Abstract
Over the decades, our understanding of estrogen receptor (ER) function has evolved. Today we are confronted by at least two nuclear ERs, ERα and ERβ, and a number of putative membrane ERs, including ERα, ERβ, ER-X, GPR30 and Gq-mER. These receptors all bind estrogens or at least estrogenic compounds and activate intracellular signaling pathways. In some cases, a well-defined pharmacology and physiology has been discovered. In other cases, the identity or the function remains to be elucidated. This mini-review attempts to synthesize our understanding of 17β-estradiol membrane signaling within hypothalamic circuits involved in homeostatic functions, focusing on reproduction and energy balance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 103-110 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Neuroendocrinology |
Volume | 96 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2012 |
Keywords
- 17β-estradiol
- Estrogen receptor alpha
- Estrogen receptor beta
- GPR30 (GPER1)
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron
- Gαq-coupled membrane estrogen receptor
- Proopiomelanocortin neuron
- mGluR1 receptor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Endocrinology
- Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience