Corticosterone-responsive mRNAs in primary rat astrocytes.

Glucocorticoids are important in neuronal development, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, adaptive behavior, and neuronal survival. Glia have receptors for glucocorticoid hormones and thus represent targets for hormone action in the brain. To identify mRNAs that are regulated by corticosterone in primary type 1 rat astrocytes, we have utilized ultra-high resolution giant two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of in vitro translated proteins. Our results reveal 12 in vitro translation products likely representing 10 mRNA species that are regulated by corticosterone. Eleven products are significantly increased and one decreased, most within 3 h of hormone treatment. Inclusion of cycloheximide does not prevent these changes, suggesting that they represent alterations in transcription; however, other mechanisms, such as changes in mRNA stability, cannot be excluded. Two corticosterone-regulated proteins were identified as glucocortin and glutamine synthetase. These two proteins are glucocorticoid-regulated in a variety of cell types, whereas the others appear to be astrocyte-specific. Future identification of these hormone-responsive mRNAs and proteins will help elucidate the molecular basis for glucocorticoid action in the CNS.