Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
J Neuroendocrinol. 2012 Jan;24(1):16-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02150.x.
The long-held dogma that the brain is a target of steroids produced by peripheral organs has delayed the widespread acceptance of the functional importance of neurosteroidogenesis. Comparative studies have been vital for establishing the key actions of gonadal and adrenal hormones on brain and behaviour. No doubt, studies across diverse phyla will continue to be crucial for revealing the true significance of neurosteroidogenesis to proper function of the vertebrate brain. Here, we review work carried out in our laboratory, as well as in others, highlighting advances to our understanding of brain steroid synthesis and action using songbirds as animal models. These studies show that steroidogenic transporters and enzymes are present in the songbird brain and that their expression and/or activities are subject to developmental, seasonal or short-term regulation. Our work in a songbird points to synaptic synthesis of neuroactive steroids and fast, perisynaptic membrane actions. Combined with evidence for rapid steroidal control of behaviour, these studies firmly establish a neuromodulatory role for avian neurosteroids. We hope this work will join with that of other species to embolden the acceptance of neurosteroidal signalling as a core property of vertebrate neurobiology.
长期以来，人们一直认为大脑是外周器官产生的类固醇的靶器官，这阻碍了人们广泛接受神经甾体生成的功能重要性。比较研究对于确定性腺和肾上腺激素对大脑和行为的关键作用至关重要。毫无疑问，跨不同门的研究将继续对于揭示神经甾体生成对脊椎动物大脑正常功能的真正意义至关重要。在这里，我们综述了我们实验室以及其他实验室的工作，强调了使用鸣禽作为动物模型研究脑类固醇合成和作用的进展。这些研究表明，甾体生成转运蛋白和酶存在于鸣禽的大脑中，它们的表达和/或活性受到发育、季节或短期调节的影响。我们在鸣禽中的工作表明，神经活性类固醇是在突触处合成的，并且具有快速的、突触旁膜作用。结合快速类固醇对行为的控制的证据，这些研究有力地确立了禽类神经甾体的神经调制作用。我们希望这项工作将与其他物种的工作相结合，使人们更加坚定地接受神经甾体信号作为脊椎动物神经生物学的核心特性。
