Abstract
Steroid hormones modulate a wide array of physiological processes including development,
metabolism, and reproduction in various species. It is generally believed that these
biological effects are predominantly mediated by their binding to specific intracellular
receptors resulting in conformational change, dimerization, and recruitment of coregulators
for transcription-dependent genomic actions (classical mechanism). In addition, to
their cognate ligands, intracellular steroid receptors can also be activated in a
“ligand-independent” manner by other factors including neurotransmitters. Recent studies
indicate that rapid, nonclassical steroid effects involve extranuclear steroid receptors
located at the membrane, which interact with cytoplasmic kinase signaling molecules
and G-proteins. The current review deals with various mechanisms that function together
in an integrated manner to promote hormone-dependent actions on the central and sympathetic
nervous systems.
Key words
estrogen - progesterone - signaling - cross-talk - ovary - brain
