Molecular genetics of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity and function
Pierre Mormede,
Aline Foury,
Pascal Barat,
Jean-Benoit Corcuff,
Elena Terenina,
Nathalie Marissal-Arvy,
Marie-Pierre Moisan,
Pierre Mormede
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorAline Foury
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorPascal Barat
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
Department of Pediatrics, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorJean-Benoit Corcuff
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, Pessac, France
Search for more papers by this authorElena Terenina
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorNathalie Marissal-Arvy
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorMarie-Pierre Moisan
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorPierre Mormede,
Aline Foury,
Pascal Barat,
Jean-Benoit Corcuff,
Elena Terenina,
Nathalie Marissal-Arvy,
Marie-Pierre Moisan,
Pierre Mormede
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorAline Foury
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorPascal Barat
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
Department of Pediatrics, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorJean-Benoit Corcuff
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, Pessac, France
Search for more papers by this authorElena Terenina
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorNathalie Marissal-Arvy
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorMarie-Pierre Moisan
Université de Bordeaux, PsyNuGen, Bordeaux, France.
INRA UMR1286, Bordeaux, France.
Search for more papers by this authorAddress for correspondence: Pierre Mormede, INRA-LGC, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan Cedex, France. [email protected]
Abstract
The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis is a major neuroendocrine system involved in the regulation of numerous physiological processes and in adaptation to stress. A wide range of variability can be observed in all the components of the system, and the contribution of genetic factors has been shown in the central regulation of the axis, the production of glucocorticoid hormones by the adrenal cortex, their bioavailability, and the efficiency of their action at the level of receptor and postreceptor mechanisms. Numerous molecular polymorphisms have been described that contribute to physiological variation as well as to HPA axis-related pathological conditions. Although most studies focus on single gene polymorphisms, future studies should aim to integrate the different sources of variation into a systems genetic model to take into account the strong interdependence of the different components of the axis.
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