Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
06:48

An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis

Published on: September 18, 2013

An endocrine pathway in the prostate, ERbeta, AR, 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol, and CYP7B1, regulates prostate

Zhang Weihua1, Richard Lathe, Margaret Warner

  • 1Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Novum, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|October 9, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) acts as an antiproliferative receptor in the rodent ventral prostate. Its ligand, 3beta-diol, and the enzyme CYP7B1 are key components regulating prostate growth.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Urology

Background:

  • Ventral prostate epithelial proliferation in rodents is age-dependent, peaking early and declining by 8 weeks.
  • Estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) and its ligand 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol (3betaAdiol) are implicated in prostate growth regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of ERbeta and 3betaAdiol in rodent ventral prostate growth.
  • To elucidate the function of CYP7B1 in the ERbeta-mediated prostate growth pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ERbeta(-/-) and CYP7B1(-/-) knockout mice models.
  • Administered 3betaAdiol to wild-type and knockout mice.
  • Analyzed ventral prostate proliferation and size in rodents at different ages and treatments.

Main Results:

  • ERbeta was present in quiescent, not proliferating, prostate cells before puberty.
  • ERbeta(-/-) mice exhibited increased ventral prostate proliferation compared to wild-type.
  • 3betaAdiol treatment reduced proliferation in wild-type but not ERbeta(-/-) mice, and decreased ventral prostate growth in rats.
  • CYP7B1(-/-) mice showed hypoproliferative and smaller ventral prostates.

Conclusions:

  • ERbeta functions as an antiproliferative receptor in the ventral prostate.
  • 3betaAdiol acts as an ERbeta ligand, and CYP7B1 regulates its levels, controlling ERbeta-mediated prostate growth.
  • ERbeta, 3betaAdiol, and CYP7B1 form a critical pathway for rodent ventral prostate growth regulation.

More Related Videos

Murine Prostate Micro-dissection and Surgical Castration08:49

Murine Prostate Micro-dissection and Surgical Castration

Published on: May 11, 2016

Generation of a Mouse Prostate Organoid-Based Model for Studying Host-Pathogen Interactions08:05

Generation of a Mouse Prostate Organoid-Based Model for Studying Host-Pathogen Interactions

Published on: February 27, 2026

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Secondary Messengers in Hormone Action01:26

Secondary Messengers in Hormone Action

Water-soluble hormones cannot cross the plasma membrane, so they rely on protein receptors that span the membrane to trigger intracellular signaling pathways. These pathways then activate second messengers inside the cell, including cAMP or calcium ions.
Many hormones bind to transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors that connect to regulatory G proteins. These G proteins can then activate enzymes such as adenylyl cyclase or phospholipase C. Adenylyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP, activating...
Testosterone: Functions and Regulation01:26

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...