Cited by 446Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

CNS region-specific oxytocin receptor expression: importance in regulation of anxiety and sex behavior

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Bale, Tracy L., Davis, Aline M., Auger, Anthony P., Dorsa, Daniel M., McCarthy, Margaret M.·2001·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

The oxytocin receptor (OTR) is differentially expressed in the CNS. Because there are multiple mechanisms by which the OTR can be transcriptionally induced, we hypothesized that differences in OTR expression may be explained by activation of distinct signal transduction pathways and may be critical for the control of anxiety and sex behaviors. To determine the regulation and functional significance of this expression, we infused female rats with modifiers of protein kinases before assaying for behavior and oxytocin receptor binding. In the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), estrogen-dependent induction of oxytocin receptors required protein kinase C activation, and oxytocin infused here promoted female sex behavior but had no effect on anxiety. In contrast, dopamine controlled tonic oxytocin receptor expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala (cAmyg) through activation of protein kinase A, and oxytocin infused here was anxiolytic but had no effect on female sex behavior. Therefore, we have identified brain region-specific regulation of the OTR in the VMH and cAmyg. Distinct signal transduction pathways regulating receptor expression and binding in each brain region may mediate in part the ability of oxytocin to exert these differential behavioral effects.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.21-07-02546.2001

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Authors
Bale, T. L., Davis, A. M., Auger, A. P., Dorsa, D. M., & McCarthy, M. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Washington (US)
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2001-04-01
Volume
21
Issue
7
Pages
2546-2552
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W1948173875
Cited by
446
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 21
FWCI
23.06
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Framingham State University Digital Repository (Framingham State University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Public Health Service
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R29MH052716, MH 52716, R01MH052716)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32-GM07270, T32GM007270)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS-20311, R01NS020311)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
oxytocin receptor, anxiety, ventromedial hypothalamus, central amygdala, protein kinase C, protein kinase A, dopamine, signaling pathways
MeSH terms
Animals, Anxiety, Brain, Female, Oxytocin, Protein Kinase C, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Signal Transduction, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases, Receptors, Oxytocin, Rats

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