Structural and functional characteristics of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) splice variants: implications for the aging brain Journal Article

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Authors: Kim, C. K.; Torcaso, A.; Asimes, A; Chung, W. C. J.; Pak, T. R.
Article Title: Structural and functional characteristics of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) splice variants: implications for the aging brain
Abstract: Estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) is a multifunctional nuclear receptor that mediates the actions of estrogenic compounds. Despite its well defined role in mediating the actions of estrogens, a substantial body of evidence demonstrates that ERbeta has broad range of physiological functions that are independent of those normally attributed to estrogen signaling. These functions can, in part, be achieved by the activity of several alternatively spliced isoforms that have been identified for ERbeta. This short review will describe structural differences between the ERbeta splice variants that are known to be translated into proteins. Moreover, we discuss how these alternative structures contribute to functional differences in the context of both healthy and pathological conditions. This review also describes the principal factors that regulate alternative RNA splicing. The alternatively spliced isoforms of ERbeta are differentially expressed according to brain region, age, and hormonal milieu underscoring the likelihood that there are precise cell-specific mechanisms that regulate ERbeta alternative splicing. However, despite these correlative data, the molecular factors regulating alternative ERbeta splicing in the brain remain unknown. Here, we review the basic mechanisms that regulate alternative RNA splicing and use that framework to make logical predictions about ERbeta alternative splicing in the brain. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Journal Title: Journal of neuroendocrinology
ISSN: 1365-2826; 0953-8194
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2017
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

10.1111/jne.12488
Notes: LR: 20170517; CI: This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.; JID: 8913461; aheadofprint