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Estrogen receptor‐β: Implications for the prostate gland
Author(s) -
Chang William Y.,
Prins Gail S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0045(19990701)40:2<115::aid-pros7>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - prostate , prostate gland , estrogen , estrogen receptor , medicine , mammary gland , endocrinology , biology , breast cancer , cancer
Estrogens can have profound effects on prostate growth and differentiation. These effects were thought to be mediated by the classical estrogen receptor; however, the discovery of a second estrogen receptor has redefined the estrogen signaling pathway and may have broad implications on estrogen‐responsive tissues, including the prostate. The new estrogen receptor, named estrogen receptor‐β (ERβ), is preferentially expressed in the prostate and maintains some characteristics that are different from ERα. Establishing the distribution and function of ERβ in the various estrogen‐responsive tissues is critical to defining its pharmacological and physiological impact. Differential expression of ERβ may facilitate development of tissue‐specific estrogen agonists and antagonists, a goal in the treatment of diseases in estrogen‐sensitive tissues such as breast cancer. This article reviews the current knowledge on ERβ and its potential impact on the prostate. Prostate 40:115–124, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.