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Related Concept Videos

Internal Receptors01:31

Internal Receptors

Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and therefore cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind to internal, or intracellular, receptors that reside within the cell. Many mammalian steroid hormones use this mechanism of cell signaling, as does nitric oxide (NO) gas.
Types of Receptors: Internal Receptors01:07

Types of Receptors: Internal Receptors

Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind intracellular receptors that reside within the cell cytoplasm or nucleus. Many mammalian steroid hormones and nitric oxide (NO) gas use this cell signaling mechanism.
Similar to membrane-bound receptors, the binding of a ligand to the intracellular receptor of causes a conformational change in the...
Intracellular Hormone Receptors01:08

Intracellular Hormone Receptors

Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse across the plasma and nuclear membrane of target cells to bind to their specific intracellular receptors. These receptors act as transcription factors that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis in the target cell
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
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...
What are Membranes?01:24

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries markers that...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Detecting Estrogenic Ligands in Personal Care Products using a Yeast Estrogen Screen Optimized for the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory
14:13

Detecting Estrogenic Ligands in Personal Care Products using a Yeast Estrogen Screen Optimized for the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory

Published on: January 1, 2018

Plasma membrane estrogen receptors.

Ellis R Levin1

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA. ellis.levin@med.va.gov

Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|September 29, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are found outside the cell nucleus, including the plasma membrane and organelles. These non-nuclear ERs play crucial roles in various physiological processes and biological outcomes.

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Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay

Published on: December 19, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Detecting Estrogenic Ligands in Personal Care Products using a Yeast Estrogen Screen Optimized for the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory
14:13

Detecting Estrogenic Ligands in Personal Care Products using a Yeast Estrogen Screen Optimized for the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory

Published on: January 1, 2018

Screening for Phytoestrogens using a Cell-based Estrogen Receptor β Reporter Assay
06:07

Screening for Phytoestrogens using a Cell-based Estrogen Receptor β Reporter Assay

Published on: June 7, 2020

Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay
09:07

Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay

Published on: December 19, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Estrogen receptors (ERs) are known to exist in cellular pools beyond the nucleus.
  • Specific ER subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, are located in the plasma membrane and function across diverse cell types and organs.
  • ERs are also identified within cytoplasmic organelles like mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on the novel roles and targets of membrane estrogen receptor signaling.
  • To highlight the integrated function of extranuclear ER pools in mediating estrogen's biological effects.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing findings from recent scientific literature.
  • Focus is placed on studies investigating extranuclear estrogen receptor localization and function.

Main Results:

  • Membrane ER signaling is implicated in preventing vascular injury and cardiac hypertrophy.
  • Extranuclear ERs mediate sexual behavior and pain perception via the central nervous system.
  • ERs in extranuclear compartments contribute to osteoblast survival and fluid resorption in the colon.

Conclusions:

  • Estrogen receptors outside the nucleus are integral to estrogen's diverse biological actions.
  • Membrane ER signaling represents a significant area of research with implications for various physiological processes.
  • Further investigation into non-nuclear ER functions can reveal new therapeutic targets.