The estrogen receptor is a receptor for estrogen; it is located intracellularly, in parallel with other steroid hormone receptors. When bound to a hormone, it acts as a transcription factor - it regulates the reading of DNA and production of proteins.
Proteomics
The receptors exist in dimers, and there are two possible subunits (α and β). Hence, there are three combinations: ERα (αα), ERβ (ββ) and ERαβ (αβ).
Different tissues express the combinations in different proportions, and every combination had a different affinity to estrogen response elements, the sequence on DNA that leads to transcription of particular genes on activation of the estrogen receptor.
Genetics
The two chains are coded by different genes on the sixth and fourteenth chromosome (6q25.1 and 14q), respectively.
Diagnostic use
ER status is used to determine sensitivity of breast cancer lesions to tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.
See also
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