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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer
Published on: March 17, 2016
Estrogen receptors and signaling pathways in lactotropes and somatotropes
Sandra Zárate1, Adriana Seilicovich
1Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
Estrogens are crucial determinants in the regulation of anterior pituitary function and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Estrogen actions in this gland are exerted through both classical and non-classical mechanisms of action. This review summarizes the expression of classical α- and β-estrogen receptors and variant isoforms of estrogen receptors in anterior pituitary cell subpopulations. We also analyze estrogen receptor signaling pathways involved in estrogenic actions in the anterior pituitary gland, especially in lactotropes and somatotropes. Complex interactions between multiple signaling pathways are involved in estrogen regulation of hormone secretion, cell proliferation and cell death in this gland. Insight into these pituitary responses to estrogens would help to understand pituitary function and tumorigenesis.
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