Expression and cellular localization of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the human fetus

Citation
J. Takeyama et al., Expression and cellular localization of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the human fetus, J CLIN END, 86(5), 2001, pp. 2258-2262
Citations number
27
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Endocrynology, Metabolism & Nutrition","Endocrinology, Nutrition & Metabolism
Journal title
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
ISSN journal
0021-972X → ACNP
Volume
86
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
2258 - 2262
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-972X(200105)86:5<2258:EACLOE>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
Estrogens exert various biological effects by acting through their native r eceptors, two of which have been identified to date: estrogen receptors alp ha (ER alpha) and beta (ER beta). In this study we examined the expression and cellular localization of ER alpha and ER beta in various human fetal ti ssues by semiquantitative RT-PCR (13 and 20 gestational weeks) and immunohi stochemistry (13, 20, and 38 gestational weeks), respectively, to study the possible effects of estrogens on human fetal tissues during development. R elatively high levels of ER beta expression were detected in various human fetal tissues, whereas those tissues expressing ER beta had markedly lower levels of ER alpha expression. ER beta messenger ribonucleic acid expressio n was especially high in the adrenal gland. ER beta -immunoreactive protein was localized to the definitive zone, but not in the fetal zone, of the ad renal cortex. Although low levels of ER beta messenger ribonucleic acid wer e present in the brain, heart, lung, and kidney, ER beta immunoreactivity w as not detected in these tissues. These results suggest that the effects of estrogens in these tissues are predominantly mediated through ER beta. ER beta immunoreactivity was detected in Sertoli cells and spermatogonia in th e male reproductive tract and in germ cells in the fetal testis and epididy mis. In the female reproductive tract, both ER alpha and ER beta were immun opositive in epithelium of the oviduct. The results of the present study ha ve demonstrated the possible sites for estrogenic action in the human fetus : and suggest that the effects of estrogen via ER beta may play important r oles in human fetal development, especially in the definitive zone of the a drenal cortex, and in the reproductive tissues of the developing fetus.