Elucidateion of the functions of a newly identified hypothalamic region.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24700331
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neuroscience in general
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: MORI HIROKO 京都府立医科大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (60616895)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: エストロゲン / 摂食

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was undertaken to reveal physiological function of sagittalis nucleus of the hypothalamus (SGN) that was newly-identified. SGN are located in a target of sex steroid action that is important for central regulation of food intake and reproduction. We found that neurons in SGN and its surrounding region express histamine receptor 1 (H1R). H1R is exclusively located in the ventrolateral subregion of the female ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN), coexistent with estrogen receptor alpha . Intriguingly, H1R located in the vlVMN showed sensitivity to estrogen, since H1R mRNA was induced in ovariectomized female rats treated with estrogen benzoate. These brain regions have a well-known role in modulation of estrogen-induced feeding and sexual behavior. These finding that the femal VMN contains high levels of estrogen-regulated H1R in the vl region suggests a causal link between histamine signaling and estrogen-induced behavioral function.

Free Research Field

神経科学　神経内分泌