Epigenetic regulation of estrogen receptor beta expression in the rat cortex during aging

During aging, there is an increase in neurodegenerative diseases and a decrease in cognitive performance. Postmenopausal women are more vulnerable as their estrogen levels decline, but most hormone replacement therapies do not prevent cognitive decline. One potential reason is that the timing of hormone replacement is critical and changes in the estrogen receptor expression may over-ride hormonal intervention. In rodents, estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) mRNA decreases in the cortex with age. One mechanism by which ER beta mRNA could be regulated is by epigenetic modification of ER beta promoter. Here, we show an increase in methylation of ER beta promoter corresponding to decrease in ER beta mRNA in the cortex of an aging female. NeuroReport 22:428-432 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.