NR3C1 and major depressive disorder: In the present study, western blot, gene knockdown, immunofluorescence, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and rescue assay were used to detect changes in the Ahi1/GR/ERβ/TPH2 pathway in the brains of male stressed mice and male Ahi1 KO mice to explain the pathogenesis of depression-like behaviors.