The impact of sensory and motor enrichment on the epigenetic control of steroidogenic-related genes in rat hippocampus

In the present study, we analyzed the effects of a short-term environmental enrichment on the mRNA expression and DNA methylation of steroidogenic enzymes in the hippocampus. Thus, young adult (80-day-old) and middle-aged (350-day-old) Wistar female rats were exposed to sensory (SE) or motor (ME) en...

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Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2019-04, Vol.485, p.44-53
Main Authors: Rossetti, Maria Florencia, Schumacher, Rocio, Lazzarino, Gisela Paola, Gomez, Ayelen Luciana, Varayoud, Jorgelina, Ramos, Jorge Guillermo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific) - genetics
3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase - genetics
Animals
Biosynthetic Pathways
Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 - genetics
DNA Methylation
Epigenesis, Genetic
Female
Hippocampus
Housing, Animal
Motor enrichment
Photic Stimulation
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Running
Sensory enrichment
Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase - genetics
Steroidogenic enzymes
Up-Regulation
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Summary:In the present study, we analyzed the effects of a short-term environmental enrichment on the mRNA expression and DNA methylation of steroidogenic enzymes in the hippocampus. Thus, young adult (80-day-old) and middle-aged (350-day-old) Wistar female rats were exposed to sensory (SE) or motor (ME) enrichment during 10 days and compared to animals housed under standard conditions. SE was provided by an assortment of objects that included plastic tubes and toys; for ME, rodent wheels were provided. In young adult animals, SE and ME increased the mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/c17,20-lyase, steroid 5α-reductase type 1 (5αR-1) and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and decreased the methylation levels of 5αR-1 gene. In middle-aged rats, ME and SE upregulated the gene expression of aldosterone synthase and decreased the methylation state of its promoter. These results propose that SE and ME differentially regulate the transcription of neurosteroidogenic enzymes through epigenetic mechanisms in young and aged rats. •Sensory and motor enrichment enhance neurosteroidogenic enzyme transcription.•The effect of enrichment on steroidogenesis differs in young and middle-aged rats.•The expression of 3α-HSD, 5αR-1 and P450(11β)-2 is regulated by methylation.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.025