Genistein induces phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein in neonatal hypothalamus in vivo

J Neuroendocrinol. 2009 Dec;21(12):1024-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2009.01925.x. Epub 2009 Oct 14.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of the phytoestrogen, genistein and 17beta-oestradiol on cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in the neonatal female rat hypothalamus in vivo using western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Although CREB expression was insensitive to the compounds we tested, administration of genistein and 17beta-oestradiol induced rapid CREB phosphorylation (< 15 min) in the hypothalamus and its level remained elevated at 4 h. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis showed that genistein and 17beta-oestradiol had no effect on CREB phosphorylation in the magnocellular subdivision of paraventricular nucleus. By contrast, genistein induced a dose-dependent increase in CREB phosphorylation in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). Administration of 17beta-oestradiol also caused a rapid, dose-dependent increase in CREB phosphorylation in the hypothalamus, mPOA and AVPV. These results demonstrate that genistein induces oestrogen-like rapid action on CREB phosphorylation in the neonatal central nervous system in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Estradiol / pharmacology*
  • Estrogens / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Genistein / pharmacology*
  • Hypothalamus / drug effects*
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / drug effects
  • Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phytoestrogens / pharmacology*
  • Preoptic Area / drug effects
  • Preoptic Area / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Estrogens
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Estradiol
  • Genistein