Estrogen receptors in lipid raft signalling complexes for neuroprotection

Estrogens exert a plethora of actions conducted to brain preservation and functioning. Some of these actions are initiated in lipid rafts, which are particular microstructures of the plasma membrane. Preservation of lipid raft structure in neurons is essential for signal transduction against different injuries, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). These membrane structures appear to be disrupted as this neuropathology evolves, and that may largely contribute to dysfunction of raft resident proteins involved in intracellular signalling. This review includes a survey of some protein interactions that are involved in the structural maintenance and signal transduction mechanisms for neuronal survival against AD. Particularly relevant are the rapid mechanisms developed by estrogen to prevent neuronal death, through membrane estrogen receptors (mER) interactions with a voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and other protein markers within neuronal lipid rafts. These interactions may have important consequences in estrogen mechanisms to achieve neuroprotection against amyloid beta (Abeta-induced toxicity).