A Non-Nuclear Role of the Estrogen Receptor Alpha in the Regulation of Cell-Cell Interactions
Abstract
Proliferation and metastasis of many breast cancers depend on the steroid hormone estrogen. The actions of estrogens are mediated by the estrogen receptors ERalpha and ERbeta. These hormone-regulated transcription factors translate the presence of estrogen into changes in gene expression. According to new findings, these receptors also act outside of the nucleus and are often found associated with the plasma membrane. In contrast to their roles in regulating cell proliferation, very little is known about the mechanisms by which estrogens promote metastasis. It has been suggested that estrogens aid this process by changing the expression of cell adhesion proteins, such as E-cadherin. However, results in our laboratory have opened the possibility that disruption of cell adhesions by estrogens involves the direct interaction of ER with cell adhesion proteins. The goal of this grant is to explore this possibility. If true, this mechanism would represent a novel example of a non-nuclear activity of the estrogen receptor, steer ongoing studies on the role of estrogens in the regulation of cellular adhesions into a new direction, and open new venues for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA462419
Entities
People
- Beatrice D. Darimont
Organizations
- University of Oregon