Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) mediates expression of β-catenin and proliferation in prostate cancer cell line PC-3.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the mechanism underlying estrogen effects on the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3. 17β-estradiol and the ERβ-selective agonist DPN, but not the ERα-selective agonist PPT, increased the incorporation of [methyl-(3)H]thymidine and the expression of Cyclin D2, suggesting that ERβ mediates the proliferative effect of estrogen on PC-3 cells. In addition, upregulation of Cyclin D2 and incorporation of [methyl-(3)H]thymidine induced by 17β-estradiol and DPN were blocked by the ERβ-selective antagonist PHTPP in PC-3 cells.

Expression and regulation of the estrogen receptors in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells.

The aim of this study was to identify the expression, cellular localization and regulation of classic estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, ER-α36 isoform and GPER in the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3. In addition, we evaluated the relative contribution of these receptors to the activation of the ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases) signaling pathway. These four estrogen receptors were detected by Western blot assays and were shown by immunofluorescence assays to localize preferentially in extranuclear regions of PC-3 cells.

Receptors and signaling pathways involved in proliferation and differentiation of Sertoli cells.

The identification of the hormones and other factors regulating Sertoli cell survival, proliferation, and maturation in neonatal, peripubertal, and pubertal life remains one of the most critical questions in testicular biology. The regulation of Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation is thought to be controlled by cell-cell junctions and a set of circulating and local hormones and growth factors. In this review, we will focus on receptors and intracellular signaling pathways activated by androgen, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid hormone, activin, retinoids, insulin, insulin-like growth factor, relaxin, and estrogen, with special emphasis on estrogen receptors.

Physiopathological aspects of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the male reproductive system.

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway controls several biological processes throughout development and adult life. Dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling underlies a wide range of pathologies in animals and humans, including cancer in different tissues. In this review, we provide an update of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the possible roles of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the biology of testis, epididymis and prostate.

17β-estradiol signaling and regulation of Sertoli cell function.

In this review, we will present an overview of estrogen actions in the testis from immature and adult animals, with special emphasis on signaling mechanisms involved in the 17β-estradiol regulation of Sertoli cell function in immature rats. 17β-estradiol activates Sertoli cell proliferation in immature rats by a mechanism that involves the translocation of the estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2 to the plasma membrane, phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1. Activation of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) also induces phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 via epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation, which in turn increases expression of the antiapoptotic protein BCL2 and decreases the expression of proapoptotic protein BAX, indicating an antiapoptotic role of E2-GPER in immature rat Sertoli cells.