Urocortin 2-Deficient Mice Exhibit Gender-Specific Alterations in Circadian Hypothalamus–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and Depressive-Like Behavior
Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: Gender differences in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation and the prevalence of mood disorders are well documented. Urocortin 2, a recently identified member of the corticotropin-releasing factor family, is expressed in discrete neuroendocrine and stress-related nuclei of the rodent CNS. To determine the physiological role of urocortin 2, mice null for urocortin 2 were generated and HPA axis activity, ingestive, and stress-related behaviors and alterations in expression levels of CRF-related ligands and receptors were examined. Here we report that female, but not male, mice lacking urocortin 2 exhibit a significant increase in the basal daily rhythms of ACTH and corticosterone and a significant decrease in fluid intake and depressive-like behavior. The differential phenotype of urocortin 2 deficiency in female and male mice may imply a role for urocortin 2 in these gender differences.
Source: Journal of Neuroscience
Authors: Alon Chen, Eric Zorrilla, Sean Smith, David Rousso, Coree Levy, Joan Vaughan, Cindy Donaldson, Amanda Roberts, Kuo-Fen Lee, Wylie Vale
Language: English
Subfield: Behavioral Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2053655390