| First Author | Mohandass A | Year | 2020 |
| Journal | FASEB J | Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | 10887-10906 |
| PubMed ID | 32609392 | Mgi Jnum | J:304185 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6694393 | Doi | 10.1096/fj.202000794R |
| Citation | Mohandass A, et al. (2020) TRPM8 as the rapid testosterone signaling receptor: Implications in the regulation of dimorphic sexual and social behaviors. FASEB J 34(8):10887-10906 |
| abstractText | Testosterone regulates dimorphic sexual behaviors in all vertebrates. However, the molecular mechanism underlying these behaviors remains unclear. Here, we report that a newly identified rapid testosterone signaling receptor, Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 (TRPM8), regulates dimorphic sexual and social behaviors in mice. We found that, along with higher steroid levels in the circulation, TRPM8(-/-) male mice exhibit increased mounting frequency indiscriminate of sex, delayed sexual satiety, and increased aggression compared to wild-type controls, while TRPM8(-/-) females display an increased olfaction-exploratory behavior. Furthermore, neuronal responses to acute testosterone application onto the amygdala were attenuated in TRPM8(-/-) males but remained unchanged in females. Moreover, activation of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area following mating was impaired in TRPM8(-/-) males. Together, these results demonstrate that TRPM8 regulates dimorphic sexual and social behaviors, and potentially constitutes a signalosome for mediation of sex-reward mechanism in males. Thus, deficiency of TRPM8 might lead to a delayed sexual satiety phenomenon. |