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Vallée M. Advances in steroid research from the pioneering neurosteroid concept to metabolomics: New insights into pregnenolone function. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 72:101113. [PMID: 37993022 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Advances in neuroendocrinology have led to major discoveries since the 19th century, identifying adaptive loops for maintaining homeostasis. One of the most remarkable discoveries was the concept of neurosteroids, according to which the brain is not only a target but also a source of steroid production. The identification of new membrane steroid targets now underpins the neuromodulatory effects of neurosteroids such as pregnenolone, which is involved in functions mediated by the GPCR CB1 receptor. Structural analysis of steroids is a key feature of their interactions with the phospholipid membrane, receptors and resulting activity. Therefore, mass spectrometry-based methods have been developed to elucidate the metabolic pathways of steroids, the ultimate approach being metabolomics, which allows the identification of a large number of metabolites in a single sample. This approach should enable us to make progress in understanding the role of neurosteroids in the functioning of physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Vallée
- University Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
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Coen CW, Bennett NC, Holmes MM, Faulkes CG. Neuropeptidergic and Neuroendocrine Systems Underlying Eusociality and the Concomitant Social Regulation of Reproduction in Naked Mole-Rats: A Comparative Approach. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1319:59-103. [PMID: 34424513 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-65943-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The African mole-rat family (Bathyergidae) includes the first mammalian species identified as eusocial: naked mole-rats. Comparative studies of eusocial and solitary mole-rat species have identified differences in neuropeptidergic systems that may underlie the phenomenon of eusociality. These differences are found in the oxytocin, vasopressin and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) systems within the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and lateral septal nucleus. As a corollary of their eusociality, most naked mole-rats remain pre-pubertal throughout life because of the presence of the colony's only reproductive female, the queen. To elucidate the neuroendocrine mechanisms that mediate this social regulation of reproduction, research on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in naked mole-rats has identified differences between the many individuals that are reproductively suppressed and the few that are reproductively mature: the queen and her male consorts. These differences involve gonadal steroids, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH-1), kisspeptin, gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone/RFamide-related peptide-3 (GnIH/RFRP-3) and prolactin. The comparative findings in eusocial and solitary mole-rat species are assessed with reference to a broad range of studies on other mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive W Coen
- Reproductive Neurobiology, Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Melissa M Holmes
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.,Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christopher G Faulkes
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Churilov AN, Milton J, Salakhova ER. An integrate-and-fire model for pulsatility in the neuroendocrine system. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2020; 30:083132. [PMID: 32872840 DOI: 10.1063/5.0010553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A model for pulsatility in neuroendocrine regulation is proposed which combines Goodwin-type feedback control with impulsive input from neurons located in the hypothalamus. The impulsive neural input is modeled using an integrate-and-fire mechanism; namely, inputs are generated only when the membrane potential crosses a threshold, after which it is reset to baseline. The resultant model takes the form of a functional-differential equation with continuous and impulsive components. Despite the impulsive nature of the inputs, realistic hormone profiles are generated, including ultradian and circadian rhythms, pulsatile secretory patterns, and even chaotic dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Churilov
- Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetsky av. 28, Stary Peterhof, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - John Milton
- Keck Science Department, The Claremont Colleges, 925 North Mills Ave., Claremont, California 91711, USA
| | - Elvira R Salakhova
- Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetsky av. 28, Stary Peterhof, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia
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Yu EJ, Yamaguchi T, Lee JH, Lim AR, Lee JH, Park H, Oh TJ. Enzymatic Synthesis of Anabolic Steroid Glycosides by Glucosyltransferase from Terribacillus sp. PAMC 23288. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 30:604-614. [PMID: 31893610 PMCID: PMC9728329 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1911.11057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The application of steroids has steadily increased thanks to their therapeutic effects. However, alternatives are required due their severe side effects; thus, studies on the activities of steroid derivatives are underway. Sugar derivatives of nandrolone, which is used to treat breast cancer, as well as cortisone and prednisone, which reduce inflammation, pain, and edema, are unknown. We linked O-glucose to nandrolone and testosterone using UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT-1) and, then, tested their bioactivities in vitro. Analysis by NMR showed that the derivatives were 17β-nandrolone β-D-glucose and 17β-testosterone β-D-glucose, respectively. The viability was higher and cytotoxicity was evident in PC12 cells incubated with rotenone and, testosterone derivatives, compared to the controls. SH-SY5Y cells incubated with H2O2 and nandrolone derivatives remained viable and cytotoxicity was attenuated. Both derivatives enhanced neuronal protective effects and increased the amounts of cellular ATP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ji Yu
- Department of Life Science and Biochemical Engineering, SunMoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea
| | - Tokutaro Yamaguchi
- Department of Life Science and Biochemical Engineering, SunMoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea,Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Biotechnology, SunMoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea,Genome-Based BioIT Convergence Institute, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Ho Lee
- Genome-Based BioIT Convergence Institute, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea
| | - A-Rang Lim
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyuck Lee
- Unit of Research for Practical Application, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea,Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Park
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea,Corresponding authors H.P. Phone: +82 2 3290 3051 E-mail: T.-J.O. Phone: +82 41 530 2677 E-mail:
| | - Tae-Jin Oh
- Department of Life Science and Biochemical Engineering, SunMoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea,Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Biotechnology, SunMoon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea,Genome-Based BioIT Convergence Institute, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea,Corresponding authors H.P. Phone: +82 2 3290 3051 E-mail: T.-J.O. Phone: +82 41 530 2677 E-mail:
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Abstract
The brain hosts a vast and diverse repertoire of neuropeptides, a class of signalling molecules often described as neurotransmitters. Here I argue that this description entails a catalogue of misperceptions, misperceptions that feed into a narrative in which information processing in the brain can be understood only through mapping neuronal connectivity and by studying the transmission of electrically conducted signals through chemical synapses. I argue that neuropeptide signalling in the brain involves primarily autocrine, paracrine and neurohormonal mechanisms that do not depend on synaptic connectivity and that it is not solely dependent on electrical activity but on mechanisms analogous to secretion from classical endocrine cells. As in classical endocrine systems, to understand the role of neuropeptides in the brain, we must understand not only how their release is regulated, but also how their synthesis is regulated and how the sensitivity of their targets is regulated. We must also understand the full diversity of effects of neuropeptides on those targets, including their effects on gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Leng
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Correspondence should be addressed to G Leng:
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