Biomaterial Database

Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor-binding characteristics in obese (ob/ob) mice. 1991

H J Tsai, and D R Romsos

Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1224.

Adrenalectomy prevents development of obesity in genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Replacement studies have shown that these mice exhibit hypersensitivity to corticosterone. This study was conducted to determine if this increased sensitivity was associated with alterations in corticoid receptor number or binding affinity. Cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor numbers were lower by 26% in liver, 23% in brain, and 26% in brown adipose tissue of 8-wk-old male ob/ob mice when compared with lean mice. Cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor numbers were similar in liver and brain of 4-wk-old lean and ob/ob mice is likely secondary to elevated plasma corticosterone concentrations in these older mice. Adrenalectomy increased cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor numbers in liver and brain of 8-wk-old ob/ob mice to values comparable to those in lean mice. Injection of dexamethasone (0.5 or 5 micrograms/g body wt) equally lowered cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor numbers in liver and brain of adrenalectomized ob/ob and lean mice. Brain mineralocorticoid receptor numbers and response to dexamethasone were similar in ob/ob and lean mice. These results suggest that the site responsible for increased sensitivity of ob/ob mice to corticosterone is postreceptor binding.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D008297	Male		Males
D008817	Mice, Mutant Strains	Mice bearing mutant genes which are phenotypically expressed in the animals.	Mouse, Mutant Strain,Mutant Mouse Strain,Mutant Strain of Mouse,Mutant Strains of Mice,Mice Mutant Strain,Mice Mutant Strains,Mouse Mutant Strain,Mouse Mutant Strains,Mouse Strain, Mutant,Mouse Strains, Mutant,Mutant Mouse Strains,Mutant Strain Mouse,Mutant Strains Mice,Strain Mouse, Mutant,Strain, Mutant Mouse,Strains Mice, Mutant,Strains, Mutant Mouse
D008901	Mineralocorticoids	A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS primarily associated with water and electrolyte balance. This is accomplished through the effect on ION TRANSPORT in renal tubules, resulting in retention of sodium and loss of potassium. Mineralocorticoid secretion is itself regulated by PLASMA VOLUME, serum potassium, and ANGIOTENSIN II.	Mineralocorticoid,Mineralocorticoid Effect,Mineralocorticoid Effects,Effect, Mineralocorticoid,Effects, Mineralocorticoid
D009765	Obesity	A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D011965	Receptors, Glucocorticoid	Cytoplasmic proteins that specifically bind glucocorticoids and mediate their cellular effects. The glucocorticoid receptor-glucocorticoid complex acts in the nucleus to induce transcription of DNA. Glucocorticoids were named for their actions on blood glucose concentration, but they have equally important effects on protein and fat metabolism. Cortisol is the most important example.	Corticoid Type II Receptor,Glucocorticoid Receptors,Glucocorticoids Receptor,Corticoid II Receptor,Corticoid Type II Receptors,Glucocorticoid Receptor,Receptors, Corticoid II,Receptors, Corticoid Type II,Receptors, Glucocorticoids,Corticoid II Receptors,Glucocorticoids Receptors,Receptor, Corticoid II,Receptor, Glucocorticoid,Receptor, Glucocorticoids
D011987	Receptors, Steroid	Proteins found usually in the cytoplasm or nucleus that specifically bind steroid hormones and trigger changes influencing the behavior of cells. The steroid receptor-steroid hormone complex regulates the transcription of specific genes.	Corticosteroid Receptors,Receptors, Corticosteroid,Steroid Receptors,Corticosteroid Receptor,Receptors, Steroids,Steroid Receptor,Receptor, Corticosteroid,Receptor, Steroid,Steroids Receptors
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002001	Adipose Tissue, Brown	A thermogenic form of adipose tissue composed of BROWN ADIPOCYTES. It is found in newborns of many species including humans, and in hibernating mammals. Brown fat is richly vascularized, innervated, and densely packed with MITOCHONDRIA which can generate heat directly from the stored lipids.	Brown Fat,Hibernating Gland,Brown Adipose Tissue,Fat, Brown,Tissue, Brown Adipose
D003600	Cytosol	Intracellular fluid from the cytoplasm after removal of ORGANELLES and other insoluble cytoplasmic components.	Cytosols