Overview

ER-α is a 17β-estradiol-activated steroid receptor member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. It has a variety of central physiological roles, including those involved in maintenance of the reproductive, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems.

Expression

ER-α is expressed at low to moderate levels in major physiological systems (central nervous system (CNS), endocrine, metabolic, gastrointestinal, immune, reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory and structural), with peaks of expression in the pituitary, ovary, uterus and vas deferens.

View full NURSA ERα expression dataset

Diseases

ER-α dysfunction is associated with cancer (bone cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer and uterine cancer), central nervous system (CNS) defects (alcoholism, migraine), cardiovascular system defects (aortic aneurysm, susceptibility to myocardial infarction, aortic valve sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension), hematological system defects (deep vein thrombosis), immune and inflammation diseases (Graves' Disease, arthritis, mulitple sclerosis, cirrhosis), susceptibility to infection (hepatitis B, chronic liver disease), metabolic defects (bone density, cholestasis, hypospadias, obesity, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, osteoporosis), neurological defects (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, migraine, vertigo), psychiatric defects (anorexia nervosa, attention deficity hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, major depressive disorder, psychosis) and reproductive defects (age of menarche, endometriosis, infertility).

Phenotypes

Targeted deletion (knockout) of ER-α results in defects in the central nervous system (CNS), the immune system, the musculoskeletal system and the reproductive system.

View ERα Diseases and Phenotypes section