Oestrogen receptor β is involved in the actions of oestrogens in the brain for affective behaviour, but not trophic effects in peripheral tissues

Abstract

The steroid, 17β-oestradiol (E2) has pervasive psychological and physical effects throughout the lifespan. The question arises as to whether there are divergent oestrogen receptor (ER)-mediated mechanisms for these effects in the central nervous system (CNS) and periphery. This review focuses on results of studies using a whole animal model (i.e. female rats and mice) to investigate the relative effects and mechanisms of oestrogens in the CNS and the periphery. By using this approach, it has been possible to differentiate the enhancing effects of E2 on behavioural processes mediated by the hippocampus, such as affective behaviour, and the trophic effects that increase tumourigenesis and uterine growth. Studies using pharmacological manipulations and knockout mice suggest that a likely mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of E2 for hippocampal function (but not proliferative effects in the body) involves actions at ERβ, changes in cell cycle/division (e.g. cyclin D1) and/or histone modifications. Thus, it may be possible to differentiate the beneficial effects of oestrogens through ERβ, particularly in the CNS, from the negative proliferative effects on peripheral, E2-sensitive tissues. © 2010 The Author. Journal Compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.