Estrogen receptor

estrogen receptor 1 (ER-alpha)
A dimer of the ligand-binding region of ERα (PDB rendering based on 3erd​).
Identifiers
Symbol	ESR1
Alt. symbols	ER-α, NR3A1
NCBI gene	2099
HGNC	3467
OMIM	133430
PDB	1ERE
RefSeq	NM_000125
UniProt	P03372
Other data
Locus	Chr. 6 q24-q27
Search for Structures Swiss-model Domains InterPro

estrogen receptor 2 (ER-beta)
A dimer of the ligand-binding region of ERβ (PDB rendering based on 1u3s​).
Identifiers
Symbol	ESR2
Alt. symbols	ER-β, NR3A2
NCBI gene	2100
HGNC	3468
OMIM	601663
PDB	1QKM
RefSeq	NM_001040275
UniProt	Q92731
Other data
Locus	Chr. 14 q21-q22
Search for Structures Swiss-model Domains InterPro

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are proteins found in cells that function as receptors for the hormone estrogen (17β-estradiol).^[1] There are two main classes of ERs. The first includes the intracellular estrogen receptors, namely ERα and ERβ, which belong to the nuclear receptor family. The second class consists of membrane estrogen receptors (mERs), such as GPER (GPR30), ER-X, and G_q-mER, which are primarily G protein-coupled receptors. This article focuses on the nuclear estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ).

Upon activation by estrogen, intracellular ERs undergo translocation to the nucleus where they bind to specific DNA sequences. As DNA-binding transcription factors, they regulate the activity of various genes. However, ERs also exhibit functions that are independent of their DNA-binding capacity.^[2] These non-genomic actions contribute to the diverse effects of estrogen signaling in cells.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) belong to the family of steroid hormone receptors, which are hormone receptors for sex steroids. Along with androgen receptors (ARs) and progesterone receptors (PRs), ERs play crucial roles in regulating sexual maturation and gestation. These receptors mediate the effects of their respective hormones, contributing to the development and maintenance of reproductive functions and secondary sexual characteristics.