Role of estrogen receptor-α in the anterior pituitary gland

KM Scully, AS Gleiberman, J Lindzey… - Molecular …, 1997 - academic.oup.com
KM Scully, AS Gleiberman, J Lindzey, DB Lubahn, KS Korach, MG Rosenfeld
Molecular Endocrinology, 1997academic.oup.com
Targeted insertional disruption of the mouse estrogen receptor-α (ERα) gene has provided a
genetic model in which to test hypotheses that estrogens exert important effects in
development and homeostatic functions of the anterior pituitary gland, particularly in the
lactotroph and gonadotroph cell types. Analysis of ERα gene-disrupted mice reveals a
marked reduction in PRL mRNA and a decrease in lactotroph cell number, but normal
specification of lactotroph cell phenotype. Gonadotropin mRNA levels in ERα gene …
Abstract
Targeted insertional disruption of the mouse estrogen receptor-α (ERα) gene has provided a genetic model in which to test hypotheses that estrogens exert important effects in development and homeostatic functions of the anterior pituitary gland, particularly in the lactotroph and gonadotroph cell types. Analysis of ERα gene-disrupted mice reveals a marked reduction in PRL mRNA and a decrease in lactotroph cell number, but normal specification of lactotroph cell phenotype. Gonadotropin mRNA levels in ERα gene-disrupted female mice are elevated, consistent with previously described transcriptional suppression of gonadotropin subunit gene expression in response to sustained administration of estrogen in wild type mice. These results provide genetic evidence that ERα plays a critical role in PRL and gonadotropin gene transcription and is involved in lactotroph cell growth, but is not required for specification of lactotroph cell phenotype.
Oxford University Press