Event Abstract Back to Event Gene expression profiling and epigenetics Nicole Datson1* 1 Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Netherlands Glucocorticoid hormones are crucial for coping with stress and for neuroprotection, but if their action is excessive or inadequate, behavioural adaptation fails, neuronal integrity is threatened and susceptibility to stress-related brain disorders is enhanced. Glucocorticoid effects are mediated by high-affinity mineralocorticoid and lower-affinity glucocorticoid receptors, postulated to operate as a binary switch controlling gene expression. Both receptors are co-localised in the limbic brain, in particular in the hippocampus. We have extensively applied large-scale gene expression profiling methods to characterise glucocorticoid- and stress-dependent changes in gene expression in the rat hippocampus and in specific subregions of the hippocampus isolated by laser microdissection. Molecular analysis of glucocorticoid-dependent gene expression in the brain has resulted in the identification of numerous molecular targets and pathways that underlie the pleiotropic effects these stress hormones have on neuronal function and structure. These genes represent several functional classes, including neuronal energy metabolism, signal transduction, oxidative stress, cell cycle, neuronal structure, vesicle dynamics, neurotransmitter catabolism, cell adhesion and neurotrophic support.The stress system is particularly sensitive to long-term programming effects. We are currently focussing on epigenetic modulation of the stress system in relation to programming of stress responses throughout life and risk for development of psychiatric disorders, taking advantage of our extensive database of glucocorticoid target genes and pathways in the brain.Our aim is to pinpoint which of these genes and pathways are associated with the change from protective to harmful effects of glucocorticoids and may serve as target for recovery from stress-related brain disorders.This lecture is supported by the DouweBreimerFoundation. Conference: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting, Rhodes Island, Greece, 13 Sep - 18 Sep, 2009. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Stress satellite symposium lectures Citation: Datson N (2009). Gene expression profiling and epigenetics. Conference Abstract: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.08.2009.09.067 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 05 Jun 2009; Published Online: 05 Jun 2009. * Correspondence: Nicole Datson, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, Netherlands, datson_n@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Nicole Datson Google Nicole Datson Google Scholar Nicole Datson PubMed Nicole Datson Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.