehr and Dr.

Journal Reference :

1. Karen R.