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Previous Volume 346:340-352 January 31, 2002 Number 5 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Estrogens have widespread biologic actions, and there are naturally occurring phytoestrogens that mimic some of the actions of endogenously produced estrogens. In this review, we will focus on new biochemical and molecular aspects of the action of estrogen, as well as the clinical and physiologic aspects.

Synthesis, Transport, and Metabolism of Estrogens

Synthesis of Estrogens

The naturally occurring estrogens 17-estradiol (E₂), estrone (E₁), and estriol (E₃) are C₁₈ steroids derived from cholesterol (Figure 1). After binding to lipoprotein receptors, cholesterol is taken up by steroidogenic cells, stored, and moved to the sites of steroid synthesis. This intracellular movement is facilitated by the cytoskeleton . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Endogenous Sources of Estrogens

Transport and Metabolism of Estrogens

Molecular Actions of Estrogens

Ligand-Dependent Activation of Estrogen Receptors — The Classic Pathway

Estrogen Receptors and

Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulators

Coactivators and Corepressors of Estrogen Receptors

Estrogen-Response Elements and Estrogen-Response Units

Alternative Pathways

            Ligand-Independent Activation of Estrogen Receptors

            Nonnuclear Actions of Estrogens

Physiologic Actions of Estrogens

Actions on Breast Tissue

Actions on the Central Nervous System

Vascular Effects

Effects on Bone

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Gruber at the Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Vienna Medical School, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, or at christian_gruber@chello.at.

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