339: A Transmembrane Intracellular Estrogen Receptor Mediates Rapid Cell Signaling -- Revankar et al. 307 (5715): 1625

A Transmembrane Intracellular Estrogen Receptor Mediates Rapid Cell Signaling -- Revankar et al. 307 (5715): 1625 -- Science:

Estrogen (17ß-estradiol, E2) represents one of a family of steroid hormones that act through soluble intracellular receptors. Once activated, these receptors translocate to the nucleus, where they function as ligand-dependent transcription factors (1, 2). This mode of action of two such estrogen-binding receptors, ER{alpha} and ERß, is reasonably well understood (3, 4). However, the existence of functional ERs associated with the plasma membrane has been debated (5). It has been suggested that such membrane receptors mediate the rapid nongenomic signaling events widely observed following stimulation of cells and tissues with estrogen, including the generation of the second messengers Ca2+ and nitric oxide as well as the activation of receptor tyrosine kinase and protein-lipid kinase pathways (1, 6–9). The cellular consequences can include adhesion, migration, survival, proliferation, and cancer. Novel receptors and novel forms of ER have been postulated to mediate many of these signal transduction events (8).

Estrogen is more than just a sex hormone. It has evolved to serve many purposes, and occurs widely in animals.