Gene regulation by gonadal hormone receptors underlies brain sex differences

Oncefa2 · 2023-01-13T22:46:15+00:00

Abstract

Oestradiol establishes neural sex differences in many vertebrates1,2,3 and modulates mood, behaviour and energy balance in adulthood4,5,6,7,8. 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. Collectively, our findings reveal that sex differences in gene expression are defined by hormonal activation of neuronal steroid receptors. The molecular targets we identify may underlie the effects of oestradiol on brain development, behaviour and disease.

Basically they've identified how sex hormones influence brain differences between men and women.

One interesting area is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, which contains large numbers of estrogen receptors.

You can see pronounced differences between men and women in this brain region on MRI scans. The neurons in this part of the brain are inhibitory and play a role in the startle response. Previous research has found that trans men and women have gender typical BNSTs (matching their gender identity instead of their biological sex). Hormone fluctuations during key periods of development may therefore influence gender identity, as well gender specific sex traits.

Oncefa2 · 2023-01-13T22:49:22+00:00

Tollkuhn explains that estrogen is present in the brains of both males and females: some neurons make it themselves out of testosterone. In male mice, estrogen generated through a surge of testosterone that is released soon after birth shapes developing circuitry. As a result, certain brain regions are larger and contain more cells in males than they do in females—a difference that affects a range of behaviors in adulthood, including mating, parenting, and aggression.

“There’s this critical period when the brain is developing and wiring up that it has to get this input in order to make these permanent changes in the brain wiring. This is a transient surge, but it seems to have extremely long-lasting effects on brain development.”

https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-how-sex-hormones-define-brain-differences-between-men-and-women/

Title	Gene regulation by gonadal hormone receptors underlies brain sex differences
Author	Oncefa2
Upvotes	9
Comments	2
Date	January 13, 2023 10:39 PM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Male_Studies
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Male_Studies/comments/10b7u5r/gene_regulation_by_gonadal_hormone_receptors/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Male_Studies/gene-regulation-by-gonadal-hormone-receptors.1215622 https://theredarchive.com/post/1215622

Comments