Novel female sex-dependent actions of oestrogen in the intestine.
The intestine is an oestrogen responsive organ and circulatory oestrogens suppress Cl(-) secretion across the epithelium of the colon to promote fluid retention at the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle. Ion transporters in the colon which are involved in Cl(-) secretion show differential expression between males and females as do the signalling protein kinase intermediates involved in acutely regulating these transporters. Work from our laboratory has identified the KCNQ1/KCNE3 channel as one of the principal targets for oestrogen-induced signalling cascades in the distal colon. Through inhibition of the KCNQ1 channel, basolateral K(+) recycling is decreased so reducing the favourable electrochemical gradient for Cl(-) extrusion at the apical membrane. The actions of oestrogen on non-reproductive tissues such as the colon, kidney, lung and sweat gland will affect whole body electrolyte and fluid homeostasis and also have consequences for reproductive potential.
O'Mahony
Fiona
F
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Department of Molecular Medicine, Dublin 17, Ireland. fomahony@rcsi.ie
Thomas
Warren
W
Harvey
Brian J
BJ
D000818:Animals; D002713:Chlorine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D004967:Estrogens; D007473:Ion Channels; D002713:Chlorine; D011188:Potassium