Update on estrogen signaling.
Our understanding of estrogen signaling has undergone a true paradigm shift over recent years, following the discovery in 1995 of a second estrogen receptor, estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). In many contexts ERbeta appears to antagonize the actions of ERalpha (yin/yang relationship) although there also exist genes that are specifically regulated by one of the two receptors. Studies of ERbeta knockout mice have shown that ERbeta exerts important functions in the ovary, central nervous system, mammary gland, prostate gland, hematopoiesis, immune system, vessels and bone. The use of ERbeta-specific ligands against certain forms of cancer represents one of the many pharmaceutical possibilities that have been created thanks to the discovery of ERbeta.
Weihua
Zhang
Z
Department of Medical Nutrition, Department of Biosciences, Karolinska Institute, NOVUM, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden.
Andersson
Sandra
S
Cheng
Guojun
G
Simpson
Evan R
ER
Warner
Margaret
M
Gustafsson
Jan-Ake
JA
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D004967:Estrogens; D008024:Ligands; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen