Epigenetic regulation of estrogen receptor beta expression in the rat cortex during aging

Jenne M. Westberry, Amanda L. Trout, Melinda E. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

During aging, there is an increase in neurodegenerative diseases and a decrease in cognitive performance. Postmenopausal women are more vulnerable as their estrogen levels decline, but most hormone replacement therapies do not prevent cognitive decline. One potential reason is that the timing of hormone replacement is critical and changes in the estrogen receptor expression may over-ride hormonal intervention. In rodents, estrogen receptor β (ERβ) mRNA decreases in the cortex with age. One mechanism by which ERβ mRNA could be regulated is by epigenetic modification of ERβ promoter. Here, we show an increase in methylation of ERβ promoter corresponding to decrease in ERβ mRNA in the cortex of an aging female.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)428-432
Number of pages5
JournalNeuroReport
Volume22
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 22 2011

Keywords

  • Aging
  • cortex
  • estrogen receptors
  • methylation
  • pyrosequencing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (all)

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