Estradiol meets notch signaling in developing neurons

Abstract

The transmembrane receptor Notch, a master developmental regulator, controls gliogene- sis, neurogenesis, and neurite development in the nervous system. Estradiol, acting as a hormonal signal or as a neurosteroid, also regulates these developmental processes. Here we review recent evidence indicating that estradiol and Notch signaling interact in devel- oping hippocampal neurons by a mechanism involving the putative membrane receptor G protein-coupled receptor 30.This interaction is relevant for the control of neuronal differen- tiation, since the downregulation of Notch signaling by estradiol results in the upregulation of neurogenin 3, which in turn promotes dendritogenesis. © 2011 Arevalo, Ruiz-Palmero, Simon-Areces, Acaz-Fonseca, Azcoitia and Garcia-Segura.