biosynthesis and biological action of pineal allopregnanolone

Clicks: 143
ID: 204229
2014
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Abstract
The pineal gland transduces photoperiodic changes to the neuroendocrine system by rhythmic secretion of melatonin. We recently provided new evidence that the pineal gland is a major neurosteroidogenic organ and actively produces a variety of neurosteroids de novo from cholesterol in birds. Notably, allopregnanolone is a major pineal neurosteroid that is far more actively produced in the pineal gland than the brain and secreted by the pineal gland in juvenile birds. Subsequently, we have demonstrated the biological action of pineal allopregnanolone on Purkinje cells in the cerebellum during development in juvenile birds. Pinealectomy (Px) induces apoptosis of Purkinje cells, whereas allopregnanolone administration to Px chicks prevents cell death. Furthermore, Px increases the number of Purkinje cells that express active caspase-3, a crucial mediator of apoptosis, and allopregnanolone administration to Px chicks decreases the number of Purkinje cells expressing active caspase-3. It thus appears that pineal allopregnanolone prevents cell death of Purkinje cells by suppressing the activity of caspase-3 during development. This paper highlights new aspects of the biosynthesis and biological action of pineal allopregnanolone.
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etsutsui2014frontiersbiosynthesis Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors ;Kazuyoshi eTsutsui;Shogo eHaraguchi
Journal macromolecular bioscience
Year 2014
DOI
10.3389/fncel.2014.00118
URL
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fncel.2014.00118/full
Keywords
apoptosis cell survival purkinje cell neurosteroids neuropsychiatry biological psychiatry allopregnanoloneneurosciences pineal gland

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