Membrane-Initiated Signaling of Estrogen in the Brain

Oline K. Rønnekleiv; Anna Malyala; Martin J. Kelly

doi:10.1055/s-2007-973429

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, Table of Contents

Semin Reprod Med 2007; 25(3): 165-177
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-973429

Membrane-Initiated Signaling of Estrogen in the Brain

Oline K. Rønnekleiv¹ ^, ² , Anna Malyala¹ , Martin J. Kelly¹

¹Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
²Division of Neuroscience, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon

Abstract

ABSTRACT

It is well known that many of the actions of estrogen in the central nervous system are mediated via intracellular receptor/transcription factors that interact with steroid response elements on target genes. However, there now exists compelling evidence for membrane steroid receptors for estrogen in hypothalamic and other brain neurons. It is not well understood how estrogen signals via membrane receptors, and how these signals influence not only membrane excitability but also gene transcription in neurons. Indeed, it has been known for some time that estrogen can rapidly alter neuronal activity within seconds, indicating that some cellular effects can occur via membrane-delimited events. In addition, estrogen can affect second messenger systems including calcium mobilization and a plethora of kinases to alter cell signaling. Therefore, this review considers our current knowledge of rapid membrane-initiated and intracellular signaling by estrogen in the brain, and the nature of receptors involved and how they contribute to homeostatic functions.

KEYWORDS

G protein-coupled receptor - Gαq - K⁺ channels - pCREB

Full Text

References

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Oline K RønnekleivPh.D.

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, L334 Oregon Health & Science University

3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098

Email: ronnekle@ohsu.edu