Open AccessDNA Methylation and Demethylation Underlie the Sex Difference in Estrogen Receptor Alpha in the Arcuate Nucleus
Author(s) -
Laura R. Cortes,
Carla D. Cisternas,
Iagn Niño Kenji Cabahug,
Damian Mason,
Emma K. Ramlall,
Alexandra CastilloRuiz,
Nancy G. Forger
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.493
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1423-0194
pISSN - 0028-3835
DOI - 10.1159/000519671
Subject(s) - dna methylation , medicine , endocrinology , methylation , biology , estrogen receptor , estrogen receptor alpha , testosterone (patch) , demethylation , epigenetics , arc (geometry) , bisulfite sequencing , dna , gene expression , gene , genetics , geometry , mathematics , cancer , breast cancer
Neurons expressing estrogen receptor (ER) ɑ in the arcuate (ARC) and ventromedial (VMH) nuclei of the hypothalamus sex-specifically control energy homeostasis, sexual behavior, and bone density. Females have more ERɑ neurons in the VMH and ARC than males, and the sex difference in the VMH is eliminated by neonatal treatment with testosterone or a DNA methylation inhibitor.