Oestrogen receptor α localisation in the prefrontal cortex of three mammalian species

Oestrogen modulates cognitive function and affective behaviours subserved by the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Identifying and localising oestrogen receptor (ER)alpha, in human PFC will contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanism of oestrogen action in this region. Inferences about the site of action of oestrogen in human brain are derived largely from studies performed in nonhuman mammalian species; however, the congruence of findings across species has not been demonstrated. Furthermore, the laminar, cellular, and subcellular localisation of ER alpha in the cortex is debated. Therefore, we compared the distribution of ER alpha in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) with that of monkey DLPFC and rat medial PFC. Immunohistochemistry performed on frontal cortex from the three species demonstrated ER alpha positive cells throughout all layers of the PFC, in pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurones, with both nuclear and cytoplasmic immunoreactivity. Western blot analyses and preabsorption studies confirmed that the antibody used recognised ER alpha and not ER beta. A strong ER alpha immunoreactive band corresponding to the full-length ER alpha protein (65-67 kDa) in the frontal cortex of all three species matched the size of the predominant immunoreactive band detected in breast cancer cell lines known to express ER alpha. Additionally, other ER alpha immunoreactive proteins of varying molecular weight in breast cancer cells, rat ovary and mammalian brain were detected, suggesting that ER alpha may exist in more than one form in the mammalian frontal cortex. The present study provides evidence that ER alpha protein exists in neurones in mammalian PFC and that ER alpha is anatomically well-positioned to directly mediate oestrogen action in these neurones.