Functions and physiological roles of two types of estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, identified by estrogen receptor knockout mouse

Abstract

Estrogen regulates the growth, development, and physiology of the human reproductive system. This hormone also influences neuroendocrine, skeletal, adipose,and cardiovascular systems. Estrogen is an important sex hormone produced primarily by the ovaries in females and testes in males. The biological actions of estrogen are mediated by binding to the ERs in target organs. ERα and ERβ are transcriptional factors that regulate the expression of specific genes in different tissues on a ligand dependent manner. Analysis of ERα and ERβfunctions using knockout mouse models has demonstrated the roles of estrogen signaling in different physiological processes. αERKO and βERKO mice are also valuable for examining the effect of ER signaling in specific target organs. Although transgenic mice do not always produce consistent results, these models are useful for evaluating the functions of genes under specific pathological conditions.