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The estrogen receptor family
M Warner1, S Nilsson, J A Gustafsson
1Department of Biosciences, Karolinska Institute, Novum, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Abstract:
A significant flow of new data is currently being generated within the field of estrogen receptors and their mechanisms of action. This is primarily a result of the development of estrogen receptor knockout mice and the discovery of the second estrogen receptor, estrogen receptor beta. Both estrogen receptors appear to be involved in a multitude of regulatory events, the details of which will be worked out within the next few years. Estrogen receptor alpha appears to play a major role in the regulation of reproductive events and estrogen receptor alpha knockout female mice are completely infertile. Estrogen receptor beta knockout females have severe but incomplete infertility. Estrogen receptor beta gene mutations may, therefore, be of great clinical interest because they could perhaps explain some cases in which ovarian dysfunction leads to human infertility. Both receptors appear to be of essence for the cardiovascular system. Future studies will determine the relative importance of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in bone, the urogenital tract, the immune system, and the central nervous system, as well as in other estrogen target tissues.
Insights
New research on estrogen receptors (ERs) reveals their critical roles in reproduction and the cardiovascular system. Estrogen receptor alpha knockout mice are infertile, while ER beta gene mutations may explain some human infertility cases.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and reproductive biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The field of estrogen receptors (ERs) is rapidly advancing due to new research tools and discoveries.
- Two main types of estrogen receptors, ER alpha and ER beta, have been identified.
- Both ERs are implicated in numerous regulatory processes across various physiological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current understanding of estrogen receptor alpha and estrogen receptor beta functions.
- To highlight the potential clinical significance of ER beta gene mutations in human infertility.
- To outline future research directions for elucidating ER roles in diverse tissues.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing data from estrogen receptor knockout mouse models.
- Investigating the physiological consequences of ER alpha and ER beta deficiencies.
- Analyzing the implications of ER gene mutations.
Main Results:
- Estrogen receptor alpha knockout female mice exhibit complete infertility, indicating its crucial role in reproduction.
- Estrogen receptor beta knockout females show severe but incomplete infertility.
- Both ER alpha and ER beta are essential for cardiovascular system function.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen receptor alpha is vital for female fertility.
- Estrogen receptor beta plays a significant role in fertility and may be linked to unexplained human infertility.
- Further research is needed to define the specific roles of ER alpha and ER beta in bone, the urogenital tract, immune system, and central nervous system.