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[Non-genomic steroid effects: estrogen action revisited]
J F Rouayrenc1, F Vignon, J Bringer
1Unité INSERM 540, 60, rue de Navacelles, 34090 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Annales D'Endocrinologie
|January 10, 2001
Summary
Estrogen receptors (ERs) initiate rapid, non-genomic signaling pathways, impacting cell functions within minutes. This discovery offers new therapeutic targets for various diseases.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Context:
- Estrogen receptors (ERs) traditionally function as transcription factors.
- Rapid cellular effects of estrogens occur too quickly for transcriptional regulation.
- Emerging evidence points to non-genomic signaling pathways activated by estrogens.
Purpose:
- To explore the rapid, non-genomic signaling mechanisms of estrogen receptors (ERs).
- To investigate the role of ERs in activating signal transduction pathways.
- To identify potential therapeutic applications of ER membrane signaling.
Summary:
- Estrogens trigger rapid cellular responses via non-genomic pathways, independent of gene transcription.
- These effects involve second messengers like calcium, phosphoinositide, and cAMP.
- Estrogen receptors (ERs) activate the MAP kinase pathway, observed in endothelial cells, osteoblasts, neurons, and breast cancer cells.
Impact:
- Highlights the ER membrane signaling pathway as a key component in understanding estrogen's complex effects.
- Identifies ER membrane signaling as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and breast cancer diseases.