Selective estrogen-receptor modulators

Selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs) are synthetic, nonsteroidal agents, previously called anti-estrogens, that bind to the estrogen receptor and result in either estrogen-agonist or estrogen-antagonist effects in different target tissues. Differences in the effects of these agents are complex and not completely understood. In part, different actions are caused by unique SERM-receptor conformations for each medication and subsequent binding of different adaptor proteins. These different adaptor proteins facilitate or inhibit transcription of different DNA sequences and ultimately result in unique physiological effects.