Our appreciation of the physiological functions of estrogens and the mechanisms through which estrogens bring about these functions has changed during the past decade. Just as transgenic mice were produced in which estrogen receptors had been inactivated and we thought that we were about to understand the role of estrogen receptors in physiology and pathology, it was found that there was not one but two distinct and functional estrogen receptors, now called ERα and ERβ. Transgenic mice in which each of the receptors or both the receptors are inactive have revealed a much broader role for estrogens in the body than was previously thought. This decade also saw the description of a male patient who had no functional ERα and whose continued bone growth clearly revealed an important function of estrogen in men. The importance of estrogen in both males and females was also demonstrated in the laboratory in transgenic mice in which the aromatase gene was inactivated. Finally, crystal structures of the estrogen r...

Mechanisms of Estrogen Action

n this article, we review recent findings related to estrogen exposure and the risk of breast cancer, the mechanisms that may be involved, and the clinical implications of these findings. The weight of evidence indicates that exposure to estrogen is an important determinant of the risk of breast cancer. The mechanisms of carcinogenesis in the breast caused by estrogen include the metabolism of estrogen to genotoxic, mutagenic metabolites and the stimulation of tissue growth. Together, these processes cause initiation, promotion, and progression of carcinogenesis. Insight into the mechanisms of the causation of cancer by estrogen will identify determinants of susceptibility to breast cancer and new targets for prevention and therapeutic intervention.

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Estrogen carcinogenesis in breast cancer.

Although nonclassical estrogen actions initiated at the cell surface have been described in many tissues, the identities of the membrane estrogen receptors (mERs) mediating these actions remain unclear. Here we show that GPR30, an orphan receptor unrelated to nuclear estrogen receptors, has all the binding and signaling characteristics of a mER. A high-affinity (dissociation constant 2.7 nm), limited capacity, displaceable, single binding site specific for estrogens was detected in plasma membranes of SKBR3 breast cancer cells that express GPR30 but lack nuclear estrogen receptors. Progesterone-induced increases and small interfering RNA-induced decreases in GPR30 expression in SKBR3 cells were accompanied by parallel changes in specific estradiol-17β (E2) binding. Plasma membranes of human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with GPR30, but not those of untransfected cells, and human placental tissues that express GPR30 also displayed high-affinity, specific estrogen binding typical of mERs. E2 treatm...

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Identity of an Estrogen Membrane Receptor Coupled to a G Protein in Human Breast Cancer Cells

According to the traditional model, steroid hormones bind to intracellular receptors and subsequently modulate transcription and protein synthesis, thus triggering genomic events finally responsible for delayed effects. Based upon similarities in molecular structure, specific receptors for steroids, vitamin D3 derivatives, thyroid hormone, retinoids, and a variety of orphan receptors are considered to represent a superfamily of steroid receptors. In addition, very rapid effects of steroids mainly affecting intracellular signaling have been widely recognized that are clearly incompatible with the genomic model. These rapid, nongenomic steroid actions are likely to be transmitted via specific membrane receptors. Evidence for nongenomic steroid effects and distinct receptors involved is presented for all steroid groups including related compounds like vitamin D3 and thyroid hormones. The physiological and clinical relevance of these rapid effects is still largely unclear, but their existence in vivo has been clearly shown in various settings including human studies. Drugs that specifically affect nongenomic steroid action may find applications in various clinical areas such as cardiovascular and central nervous disorders, electrolyte homeostasis, and infertility. In addition to a short description of genomic steroid action, this review pays particular attention to the current knowledge and important results on the mechanisms of nongenomic steroid action. The modes of action are discussed in relation to their potential physiological or pathophysiological relevance and with regard to a cross-talk between genomic and nongenomic responses.

Multiple Actions of Steroid Hormones—A Focus on Rapid, Nongenomic Effects

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals are distributed among all taxonomic levels of photosynthetic organisms from small algae to angiosperms and giant gymnosperms. Accumulation of crystals by these organisms can be substantial. Major functions of CaOx crystal formation in plants include high-capacity calcium (Ca) regulation and protection against herbivory. Ultrastructural and developmental analyses have demonstrated that this biomineralization process is not a simple random physical-chemical precipitation of endogenously synthesized oxalic acid and environmentally derived Ca. Instead, crystals are formed in specific shapes and sizes. Genetic regulation of CaOx formation is indicated by constancy of crystal morphology within species, cell specialization, and the remarkable coordination of crystal growth and cell expansion. Using a variety of approaches, researchers have begun to unravel the exquisite control mechanisms exerted by cells specialized for CaOx formation that include the machinery for uptake and accumulation of Ca, oxalic acid biosynthetic pathways, and regulation of crystal growth.

CALCIUM OXALATE IN PLANTS: Formation and Function

The chemical composition and morphology of solid material isolated from various Cactaceae species have been analyzed. All of the tested specimens deposited high-purity calcium oxalate crystals in their succulent modified stems. These deposits occurred most frequently as round-shaped druses that sometimes coexist with abundant crystal sand in the tissue. The biominerals were identified either as CaC2O4.2H2O (weddellite) or as CaC2O4.H2O (whewellite). Seven different species from the Opuntioideae subfamily showed the presence of whewellite, and an equal number of species from the Cereoideae subfamily showed the deposition of weddellite. The chemical nature of these deposits was assessed by infrared spectroscopy. The crystal morphology of the crystals was visualized by both conventional light and scanning electron microscopy. Weddellite druses were made up of tetragonal crystallites, whereas those from whewellite were most often recognized by their acute points and general star-like shape. These studies clearly demonstrated that members from the main traditional subfamilies of the Cactaceae family could synthesize different chemical forms of calcium oxalate, suggesting a definite but different genetic control. The direct relationship established between a given Cactaceae species and a definite calcium oxalate biomineral seems to be a useful tool for plant identification and chemotaxonomy.

http://www.plantphysiol.org/content/plantphysiol/128/2/707.full.pdf

Characterization of Calcium Oxalates Generated as Biominerals in Cacti

The association of estrogen receptors with non-nuclear/cytoplasmic compartments in target tissues has been documented. However, limited information is available on the distribution of estrogen receptor isoforms, specially with regard to the newly described β isotype. The subcellular localization of estrogen receptor α and β isoforms was investigated in rabbit uterus and ovary. Native α and β subtypes were immunodetected using specific antibodies after subjecting the tissue to fractionation by differential centrifugation. The ovary expressed α and β estrogen receptors in predominant association to cytosolic components. However, in the uterus, a substantial proportion of the total estrogen binding capacity and coexpression of the two isoforms was detected in mitochondria and microsomes. The mitochondrial-enriched subfraction represented an important source of 17β-estradiol binding, where the steroid was recognized in a stereospecific and high affinity manner. The existence of mitochondrial and membrane estrogen binding sites correlated with the presence of estrogen receptor α but mainly with estrogen receptor β proteins. Using macromolecular 17β-estradiol derivatives in Ligand Blot studies, we could confirm that both α and β isoforms were expressed as the major estrogen binding proteins in the uterus, while estrogen receptor α was clearly the dominant isoform in the ovary. Other low molecular weight estrogen receptor α-like proteins were found to represent an independent subpopulation of uterine binding sites, expressed to a lesser extent. This differential cellular partitioning of estrogen receptor α and β forms may contribute to the known diversity of 17β-estradiol effects in target organs. Both estrogen receptor α and β expression levels and cellular localization patterns among tissues, add complexity to the whole estrogen signaling system, in which membrane and mitochondrial events could also be implicated. J. Cell. Biochem. 82:467–479, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Paula Monje

Papers

Characterization of Calcium Oxalates Generated as Biominerals in Cacti

Subcellular distribution of native estrogen receptor α and β isoforms in rabbit uterus and ovary

Characterization of membrane estrogen binding proteins from rabbit uterus

Differential cellular localization of estrogen receptor α in uterine and mammary cells

Presence of estrogens and estrogen receptor-like proteins in Solanum glaucophyllum.