PLOS Biology study reveals glucocorticoid sensitivity in the adult SCN
Researchers from the Laboratory of Circadian Physiology, led by Prof. Dr. Mariana Astiz, have published a new article in PLOS Biology entitled "A developmental shift in glucocorticoid receptor expression preserves glucocorticoid sensitivity in the adult suprachiasmatic nucleus".
The study examined how the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) changes throughout development in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the central circadian clock located in the hypothalamus, and whether glucocorticoids continue to influence the SCN during adulthood.
Contrary to the long-standing view that the adult SCN is largely resistant to glucocorticoids, the researchers found that GR is expressed in astrocytes of the adult SCN. Their results show that these astrocytes can sense and respond to glucocorticoids, revealing a pathway through which the adult central clock remains sensitive to hormonal feedback.
According to the authors, these findings challenge an established concept in circadian biology suggesting that glucocorticoids may provide important information about the body’s internal synchrony, helping to keep physiological processes aligned in time.
The work was carried out in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Med. Malte Spielmann’s laboratory in Germany and represents an important milestone, reflecting years of research and collaborative effort.
Congratulations to all authors and collaborators on this achievement. The team also extends its thanks to the editors and reviewers at PLOS Biology for their valuable feedback throughout the review process.
Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3003870