Since these molecules also play a role in Morris water maze learning and fear conditioning this mechanism may play a role in
these paradigms as well but this needs to be confirmed. This was the first time a functional interaction between GRs, pERK1/2, pMSK1/2 and pElk1 has been observed. Previously, Miguel Beato and colleagues reported a crucial role of the interaction of the progesterone receptor with ERK1/2 and MSK1/2 in the phosphorylation of S10 in histone INK1197 cost H3 in cells in vitro (Vicent et al., 2006). Thus, in dentate gyrus neurons, after a challenge the convergence of two signaling pathways is crucial for the proper activation of chromatin-modifying enzymes to subsequently elicit epigenetic changes and induction of gene transcription. In this manner, enhanced glucocorticoid hormone secretion as a result of the stressful challenge facilitates a now well-defined molecular mechanism that underlies the consolidation of appropriate cognitive behavioral responses to the challenge, which are adaptive and beneficial for the organism (Reul, 2014, Reul and Chandramohan, 2007 and Reul et al., 2009). Therefore, this novel glucocorticoid mechanism
participates in the maintenance of resilience. Classically, GRs and MRs act by binding as ligand-dependent transcription factor to gene promoter and other sites within the genome check details containing the consensus sequence of the so-called Glucocorticoid-Response Element (GRE). They can bind as homo-dimers as well as hetero-dimers (Trapp
et al., 1994). Although the genomic action of GRs, and less so MRs, have been well investigated it is presently unclear whether such action and the consequences of such action in terms of specific gene output play a role in the behavioral responses discussed here. A study of Melly Oitzl and colleagues suggests that a genomic action of GRs may be important as well. A study using mice carrying a point-mutation that prevents homo-dimerization and hence DNA binding reported that these animals show impaired spatial memory formation in the Morris water maze with no changes in locomotion or anxiety-related behaviors (Oitzl et al., 2001). Thus, a role of genomic action of GR (and MR) and its consequences regarding gene expression needs to be further investigated. Approaches like chromatin-immuno-precipitation (ChIP) in combination with quantitative Carnitine dehydrogenase PCR have opened the possibility to study the binding of GRs and MRs to specific GRE sequences within gene promoters. Fig. 1 shows preliminary data of GR binding to a GRE within the promoter region of the Period 1 (Per1) gene using chromatin prepared from neocortex of rats killed at baseline or after forced swimming. Per1 is a GR-responsive period gene involved in circadian activities including the regulation of neuronal activity. Combination of ChIP with next-generation sequencing technologies allows studying GR binding across the entire genome.