Effects of Estrogen Treatment on Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein Expression and Phosphorylation in Rat Amygdaloid and Hippocampal Structures

Abstract

Clinical studies indicate an effect of estrogen (E₂) on affect and cognition, which may be mediated by the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway and CREB-related gene target brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We investigated the effect of E₂ on CREB expression and phosphorylation and BDNF expression in the amygdala and hippocampus, areas involved in emotional processing. Ovariectomized rats were given 10 µg 17β-estradiol or vehicle for 14 days and expression of components of the CREB signaling pathway, i.e., CREB, phosphorylated CREB (pCREB), and BDNF in amygdala and hippocampus were investigated using immunogold labeling. Levels of BDNF mRNA were determined by in situ reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We also examined the effect of E₂ on calcium/calmodulin kinase (CaMK IV) immunolabeling in the hippocampus. E₂ increased immunolabeling and mRNA levels of BDNF in the medial and basomedial amygdala and CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus, but not in any other amygdaloid or hippocampal regions examined. E₂ increased immunolabeling of CREB and pCREB in the medial and basomedial, but not central or basolateral amygdala. E₂ also increased CaMK IV and pCREB immunolabeling in the CA1 and CA3 regions, but not CA2 region or dentate gyrus, of the hippocampus. There was no change in immunolabeling of CREB in any hippocampal region. These data identify a signaling pathway through which E₂ increases BDNF expression that may underlie some actions of E₂ on affective behavior and indicate neuroanatomical heterogeneity in the E₂ effect within the amygdala and hippocampus.