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Figure 8 | Molecular Autism

Figure 8

From: Differential recruitment of coregulators to the RORA promoter adds another layer of complexity to gene (dys) regulation by sex hormones in autism

Figure 8

A model for the opposite effects of male and female hormones on RORA expression. The schematic illustrates a mechanism through which the observed reduction in RORA in the autistic brain may lead to increased testosterone levels through downregulation of aromatase. Our model suggests that AR, in association with SUMO1 functioning as a corepressor, is directly involved in the suppression of RORA expression by testosterone, whereas ERα association with the coactivator NCOA5 is involved in the upregulation of RORA expression by estradiol. RORA, in turn, positively regulates expression of aromatase, probably by interacting with NCOA5. AR, androgen receptor; ERα, estrogen receptor alpha.

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